Naughty or Nice?

That is the big debate around our house. Unfortunately, little Dylan doesn't have very many votes for nice. But......he is so darn cute. You honestly can't stay mad at him. It is impossible! He is so mellow and so easy going that you find yourself forgiving him before he says he's sorry. He loves glass. He loves to touch it, bang on it, and most of all make it crash. (Who needs Aqua Globes anyway!!!) Light bulbs are overrated. Ceramic decorations look much better when they make a rainbow of colors after Mommy sweeps it into a pile. What? Light sockets.........plastic bags.....chemicals under the sink? These are a few of his favorite things!!! You can't keep him out with that baby proofing stuff. Seriously, I think it was designed for a newborn. He can break them off and pull them out without blinking. With all this said........he is amazing.

Have you seen him....... kick a soccer ball? Drink from a straw? Bring an item he was told to get from upstairs in a toy box? Dance like he was John Travolta? Laugh so loud and so hard he can't stand up? Pucker up for a kiss....just because? Snuggle on the couch and watch T.V.? Share with anyone who will open their mouth? Blow on his own food? Put his hands together to pray? Tell us after grace what he is thankful for? Say thank you at all the right times? Wonder through each room satisfying his natural curiosity? Figuring out how something works and showing whoever is around what he has done?

So, we are kind of hoping Santa will overlook some of the naughty.... and focus on the tender heart he beholds:)

Rebel

Here is Dom on Grampa's new chopper. He looks a little bit comfortable. Don't you think? The next post will be about Dylan, but I must share some more of Dom's three year old wisdom.

Conversation#1 Dom is playing catch with me in front of an elementary school. We are waiting to pick up some friends. He is being crazy with the football. I tell him that he can forget a car when he's sixteen because he is too wild!!! His response,"That's okay Mommy, I talked to Jesus and he's going to buy me a Mach 5 when I can drive."-I know I don't have a comeback either!

Conversation#2 Dominick is being silly trying to guess what Dad brought him home from China. So to aggravate him, Mommy tells him that maybe Dad will bring him home a baby sister. Dom's response, "Or maybe, he will bring home a new Mommy!"-Ouch!!!!

Conversation #3 We arrive at Grampa's to watch the Cowboy game. Grampa has the garage open and tells Dom to go look around. Dom turns the corner and responds, "My motorcycle!"-I hope you enjoyed it Grampa the short time it was yours:)

What a comedian!!!

Laugh of the day.....

....So the boys and I are in the car running errands. Dylan begins fussing and continues to throw a big one. I am kind of immune to it. I even find myself dancing a little to the beat of that's mine, stop it, and I had it first. How sad that these have been replaced with real music. What is on the radio these days??????

....Okay so I digress. Dylan screams for about five minutes straight and this pushes Dom over the edge. He turns to his tear stained brother and points his finger in front of his little nose and asks, "Do you want a baby sister?" At this point, I am really curious as to where this is going. Then he threatens, "Well, that is what you are going to get if you don't stop fussing!"

Who would of thought there was something worse than a spanking:)

My little football fan.....

This is what Dad and Dom do in between commercial breaks. It is sooo cute I just had to get a video. I might add, they do this over and over and over. Dads are so fun!!!

...Because this was not captured in the video I will write some of the plays called:

On the floor, around the stairs, check out the cheerleaders.....hut...hut!

Look left, take a drink, wave to the cheerleaders......hut...hut!

......You obviously get the picture:)

The older, the wilder.......but best buds till the end!

My little Pirates!

Let's Break the Rules Together:)

Two is way more fun!!!

Pick me...Pick me....

Hey what's up?

Got lost somewhere?? Random thoughts and posts....

I know it has been a month as my sweet husband and family have so sweetly been hinting. I thought once school was in session I would have tons of time. Well.....not so much.
A little update. Dylan had his first year check-up and all was well. He is in the 10-16% in weight. Gi Gi doesn't believe it! I myself must say he is like a ton of bricks. He must empty them before being placed on the scale at the doctor's office. His height is in the 85-90th percentile. His head is 50th. So he is long and lean. (Really he looks short and fat, but what do I know....after all, I have had no medical training.) We are really having a tough time with his Eczema. Thanks to Melissa we invested in a huge tub of Aquaphor that is working well.
Dominick is smart as ever. Grampa bought him a Mickey Mouse CD that says his name and Dominick just about died with delight. You can all rest, because apparently Dominick has already begun his Christmas list. Too bad his on top of it mother is finished shopping! (Yea right!!!) We have been going to the Zoo a lot. Dom loves it!!!
I am busy treasuring each and every moment. Don't tell Shawn, but I could do this forever. I love all this precious time I have with the boys.
I will update with pictures soon. Have a blessed day.

