a night out on the town

 We went on a late birthday celebration, six hours long.

I felt like a giddy, drooly school girl being alone with Brock for so long. We went to the ritzy town of Southlake, about 25 mins from us. Carmel Chicken and Pesto Bistro and Pumpkin Pecan cheesecake to go at Cheesecake Factory was a good start to the evening. Then we pretended we were rich and went from shop to shop looking at things we would put on our "someday we'll buy one" list. We both actually did spend some birthday money on ourselves {surprisingly enough}, updated our wardrobes a little. 

We even snuck into the same dressing room once.

{these pics were 2 of 12. Brock didn't approve 

of his "triple chin" so we kept trying}

  

After browsing the shops until they were almost all closed, we stopped at Piccomolo Italian Ice and got Sea Salt Carmel Gelato. Divine! We laughed, we chatted about serious and not so serious things, we walked holding hands, we watched people and we sat on a bench by a pretty fountain and just enjoyed being close.

I am so in love with this man of mine.

He makes my life feel complete.

fishin' in the park

 Purchased a new pole and headed to Trinity River to catch a fish.

We had a little luck and caught one, but he was large and snapped our line before we reeled him in all the way. Bummer!

My favorite part of this experience was watching Brock and Co catch grasshoppers to use as bait. Don't know how they caught two to use, but the big fishy sure liked the hopper!  

 Windy, fun, sunny fishin' day.

Baby Knox at the Park

{Brend :: Cohen :: Knox Seals}
 
Last week I babysat my friend Jamie's little guy, Knox, while she was on a business trip. He's a sweetie! And oh so snuggly.

One day we all had cabin fever and so we ventured out to our neighborhood park.

It was refreshing, to say the least. 

 And a peek-a-boo from Brend.

T W I S T E R

 We played outside a lots already, eaten too many snacks and watched too many shows, so we needed some GAME TIME.

We were all full of wiggles so we figured TWISTER was a good choice.

 Brend had some pretty creative twister poses, and mostly wanted to just jump on the mat. I was proud how patient Cohen was. :)

This never gets old!

two HUGE pieces of my heart

 Cohen is 3 years old.

He LOVES watching "shows" and Madagascar is his favorite lately.

He loves making his brother and friends laugh, and LOVES preschool. He is learning a lot about gaining responsibility lately and really likes it, surprisingly. He always wants to help clean and do laundry and dishes.

He HAS to have every tag cut off his shirt now a days.

Some favorite quotes from Cohen lately:

Playing pretend and saying "Here we go to Walmart to ride the bikes and get a free cookie!" and when swinging on saying "Go Heavenly Father, make this swing go longer!" and the best one is when he says "Mom, is it ok if I talk to myself for a little bit?"

He is toughening up Brendon a little everyday.

90% of the time they play wonderful together. 

 Brendon is 1 year and 3 months old.
He just had two teeth break through this week, now has 8.

He is a ham! He loves to joke with people, eats more than Cohen still, keeps up with Cohen and fights back. He is fearless and determined. Today at the park we packed up to leave and he smirked at me as he walked slowly away from me and climbed onto the playground to play more. He thinks this is hilarious. Very different from Cohen has ever been. Maybe 1st and 2nd child difference?
Brend is starting to speak a little more. He says Yeah, Nack {snack} are his newest words. Still just content not speaking hardly at all. Stinker. 

He still snuggles me daily, lights up when Daddy gets home, is contend to be alone when all the other kids are in a group playing. Loves feeding himself and also wants to help out with chores. He is snuggle and sweet but can flip a switch in an instance and be a little feisty.

They are two of the greatest blessings in my life.

They teach me plenty every day.

I always say this, but they wear me out!

And I thank them for it.
    

Here are all five of my parents gradkids...

Parley James 7 months :: Brend 1 :: Naomi almost 3

Co almost 3.5 :: Corbin almost 5

F A L L festivities

 Perfect Sunday evening activity, and so yummy.

 I remember growing up and being SO EXCITED to decorate for each holiday with my mom. The boys and I got what little decor out we have, and I got creative and cut out bats and hung them from out ceiling. Cohen thinks it's extra cool when the air comes on and the bats by the vent FLY. :)

 Breandon loves chili and soup and beans SO MUCH.

Lately, he insists on feeding himself, which I am grateful for.

The quicker they learn to not be so dependent on mama. ;) 

 We love F A L L.

Everything about it.

Especially the smells and food and cooler weather. 

26 years old

 I got to celebrate in Utah and Texas.

I am one lucky 26 year old.

Brock let me sleep in {one of my favorite things to do, and he leaves EARLY to school} so I woke up to a decorated house, two handsome little boys and my favorite breakfast, orange sweet rolls, AND the best love letter in 5 years.

My great friend Camee and her sister Kristen took me to lunch to Panera Bread. It was wonderful, even with 3 women and 5 little children.

When Brock got home we open gifts...the boys {Brock} got me a very pretty new watch and a shopping spree DATE with Brock. Heavenly! Just what I need/want.

My choice of dinner for the evening? Frozen fresh market pizza.

Yummy yummy YUMMY pizza and extremely easy clean up. :)

Birthday dessert, brownies and ice cream of course.  

 Thanks to my 3 boys

to making me feel 

lucky, loved, and beautiful.

x o x o x o

our adventure to

S T. G E O R G E, U T A H

{Part Three}

Met Grandma and Grandpa for lunch at my mom's work, played lots at Cort and Em's.

Sheryl {Nana} found these super cute shirts at Old Navy for the boys. HAD to take a picture with her and her grandkids in them.

I R M I T A S

So, I have a confession to make....this delicious mexican food has bumped up to #1 on my list {above Cafe Rio} of places I HAVE to eat when I'm in St. George. DELICIOUS! Thanks Dad for converting me.

More tramp time at Nana's....

We had a fun play date at my good friend Lexie's house.

Ty and Cohen had so much fun! We discovered they have a lot in common, which is fun. Loni and Adyn came over too so we had a house full of handsome boys!

Kael & Ty :: Cohen & Brendon :: Adyn

Our time was running out and I had to go see the temple. Brendon fell asleep in the car on our way home so Cohen and I jumped out quick and stayed close to the car, but enjoyed this stunning temple. I miss being close to it. 

Grandpa took us on an adventure to Ivin's Reservoir that is only 5 mintues from my parents, and believe it or not it was my first time there! I can't believe I have never been there! Didn't even know it was there. It's very low right now but so so pretty. Snow Canyon's gorgeous mountains surround it. The boys threw a million rocks in the water and Cohen even caught his first fish with Grandpa's help!!

COHEN'S FIRST FISH CATCH

Again, had to cram in a little hike in Snow Canyon. We didn't have much time before it got dark {pictures aren't good for that reason} but it was still just what I needed. The boys of course LOVED being out in nature, something we don't have in TX.

We met up with Josh and Kai at the end, Josh let Co try out his head light and you can imagine how much fun he had with it.

My sweet family threw me an early birthday party. So fun to have both families there and Loni to have fun and eat cake. Em make the amazing birthday sign out of felt and material. She is so good at crafts.

Playing hide and seek with Great-Grandma Sheryl upstairs...

Loni getting some Brend loves and Adyn possibly a little jealous.

I LOVE this pic. Just how it should be.

Goes to show birthdays are so much better with kids involved.

Some babes at the party. :)

Loni :: Me :: Em :: Tiffy :: Jenna

 Words can't ever express my love for my family, St. George and all the wonderful memories we make everytime we're there.
The trip was once again, perfect.

I HEART St. George, Utah.

Thank you to our outstanding families and friends for housing and feeding us and making us feel so loved and welcome.