Nice weather!

It was such nice weather the day before I left for NJ so Richie picked up Brady early from school and we played outside!  It was so much fun!!  Sissy really enjoyed it also!  :o)  I'm so ready for spring!

Pics this week...

These are just some cute pics I've taken this week of my angels!  I love them so much!  They are just growing too fast!  This week was so hard since I had my first overnight trip for work...But Tom & Barb came to watch them while I was gone and they all had a blast!  Of course the day I was supposed to be gone was a day that Richie worked...Never fails...We are blessed to have them help us!

Flashback to the 80's!

So, my mom was going through a bunch of boxes in storage and found this little shirt (with a few others) and it was a perfect size for Bria!  The shirts had some brown stains on them but Richie's mom used some magic potion and got the stains out!!  YAY!!  So, I put it on her and it fits!!  It actually says 1981 on it (really small) but I've decided I'm going to save a few of my favorite little outfits for both kids so they can pass down to their kids!  I thought it was cheesy at first, but now I'm so excited and proud!  So special!  She just couldn't get any cuter - LOVE this girl!!!

The BIG event - Sunday = Michael Jackson show in Tulsa!

What a FUN day!  Richie suprised me with tickets to Michael Jackson "The Immortal" Cirque De Soleil show in Tulsa and it was an AMAZING day!!  I have a list of "top 10 things that made my day"

#1 - While driving to Tulsa one of my top 10 favorite songs came on - LOVE SHACK!  We found an AWESOME radio station and I just knew it was the start of a great day!

First, we found this pub to eat at before the show and it was SOOOO good!  #2 thing to make my day - WOODCHUCK CIDER!!  It's so hard finding places that have it and I was thrilled!  It was really good food, good atmosphere and really good beer!!

Here I am getting "pumped" up for the show!  HA!  Nothing like pumping in a parking lot!

Here is Richie with a statue of some Tulsa Fire Fighters!  This was on our short walk to the BOK center!

#3 - Finding someone else in a "Michael Jackson themed outfit" even though he was all of 10 years old!  HA!  Look in the background...Hardly anyone dressed up!  Out of 4500 people there might have been 20 people there that were decked out!  What the heck???

#4 - GETTING UPGRADED!!  These tickets were expensive and Richie spent $80 on the uppper deck tickets.  We walked in and they pointed us to another table...WHAT??  We got LOWER LEVEL tickets - for FREE!!!  They weren't completely sold out so they moved the upper deck people down!  AWESOME!

#5 - The ladies next to us asking us if we were students at the UofA (after telling them we were from Fayetteville)...WE DO STILL LOOK YOUNG!  HA!  YAY!

#6 - Thriller, Billy Jean & BAD...3 of my all-time FAV's!!  The whole show was AMAZING!

#7 - One of the performers only had 1 leg...And he was so awesome!!!!  It was so cool watching everyone, but to be so talented and only having 1 leg...it was SO INSPIRING!

#8 - Another one of the performers was a pole dancer on like a 30 foot pole and it was incredible!  I was astonished at how crazy awesome it was!

#9 - This man in front of me...He was hysterical!!  Richie enjoyed watching him more than the show.  He cried 3 times (yes, he is about 300 lbs) and if he yelled "We love you Michael!" once, he yelled it ten times!  He got several people fired up in the crowd when he yelled also.  He did give me a high five when leaving b/c he was impressed with my outfit and attitude!  HA!

#10 - The lady beside me...SLEEPING!  HEHEHE!  It goes from one extreme to the next...I don't know how in the world she dozed off with such a loud crowd and amazing show!

It was such a fun time!!!!!  We needed the day away and what fun we had!!!  And, yes...We still made it to church in Tulsa before the festivities began and I'm pretty sure people gave me some stares in that outfit!  HA!  But, we made it to church so that is all that matters!  THANKS SO MUCH to my sweet husband for getting these tickets and for us having such a great day!!!!!!!  You're the best!

And, while we were having fun in Tulsa...

The sweet little angels & Baba and Papa had SO MUCH FUN back home!  They even went on a trip to the park to play!  They had a blast!  Thanks to them for taking such great care of the kids so we could enjoy a fun day!  I know they all had such a great time!  The weekend of F.U.N was AMAZING!!  Sad it's over!



Saturday...

