Go Texan Day

The boys dressed for Go Texan Day.

Aiden wore his jean, Luckenbach shirt, and camo boots.

He is so bow legged!

Eli sported his Luckenbach cowboy shirt as well.
posing for the camera....

A few of us in my class wore boots, some wore their hats, one wore spurs.

FIRST STEPS!

Aiden took his first steps on Valentine's Day 2011. He only took 2 or 3 steps and then fell over, but hey! He walked! In the end, he teased us that evening with walking. It wasn't until Spring Break (in March) that he actually took off and started walking all over. He was bear crawling until then.

I am sad to say... but I do not think I have pictures of it. I have to search my files. All of my pictures are on the computer but not organized. If I find a pic, I will post it here!

Hangin' Out with Dylan

After our trip to the zoo, the boys were ready to play outside. They slept the whole way home and saw Dylan outside. Eli loves Dyl's Powerwheels Cop Car.

Aiden enjoyed the grass and sunshine.

Mommy and Daddy's Bed is Best

Eli is a huge fan of our bed. Ever since he was an infant, he has had many long and comfy naps in it. When he was up almost all night as an infant from the reflux, he snuggled next to me. To this day, the little rascal comes to our bed at night or yells from his room for us to come get him if he is scared. I will say, I sleep better with him next to me. Eli has never slept through the night. I always listen for him at night if he cries. Aiden sleeps through the night so I don't worry about him. I get the best nights rest with Eli snuggled up against me. Sometimes I do get a jab or a foot in my back, but it is all worth it. I realize that soon he will be "too big" to sleep with Momma and Daddy... so I am getting all the snuggles I can now.

Eli taking a nice nap in our bed on a Saturday afternoon in February.

Loving television....

Eli loves to watch Mickey Mouse, Cars, Elmo, Blues Clues, and Phineas and Ferb. Any chance he gets, he wants it on. If the TV is not on, he thinks it is broken. A lot of times, he has it on in the background and he is playing with his toys, or running around.

He is so glued to the show, he doesn't realize that he is having his picture taken as he switches positions.

A Visit to the Houston Zoo

On Sunday, February 20th, Chelette and I met up at the zoo with the kiddos.

Jaden and Eli were a hoot to watch. They had so much fun together.

Eli loves music and drums. The new African section was his favorite, I think.

Our two stinkers in a teepee....

Miss Charleigh was all smiles. I don't think this little one ever cries or fusses. Chelette says she does, but I do not believe her. Charleigh is always happy when I am around. I love her big blue eyes and gorgeous smile.

Jaden loved the elephants... Eli loved them from afar!

I can hear it... "Eli, come on! Come see the elephant"

Chelette with Charleigh, Eli, and Jaden. I remember taking pictures at this spot in the zoo as a kid. I am pretty sure it was just as hard for our parents to get everyone looking at the camera... or somewhat in that direction. Notice Jaden's backside is to the camera!

Jaden is a critter and animal kiddo. He was fascinated with the snake.... Eli is just like his momma. We stay away--not impressed.... or taking chances.

Eli was not a fan of the reptile exhibit of the zoo. He thought it was a bit creepy and stood back from the windows. He did get on his toes to make sure whatever was in the glass cages was not coming near him.

Both Eli and Jaden enjoyed the sea lions.

Aiden was a trooper. He wasn't impressed with looking at animals.

He loved the chance to "people watch".

Aiden and Charleigh were kicked back and enjoying the day.

Eli surprised me and actually went into the tunnel at the prairie dog exibit. I have taken him to it before and he screamed and cried. I guess he was a big boy for this trip! He and Jaden had a ball!

I love this picture.... look at those two cute little hineys and legs.

Those two rotten boys have stolen their momma's hearts and shown us what life is all about.

After being at the zoo about 4 hours, we headed home.

All the kids and Momma's were pooped and ready for a nap.

My Very Own Rocking Chair

Grams had made sure that both boys have their own rocking chair. Eli received his when he was 11 months old. Grams purchased the chair at the Sawmill in Beaumont and then I had someone handpaint/personalize it. Eli's theme for his chair was Dr. Seuss and it has his name on it where the Cat in the Hat is holding a sign that says "Eli".

Aiden received his chair for Christmas. He actually got the finished product after Christmas because I found a great deal online. I use a website called Etsy where you order handmade stuff from all over. I got the chair and the personalized painting/design from a lady in New York. She was much cheaper than Grams buying the chair and then me paying someone to paint it. I love, love, love Aiden's chair. His is the surf theme to go along with his room.
I love this picture. It shows how rough Aiden was on shoes when he was a crawler! He never let his knees hit the floor... he bearcrawled! Aiden rubbed a hole in the toes of his shoes in a little over 2 weeks. Granted, they are soft sole (cloth) bottoms, but still! It was hilarious. I had to trash them when his little piggies were poking through!

The pictures do not do this chair justice. It is so pretty--- the colors are two different sage colors that are so soothing. I love the sea turtles on the seat.

The lighting of this picture is off, but you still can see the artwork on the back rails.

The chair is still in Daddy's office downstairs. Here we are, June 6th, and it never made it up to his room. He loves to go sit in it when we are all in the living room. Maybe one day it will make it upstairs to his room... who knows!

Thank you Grams for the chair. We love it!

Cotton Bowl 2011

We went to the Johnston's in Waller to watch the Cotton Bowl game of the Aggies vs LSU. The Aggies lost but we enjoyed the company!

Aiden was fussy here... poor Tiff. He loves her so much but he was tired and needing that second wind.

Everyone wore their Aggie gear!

Eli was very aware of Aiden's sensitive mood that night and made sure Aiden was "okay". He kept asking "you okay, Aiden?" and then made sure he had a car or toy to play with. What a sweet big brother!

Aiden and Chesney..... wow!! Chesney is so beautiful (always has been) and so grown up! She was one of our flower girls at our wedding. She was barely 1 at the time... man, how time flies!

This little girl was so sweet. There were several other families there for the party so she found entertainment in Aiden. She took to Aiden right away and wanted to give him a bottle, she rocked and snuggled him, played with him, and even put him to sleep that night! She was our awesome little babysitter!

Aiden with his "sitter" and Tyler drawing. They were so good with him!

Wow... wow... wow! Tyler (on the right) is grown so much too! She was our other flower girl and it seems like yesterday she was toddling around on the porch at the McGarity's 4th of July party....

Jeff..... I didn't get a good pic of him... this is it. But since I have a pic of the rest of his family, I thought I would include him. However, this is how he spent his evening (sitting on the couch with Jer watching the game)