t o d a y...

 Today I woke up to my little guy talking in his crib.

One of my favorite parts of my every day is getting him out of bed first thing in the morning. He is oh so happy, kicks his legs and flaps his arms really fast. I pick him up and he always has a snuggle for me. I let snuggle as long as he will.

Cohen has been sleeping a bit longer than him lately, so have a little alone time. We go to my bed, I nurse him, then we chat. We laugh. We snuggle. It is heavenly.

When Co wakes, it's another happy time. He also wants a quick snuggle as it takes him a little while to wake up all the way.

{what am I going to do when my boys don't want snuggles anymore?}

Today we were playing cars in Co's room and he said something that made me laugh - he had two cars talking to each other and one car said "wanna go to the park? Yeah? Oh did you pee your pants at the park? Oh darn it. It's ok."

 Brendon could watch Cohen play in his room for hours, and he usually has a stare on his face like this one...

 Lately we've been teaching Cohen about the importance of eating healthy, trying to encourage him. One thing that is encouraging to him is if he eats well, he'll grow big and strong like Dad. The other day at the dinner table Co said "So Dad, I'll grow up big to lock the dead bolt." I loved it.

He's also been talking to himself or maybe an imaginary friend.

Hmmmm...

He'll say things like "Oh you did? Yeah I did. Oh good I see."

As if he's saying both sides of a conversation.

Silly man.

For entertainment and festivity,

we hung hearts in our living room.

Happy February tomorrow!

The month of LOVE.

Sleepover in Dallas

 We had a sleepover.
And it was perfect.
Melis called me in the afternoon last weekend and said "Lis, how spontaneous are you two feeling?" I smiled and said "Very?". They invited us over for dinner, with the missionaries in their ward, and for a sleepover so we could be together longer and not have to leave early enough to drive 40 mins back home. Perfect idea! Dinner was delicious, as usual. Kabobs. After the missionaries left and as we were cleaning up dinner Melis had a cute smirk on her face and said "So...we got a babysitter tonight, just in case." HA! I love them. So much that they knew we would be all for leaving our kids with a sitter after they were asleep. That's just what we did.
We went geocaching.
If you haven't heard of it, look it up, better yet DO IT.
So it's like finding a hidden treasure.
You go online and get a map that gives you clues and little puzzles you have to solve, then you plug the numbers in as your GPS coordinates and you search for a hidden treasure! People do this all over and I guess some people are very into it.
Thing was our first time, and it WON'T be our last.
On our quest we had to find different murals and answer questions about them. We were in the "ritzy" part of Oakcliff in Dallas. {reminded me of Park City, Utah} 

{Think these cars parked close enough together?!}

 Whaa laa!
We found our soup thermos under a stairwell.
So I guess the deal is when you find a treasure you can sign your name on a page in it saying you've been there {we didn't} and you can also put something in it. An example of something random inside our thermos there was a tube of sparkles.

 After geocaching, we went strolling.
Very cool shops, with very appealing merchandise, with extremely high prices. 
We were definitely 'window shopping'. 
Still so fun. My favorite, this Soda Pop shop. 

 The trees outside had knitted tree sweaters on.

 I had to get a pic in the bathroom with all these stickers. 
Crazy cool!
Make sure you look at my socks - I didn't dress for the outing and borrowed Melis' coat and socks. Too bad my feet are 2 sizes bigger than hers or else I would probably have a pair of her boots on.

 We also hung out with Marilyn and The King in the Soda Shop. Not sure what my face or pose is in this pic...just trying to be cardboard I guess.

 

Cork board and bottle cap decor.

 After all this exploring, the night was still young.
That's one reason I love being with the Garza's.
We headed back home to sound sleeping babes, paid the sitter, 
and got ice cream and graham crackers out.
We talked for hours.
When I layed my head down in bed the clock said 1:55 am. 
And I thought....oh so worth it.
Then I though....when can we have our next sleepover?


We made it home the next morning for church.
We LOVE sleepovers in Dallas.
They sorta feel like a mini get-a-way.


Thank YOU Garza's.
Xoxo

p l a y m a t e

 We had a new friend come play at our house yesterday, Ethan. He's three and he's in our ward and his mama just had twin girls. He and Cohen had a blast! I was expecting plenty of fights over toys, competition, screaming...there wasn't any of that.

 

 The boys worked VERY hard at building "a big huge bridge tower".

 {had to post this sneeze face. perfect timing}

Ethan is a great friend, and a good example.

We are excited to have him play again tomorrow.