THE AFTER PARTY BEST DRESSED

GRAELYN SPORTS THE ROCK WEAR!

ABBY AND LANDON PROVE THAT BEING THIS COOL IS ALL ABOUT HOW YOU WEAR IT.

JACOB SPORTS THE SPIKES. PAYTON SPORTS THE DRESS.

AHHHHHH YEAH, JACK. THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT. DO YOU HAVE A TWIN AROUND HERE OR WAS THAT ANDREW????

ROCK STAR PART 2

ROCKING IT OUT WITH GUITAR HERO. MY COUSINS ARE SO COOL!

MOMMY WHY IS EVERYONE STARING?

CHECK OUT THE BLING BLING ACROSS MY BROTHER'S CHEST.

PRESENT TIME.....OH BROTHER, ROCK STAR DYLAN SAYS OPEN THEM FOR HIM.


WHAT A DAY. NO WONDER I GET PAID THE BIG BUCKS!!!!!

PARTY LIKE A ROCKSTAR.....TOTALLY DUDE!

MAY I SEE YOUR BACKSTAGE PASS? NO. SERIOUSLY. (I'M WITH THE BAND WON'T WORK WITH HIM!)

STEP BACK! STEP BACK! SECURITY HERE.

THE ROCKSTAR HAS ARRIVED. BIG BRO JUMPS OUT FIRST.

THERE HE IS. IT'S REALLY HIM. HE LOOKS SO MUCH BIGGER IN PERSON!

DYLAN TOOK HIS BIGGEST FANS ON THE RIDE OF THEIR LIFE....IN TRUE ROCK STAR STYLE!

He walks....

He has done it!!! He took a few steps last night. I knew he was close. I must admit that he took them for Shawn first! His new little word or words are "Ugh Oh!" We have gotten a lot of use out of this little phrase.

*WARNING WHAT YOU ARE ABOUT TO READ IS GROSS. SO IF YOU HAVE A WEAK STOMACH, PLEASE SKIP OVER THE NEXT PARAGRAPH AND GO STRAIGHT TO THE PICTURES*

My Mom's B-day was yesterday. We were going to eat lunch with my parents. Dom was so pumped! He loves visiting Nana and Grandaddy at work. (Perhaps because some day soon he will need legal advice as much as he loves Cops!) Sorry, I digress! Anyhow, they had decided to meet sooner than I had expected. So I rushed the boys in for a quick bath, while I finished getting ready as well. I dried them off and hurried upstairs to put clothes on. I put Dylan down, wrapped in a towel, for a few seconds while I helped Dominick get his underwear out of the drawer. When I walked back into the hallway, he had pooped everywhere!!! He likes to poop and go, so it was spread out in a nice neat trail. At the very end of the trail of poop then began splashes of pee.

I must say that I love to refer to my current position as "Domestic Diva," but I must even admit that in this situation....glamour there was none!

Here are some current pics of the boys!

Is it ever clean enough?

Today as I was playing with the boys, I began to notice things from their level. To be blunt, I was totally grossed out! Don't get me wrong, I clean. That is all I do the majority of the time! I began to notice small dog hairs on the hardwoods, scuffs on the wall, and even dirt on the base boards. I was even eeked out by the dirt on the outside of our windows.
So.....I did the only natural thing. I grabbed the cleaning rag and went to work. The boys were so sweet. Dylan held the ladder for me at the bottom, and as I climbed 10 feet to the top, Dominick gently said, "Mommy, I think you need to be careful. When will Dad be home?" I think he sensed this craziness that had taken over my every waking thought.
Just as I had finished the last base board, I looked over my agonizing work. What did I see? Dylan in the other room using the same motion as my rag, but with a crayon in his hand, coloring the baseboards!!!!!! You know he was thinking.....Mommy needs some help!
My itch to deep clean is over for the next three years!

