Just for fun...

I got a new camera (Christmas present from the boys) over the weekend. Here are some "test shots" with the new camera. You'll notice my FAVORITE subjects posed for me!!!

N riding his bike... it was 70-something degrees that mid-December day!






The boys at the park (another beautiful day). Matthew was chasing ducks - nearly into the lake - it was scary!!










Shake it, baby!







My future rock star. He wears this guitar with such a serious face and says "rock, rock". Gotta love that kiddo!

18 month stats

Today was Matthew's 18 month check-up! I LOVE hearing how "big" he is! For the record... his head circumference is 20 (above 95%ile), height is 33 1/4 (75 - 90%ile) and weight is 29 lb 7 oz (75-90%ile). Woo-hoo!
Here is our update on him:
He can run, knows over 10 body parts, is an awesome sleeper, feeds himself with a fork and spoon, throws a ball, and many other things.
Here are his "words" at 18 months: Dada, Nicholas, jacket, down, crackers, shoes, socks, hi, trash, dog, duck, rock, car, Dora, yes, Mama (JUST started, I debated whether or not to include it), and he USED to say bye-bye and night-night.

Christmas through the years...

Feeling all nostalgic today... so here are pictures of the kiddos at Christmastime through the years.

1st Christmas... Nicholas is almost 1!








2nd Christmas... Nicholas is nearly 2! Favorite memory: you whispered "presents... Santa" in bed every night! You loved Christmas trees... pointed them out everywhere... said "more lights" all the time! You played your piano-playing snowman and went CRAZY - dancing, running around the room while Jingle Bell Rock Played. You asked for more presents, even when Christmas was over. The night before your birthday (January 3) we tried to explain what your birthday was... you looked at us and said, "Santa Open Presents?" You were SO EXCITED to leave milk & cookies for Santa - we left it in the fridge to keep it fresh & had to check in the morning!



3rd Christmas... almost 3! You are telling crazy stories now... a memorable one is that you saw a princess who had a magic sword - then she had a bubble (she was floating on it) and it popped - then it came to you - the princess cried and you cried. (Odd story)
We also just told you about the new baby... "I LOVE BABIES" you say! Here are your names for the new baby: Curious George, Trash Truck, Trash, Tyrone, and Ashley (pronounced Ash - a - ley).






Nicholas' 4th Christmas (almost 4) and Matthew's 1st Christmas (6 months)
Now you know your birthday is nine days after Christmas, so December is full of birthday talk too! You started reading...
Our big news this year is your BROTHER - it is still exciting for you - you LOVE it when he smiles at you and you help out all the time. Matthew is a bundle of love!!!
Our favorite Nicholas joke:
Nicholas: What is a pirate's favorite letter?
Mom: "R"!!!!!
Nicholas: No, that's not it. My favorite pirate letter is "E"! (this letter changed frequently!)


Nicholas' 5th Christmas (almost 5!!!!) and Matthew's 2nd Christmas (18 months)
We have yet to see what wonderful memories you boys will create this year, but I have no doubt it will be memorable...

Here Comes Santa Claus!

Here are some adorable pics from the weekend. My boys lovin' on each other before church yesterday & our time at the neighborhood Holiday Party with Santa! (Matthew did not enjoy)

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!

Oh the Texas weather is frightful (can you hear me singing??)! Okay, so the weather isn't really that bad. It was "cold" last week (for Texas, not necessarily compared to MO) we had "snow" on Friday (debatable), and we had our first "hard freeze" of the season (brrr... 20 degrees!).
Nicholas is thrilled with the hat-wearing, snow-filled (ha!) weather and wants more! In fact, his prayers last night included a "thank-you" to God for the snow and a request for more! :)
Enjoy the pics - Nicholas in his Bears hat, patiently waiting for the snow (which came during naptime, for 15 minutes);Matthew trying on Nicholas' ONE glove (who knows where the other is), and SNOW in Texas!