Let's hope things go as smoothly. :)

Brend

 6 months

weight: 17.4 lbs {50%}

height: 28 ins {80%} 

 Two words:

MELLOW.

FIREBALL.

He's sorta like an oxymoron.

But he is delicous.

He is HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY.

He smiles MOST the day.

He is snuggly.

Content playing alone, although he is needing more entertainment lately. 
Cohen is perfect at doing that for him.

He eats anything given to him.

LOVES to jump while being held under his armpits.

Loves his voice, especially when it's extra LOUD.

rainy days are good days

 On a typical rainy day at our house, we stay in jammies extra long, eat a few extra snacks, watch a few extra shows, and play with playdough. 
Jello playdough, homemade with love by Grandma.

 We even went BOWLING with playdough.

 Of course build a snowman. Co named him Snowflakes, original.

He also took this picture of Snowflakes and I ALL BY HIMSELF. Pretty impressive.

chubbs

I love his chubb.

I also love our new church time, 11:00 am. 

Sure beats 8:30 am by a long shot.

I feel like we actually have a morning that we can be together as a family, have a yummy breakfast, and not have to run out the door half dressed to make it on time.

2012 is going to be a good year.

summery winter

 The second week of January and we were running around outside half naked. Heavenly! The boys are so much happier and easy going, and that makes me one happier mama.
Do I miss winter in Provo? Heavens no.

 It was so nice Dad even had to take a break from the books and play a bit. One of Cohen's favorite tricks - throw the ball on the roof, get it stuck, then knock it off and try and make a basket.

We love summery winters!

Holiday weekends.

 We absolutely LOVE when holidays come around and Dad doesn't have to go to school. Martin Luther King Day was a little chilly but that didn't keep us inside. We headed to a fun park called Arcadia Park just down the road from us. It has an awesome covered playground, swings, tennis & basketball courts, soccer fields, trails to ride and walk on, and a frisbee golf course. We took our frisbee golf discs for the first time to play.

Very cool area with lots of trees that makes you feel like your in the woods 

{yes, even in FLAT Texas}

Definitely can't pass a river without throwing at LEAST one rock in. 

I love raising boys.

Sunday evening we had the Garza's over for dinner and dessert. It feels like "HOME" when they are with us. Cohen and Brooklyn played and played.

Cute little friends.

 Wonderful holiday weekend.
Relaxing. Entertaining. Lots of time together as a family.

M Y   B O Y S

Cohen

:: age 2 1/2 ::

Recent quotes and quirks and new tricks by Co:

- "What's wrong with the moon?" {covered by clouds}

- "Oh I see. Yes, you're right."

- "Shake ya bootie."

- "hmm....must be st nick." {even after Christmas}

- candles of any kind = happy birthday

- He's on a shortening-name fetish {Grams. Gramps. Nan. Lon.}

- Playing with my parents answering machine, he pushed a button and said "I'd like a hangaber!"

- "Drat!" - a word used by the big bad wolf in a book.

- "Holy Moly."

- "Where's me at?"  {when's he's hiding}

- "Where's Grandma?" mom: "Utah." "Oh man! Well I'm posed to live in Utah for a long time."

- While him and I were eating crackers and hummus he joked "I don't like hummus in my mouth, I like it in my nose."

- He is beginning to like oatmeal...finally.

- He can drop kick a big ball VERY well. 

{cross your fingers for a little soccer player}

- He pulls his pants or undies down if they are SLIGHTLY too high, which is every time they get put on.

- We made some family goals to start out the new year and two of his are 1. Be nice to Brendon daily & 2. Learn all the sounds of the alphabet with no mistakes. He is doing great on both! I've been VERY impressed with how well he's remembering to be nice to Brend. He'll help Brendon out then look at me with a proud smile and say "My Goal." Good to know he's remembering.

- learning to ride his bike well.

Brendon

:: 6 months ::

 
What's new with Brend:

- Sitting up well.

- Loving baby food solids. He has eaten anything and everything we have given him. He even eats the green veggies {Cohen would not}. Peas do make him gag at times, they have to be plenty warm and mixed with rice. He eats rice cereal and about 2 jars of food every time he eats. I'm almost positive he'll be passing up his big brother before we know it.

- Sleeps from 8 pm to 8 am, takes a 2-3 hour nap in the middle of the day, sometimes a tiny cat-nap late morning.

- Just getting over a nasty cold, but wasn't grumpy for a second the whole time.

- Happy happy happy happy happy.

- Smiles at anyone that makes eye contact with him.

- Starting to laugh at many more things.

- Still thinks Co is the best in the world.
- Size 3 diapers. 