After Baba and Papa took Brady for "dough doughs" on Donut Saturday (Richie was working) we all had a busy and fun day!  Some reading, playing on the trampoline, sliding down the slide, coloring, etc...It was BUSY!

And, Bria loves to fly around the house so Papa got a good workout in between the two kiddos!  Brady wanted in on the action and he had a great time!  It was hysterical!  I would bet that he is sore after this weekend!  While they watched the kids, I ran some errands and tried to find a "Michael Jackson themed outfit" for Sunday's show and I got to get a pedicure with India!  It was great!  And, much needed!  It was a fun Saturday!

Friday night of "Weekend of F.U.N"

Weekend of fun begins on Friday night!  We had some friends from Fort Smith come up and stay in Rogers for Valentine's Day and we got together with them & some other friends who live in Rogers on Friday night!  We met at Bonefish for dinner and it was DE-LISH!  There is nothing like bang bang shrimp and chocolate creme brulee!  YUM!  It was a great time visiting and catching up with them and we wish we could see them more often!  After dinner at Bonefish we went to Aloft and hung out at the bar there before coming home at 10pm!  We are so old and I was so tired!  HA!  But, it was AWESOME seeing them!

Bonefish - from left (even though it's dark)...me, Brad, Mary, Valerie, Robb & Richie

I wish we could eat here more often!  It's SO DELICIOUS!

While we were eating - Baba and Papa had their hands full with Brady and Bria!  Here is Brady coloring on his new dry erase board and LOVING it!  And here is Bria giving some giggles!  Such a sweet girl!  It was a great Friday night!  We all had a great time and we were all so sleepy afterward!  HA!

Last day of Valentine's Week...Week of love concludes!

Well, the love fest is concluding but doesn't mean it's over!  We love these kids more and more every day and who knew that was possible??  They are the light of our lives, they give us the pep in our step, and they are more than sunshine when the sky is gray.  They make us want to be better people and they couldn't be any more special to us!  I love my precious family more than anything in this world and I just don't know what I would do without them!!  I am blessed!!

4th day of Valentine's Day!

On the 4th day of Valentine's Day here is what I'm in love with:

Bria - I'm so in love with how she looks and studies her big brother!  It's so precious!  It doesn't matter where they are (taking a bath, playing in the living room, cuddling in the bed with us) she will look and follow every little move he makes!  I can tell she is really going to look up to him in a few years.  It's just the cutest thing and I'm totally IN LOVE with it!

Brady - I'm in love with how he will say "sissy" and point to his baby sister.  When he takes the time to stop and notice her being around (and when he's not jealous of her) he will just look at her and try and pat her head or play with something to get her attention.  It's really cute!  I just know that he will grow to LOVE LOVE LOVE his baby "SISSY" - precious!!!  I'm in love with this everyday!

Richie - I'm in love with how he gets so excited when anyone in the family wants to love on him and give him hugs and kisses and smiles and giggles!  He's the backbone of the family and the glue that keeps us all together and sometimes I think it's the little things like kisses, hugs, smiles & giggles that we forget about giving him...So, when Brady hugs on him after he's had a bath and is winding down for bed, I can see why he gets all excited about it.  It's precious and it's showing that something extra that makes his day!  I need to be better about hugging and kissing on him myself!  I bet he would get just as excited...Well, probablly not!  HA!  But, it will be worth it to see!  And, I hardly doubt my giggles will mean as much as Bria's do - so I'll just smile and get excited with him when she does something like that!  These are the things I'm in love with today!  I LOVE my precious family!

Brady at 17 months!

So, yes...This is a random pic for him at 17 months old...It's actually him in the crib & me looking at him on the monitor!  He's supposed to be taking a nap, instead he is banging on the wall and looking all around the crib!  HA!  He's so funny!  He is such a climber that I'm really surprised he hasn't gotten out of here by now - THANK GOODNESS!  He needs to stay in there just a little longer!

