a wonderful day...

It was super fun to all stay home today...I've worked most days that Russell has been home recently. Since it was so beautiful this morning, we headed to the bike trails. Benjamin biked while we ran/walked with Trevin in the jogging stroller. Benjamin learned that biking/keeping your balance while manuevering around people, curves, etc is a bit more challenging. 2 spills, but no blood lost! We did fine!! Except...I found it challenging to keep up with him biking while I ran. He has speed...now that his training wheels are off. So, I have my work cut out for me. :)


Supper - BBQ shredding pork sandwiches were so good tonight...this was so incredibly simple & loved by everyone at our table. I am seriously addicted to pinterest. I don't spend too much time on it, but I love the recipes & ideas I found. My friends all have such great taste! So fun.

After supper it was wonderful to have a bit of quiet conversation with my hubby while we had tea & dessert from The Steeping Room...we split a double chocolate cupcake...oh so good.

Source: quick-dish.tablespoon.com via Andrea on Pinterest

I feel like the weekend has already started!

entertaining boys

It really doesn't take too much to entertain our boys....give some fresh air, outdoor space, a few things with wheels - and they are set! Hence,...paradise for Trevin & Benjamin at Jesse's house. We had wonderful weather while we were there...70s & rain. The rain didn't keep the boys from playing outside. It didn't even keep Benjamin from learning how to ride without training wheels. I went shopping with Polly in the afternon and upon returning I witnessed Benjamin zipping down their long driveway on a bike WITHOUT training wheels. I was utterly shocked. Way to go, Jesse, for being such an inspiration. Lesson learned...all it takes sometimes is a little push from a friend.

The long driveway...perfect for riding
Best of friends....

dear friends

During the last 2 weeks we've enjoyed seeing friends we don't see often enough. As always the time with them goes by too quickly & the kids were especially sad to leave. But as Papa says...."if you don't leave, you can't come back!" So true..

Thank You, Groupon!

Just finished putting together our book for 2011...used a groupon purchased for Picaboo and saved a lot of $$. What a great feeling to have this checked off my list. The countdown til 2012 begins....how is that possible??

We're Learning...

My children amaze me! They are learning so much these days. Here is a list of a few random things...

1. Benjamin wandering around the house singing La Bamba in Spanish.
2. Trevin singing out with us at the table...he's learning the graces so well!
3. Benjamin's fascination with paper airplanes & learning to make them. He has decided that the expert paper airplane makers are Daddy & Papa!
4. Evidently the boys play 'hide & seek' a lot around here (and at Papa & Nana's house)...Trevin surprised us this week by counting to 10 by himself!
5. Benjamin has been helping Trevin play trains & work on the train tracks. Benjamin puts it together & Trevin takes is apart. Ah yes, the noises in our home aren't always happy ones.
6. Benjamin enjoys counting by 2s, 5s, & 10s. I can't believe the school year is now half over! I'm glad he really enjoys school.

I'm wondering how much I've learned this past year! I know I'm still working on being more patient. I seem to use my patience up way too quickly. It's good to remember we're all a work in progress...

Quote for December

As 2011 comes to a close, my heart is full of gratitude for so many things. This is a special quote I want to keep with me thru the next year. I don't just want to be thankful, but live a thankful life.

Source: hankandhunt.com via Andrea on Pinterest

hello flat colter!

Flat Colter made a surprise visit this weekend. We enjoyed doing many things with him especially driving him around town & showing him the sights. This was his first time to sit on a Texas Longhorn! He has to leave soon....but he can't decide where to go next. Thanks for the visit!

word wall

I'm loving a relaxing weekend at home...no working (physical therapy stuff, that is) and feeling good finally! I took one of Benjamin's homework assignments to "heart" and finished something I've wanted to do forever. Thank you, Mrs. S, for making me get this done! Sometimes it takes a deadline. Here is our WORD WALL! A place for Benjamin for to write words, draw pictures, & display his work. I love it. Thankfully, my Uppercase Living scraps came in handy and made this project very inexpensive.



Hope you're having a great weekend!
Next up: a special cousin visitor arrived this weekend...any guesses? :)

Thanksgiving Week 2011

Thanksgiving week rushed by with a flurry of activities - lots of playtime with the cousins, shopping with the sister, eating with the family, visiting, & enjoying our fabulous fall weather. Afterwards, I crashed...quite literally...getting strep throat and banishing myself to bed for several days. Wow. I don't remember being that sick in a long time. I'm glad to be much better and even MORE glad that no one else seemed to have gotten it. It was not fun.

Hello cute Jace & Malia!
Amongst all the activities, Benjamin performed in his fall concert. He did so well and it was fun to have cousin Damion in the audience.
Happy Boys! These old Fisher Price sets are priceless!
Puzzle time with Drake.

Grandma Burnette & the whole clan of great grandkids...so, so fun. This was a very special time with family. Loved getting to all be together.

Happy Turkey Day! We had a small gathering, but it was so special to have time Grandma. Usually she can't/doesn't enter into the conversation much - but this time we got her talking & it was wonderful!
My dear friend Jordan stopped by for a quick visit. Our kids had a blast!

To see more, click here

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! We feel blessed beyond measure.

a big task

Now that Thanksgiving is over, we are getting back into our somewhat normal routine, and I'm feeling 75% better (from a horrific case of strep throat)...this is my task at hand:

Source: typeverything.com via Gina on Pinterest

I love receiving personal notes from several of my great aunts, from workers & friends. There is something so special about it. Instead of a generic letter this year (I figure quite a few read our blog & don't kneed a recap), I'm attempting to write a few personal lines as we send family pictures out. My hand may be cramping & crying at the end of the day....but this is my goal!