UTAH trip. {cont.}

:: Week 3 ::

When I'm in Texas and people ask me how I like it my response is something like "It's great! We live in a great area." but when I'm in Utah and asked the same question I hesitate and say "It's good, but it's not home." Also, it desperately needs mountains.

 Monday was such a pretty morning! Sunny and fairly warm, Co and I played outside while Brendon slept. We dug in the sand, played latter golf, visit with Kelly Atkin next door. I love and miss my parents backyard. Even in the winter, I think it's beautiful.

 One day we met Dad for lunch at Jimmy's. YUM. #4 with Dijon please. And they have the best diet coke, which I RARELY drink pop these days, but way back when I did.....yum.

 Tuesday we watched Kai while Josh worked and that was so much fun for Co and I. I haven't had 6 hours of Kai to myself EVER I don't think. We did a little bonding, and I thanked Josh for letting me take him. He is such a sweet boy, and such a good example as a older cousin for Co. He just loves Brendon and wanted to keep getting snuggles from him.

 Naoms and her necklaces, the balls from latter golf. She finds something girly in everything, I just love it.

100 % GIRL.

 Uncle Jade and Aunt Tiffy came and said Goodbye to their three handsome nephews. Oh my goodness, I miss these two love birds. I would pay A LOT of money to have them live by us again. We're so proud of them working hard in school, and we're secretly hoping that they come to Dental school in TX one day.

 Cort and Corby playing on Mom's new Ipad.

Handsome boys. Love them.

 One day the boys and I met my friend Crystal and her boys at the temple to visit and let the boys play outside. It was SO good to see her. Her and her sweet little family bought a house in S.G. and I am a tiny bit jealous. ;) Mostly happy for them. I could not believe how fast her boys have grown up. They are darling, good boys, and she is so gorgeous.

 This place I think TIES as my favorite place in town.

So beautiful on the inside and out.

 Little A man.

He's so yummy, I just couldn't get enough snuggles in.

 Loni is no longer a WANT in my life, she's a NEED.

She is one of the greatest people I have ever met, and I am one lucky girl to called her my best friend.

The cutest mommy and wife.

So proud of her.

 Playing hide and seek with my family, I'm pretty sure I had the best hiding spot of the night. I figured it was worthy of the post.

 Cohen is STILL talking about shooting the air soft gun with Gramps. They shot cups over and that was way too cool for this little boy. He still keeps asking me "Hey mom, nember the trigger?"

 There aren't too many better things than freshly cleaned babies in lotion and jammies. Mmmmm.

 The day before we left the boys and I went to the spin park with my parents. We had so much fun we could have stayed MUCH longer. It was warm, no wind and not one cloud in the sky.

 I thoroughly enjoyed watching my cute parents turn into little kids at the park. They are still young and in love.

What a blessing.

 That evening I took my mom shopping, while the others got my mom's surprise party ready back at the house. We all met for dinner then got home to one heck of a party! I could not believe how many people came. My mama is one loved woman. She was COMPLETELY surprised, mostly because it was 2 weeks before her birthday, also because we are a sneaky team. We thought it would be fun to party while we were in town.

 There is nothing good about goodbyes.

Especially when you are leaving the town you belong in, the people you belong with, and have had the best 3 weeks you've had in a long time. 

Back to reality I guess, right?

This picture is not a joke. This was me and the boys at the airport. I also carried the HUGE duffel bag on my shoulder.

Most everyone was starring; some expressions said "WOW, she's super woman!" but most of them said "What is she thinking?! She is crazy." Ha! Call me crazy, but I would do it again in a heartbeat. Piece of cake.

 The flight was close to perfect. Cohen didn't make a peep, other than saying he was ready to eat another fruit roll up. He played on the Itouch and drew a picture or two. Brendon was asleep before we were in the air and I literally had to wake him up when we landed. The flight was a very relaxing 2.5 hours, other than having so many mixed emotions: heart broken to leave, so excited to see and touch Brock, nervous to be a mom of two boys and cook, and clean, and do laundry all on my own again.

But my mom was right....Naturally, my motherly powers slowly came back to me.

The night we got home, Brock found this on Cohen's back in the tub.....a piece of one of the 3 fruit roll ups he ate on the plane. HA! I remember him making a necklace with one of them, and he was a missing piece.

I can't really express what the past 3 weeks meant to me.

In a nutshell {a very small shell} it couldn't have more perfectly fit my needs at the time. My sweet little family is so lucky to be loved and supported by so many wonderful people.

Life just feels RIGHT when we're all together in Utah.

Thank you everyone who made our trip happen, and worth every minute.

We love you all dearly.