Conversations with the Kids

Tonight I asked Tucker what we he wanted to name the new baby.  Without hesitation he looked at me with a smile and happy eyes and said, "Chicken Nugget."  And to think that Chris and I have been debating about this for months.  Why didn't we ask Tucker sooner... a first and a middle name.  Done. 

Man he makes me smile! 

Fat Ducks and Playdough Ice Cream

Everyone in Fort Worth had the same idea as us last week... Trinity Park Duck Pond.  Poor ducks were F.A.T by the time we got there and weren't at all interested in the bread we had to offer.  The kids pretty much chased them around the pond trying to peg them with bread pellets to get their attention.  I think Caden especially enjoyed the challenge.

Tucker got bored pretty quickly and decided he'd rather jump in and swim with the ducks than feed them.  The boy is quick, but we got to him just in time.

Emma and Caden are so great with the kids.  They just love their big cousins and want to be just like them.  I've said this before, but that Emma is the best helper!  I need a couple of her around all the time. 

Love this picture of Caden... he's growing up so fast.  He's still not too cool to play with his cousins at the park though!

After feeding the ducks and playing at the park, we enjoyed some much needed ice cream at Sweet Sammies.  There's nothing like cotton candy and play dough ice cream (gross) on a hot spring afternoon!

Boys boys boys... I see Tucker doing this to his little brother (if the peanut ends up being a boy) years down the road.  At least he has Caden to wrestle with though if it ends up being a girl. 

Reese and the Boys

Gotta love Spring Break.  I'm not sure what I would do if I weren't in education.  I just feel plain sorry for people who don't get teacher holidays.

We laid pretty low this spring break and just spent some much needed time outdoors with family and friends.  By mid-week, the weather was beautiful and we spent a perfect day riding the train, picnicking and playing at the park with the McDonalds.  Reese has gotten used to hanging out with the boys...

Campbell and Tucker were totally wearing the same thing.  I guess when you're best friends for 30 years, you start having the same great taste.  

I'm loving the park even more now that they are getting older... it's nice that they don't need my help or coaxing anymore.  The challenge now is keeping up with them though... crowded parks make me neurotic.

My babies still love to swing. How are they big enough to no longer need the baby swings?  Stop Growing! 

And little miss Reese has found a new love... the twisty slide.  She finally conquered her fear of the twisty slide and is now obsessed.   

Tucker still loves to climb... I can't believe we haven't had to frequent the ER with this boy. 

A day at the park must be followed by one thing... a good ol' LONG nap for everyone.  Mom included.  And that's just what we did!

Welcome Baby E

Baby Easton is here!  That girl Amber, knows how to have a baby... he came a week early and she was only in labor for like 5 minutes.  He's beautiful and perfect and we were all thrilled that he came on Spring Break so we could be there to meet him.

He was born on Tuesday, March 15 at 1:43 pm weighing in at 8 lbs 9 oz and measuring 21 inches long (I think).  He's got dark hair like his mom and dad and absolutely beautiful. 

The cousins were lining up to meet him as soon as he arrived.  Well, everyone but Tucker... he was running around climbing on everything.  Surprised?

He wasn't sure what to think about Reese... she couldn't stay away from him. 

Emma was instantly in love and will be a great babysitter.  She spent the night with us this weekend and I think we're going to hire the girl to help with Reese and Tucker on a regular basis! 

Amber will definitely have to keep an eye on these girls... they can't get enough of him.

Proud Daddy - Nick was beaming and can't wait to teach Easton how to play ball... and with a name like Easton, he'll be a natural of course.

I'm telling you... Reese would have held him for hours had we let her.  She talks about him, prays for him, and can't wait for her baby brother or sister to arrive so she's got one of these at home!

 She's going to be a great big sister.  We're still working on Tucker though.  He's been kicking Nana's dog so I'm feeling a little nervous about bringing a new baby home.  Boys... gotta love them.

Congratulations Amber and Nick!  We love you guys and are so happy for you!  Welcome to the family Baby E!



Backyardigans

Last weekend we took a quick trip to Houston to celebrate cousin Emmy's 2nd birthday.  Reese and Tucker had a blast just playing in the backyard with the cousins at Grammy and Grandpa's house...

Reese and Tucker try to hog the swings when we visit... they finally gave the birthday girl a turn.

Cousin Drew is such a sweetheart.  He and Reese snuggled for a while on the porch swing... too cute!

 

What's outdoor fun without a little "ring around the rosy?" The girls never get through the whole song... they just like the falling down part.

And then the races... they lined up and raced across the yard over and over again.

It's fun that the kids have cousins their age... a little crazy when we all get together and someone is pretty much always in time out.  But they have a blast!

New Hobby is Taking Over My Life

I've been a scrapbooker for years and have always loved being crafty (the good kind of crafty), but recently have taken on a new hobby.  My sweet husband bought me a sewing machine and an embroidery machine last year and I'm having so much fun playing... especially with Amber's baby arriving in a just few weeks.  We had a shower for her last weekend so I really had an excuse to sew up a storm...

Burp towels are sort of my staple... sew on some fabric and embroider the name and Viola! You've got a super cute, custom gift that only costs a buck-fifty to make.  Seriously. 

These pacifier holders are my new favorite thing.  You don't have to sew anything and they literally take no more than 5 minutes to make.  I bought a couple clips and made them to where you could just change out the ribbon.  Love things you can switch out... I'm OCD and like for everything to match the baby's outfit.  I know, I need help. 

Hooded towels are super easy too and absorb way better than the ones they sell for babies in the store.  I made this one to match Easton's nursery so she could hang it on a hook if she wanted. 

These bibs were a first for me.  I saw some on Etsy and thought they looked easy.  I was wrong... they took a while (which is why there are only two) but I love how they turned out.  I put Chenille fabric on the bottom side and just a cotton on top.  They are thick and absorbent and snap on with a cute little pearl snap.  Also very cheap to make... but definitely gave this beginner a run for her money.

The onesies doubled as a shower decoration.  I especially love the one with the tie... little man will be so cute in it.  I used Wonder Under to iron the appliques on and then used a zig-zag stitch to stitch around the outside... cute and easy.   

I was really in the crafting mood so I made a couple other things for the shower... the E was just a couple bucks at Joann's and I just painted it, mod-podged cute scrapbook paper on it and then embellished. She'll be able to use it in the nursery if she wants.

Jennifer (my sis-in-law) designed these candy bar wrappers for me for a previous shower, so all I had to do was change the colors and info and re-print.  They were a hit.      

Amber had a fun shower... had such a great turn out.  Nick's mom made the cute cake... it tasted AMAZING and Easton got all kinds of goodies!  Look how cute Mama is...

It was fun to host the shower with Dana and Mom... still doesn't seem like Amber should be old enough to have a baby yet.  The fact that I'm pregnant at the same time as my sister who's 9 years younger than me, make me feel REALLY old. 

Baby Easton will be here in a few weeks.  I can't wait to meet the little guy!