Happy Birthday America

We celebrated the 4th with a cookout at Bill and Rebecca's and then Steve, Reeve and I hit the NRH fireworks show with David & Thomas Bohannan and the Hernandez Family! So fun! We thought Wesley would be a little young to enjoy them, so we sent him home with Grammy and Grampy. NRH put on a good little show! Of course, we have been spoiled forever by the Boston Pops Fireworks...not much can compare. We watched them on TV when we got home and they are even amazing on television! The way they time every one of them to the music...simply amazing! Can't wait to take Wesley to see fireworks next year. I love the 4th! Happy Birthday America!


Steve, Jake & David with Kailey & Thomas

Steve and Dave-O

Ooooh!

Ahhhh!

What happens when Steve gets a hold of the baby

My Dad likes to punk out my hair when we hang out. Here we are just chillin' on July 4th. Hope everyone had a fun one!

McDonald's Mania

Me and the Birthday Boy

Amber, Me & Anne

Annie, Amber & Diane

Carri & sweet little Ainsley Belle

Beautiful blue eyed Alli!

April & Alli go for a slide

Wesley checks out the loot in the goodie bags

Baseball cupcakes that took awhile to make - thanks Nana!

The party table before the toddlers hit it hard...wish I had an "after" picture! I felt really bad for the sweet lady that had to clean it when we left!

Reeve was really bored at the party

April, Sam, Jeannie, Kamryn & Bryce hang out

Kellie & Susan

Sweet Carter smiles for the camera

All Partied Out

What a week! Parties galore for little man Wes. He had a little church friends party at McDonald's on his actual birthday and then a small family celebration at Steve's parents house that night. Then all the family...including Grammy, Grampy, Nana, Papa, Aunt Rebecca, Uncle Billy and kids went to a nearby water park on Saturday to celebrate some more. Needless to say, it was a fun week for Wesley and exhausting week for Mom! No, the truth is, I'm such a sucker for parties...I had just as much fun as Wesley did! Here are a few pictures from Thursday night. I'll post more from McD's and the water park later.


The Brothers - notice the new matching shirts!

Presents!

Concentrating

Wow! My very own laptop!

Happy Birthday Sweet Wesley

Look who is 2 today!
Wesley - We love you more than you will ever know! You keep us laughing all the time and bring such joy to our lives. You are the best big brother. I wish I could bottle up all the adorable things you do and say and re-live them when you older and into other things. Like the way you talk in a "sing-songy" voice when you say "MaaaaaMa" or "DaaaaaDa". Or how you try so hard to be understood even though we don't always know what you're saying...you are determined! I love how you repeat every one's name about a million times when you are talking to them..."Mimi, Mimi, Mimi, Mimi....Aaash (Shoes)". I love how you sympathize with people when they are hurt or crying. You fake cry right along with your brother to let me know you feel his pain. And that face you make when you say "Uh-oh" and "oh" is the most precious thing ever. I just want to squeeze you all the time because you are so stinkin' cute. Some new words that you have learned lately are: "up", "pees" (please), "bee" (anything on the ground...a dead bug, a piece of hair, a crumb). "ash" (trash...where the "bees" go), "knee" (the latest body part that we've discovered), "hep pees" (help please), "boos coos" (Blue's Clues - your new favorite video), "Joe" (the guy on Boos Coos), "cheese" (your favorite food), "leedleedlee" (video/dvd). While this is really gross, I can't help but mention how you have a really sensitive gag reflex and often hurl whatever it was that made you gag (plus the rest of your breakfast, lunch, snack or dinner). Ugh! This has really tried your Mama's patience, but you can't help it baby. You always know to go in the bowl that we hold up to your face. And then after it's all said and done you reenact the whole thing by grabbing the bowl and pretending to hurl. I try my hardest not to laugh. I could go on and on...you are learning new things every day and growing up so fast. Don't grow up too fast Mister!! No matter how big you get - you'll always be my baby. Happy Birthday Sweet Boy.
Love,
Mom

Happy Birthday Hubs!