But, Brady at 17 months:

He is wearing some 18-24 month clothes and some 2T clothes!  Still in size 4 diapers and size 6/7 shoe!  He is saying more and more every single day and can pretty much repeat what we say (so we are really having to be careful in front of him if you know what I mean)...He's doing really well at school now, I think he is finally getting adjusted since he's been going every single day!  He didn't even cry yesterday when daddy dropped him off!  He shed a few tears for me today though...But, it is so much better!  His favorite thing to do right now besides be outside at the park is COLOR!  He's all about crayons and markers and coloring in his books!  It's so cute!  He's making new friends at school and really learning a lot there.  He's picked up more letters in the alphabet and I would say he has at least half of them remembered now.  He loves to dance to music still and he is SUPER sweet!  My favorite moments with him is cuddle time and when he gives me hugs - it's the best feeling in the world!  I love how he goes with his daddy on Saturday's to get donuts and I love how he recognizes people so well now!  It's awesome!  He's getting the hang of his trampoline and I think in another month or so it will be mastered!  He is still a picky eater and still loves MAC & CHEESE...He also loves sweets and can eat a cupcake or cookie with the best of em!  Even though Richie freaks at his sweet tooth!  HA!  When he gets to watch TV or movies he LOVES Mater still from Cars, Nemo from Finding Nemo and Woody & Buzz from Toy Story.  He also likes the movie Despicable Me which I think is funny...Still loves Barney and Blues Clues!  He's the best boy in the world!  I can't wait to watch him learn and grow - even though he's growing up too fast!

How we celebrated Valentine's Day!

This is how everyone celebrated Valentine's Day!

Brady was at school.  He brought treat bags for everyone as well as cookies from Rick's Bakery to all of his friends and teachers to celebrate!  He ate ALL of his cupcakes and cookies!  And LOVED it!  He got several Valentine's from his buddies and Hunter also brought treat bags and inside of it was a super fabulous bubble blower!  HE LOVES BUBBLES so it couldn't have been a more perfect day at school!

Daddy spent the day with Bria and they had some play time, cuddle time, etc.  How sweet is that?  And, in the above pic she is wearing her bib from Aunt Bran and Lily to celebrate Valentine's Day!  Too cute!

I worked local today and came home for lunch and surprised Richie and Bria and I treated them to lunch at Briar Rose - it was DE-LISH!  They were surprised!  Bria got all dressed up in her Valentine's Day outfit and she wasn't shy at all with her free hugs!  YAY!  She had a great Valentine's Day!

The above pics are presents for the sweet angels!  Mommy & Daddy got Brady a Mater shirt for this summer and got Bria a really cute outfit with leggings from Gwen Stefani's line to wear next fall!  Then, Baba & Papa brought back treats from New Orleans for Valentine's Day and Mayme gave them piggy bank money!  They got several cards from friends and they have a surprise waiting for them from Papa Mike and MeMe - can't wait to see them next weekend!  I have a feeling they are going to be spoiled!

And, since Richie went above and beyond with his present to me (Michael Jackson IMMORTAL tickets) I decided I was going to cook for him (basically b/c I haven't cooked for him in a REALLY LONG TIME) so I know that he will realize that this is special!  Brady and Bria got him some workout clothes and I made chili and cucumber salad and it was a great night!  Brady stopped and got me some tulips on the way home from school, which was SUPER sweet b/c I LOVE tulips and these can be planted!  YAY!  Sweet cards from everyone and an overall FABULOUS day!!!

The thing I'm IN LOVE WITH today - MY AWESOME family!!!  I'm one lucky girl!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Well, although I'm working on Valentine's Day (I'm sitting at my breakfast now & the doc hasn't come back yet) - I was able to see both of my sweet angels before leaving this morning and Brady is taking treat bags to school today so I'll get to see him again before tonight!  I love Valentine's Day - I'm not a flowers kind of girl though...I'm more of a small sweet sentimental something...However, Richie totally went over the top this year!  I don't know how I'm going to compete!!  He surprised me with a trip to see the Michael Jackson Tribute Cirque du Soleil in Tulsa!  We are going this Sunday!!!  I love MJ and I couldn't be more thrilled!  He is so sweet and thoughtful to do that for me!  LOVE HIM!

So, I'll start my things I love today about my husband!  He is very thoughtful - probably more so than me...He is really great at thinking about things that I may want or need for surprises or gifts on holidays.  He will come up with the best things ALWAYS...I used to be good at this, but I feel like I've been lacking the past couple of holidays, etc. But, Richie somehow always thinks of the perfect thing (whether its practical or fun) he always does such a great job!  I'm very in love with this quality!

