Daddy's 38 years old

We were able to celebrate Craig's 38th birthday in snip-its throughout the week.  It started with a Date Night that I planned (rarely/never do that).  We went to Lucia's (a fun, fancy restaurant in the Bishop Arts District that took a month to get a reservation).  We had an incredible meal, it may be one of our top favorite meals we have ever had.  It started with yummy salami platter and fois gras.  Then we split 2 different dishes that were incredible.  

We walked down the fun street to a pie shop and it did not disappoint either 

We saw this sign on our way home. 

It was Texas Independence Day and the Reunion Tower was lite up with the Texas Flag-pretty cool! 

Knowing that Wednesday, Craig's actual birthday, would be a little busy from his early morning with the guys in our Community to my Small Group girls, we opened presents on Tuesday night!  The boys were so excited for Daddy to open presents.  He got a few sweet treats, a polo shirt, a hip and cool jacket, and a movie on DVD that Craig and I used to watch when we were dating.

Since Daddy got up and left before the kids woke up on his birthday, we had a special birthday lunch. It was so fun to see Daddy in the middle of the day!

"The glory of children is their father." Proverbs 17:6

I love Craig, and I love him deeper watching our children adore him!

That night we served one of his favorite dishes, Shrimp Scampi and had Strawberry Cake with no icing just a syrupy glaze (he took cupcakes to celebrate at work).

Then, on Saturday morning, we made Daddy's his favorite breakfast.  Seems like a lot of Daddy's birthday revolved around food.  We are grateful for the amazing man Craig is in our lives, he leads our family like Christ leads the Church, he makes us laugh ALL the time, he works hard, he loves well, plays all in with the boys, he is compassionate, fun, and, completes me.  I could go on and on but I will spare you all that Craig is in my/our life.  Happy 38th Birthday, My Love!

Avery - 6 months - March 4

Avery Kate is half of a year old! Where has the time gone?  Avery is such a joy in our family.  The boys love playing with her, making her laugh, cleaning up her spit up (and there is a LOT of spit up), giving her "appropriate" toys to play with, and just entertaining her.  The only time she is fussy is when she is tired.  She will sleep from 7 pm to 7:30/7:45 am.  With 3 great naps during the day.  Avery is a great little sleeper and we are so blessed by her.

Mimi found this outfit in some boxes.  It is the outfit I wore home from the hospital, almost 32 years to the day.  (Don't worry I was a HUGE baby and it was big on me). Pretty sweet to share this outfit with my daughter!

When we lay Avery down on her back she is quickly turning over to her tummy.  We are praying that she learns to roll back over on her back (by the time we have posted this, our prayer has been answered).  She does pretty well but sometimes gets frustrated when she is on her tummy for too long.

A little Valentine outfit with matching shoes

Avery is even sleeping on her tummy.  We lay her down on her back and she flips over.  She continues to sleep amazingly well!

I love how Avery gets sweet little red cheeks after she eats.

Strike a pose

I may have a little too much fun dressing her up in all these precious clothes and then take a few too many pictures.  I have to do this while she will still let me.  

Avery is grabbing anything and everything that is around her.  She puts everything in her mouth and is doing some serious teething/drooling.

Can you believe this sweet smile is shortly after her big 6 month appointment.  She is always SO happy!  Avery's stats for 6 months are:

16 pounds (50%)

26 inches (50%)

We prayed a ton for Avery to take a bottle, especially during our DTown weekend.  She did wonderful and Mimi had many great successes.  The next weekend with Mammy while we were at the Marriage Conference wasn't quite as great.  But one crazy thing Avery did was on Friday night before the Marriage Conference, I put her down for a nap around 5 pm.  We left at 6:30 and she was still asleep, she continued to sleep through her night time feeding and through the night until 7:30 am.  WOW! Mammy didn't wake her up knowing she probably wouldn't take the bottle and she slept so well.  What  a trooper!  We are still putting a lot of prayer into Avery taking a bottle but we know that with each month and more food, the bottle won't be as necessary.  

February 2013

Another Fun-Filled month, getting creative with two very active boys, especially if we can't go outside to burn/run off some steam.  Fortunately, the few days that we do have to stay inside is nothing compared to a few friends and family that I have heard about that are surrounded by snow and can not go outside. So, it really put things in perspective and made me appreciate the many days we could enjoy the sun and cooler temperature. 

So, on to our month and LONG post of MANY pictures.

Caleb playing on the slide

Mammy and MeDad came in town for Davis' birthday party and they had a blast playing ball outside

Davis throwing

More throwing

Avery enjoying the outside too, crazy that 2 years ago we were snowed into a hospital delivering Davis and here we are playing outside in the beautiful February weather.

More slide

These superheroes are flying

Caleb enjoyed pushing Davis in the swing and Davis stayed in there for more than 30 seconds.

MeDad took the boys for a "hike" around the neighborhood

Mammy showing Davis a Fireman Doll

Caleb getting presents for Davis' birthday - not too bad

Fun present in honor of Daddy's Alma Mater.

Avery just laying in the present chaos

Sweet picture

Mimi and Papa surprised us and drove in for Davis' Birthday party

Mimi and her mini-me!