Thanksgiving quote #2

Source: remodelaholic.com via Madaline on Pinterest

favorite thanksgiving quote #1

Source: moneysavingmom.com via Emily on Pinterest

Fall is flying by...

Art project from school: "Draw a picture that depicts the learner profile of caring"
Benjamin: I drew of picture of Damion & me playing close to each other & sharing toys.

Art work from spanish class: manzanas (apples!)
Nothing quite describes an evening spent with Westin. We were so sad tell him goodbye. He's off to his new field now. We are grateful for those who give themselves beyond measure.
I have one week to:
-make 5 pies (2 go to Benjamin's school)
-make homemade sugar scrubs for Benjamin's teachers
-send a care package to Ireland
-enjoy "sister" time....it doesn't happen often enough!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Homework Time...

I love Benjamin's homework assignments....we pick 5 off the list & do them each week. They are meaningful, purposeful & fun!

Here is a sample of his October Kindergarten homework...

20. Challenge your child to save part of her allowance or to collect unwanted games, toys, and clothes. Visit a local shelter, church, or donation site
together to make her contribution.
21. Help Out at a Local Animal Shelter.Your local shelter probably needs help walking dogs, cleaning cages, or even just playing with animals that are
cooped up all day.
22. Clean Up Your Community Park or Playground.Choose your date and location, and then contact your local Parks and Recreation Department to
find out any guidelines or permit requirements. Be sure to arrive early on the day and snap plenty of shots to commemorate your efforts.
23.Read a favorite fairy tale, then illustrate it together.
24. Find the best jokes (in book collections and online), then compile them into an illustrated book. For an extra challenge, come up with some jokes of
your own.

Six!

I'm a bit behind on this post, but I want to post about Benjamin. 6 is the ultimate age for him. His usual introduction goes like this..."Hi, I'm Benjamin & I'm six!" He's in the 95th percentile for height. He loves EVERYTHING...books, soccer, tractors, racecars, helping in the kitchen, anything that involves being outside, etc. He is the first person to rush over & check on someone if they are hurt & has a tender heart. He is such a great big brother & is patient to wait his turn. Benjamin's teacher said he is a good student & is one of her "helpers". So...life is good for our big 6 year old. He can't wait to dress up as a pirate on Saturday for the Austin Suzuki Strings Concert.

Fountain Fun

Since having kids we look for lots of ways to have fun. Sarah, our great photographer, helped us out with this one. Story behind these pictures: We had family pictures taken this fall. It was 106 degrees at 8pm that evening. We were/are in the middle of a drought, but still found some water for splashing & beautiful scenery for our pictures. Sarah rewarded our kids for doing so well for the pictures by letting them play in the fountain on site. Oh my, they had fun! I love these pictures.

Grandpa Clarence

We'll miss this dear man. The boys & I enjoyed writing him letters & sending pictures. He didn't write much, but that was okay....we just wanted him to know we loved him even though we lived so far away.

Our time with him this summer was so special. He gave us a tour of where he lived and then we went to his room for a wonderful visit. Though he was frail, his mind was sharp...he told us about his cowboy spurs (that were sitting on display in his room), memories of old pictures, & his times in TX. He told me he remembered when he first met me; I remember the exact time too...I wasn't with Russell & it wasn't in Montana...so that fact that he remembered, really surprised me.

I'm so thankful we had the privilege of naming our first son after his special family. He was a little piece of Russell's mother who we miss so much. He loved the children (good thing! he had over 40 great grandchildren). He spoke softly & had such a tender smile. We'll miss him, but so glad he finished the race.

Great Grandpa with chunky monkey Benjamin - Thanksgiving '05

It's beginning to look like...

convention time! I had a great time one afternoon playing & helping the boys as they requested to have convention at our house. I'm making a greater effort to stop in the midst of my day and have time with the boys. Love it!

I love this smile!

No, he's not crying...he's praying.

Watching so closely

Looking foward to going to the real thing very soon!

a peek at the past...

I don't take the time to scan in pictures very often, but I HAD to do these. They come from Russell's baby scrapbook that I put together for him. This is proof!!! Our little man looks just like Russell. I think these are the most adorable pictures...such seriousness & so like Trevin.

Trevin at 2 years

Things about Trevin at 2 years:

-asks for 'lunch' multiple times a day (ie when waking at 6:45ish, when getting ready for bed)

-is always looking for the moon when outside

-loves trucks & ambulances/fire trucks

-waits patiently with me while in line to pick up Benjamin from school

-loves to color...will color on his hands & arms as much as the paper

-even the littlest 'owwie' should not be taken lightly

-sleeps great...unless he is sick - then forget about sleeping, Mommy

-wants to go to school just like Benjamin...dragging his little backpack around the house

-when requesting something, he'll answer for you (ie "Mommy, up please....'kay")

-Not sure if I've heard him say 'yes' much...it comes out as 'huh' with a quick nod

-He's doing really well sitting still in meeting...we're learning that less is better

-He plays by himself so well...in fact, I can be gone (ie work) for a few hours while Russell works from home some mornings/handles conference calls with Trevin playing.

-Loves to set up meeting with his lego people or animals [see photo]

-Doesn't sing the graces at the table...but covers his eyes & waits to eat until we're finished singing

-Requests his little bible in meetings

-weight in the 50-75th percentile, height in the 90th percentile