Bria - I'm so in love with how she has the best sparkle in her eye and she really acts like she is listening very intently.  I think she is going to be the best little listener!  I hope anyways!  HA!  But, she is just SO sweet and precious and I love this quality about her!

Brady - I'm so in love with him wanting to read with his momma every night.  He will just sit in my lap after picking out which book he wants to read and he is even helping me read now - pointing to things and saying what they are, or finishing the sentence on the page (b/c we've read it so many times)...It's so precious and I hope he always wants to do this with me!  We've included sissy in on this lately and she seems to enjoy it as well!  I couldn't be more IN LOVE with these 2 gifts from God!  I'm SO blessed!

Week worth of Valentine's!

I thought I would do a post everyday this week with cute pictures of my sweets!  And highlight something everyday that I'm in love with...

So, for Brady - I'm in love with his cuddling...How when I change his diaper or his clothes and I go to pull him back up he will wrap his arms around me so tight and just hug me for the longest time.  SO SWEET!  And, when he is getting sleepy he will just go limp in my arms and just let me hug on him and he will even tap my back like I do his - it's just precious!  When he is feeling lazy or if he's trying to wake up he will just lay in my lap and put his little arm on my arm and snuggle in really close.  These are the little things that melt my heart!  He is so sweet and cuddly and I just LOVE them!

Bria - I'm so in love with her smiles...How when I talk to her she focuses in on what I'm saying and will just smile and coo right back at me.  It's SO SWEET!  When I'm changing her diaper and she is so happy to have a fresh diaper on she will just get the biggest grin and say "AHHHHH GOOOOO" and it's so precious!  And now she is giggling which is the cutest thing ever!  I love her smiles and giggles and how for the time being she is such a momma's girl.  It totally melts my heart and makes me so proud to be a mom to these 2 wonderful little angels!

And, last - my sweet husband Richie - I'm so in love with his generosity.  I really thought he was so generous with my time off with Brady, and although we have decided to start Bria at Learning Ladder quicker than what we did with Brady (basically b/c the transition has been so horrible - we don't want to go through it twice) he is still letting me ease back into work and spend as much time with my babies as possible.  They are only little once and I swear they are doing something new and precious every single day!  He is SO kind to not even question my thoughts about returning to work and is letting me do 3 days a week for awhile and then 4 days a week for awhile and then I'll start back full-time in August.  And, on the craziest of moments I'm sure I don't say it enough how much I appreciate him for all that he does but he is the foundation of this marriage and I couldn't love him anymore!! Happy Monday of Valentine's Day Week!

Fun weekend!!!

The pics above are from mine & Richie's date night...We hardly ever go out & since Tom and Barb were in New Orleans last weekend and I was starting back to work this week, we had Brady's teacher come and babysit so we could have a nice dinner alone...These pics were actually from last weekend's dinner...However, Tom and Barb came over this weekend to see the kiddos since it had been 2 weeks and they were just dying to see these babies!  We went to dinner with Kin & Kate and Ryan and Meggan on Friday night and it was a BLAST!  It was so nice to have adult conversation and hang out with friends!  We ate at Legacy Blues off Dickson and it was pretty good!  Company was even better!  But, I couldn't get home fast enough to my babies!

Then, on Saturday morning Brady had a playdate!  One of his friends from school, Hunter Daniels came over to play!  It was a hoot!  He is a little bit younger than Brady but it was hysterical watching him boss Brady around!  He has a cute and fun little personality and I can tell they are going to be great friends!  And, it was funny having 3 kiddos to watch!  We had our hands full.  The pic with Richie is blurry b/c it was taken with my phone, but he was trying to feed both of them lunch while I was feeding Bria.  HYSTERICAL!  We have to give some kudos to stay at home mothers who have more than 2 kids!  2 kids are hard enough, but 3...It was funny!  Those boys had a great time and Bria enjoyed watching!

Bria has been on & off holding her bottle, but here is a picture of it!

Brady and his Papa.  He's been a Papa's boy all weekend!

 Bria fighting a nap, but making some time to wave!  She has bonded with her Baba!

And Brady dancing...Could he be any cuter?  These smiles are so hard to catch!  LOVE IT!  It's been a great weekend, I just hate that Richie is working today (Sunday)...It would be so much fun to have him around today also!  Miss him when he's gone...But, overall...It's been great!