Well, this is a day late, but I wanted to give a shout out to the hubs for his birthday!!!! Way to make it to 32 babe! I love you like crazy and am so thankful for the 6 (almost 7) years God has given us together! So in honor of you, sweetie, I'm going to list 32 things (just a few of the millions of things) I love about you:

1. You are honest to the core
2. You are the hardest worker I know
3. You live every aspect of your life with integrity
4. You are considerate of others
5. You think the best of people
6. You are slow to anger...never a harsh word
7. You are a servant
8. You are slow to speak because you don't just want to talk to hear yourself...your words are thought-out and profound.
9. You make the best stove-top popcorn...lots of butter and salt (YUM)
10. You are adorable when you get all silly
11. You can make me laugh like no one else
12. You are soooooooo patient with me
13. You are a terrific provider
14. You are super organized and help me in that area BIG TIME
15. You love to grill...so cute
16. You love food...gotta love a man who loves to eat
17. You are one of the biggest ice cream fans that I know...so cute
18. You are the biggest Red Sox, Patriots and Celtics fan that I know
19. And to add to the one above...you have deep sentimentality towards where you came from and stay true to that
20. You like to eat healthy and stay fit...gotta love that in a man
21. You are consistent
22. You love your family
23. You honor your parents
24. You love me and your boys and would lay down your life for us
25. You are the best Dad in the whole world
26. I love watching you and Wesley play and laugh together...he thinks the world of you
27. You would rather let me go shopping and get something for myself than get something for you...so selfless and sweet
28. You are super easy-going
29. I can tell you anything and know that I will not be judged or looked down upon because you are TRUSTWORTHY
30. You love the Lord with all your heart
31. You are a wonderful spiritual leader in our home
32. You are a MAN OF GOD and the BEST MAN FOR ME!!!!!!!!!

Melt my Heart!

This is the first smile my Mom was able to catch on camera!

Notice the dimple on my right cheek! I get that from Mom.

I'm really playing it up for the camera here. Hooray!

Hot Fun in the Summer Sun

It's summer and it's stinkin hot. Thankfully, we've found a cool spot to park ourselves - it's called NRH2O and IT'S A GOD SEND! Imagine the biggest playground ever and then picture it surrounded by water. Add a lazy river, lots of shade and constant entertainment for a two year old and, well, you know where I will be this summer. Folks, it's wonderful. I was a little scared at first to take both boys by myself. A toddler who constantly wanders away from me and a newborn who can't sit-up much less get in the sun/water was not something I was too excited about. Needless to say, I was a little freaked out my first day. I fed Reeve right before we left and got Wesley all swim diapered and sunscreened up. I loaded up the double stroller (which I loooove by the way) with all our gear and took off. I decided to get there as soon as it opened so I could have my pick of parking and shade spots. We plopped ourselves down right near the ankle deep kiddie area (so I could keep an eye on Wesley) and checked on Reeve - sound asleep. So far, so good. Wesley played happily in the water (being careful not to get his head wet or ANY water on his face...so funny that boy) and I just sat there. Yes, I actually got to sit!!!!! Rarely does this happen at home people. Occassionally Wesley would want me to join him in the water, but he was kept busy watching everyone around him. My dream newborn slept the entire time! I think it was the combination of the heat and the soothing water sounds that keeped him sacked out. So, all-in-all, it was a very pleasant experience and we have been back many times. And I haven't even mentioned the best part! Several friends from church also have a season pass, so we all meet there and have fun together! Whoo-hoo!


This place rocks!

Wesley splashing Tex (my friend Amber's son). Tex and Wesley were born only 2 days apart!

Tex splashing Wesley

The kiddie area (ankle deep water)

No. 500

Congrats Manny!

Zoo Part 4

Sweaty little boy at the zoo

Dylan checks his wing span

The Southside Hurst P's. The birthday girl looks sleepy!

We were barely out of the parking lot when I looked back and saw this.

More Zoo Animals

What Texas zoo would be complete without some horses?

This little guy just kept staring at me - I startled him when I took the picture

This was a hawk flying demonstration...such a beautiful bird!

This monkey was hiding pretty good up in his tree house, but I managed to get a shot

More Zoo Pics

Gorilla Moon

Flamingos

Sic em Bears!

pretty kitty - trying to stay cool in the shade