Beautiful Day!

We LOVED the weather today!! You know it's been cold and snowy when a day like today just makes you want to be outside all day! It was so nice today and warm enough to ride bikes and go on walks. I felt like it was sort of Ethan's first day really outside because he was so little and in the infant carrier in the fall. He loved sitting up in the stroller and watching Braden play and Chris wash cars. Let's hope for more days like today!

It's an interesting day when you're riding your bike while your dad is shoveling. :)

Trying out the scooter that he got for Christmas-this may take some practice

My IU boys

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! Chris likes him to wear his helmet even on this bike because he is such a maniac on this thing. He can get going pretty fast down the hill and then turns at the last minute-sheesh! I see some big wrecks in our future.

Sitting up

Ethan is becoming such a big boy already! He's pretty much sitting on his own now for short periods of time. He will topple after a bit so we sit nearby. :) He loves the new views and Braden always brings him his "baby toys" to play with.

Ethan's Baby Dedication

Last night was Ethan's baby dedication at our church. Baby Dedication is where we thank God for our baby and ask for wisdom in raising him to love God and honor Him. Ethan did such a great job on stage! We were front in center and he was kicking his feet the whole time enjoying the lights and attention. :) I guess he's used to the stage since he played Baby Jesus. Ha! Thank you to our family that came to see us. It was great having you there.

All of the children being dedicated

Braden got to hang out in big church with the grandparents until he got a big squirrely. Then he took Papa T to Bibleland to play.

Gma Cindy & Ethan

Papa T, Mimi, & Granny with the kiddos

The whole crew-unfortunately my camera wasn't liking the lighting in church so we didn't get the best of pictures but I'm glad we got some.

The family-I am one blessed mama to have these awesome boys in my life!

Our small group that's not very small anymore!

On Friday we had our old small group over to hang out and catch up. It's crazy to think when this group first started no one was even pregnant and now there are 6 kids! Although we don't get together regularly anymore it is so fun to catch up and see how our families have grown. Thanks for coming guys...it was great seeing you!

Becca & Ethan-just 7 days apart...possible future girlfriend :)

Caleb was loving the slide!

Braden was loving having all of his friends over

Madelyn, Becca & Ethan just taking it all in

Jayla just looking cute

Ethan and I getting in some cuddling. I love when he reaches for my face like this-so precious

The boys playing

I love to watch Braden and Ethan play together! Ethan just lights up when he sees his brother and has a whole different smile on his face when he's near. Braden can do almost anyhing and it makes Ethan laugh. I can only hope they'll always be this sweet to each other...one can hope, right? :)

Fun Playdate

On Thursday the McAfee's invited us over for a fun playdate with a geat group of kiddos. Braden wanted to take the parachute over because we are always telling him we "need more people." This was definitely a chance to get more people. The moms all did the parachute while the kids ran underneath. Thanks guys for a fun day!


All of the cuties

They had so much fun running back and forth..oh how I wish I had a toddler's energy!

Art Sparks

On Wednesday we headed over to Louisville's Speed Art Museum to go to Art Sparks. Braden and I went over the summer but it was a first for Ethan and Chris. Braden loves this place and has asked to go all day, everyday since Wednesday. I guess we'll have to make another trip very soon.

I was so proud of Chris for wearing this front carrier....He saw Matt wear one this summer so he must of thought it was ok if he did it-ha!! Ethan liked hanging with Daddy.

* The surprise of the day was shortly after these pictures were taken Ethan vomited everywhere!! He never even spits up so it was definitely a shocker. We left immediately and he threw up several more times in the car so we headed straight to the Dr. The Doc said it was probably a stomach bug and he never got sick again. It only lasted 2 hours and then he was fine. ??? I'm glad it was short lived because it sure scared mommy. :(

Buddy in the mirror

Ethan likes to sit on the bathroom counter and watch me get ready just like Braden did. :) He likes looking at that "other" cute baby on the counter.

Ethan at 5 months

Braden at 5 months

Snowed in

Just hanging with Daddy

Ethan's 5 month picture

Today we tried vegetables for the first time. We started with sweet potatoes and Ethan LOVED it! I had my camera ready to get a funny picture of his first reaction but he actually didn't react. He acted like he had been eating this all of his life??? I'm glad he liked it so much.

"Give me more mom!"

This was the reaction when it was all gone-poor baby. :(

Valentine's Day

Braden getting his Valentines ready for school

Valentine's morning-Braden got a Melissa & Doug spelling puzzle

Ethan got a parachute-funny right? I've wanted one of these ever since I took Braden to a Gymboree class when he was about the same age. Both of the boys are loving it but it sure is hard to play "parachute" with 3 people (well really 2 1/2). Ha!

Chris and I had our "Valentine's date" Saturday afternoon. We went out for a yummy lunch and then to a movie. It was so nice being out on our own. :) The boys got me pretty flowers and Chris got a boating magazine so he can figure out what else we need to buy for the boat (in navy blue of course) hee hee. Last night I made a fancy Valentine's dinner for us in which Chris and I loved and Braden of course wouldn't touch-steak, potatoes, asparagus, and cookie cake.

This weekend

It's a good thing we found sleds because we seem to be getting more snow lately and of course more is on the way! Chris took Braden up to St. Joe's Church for sledding again and Ethan and I stayed home this time.

The boys getting ready to go

When they got home they played outside so Ethan and I watched through the window.

Ready for church

Too cute-I love the way Braden looks out for Ethan and I love the way Ethan looks at his big brother. It's amazing how even though they are so little, they already have a special bond. :)

Ethan

Love my little snuggle bug after a bath

Cheesin' in his saucer

"Hey Mom, I'm big stuff up here!"

"Where'd you go?"

"There you are!" Notice the shirt..."Single & Lovin' it" Ha!

Moments to remember

When I was little my dad would tuck me in and tell me these big elaborate make believe stories about being chased in the woods by bears, deer, raccoons, you name it and how they became his friends and so forth. He would then show me a boo boo on his hand and tell me that's where the deer bit him. :) I loved these stories!! Even when I got older and had slumber parties at his house, he would still tell my friends and I these crazy stories and we would love it even though we acted too old for them. Well I've started this same idea with Braden each night. Not deer and bears chasing me but stories with he and his friends, or Buzz Lightyear, or Pinocchio (he saw this movie recently), whatever he's into that day. I use them as a teaching lesson to and describe how "Buzz" didn't share his toys etc... Braden is eating these stories up! It's the only time I have his full, undivided attention. He doesn't move a muscle and stares right into my eyes and listens to every word. I am loving these sweet moments together and I don't want to forget them.