Back into the swing.....

Sooo excited about several things. First, Baby Laney is here. She was 81/2 pounds! Mommy Addie is doing wonderful and seems to be taking motherhood in stride. It was so funny because we were all wondering about her at the zoo yesterday. She must have felt our vibes because she called shortly after. So, so, so, very happy for Addie and Blake! You can check out sweet Laney at the link to Addie's world:)

Dylan's big B-day is coming up and I am so excited. I think it will be a lot of fun. Now, I am not going to ruin the theme for you! You will just all have to anxiously await your invitations:) That is all I am going to say about that or I will start spilling everything.

We are really missing a few of you we have not seen in a while.(only a few of you...)

Rachel, loved the video of Lorenzo walking. He is such a big boy. The latest pics are ADORABLE!!!

MacMahans, it has been a while since we heard from you so I am expecting BIG news like you are ready for child #4 or perhaps you have even decided to make your way to a greener part of Texas. The house down the street is for sale:)

Emma, Dom is dying to know how zoo school went. He really wants to go. We passed a group of kids on Monday and I told him they were attending zoo school. His response was, "Emma.. is Emma here? Emma goes to zoo school! Let's find her." You will have to tell him about all your adventures. (Especially in the snake section. That is is absolute favorite!)

Just a little update on Dylan:
He is standing while balancing.
His two top teeth are in.
He is a huge Mommy's boy right now.
He is pointing with his finger and says, "Dhat."
He is able to make the funky frog noise his brother passed down.
He climbs up the stairs. (Look it was only once or twice unattended!)
He pats you on the head to tell you he likes you. (Armani and Alexa are his biggest fans!)
He waves and says "Bye, Bye."

All in all he's laid back like his Mom. (Happy as a lark, as long as he get his way:)

And then came three! Wait,four.

We are back and I feel like I am so behind with the times. We got home Saturday, but much to our surprise both boys had fever and we ended up taking them to Cooks. Yes, while we were out of town, little man, (Dylan) had another allergic reaction the graduate meals. By the way....they do in fact have eggs!!! So we thought that was the problem. Turns out, he has an upper respiratory infection. Then just like always, Dominick followed suit.
We did miss the big party, but I know Angie will have us all over again on Saturday! (Hee Hee) Seriously, I hope Grae had an awesome 1st B-day. Dom was really bummed about not being able to go:(
Okay, now for the big announcement! Yes Kim, Shark Week is on. We watched it all day and all night. So to celebrate, Dylan decided to push his two top teeth through. After all, sharks shouldn't have all the fun. (Did I mention he's a biter?)
Well, I am now getting ready for the Zoo and hope to see all of you there. It should look like our previous parades.

Hey sweet boys!

This is our room

Our fabulous wrap around Veranda

View from our Veranda

Mommy and Daddy missing our boys!!!

Mommy and Daddy wanted to send you some new pictures. Gi Gi emailed the pictures of you and Dylan in the frog pool. How cool! I hope you caught a big catfish at Nana's house. Dylan, I told Daddy you kept saying his name when we were on the phone.


Silly Dylan! I had no idea you had another allergic reaction to eggs. Good thing Mommy packed your Benadryl. We miss you lots! Love you guys:)

Hello baby Dubs!

Relax'in 'Mon!

Jamaica is beautiful!!! We are having an awesome time. We have been on the beach since about 9:00 this morning. We have a fabulous suite that has a wrap around veranda and is right on the beach.

....Did I mention how incredibly romantic Shawn is? Flowers waiting in the room when we arrived, dinner on the beach for our anniversary, massage waiting......He did it all right:) How amazing can one man be? We have truly been "swept away."

Now, for our little ones. Mommy and Daddy miss you so much. It's crazy, but we end up talking about you. We will be home really soon, and Dominick, I am so proud of what a great big brother you are being. Gi Gi said you did great with your friend Alex at the movies. Mommy and Daddy will be home soon, but enjoy the rest of the time with Nana. You have to try out your new fishing pole. We love you so much and you can call us anytime:)

....And with that here is a picture for our sweet boys!

Boys! Boys! Boys!