Papa posing

Davis' new helicopter-thanks Mimi and Papa

Who knew a box could be so much fun

Davis playing outside in his sports gear

Wish this wasn't fuzzy but he has his game face on

Caleb's amazing baseball swing-the kid can knock the ball 

Fun with Daddy on the swing

Daddy's face is priceless with his heavy 4 year old

All the boys

Getting Artsy

Ignore the Snot Rockets that are dripping out of his nose into his mouth

Mimi and Davis having fun

The Girls Turn

Caleb pushing us and Davis wanting to go, "hi" to "moon"

Papa playing with Avery

Can't get enough of those toothless grin-these are the last few weeks/months without teeth.

Davis opening a few more gifts.

Reading his birthday book with Papa, Thanks Ms. Krista!

More fun in boxes-where is Caleb?

I Spy with my little eyes, A Caleb looking at me

Another reading time, Thanks Ms. Krista! I love these 3 kids so much and this picture is priceless!

And then, Davis loses interest and starts playing with Avery

And a few smiles

A few posing

Davis loves reading the "Bi-Bul" at "Nigh-Nigh" time

Love how her brothers are making her laugh and smile

Ah!!! Love this!!

Ms. Caryn was in town and made a special visit to meet Avery Kate-Thanks for making time for us!

A Sparkler surprise again but these superheroes think they are swords

The boys dressing up at Transformers, or as Davis says, "Bu-bee" (Bumblebee for all you Transformer fans out there).

So Strong and Tall

Davis is crazy on the trampoline

Getting some Daddy Time

Caleb had his "15 Seconds" of fame.  Our church was doing a parenting series and interviewed some kids and Caleb made the video.  They asked him what he wanted to be when he grows up and he said, "I want to be a Ninja!"  (this was new to us-he has never mentioned that to us but pretty cute and glad we were able to watch it on the live streaming)

We took advantage of $5 days at the Zoo and had a fun morning with our playgroup

Proof that Avery was there

We got to see them Fly this pretty bird-pretty amazing!

The Lions actually roared for us-pretty cool!

!Davis LOVED the zoo-he was so silly

We ran into one of Caleb's favorite buddies, Jake

And the rest of the playgroup gang

Silly Ava

Caleb got a haircut

Cori and I went to Hollis' (one of our small group girls) last soccer game. The kids had so much fun playing together!

Avery had fun too

Hollis' team

Hollis' Fan Club

Davis' favorite Sunday School Teacher

We love you Ms. Hollis

After Ms. Hollis' Soccer Game. Davis would not take off his cleats and playing soccer around the house

Dressing up

Davis has been enthralled with Mommy's bracelets.  Sadly, he is wearing them more than I am.

Caleb writing his name on his Valentines

Caleb's school had a Dad and Donut Day on Valentine's Morning before school started

He really was excited that Daddy was at school with him but he could have been in a Donut-Coma from his 2.5 donuts he scarfed down.

Davis lining up his balls

Avery is getting stronger every day and now is sitting up (with assistance) so much better

Craig took me out for my birthday and it so happened to fall on Valentine's Day (first time we have ever gone out on that crazy night).  We ate some yummy Mediterranean food and then went to "Catch Me If You Can" Musical.  It was a great night!

We have spent a few days exploring/playing at our church's new play area, The Tree Fort.

Avery in the high chair enjoying cereal

We were blessed enough to go to our church's Marriage Conference, we had a great weekend and really had some wonderful take-aways.  The first thing they did was having everyone download an App that was programmed to a song-it was pretty cool when everyone's phones were flashing the same way. Thanks Mammy for coming in last minute and giving us this great gift to strengthen our marriage.

One of neighbors got new puppies and our boys loved playing with the puppies.  Love these boys and pray that they are each other's best friends.

We had our last Student Ministry event with our Seniors!  DTown was a great weekend and the memories we made were unforgettable.  Thanks Mimi for watching our 3 kids all weekend and allowing us to be gone for the weekend.  We packed 109,000 meals to send to starving children.

My sweet girls surprised me with a birthday treat of yummy cakes and cupcakes, this is the remnants of what was leftover.

A picture Craig sent me of this happy smile-I missed our kiddos but knew they were in good hands.

Laura is holding her co-leader, Linde's, baby.  Can you tell that Baby Mack's daddy plays in the worship band is around music all the time.

During our fun DTown weekend, one of our girls who follows Sean, The Bachelor, on Twitter saw that he was going to be at a furniture store in Plano, so what are 18 year old girls to do.  Yes, we met Sean Lowe!

He is taller than I thought he would have been.  He was very nice with our group of giggling 18 year olds.

Mimi brought some birthday cake for my 32nd birthday!

Davis was trying to get Avery's attention for me

My little life size doll that I get to dress up!

Davis is again getting Avery's attention so that I can take cute pictures of her.

Davis wanted a matching headband-such a good big brother

Davis also likes to get in the picture too

My beautiful birthday flowers that Craig sent me that I was able to enjoy for a few weeks!

Caleb working hard at writing his name on his Valentine's.

Caleb being a great big brother and playing with his sister

Davis just cracks me up-I can almost see him as a 15 year old dressed like this.  

We pulled out the inflatable ball pit that Mimi gave us 2 years ago and had a blast!

Sitting Pretty and the different faces of Avery

This is her signature move - sucking on her arm

Cuddly Brothers having a snack

This fearless 2 year old is ALWAYS jumping off of things

If you are still with us at the end of this LONG post-thank you for sharing in our Fun February! We had a blast doing all sorts of things to keep us busy.