Introducing Nernee

A couple nights ago, Brode asked his Daddy for a teddy bear. Micah said ok and dug one out of his closet. This bear has not left this child's side. They sleep together, eat candy together, play together, swing together. You name it.

Brode's sharing the music with Nernee.

I can't get enough of this child!!!!!

Thank you, AGAIN, Uncle Brandon for such a great gift.

Exhausted.

All dressed up and ready to go.......

You can't have one with out the other....

(backpack and hat that is)

Big-Boy-Graham

We just enjoyed a really nice visit from Grandma Jean, and when she left it was time for a big step in little Graham's life - his first night of sleep in a big-boy bed!

He prepared for the stressful adventure by soothing himself with chocolate - seen around his lips - and playing with Mom's Ipod.

An 8:00 pm bedtime was followed by lots of playing and mad-dashing into bed when Dad opened the door. Graham is seen here pretending to be asleep to avoid getting in trouble.

Unfortunately, keeping a straight face is not Graham's strong-suit, and he gave himself away promptly.

After 3 hours of horsing around with his brother, Graham finally passed out on his bed.

Surprisingly good form for a first-timer - head on the pillow, slight coverage with blankets, and feet towards the foot of the bed. Fast learner!

Even more impressive considering the fact that....

... after 2 1/2 years, Brode is still struggling to find his form at bed-time!

Family Vacation

We finally took our trip to Sea World - a trip I have been planning for the past 6 months. And the wait was well worth it! Our entire weekend was a blast. It all started Saturday night. After work we drove down to Austin to visit my Aunts - Pat and Carol - and to see our good ole friends the Dobbs, who recently moved to Austin. It was a great visit/reunion.

Tiger. Graham. Brode.

The next day we drove down to San Antonio with our old friends. We checked out The Alamo and Riverwalk. It was way too hot and crowded to really enjoy any of it.

Brode at The Alamo.

The heat was unbearable, so we headed to our hotel for a dip in the pool.

Only the pool was freezing so we took a dip in the hot tub.

Sitting in a hot tub in the summer heat of Texas in the middle of the day,

Who'd think it?

Tiger showing off his big muscles.

Dinner on the Riverwalk.

Our hotel view of The Alamo.

Yes it was awesome!!

Now for the Main Event. Oh how I've waited for this. SEA WORLD. Monday we spent the whole day a Sea World. The boys had a blast. We played at the Waterpark, rode a Roller Coaster, saw Shamu and Baluga Whales, fed some Dolphins, walked through a huge aquarium full of fish and sharks and sting rays, watched Aligators being fed and spent money on the most expensive food. Yes we experienced it all.

At the splash park.

Later we went to the actual Waterpark and sat in the wave pool.

Waiting for the Shamu show. Sitting in the first row....

you know what that mean. SOAKED. Yes the Killer Whales

completely soaked us with their freezing cold salty water.

We definitely could have seen the show twice. The boys loved it.

Graham kept saying "fishie." It was so amazing.

Balugo Whales, Dolphins, Acrobats, Divers and Parrots.

Weird combination that made for an amazing show.

$6 to feed some hungry and friendly dolphins.

I'm sold.

Brode could not wait to see the sharks.

Graham was a little more hesitant to get close to the sharks

OR fish.

By 4 o'clock it was so miserably hot.

So we bought Whales, took some pictures and got the heck

out of there.

All in all it was a GREAT weekend. Everyone had lots of fun, and we are all still talking about it!

Past Week

Big things happened this past week. Well not really. It was a fairly typical week for us. Birthdays, swimming, shopping, the usual.

On Monday, Brode and Graham (and Me) received a box of goodies from Grandma Cheryl. One of the fun little toys was a Cars Magnetic Case. The boys loved this. Especially Graham. Here he is concentrating very hard with one magnet.

On Tuesday we celebrated my 28th Birthday. Wow 28 feels good.

My day was so awesome. I am a very lucky girl. My boys treated me so nicely.

We went shopping, to the movies to see Despicable Me (super cute!) and went

out to dinner at Chuy's. Oh Chuy's. It was the BEST day.

Micah is a good Mommy..... I mean Daddy. While staying at home

tending to the boys, house and grocery shopping, he finds time to run these boys hard.

Naptime is no longer an issue. They can't wait to lay down and sleep a little.

Most of their afternoons are spent at the pool. Oh the pool. Thank heavens.

Brode plays in his tube. While Graham stays close to the edge of the pool.

Typically on the first step, entertaining himself quietly, contently.

Brode is armed with shoes (perfectly lined up) ready to be

launched at Daddy the crazy shark.

Daddy dressed Graham. Notice the cute little crack sticking

out from the large swim shorts.

Safely perched on his stoop.

Graham's favorite game: "Where's Graham?"

Brode's favorite game.

We also took our monthly trip to Costco this week. There are three things Costco is good for.

1. Toilet Paper in Bulk

2. Lunch for the entire Family for $10

AND

3. BOOKS

We stumbled across a series of books that Micah feels are essential for

every child. We bought the set and every night Micah reads a couple

of chapters. Brode loves the story and loves the quiet time with Daddy.