We just got back from Nana's house and what fun!!! My parents have been blessed with 8 grandchildren. Two girls and six boys. All six boys went down for a couple of days. Emma had Zoo School and little Addie is not even a month:) So let's just say there was plenty of wild, out of control boy energy. (Which I must admit does make boys a little more fun:)

Our first adventure was an animal ride. (My parents could actually open up an Arbuckle Wilderness if they wanted!!!) We saw lizards, a raccoon, skunk, etc. The boys tried to find a snake, but much to their dismay,(PHEW!) they were no where in sight. Why do boys like snakes so much???

We also went on a scavenger hunt. Okay, YES I made it up and YES I chose teams. ......And well, my team won. (Go Garrett and Dominick!) I also lost 5lbs in the process.

Then came fishing. The boys caught probably 12 fish in all. Yes some were 15lbs. plus catfish. Since my darling princess sister does not touch fish, I was promoted to camp counselor. Yes my job included putting on the raw bacon, (hey, they love it!!!) extracting the fish from the hooks, and throwing them back. The boys loved it! Our new reality series is beginning in the fall. The trailer begins....

Six wild boys out of control are left in the middle of the woods. There are screams, laughter and tears. Can they make it out? Can they find the bond of true family hardships? Or will "mother"nature rip the seams of familial ties and leave them all alone in a time out chair in the middle of a field? The tears, the giggles, the naughty silences. Coming Soon August 2008 .

Just a little update

Hello all! (two of you) Shawn and I are so pumped about Negril!!! This will be our 8th anniversary and we are both so ready to relax. Well, here are some updates since my last post:
Check out my friend Holly's photos from New York. They are adorable!!!

Dominick got his first soccer goal this past Saturday. He is getting so much better. He is with a new team called the Rascals. He kicked the ball away from the net twice and scored once. His attitude has gotten so much better. He is excited, hyper, and his fussiness has been minimal. I have been doing a lot of praying asking for patience, and my prayers have been answered.

Dylan broke out into a full blown rash on Saturday. He had fever the two previous days and silly mom thought he was just teething. Oops! Either way once they break out they are no longer contagious. He is much better now:)
This video is of our sweet boys playing at the dinner table. Dominick was roaring like a lion and Dylan would roar back......that is until Mom took out the camera. So, Dom is explaining to you that Dylan will roar as soon as he takes a bite of some of his food. Aren't they adorable?

Is it Friday yet.....Oh, so it is!

Those of you who know me well, know that yes.....I am an addict. I love STROLLERS!!! I have them all the Bugaboo, the Maclaren, the Quinny, and our new addition the Bob Duallie. Everyone has their own addictions, but mine has gotten a bit out of control. Perhaps even caused a bit of friction with the hubby.

Sooooo this next paragraph is for you Shawn:

It is TRUE that I am lucky as a horse shoe to be your wife. In this great REPUBLIC their is no one else who ROCKS my world. With the United States econonmy as it is, (With the price of gas and DIESEL) I know that one thing is steady our unconditional love for one another. The sands of time tick on but you are steadfast like the CARTIER, LUMINOR MARINA, ROLEX, and TAG HEUR. (These are the only ones I can find at the moment, but there are MANY more!!!) So here is to you my dear husband who is undestructable as HARDY plank.

My Sweet Baby

This picture says it all. Mommy's sweet baby is almost one. Where has the time gone???? I am so amazed each day of all the things he's doing. If I could, I would keep my boys babies forever!!!
We are working on some more teeth and he has a tempy today:( So.....stay home with Mommy he must! I must say that even at his crabbiest, he has the sweetest disposition. Shawn and I are so lucky to have such sweet, loving, and beautiful children.
Dylan loves his brother soooo much and Dominick likewise. They already have that special bond.
.........This is also a perfect picture because today I put in my formal resignation for next year. (This is probably Shawn's face on the way to work:) Bitter-sweet for me. Shawn is really stressed because I think this is actually real, not something we've been talking about for 6 months. Either way, I know the Lord will take care of us. He has done AMAZING things for us in the last year!!!!
So....everyone can now dry their sweet little tears and enjoy the hot but refreshing sunshine!!!!

Finally.....an update!!!!

I know......what happened to more pics in a few days? My answer....life. We have been so busy and I am really wondering if it will slow down. But just the same, what an adventure:) The top picture is the Fourth of July parade we were in with Gi Gi and Pa Pa at the lake. The next few are Disney World and the last is yesterday's Zoo trip.

