Dog days of summer are coming to a close...

We had a cool front come in recently so we got out in the yard this morning and I snapped a few pics of my cuties.


Just a swing'n...



...swing'n.



Say cheese!

Watering the flowers. Mommy's little helper!

Say "cheese" again!

This is the future "I'm telling mommy!" face.

Taking time to smell the flowers.

"Here Zach, smell the flower too."

"EEEEEEEWWWWWW!!

Parting shot:

Naptime...

Every once-in-a-while, I take off the side railing of Tess' crib (the one that slides up and down) and we let her practice taking a nap like a "big girl" (looks like a toddler bed). We went through her usual routine, but I didn't close the door all the way so I could peek in to check on her. The first time I checked, she was still laying there, but very much awake. The second time, she had reached out and grabbed a little stuffed animal, but was still laying down. The next time, she had several stuffed animals but was still quiet and laying down. After half an hour or so, I assumed she had fallen asleep...that is until I heard her door close! I got up and opened her door and, of course, she was laying on her little bed as if she'd been there the whole time. It was really kinda funny because she had about 10 books in her bed (along with all the stuffed animals, lovies and blankies that she could find). The bookshelf is not close to her bed so I knew she'd been up and down several times. I removed the books and toys while giving my best effort at not smiling or laughing at her sneaky-ness gone-awry. Then I put the side rail back on and closed the door. Maybe next time...

The happenings of June, so far.

This is a picture from Tess' Princess Teaparty.

This is Tess "going swimming" in her red wagon that she got for her birthday from Grandma and Papa.

Here is Zach after being cooled off with a bucket of water, curtesy of Tess.

Tess had been asking to hold Zach, so I decided to take a picture. We used this picture for a t-shirt for father's day and it says "We love daddy!"

Here's my two guys! Aren't they handsome?

Here's Zach at Grandma and Papa's when we had a big cookie for Tess' b-day. He's such a laid-back baby. :)

Yeah! Tess is two!

7 Random Things

1. I love to sew. I don't get much time to do it with two kids, but I love it. I usually have several projects lined up and usually start another before finishing the first.


2. I always have lots of projects going on. Right now, I started a little "love book" for my husband. In it, I write things I love about him. When I get frustrated, with him or anything in general, that is when I make sure to write at least one thing in there. It usually changes my attitude and helps me think through things more clearly. Weird, huh?


3. I love little conversations with Tess. For example:


The oven timer started beeping and Tess came flying around the corner.


Tess: Muffins! Muffins!


Me: Oh, yeah.


Tess: OH YES!!!!


4. I love to bake. Cookies, breads, pies, cakes, etc. I have to limit myself to about 1 a week or else I'll never loose the baby weight. :)


5. I want to have a fruit orchard one day. Right now, we have a Loquat tree at the side of our house. (It's like a Kumquat but it has really big seeds.) What I didn't realize before was that there's a lot of work to be done when the tree has fruit. What do you do with all of it?!?!

6. I really enjoy being in the water. Swimming, flailing around...it's all the same. I just like the way it feels. (but I do NOT like to be splashed)

7. I used to be a massage therapist. Maybe after the kids get in school I will be again.

Sesame Street and Camo...

Bubbles with Grandma

Grandma and Grandpa visited us on Saturday and brought some bubbles for Tess. She loved chasing them and we had fun watching her enthusiasm!

Yummy!

The technical name for this scrumptuous little poinson is: "Glazed sour Cream Donut." (and yes, it is about to be consumed...like its predecessor.) I call them cake donuts and Tess calls them "tacos." I have no idea where that came from. However, I do know that she is an ardent lover of them, like I am, b/c she managed to get her little hand into the side of the package and thief a couple bites without actually breaking the label before I caught and scolded her. Did I mention we were still in the grocery store and hadn't paid for them yet?!?

Photo Session

A couple weeks ago, we had a photographer come to our ladies Bible class (after class, of course) and give us tips on how to use our cameras. Then we went outside the church bldg and practiced using our children as subjects. Here are my two best.

Family Camping

We all went to Sam Rayburn on a family camping trip for Uncle Mack's 30th birthday (and Uncle Russell's 31st). We had lots of fun and ate great food. Is it cheating to sleep in cabins?

Here is our attempt at a "good" picture of the two of them. We bribed Tess with BBQ potato chips to keep her on the blanket. :)

Eating home-made icecream as the sun (and temperature!) went down.

Big bite!!

A game of peek-a-boo begins...

We're so good at this.

Random Pics

Here are a couple pictures from when Gran & Grandpa came thru a week or two ago.

Aren't we handsome?

Isn't he a cutie?

Manly bandaid.

Do I look like my Gran?

I LOVE Uncle Drew!!!

Yeahhhhhh!!! Jump again!!!

Warming Up for Easter Egg Hunting

Welp, we went to a family wedding this weekend and it was all very "eventful" to say the least. Between dancing at the wedding, big poopie diapers and Easter egg hunting, we had lots of fun!


Ooooooo! Another egg!!

Get the goods, then look for another egg. She'll have to step it up for the competitive hunting next weekend. :)

Sweet little kids!

Grandma loves her grandbabies!!!

Wiwee!! (Riley the dog)

Another sweet picture!

This is a picture I took today: Tess had been "cooking" and needed to run to the store for one more thing!

Slower Than Christmas...

Welp, Christmas beat me this time so I'm officially slower. Anyway, I have some more pictures including our new arrival: Baby Zach. He was born on Sunday, Jan 6th, weighed 7 pounds 13 ounces and was 21.25 inches long, which is very similar to big sister Tess when she was born. However, Zach has been more focused on putting on weight so he can be as big as his daddy. (Zach weighed in nearly 9 pounds at his 2 week check up!) Hope ya'll enjoy the pictures ('cause it'll probably be Easter before I get around to posting again--just kidding :)

Zachariah Jefferson:

Family Mug Shot:

Daddy & Zach:

Favorite place we're not supposed to play:

Big sister "assisting" with gift opening:

Potty training with "help"...

Morning routine (waking up brother):

Little less than 1 week old:

Zach at 3 weeks 5 days: