Yesterday I took the boys to the playground after Bryce's nap. We're trying to fill our last week before Brennan has back to school with fun activities. Once we got there, Brennan really didn't want to play that much. Grrr! I take him there to try and wear him out, but then he just roams around aimlessly. Bryce got to have some fun though and crawled through the tunnel! I love his smile in this picture.
After the playground, I decided to drive up the road just a minute and visit the Groton Family Farm. We pass it often, but have never stopped. Brennan had fun checking out the chickens and sheep. We walked inside where they sell fresh veggies, eggs, and local honey. The guy working even took us in the back to see some back chickens!
It was funny because after our stop at the farm, we came home to eat lunch and then the boys went down for nap. When Brennan and I were praying before his rest he said, "Thank you God for the sheep with headphones." I'm not sure why he thought the horns were headphones, but it made me laugh.
Thursday, August 29, 2013
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Happy Birthday, GaGa!
Happy Birthday to my Momma and Brennan and Bryce's GaGa! We love you!
We won't tell everyone how old you are! ;-)
We won't tell everyone how old you are! ;-)
Monday, August 26, 2013
Miscellany Monday
Here's just a hodgepodge of pictures showing what we've been up to lately.
Bucket peek-a-boo!
All 3 boys want to wrestle with Daddy!
This wild one is hard to control in the bathtub now!
We've made a few trips into our downtown the past few weeks. Love it!
Yep, Bryce is all over the place. Brennan is going potty before tubby and Bryce came right on in too!
I watched a friend's little boy so they could move into their new house. The boys had fun playing together all day!
Brennan got all tatted up!
Yep, like I said, he's everywhere!
And I actually did a few activities I had "pinned" forever ago!
Bryce has been enjoying the tree swing!
And just this morning we went to the library!
No lack of action happening here!
Hope you're having a great Monday!

Bucket peek-a-boo!
All 3 boys want to wrestle with Daddy!
This wild one is hard to control in the bathtub now!
We've made a few trips into our downtown the past few weeks. Love it!
Yep, Bryce is all over the place. Brennan is going potty before tubby and Bryce came right on in too!
I watched a friend's little boy so they could move into their new house. The boys had fun playing together all day!
Brennan got all tatted up!
Yep, like I said, he's everywhere!
And I actually did a few activities I had "pinned" forever ago!
Bryce has been enjoying the tree swing!
And just this morning we went to the library!
No lack of action happening here!
Hope you're having a great Monday!

Sunday, August 25, 2013
Sunday, August 18, 2013
Thursday, August 15, 2013
Home Sweet Home
Seven years ago today we closed on buying our very first house. It was the first house our realtor showed us and we kept coming back to it after seeing anything else. It was brand new and ready for us to move right in. We were home owners. Well more like house owners because it has certainly gone from being just a house to being a home. So thankful we have been able to stay here as long as we have!
My original plan was to show some older pictures of our house (us with the SOLD sign, Kyle putting up drywall in the basement), but apparently when the computer crashed several years ago we lost those pictures, so instead I'll just share two of the big reasons our house is now our home sweet home!
Love this song!
My original plan was to show some older pictures of our house (us with the SOLD sign, Kyle putting up drywall in the basement), but apparently when the computer crashed several years ago we lost those pictures, so instead I'll just share two of the big reasons our house is now our home sweet home!
Love this song!
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Future Wildcat
I took these pictures yesterday and can't wait to show them on a big screen at his college graduation from The University of Kentucky; where he's going to be an awesome basketball player of course! :)
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
Our Little Inchworm
Already this week, Bryce has learned to sit up unassisted and to army crawl. He's getting too big too fast! The video is extremely poor quality and the color gets messed up at the end, but you can see him "crawling".
Monday, August 12, 2013
Dear Brennan,
Yesterday you turned 3 1/2 years old! I'm not sure I'm going to keep doing these updates each month now that you're getting so big. I might just start doing more of a list version or just a recap of some the funny things you're saying or doing. You are wearing mostly 3T clothes, but I was just saying the other day that we will probably start buying anything new in 4T. I love this time because you can wear such a wide range of clothes. Some things that say 24 months will still fit you, but 4T still fits fine too. You did have to get new shoes this past month! I was putting your shoes on one morning and realized they were really tight. You're now wearing a size 8! You still wear a Pull-Up at bedtime and most mornings it's still wet. I'm hoping you won't be a seven-year-old that needs to wear Pull-Ups!
In last month's update I mentioned your attitude. I am so happy to say that it has been so so so much better this past month. If that was the extent of your terrible 3's then I think we have gotten off easy! You have been super pleasant and I love it. You are such a good helper with your brother. Sometimes I'll be back in the nursery and realize I left the baby wipes or something else I need out in the living room and you bring it right to me. You still seem to like Bryce, but aren't a fan of when he rolls up to you and touches you while you're standing up. I always remind you that you're bigger and can move faster than him so you just need to move to a different spot. Bryce still adores you and lights up anytime he looks at you!
You attended VBS at the end of July. In the past you stayed in the nursery while Mommy worked, but this year you went around with the preschool crew. You're supposed to be four to do that, but they made exception for you and you did great. It was totally cool to see you singing and dancing while I was leading worship on stage! We've been talking about school starting back up and you seem super excited for it. You'll be going Monday, Wednesday, and Friday starting at the beginning of September.
Your obsession with numbers continues. You seriously LOVE numbers. You still love exit numbers. You always want to see how much battery power is left on the iPad or my phone. At the mall we have to walk in Old Navy just to see what checkout lane numbers are lit up and open. You love the checkout lane numbers at Target and the commissary too. I thought the commissary was going to be dreadful this summer since I'd be going most weeks with you and your brother, but it is so super easy because you get so excited to see which lanes are open and to go up and down the aisles in order. Just recently you have started to hold my phone during our grocery trips and will check off the items on the list for me as I pick them up.
When I was putting you to bed tonight, I realized I haven't really talked about our bedtime routine in quite awhile. You get a bath almost every night before bed. You like Mommy to give you your bath, but we've made progress to at least let Daddy start your tubby as long as Mommy does the washing after I put Bryce to bed. You are super good about going to bed because we still just tell you what the clock will say when it's bedtime and you don't put up any fight. After we brush your teeth and go potty, you always get to pick out two stories. It's so cute to watch you stand at your bookshelf and decide what books you want. Lots of time you'll pick out books from the library. For the past week or so we've read the story Emily's First 100 Days of School at every nap and bedtime. It counts to 100, so it's no surprise you like that one! After those two stories, we pray together, Mommy sings you "Jesus Loves Me" and "One More Minute" (a Mommy original), and then you go to sleep. You don't ever get out of your bed at nap or bedtime. Most days you'll stay in bed until 4 at naptime and you always stay quiet until 7 in the morning. If only your brother was as good of a sleeper as you!
Your reading continues to blow us away. You read signs when we are out that have words we had no idea you knew. You are learning to sound things out. It's really amazing. We've been practicing writing your letter and numbers. You are just such a smart dude!
You say some of the best things! Here are a few of my favorites right now:
In last month's update I mentioned your attitude. I am so happy to say that it has been so so so much better this past month. If that was the extent of your terrible 3's then I think we have gotten off easy! You have been super pleasant and I love it. You are such a good helper with your brother. Sometimes I'll be back in the nursery and realize I left the baby wipes or something else I need out in the living room and you bring it right to me. You still seem to like Bryce, but aren't a fan of when he rolls up to you and touches you while you're standing up. I always remind you that you're bigger and can move faster than him so you just need to move to a different spot. Bryce still adores you and lights up anytime he looks at you!
You attended VBS at the end of July. In the past you stayed in the nursery while Mommy worked, but this year you went around with the preschool crew. You're supposed to be four to do that, but they made exception for you and you did great. It was totally cool to see you singing and dancing while I was leading worship on stage! We've been talking about school starting back up and you seem super excited for it. You'll be going Monday, Wednesday, and Friday starting at the beginning of September.
Your obsession with numbers continues. You seriously LOVE numbers. You still love exit numbers. You always want to see how much battery power is left on the iPad or my phone. At the mall we have to walk in Old Navy just to see what checkout lane numbers are lit up and open. You love the checkout lane numbers at Target and the commissary too. I thought the commissary was going to be dreadful this summer since I'd be going most weeks with you and your brother, but it is so super easy because you get so excited to see which lanes are open and to go up and down the aisles in order. Just recently you have started to hold my phone during our grocery trips and will check off the items on the list for me as I pick them up.
When I was putting you to bed tonight, I realized I haven't really talked about our bedtime routine in quite awhile. You get a bath almost every night before bed. You like Mommy to give you your bath, but we've made progress to at least let Daddy start your tubby as long as Mommy does the washing after I put Bryce to bed. You are super good about going to bed because we still just tell you what the clock will say when it's bedtime and you don't put up any fight. After we brush your teeth and go potty, you always get to pick out two stories. It's so cute to watch you stand at your bookshelf and decide what books you want. Lots of time you'll pick out books from the library. For the past week or so we've read the story Emily's First 100 Days of School at every nap and bedtime. It counts to 100, so it's no surprise you like that one! After those two stories, we pray together, Mommy sings you "Jesus Loves Me" and "One More Minute" (a Mommy original), and then you go to sleep. You don't ever get out of your bed at nap or bedtime. Most days you'll stay in bed until 4 at naptime and you always stay quiet until 7 in the morning. If only your brother was as good of a sleeper as you!
Your reading continues to blow us away. You read signs when we are out that have words we had no idea you knew. You are learning to sound things out. It's really amazing. We've been practicing writing your letter and numbers. You are just such a smart dude!
You say some of the best things! Here are a few of my favorites right now:
- "Turn your head over!" - said when I'm not looking at you.
- "You're so beautiful." - you've started saying this when you know I'm frustrated with you!
- "Pay attention, Rachel!" - you told me that the other day when I messing up on an iPad game.
- "We've never done this in a while." - said when we haven't done something in awhile.
- "Look at this booger, Mommy! It's a good one!" - you just said that one today after nap!
You just got a new car seat. You love it! Bryce is using the one you were in, so you got an upgrade. Things like that show me how quickly you're growing up! I feel like this is just such a fun age. You take in everything around you and don't forget anything. You talk constantly and are getting more and more energetic. You don't sit or stand still for very long periods of time anymore; you're almost always bouncing around. You're such a sweet little dude!
I love you!
Love,
Mommy
Sunday, August 11, 2013
Saturday, August 10, 2013
Newport, RI
Last weekend we drove up to Burlington, Mass (about a 1 hour 45 minute drive) because that's where the closest Chick-fil-a is located. We do that a few times a year. It was a fun little family trip and afterwards I said we need to be better about doing more fun stuff on the Saturdays when Kyle isn't working.
So last night we decided that we'd spend some of our Saturday in Newport, RI. Kyle and I went there for a few days back before Brennan was born. And Kyle was recently up there for some classes he had to take, but we wanted to go with the boys. There really isn't a ton that's geared for kids, but it was supposed to be a beautiful day and we thought they'd have fun just walking (strolling) around.
We headed up this morning and it really isn't a bad drive at all; only about 45 minutes. Kyle first drove us around the Navy base up there so we could see where he had gone for his classes and where he could possibly go to the Navy War College after he's done with this current tour. Then we headed into downtown Newport and parked near the Cliff Walk. The Cliff Walk runs along the water and many of the famed Newport mansions. You really can't see many of the houses on the walk because of the high shrubs, but the walk was nice and the boys were great in the stroller. We did a little extra walking to try to get a better view of the mansions, but then we were getting hungry so we loaded up back in the car and went to grab some food.
We ate lunch at The Red Parrot. Kyle and I had eaten there when we visited before. We had planned to walk around a little more after lunch, but Brennan said he didn't really want to, so we hopped back in the car. We thought about parking in a different spot and doing a little more walking so Brennan could look at some boats, but Bryce had already fallen asleep in his car seat, so we just decided to drive on home. It was a short, but fun visit and we even made it home in time for Brennan and Bryce to still take a good nap!
I snapped this pic on my phone as we were about to cross the bridge into Newport. It really was a beautiful day to be outside!
And here's a blurry pic of Bryce sitting in a restaurant highchair for the first time!
Here's a picture of when Kyle and I were in Newport back in February of 2009. The funny thing is, after we got back home today and the boys went down for their naps, I went and got my hair cut almost the same as in this picture without even realizing that until right now!
So last night we decided that we'd spend some of our Saturday in Newport, RI. Kyle and I went there for a few days back before Brennan was born. And Kyle was recently up there for some classes he had to take, but we wanted to go with the boys. There really isn't a ton that's geared for kids, but it was supposed to be a beautiful day and we thought they'd have fun just walking (strolling) around.
We headed up this morning and it really isn't a bad drive at all; only about 45 minutes. Kyle first drove us around the Navy base up there so we could see where he had gone for his classes and where he could possibly go to the Navy War College after he's done with this current tour. Then we headed into downtown Newport and parked near the Cliff Walk. The Cliff Walk runs along the water and many of the famed Newport mansions. You really can't see many of the houses on the walk because of the high shrubs, but the walk was nice and the boys were great in the stroller. We did a little extra walking to try to get a better view of the mansions, but then we were getting hungry so we loaded up back in the car and went to grab some food.
We ate lunch at The Red Parrot. Kyle and I had eaten there when we visited before. We had planned to walk around a little more after lunch, but Brennan said he didn't really want to, so we hopped back in the car. We thought about parking in a different spot and doing a little more walking so Brennan could look at some boats, but Bryce had already fallen asleep in his car seat, so we just decided to drive on home. It was a short, but fun visit and we even made it home in time for Brennan and Bryce to still take a good nap!
I snapped this pic on my phone as we were about to cross the bridge into Newport. It really was a beautiful day to be outside!
The boys are ready for the Cliff Walk!
And here's a blurry pic of Bryce sitting in a restaurant highchair for the first time!
Here's a picture of when Kyle and I were in Newport back in February of 2009. The funny thing is, after we got back home today and the boys went down for their naps, I went and got my hair cut almost the same as in this picture without even realizing that until right now!
Friday, August 9, 2013
Tubby Time!
It's been awhile since I've shared any bath pictures of Bryce. I just love babies in the bathtub and thankfully Bryce loves bath time just like Brennan always has. He's in the duck tubby now and loving it. He can sit up well in the tub, but also likes to lay down and kick his feet like crazy. Today he even rolled onto his belly and laid like that for a little bit. I'm glad I grabbed the camera this morning to capture these!
I took this one this morning too of him sitting up and playing with his workbench. He's getting better each day at sitting up for longer and longer periods of time.
I took this one this morning too of him sitting up and playing with his workbench. He's getting better each day at sitting up for longer and longer periods of time.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)