But, I must tell you what my sweet boy said.

I was getting Dominick's items ready for the lake. (Where we spent the fourth of July) I had bought him a cute little hat the previous day. (Pictured in the Zoo photo) He was playing with it and said, "Mom, I really love my hat." My response is, "Dom, it looks really cute on!" Then he looks at me and says, "Do you know why I love it?

"Why?"

........."Because you gave it to me."

Talk about melting your heart. Do you think he will still say the same thing if I knit him a sweater to wear on his first day of high school? Probably not, but carpe diem. That moment, those words, etched in my heart forever:) Have an awesome day.

We're Back!

We are back and what an amazing time we had. Dominick was so into the characters and it made it so fun. We are exhausted but that will have to wait! July 4th is just around the corner:)

Disney World was incredibly awesome, but let's not forget this was Dom's first airplane ride. He loved it. I kept saying you can hold my hand. Needless to say fear did not cross his mind. (By the way....he went on 3 roller coasters, the Haunted Mansion, The Pirates of the Caribbean, Jaws and the disaster ride. Needless to say FEAR IS NOT a factor)

We watched a little mermaid show at Disney's Hollywood Studios. (One of the million parks they have now) It is live show, so the lights are off and the entire theater is quiet. Dominick asks, "Will she be dressed this time?" Everyone seemed to love it except red faced mommy. You know they are saying..."What version is she reading to her son?"

Dominick did great. The last few nights we were there he told Shawn and I that he was staying up all night and was going to party like a rock star. He had good intentions, but the little guy was snoozing 20 minutes later.

We hit almost every park. Most of you got the text with Dom and Shrek. LOVE IT!!!!!

Well, I will let the pictures speak for themselves.

There are so many so I will post a few each day:)

We did go to the zoo yesterday. We have a little play group we have formed. Check out Angie and Kj's blog on my homepage. Sweet little ones all in a row. They covered the entire adventure in their blogs:)

Okay...I am all packed!

Boy is he going to be surprised! Little man is not going on this trip. The Grandma's can't wait to love on him all week. And if he could speak.......he would ask the never-ending question that haunts our home day and night.......WHY?????

I thought that word was a curious word that little children use to seek the truth and all it encompasses in our ever-changing world. Why do the birds sing? Why are we going this way? Why did he say that? Why are you making that face?

Face? Oh that face. Because,........that is the 562nd time you asked me that cute little question. I am now convinced that that sweet innocent word has found its way into our naughty little home as a manipulative device. (Used to seek and destroy, or at least push Mom over the edge)

Now, it's not why Mommy, but a slightly gruffer tone of WHY MOMMY??????? WHY NOT??????
WHY DO I HAVE TO? I DON"T WANT TO!

So....looking at my sweet little boys takes me back to my father. Out of the blue he would say, "So whatcha think?" I would reply with, "About what?" "Just everything," he would say.

I get it......this was an aversion to our why questions! Okay probably not, my father is so sweet he really wanted to know what we were thinking, but either way, I used it on the boys. (Well, boy.) It worked!!!!! When I sense he's about to play the why game, I come back with "Whatcha think?" BINGO! He's off on a new topic.

Happiness is......

Watching your children laugh so loud,

Looking in their eyes and feeling so proud.

Spending special time with the love of your life,

Really focusing on being a wife.

Making my baby smile and giggle,

Changing his diaper as he tries to wiggle.

Spending time with good friends so cleaver and funny,

At the zoo, at the mall, or filling our tummies.

Hearing your little boy talk to God so sweet,

Kissing his squirmy precious little feet.

Doing what you love, and loving what you do,

Even though most of the time you don't have a clue.

Watching the Lord shape and mold your world just right,

Raining down blessings and holding you tight.

Keeping those you love safe, healthy, happy and secure,

Knowing he will provide for his love is pure.

Admiring your parents for the sacrifices made,

Hoping you have become all they prayed.

Hearing your children call out your name,

Hoping that Santa really came.

Eating an ice cream and watching it drip,

Giving sweet smooches with sticky little lips.

Having deep conversations when he is only three,

For there must be a reason the green is on the tree.

Going on vacations, getting our haircuts, cheering at soccer games, and playing in the pool,

All pieces of our amazing life ..........

That makes it pretty cool!