Santa Is Only Fun From A Distance

Parking Garage

Apparently Zachary has found a nice cozy home for his matchbox cars.

TWO OF A KIND

Zac and I just got back from a trip to Vegas, and we had so much fun! I plan on posting more pictures here eventually (especially of the little boys), but wanted to start here with me and my twin sis.

We're two different people, but a lot the same. I can't be more thankful for the huge blessing of having a twin sister. There is something about this relationship that is so unique and so rewarding. She gets me, 100 percent. I can be a little sporadic jumping from one topic to the next, but she follows and appreciates me for me. She's so supportive and one of the most kind-hearted people I know.

I miss living by her SO much, but I know we'll always have what we have. THANKS SO MUCH for letting us come and invade your house. I love your family (and already miss you all), and I am so excited to meet the new little set of twins coming soon!! :)

Wrapping Up Summer

It has been raining for about three days straight now, and I just looked at the highs coming up this next week, and we'll be out of the nineties. I know that it will still be warm, but for Dallas, I'm thinking it means the hot summer is starting to come to a close.

We finished with a bang though!! Last weekend we had my brother and sister-in-law and their kids here for the weekend (in for the BYU game). It was a REALLY fun weekend. They used to live here, and just having them back for the weekend made me really miss having them around all the time. Their kids were so fun, and they were also so good with Zachary. He loved it! Here are some pics of the kids!!

We spent one morning at the Dallas Acquarium. Zachary loves to say "FISHIES"!

Here are some pictures swimming with some friends this past week. This pool has been our second home this summer. We'll try to squeeze in a few more swims, but I think real soon we will be saying our goodbyes for the summer. So sad!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Mark's birthday was this week! Happy Birthday Mark!! We love you!!

And of course, Zachary was REALLY happy to have a balloon to carry around ALL day!

18 Months Old

So, I am a bad blogger. Mark and I went on this amazing trip to Europe over a month ago, and I still don't have pictures up! But, the last few days I've been looking at my little boy thinking, oh my, the time is really going by fast. He is already 18 months old-so this post is in honor of his 18 month birthday.

I think it's such a fun age. He is saying new words everyday. Today he brought me Mark's swimsuit and said "Dada's simsuit". I can't believe how much he catches on, he surprises me everyday. So, here are some photos of Zac from the past few days - in honor of a whopping 18 months!

Today we went to the Museum of Nature and Science with some friends, and it really was a lot of fun. Zac couldn't decide what to do next. We'll definitely have to go again.

Zac loves anything in an acquarium.

My little musician in training! :)

We went to some spray grounds yesterday with friends--anything with water in the summer in Texas is a great thing! It took Zac a while to warm up to the water, but once he got comfortable, I couldn't tear him away! (Sorry the pictures are grainy, they were taken with my cell phone).

Lack of Confidence? Should We Be Concerned?

Houston, We Have Walking!!

First Steps


More Steps

Sunday Mornings

For the past few Sundays, Mark and Zac have been spending their mornings . . .

. . . making forts!! Zachary absolutely loves these forts. He gets in there and kicks his legs and crawls around and through the small spaces. I remember building forts when I was little, there is something about another "house" in your house that is so fun. I'm actually really enjoying the fort making because with the two boys occupied, I get a little time to relax and do something I enjoy!! :)

Bluebonnets . . . Part Two

Yes, we went and played in the Bluebonnets again, and of course, had to take some more pictures. You could already tell that the flowers were starting to wither, so sad. We are trying to enjoy spring as much as possible, as it will soon come to an end and a hot summer will take its place.

Here is Zachary with his cousins. We have yet to get them all looking in the same direction for a picture!

My Dad is letting me borrow and use his camera for a little bit while my parents are on their mission. Thanks so much Dad, I'm having a great time and your camera takes WAY better pictures than mine ever could!! :)

Springtime in Texas!

One thing I have really liked here in Texas are the Bluebonnets that pop up in the springtime. We went out with Brandy and her twins to take some pictures. It was a little sunny, but I think we still got a couple cute shots. We'll have to try again a little later in the day, but what a great backdrop for some fun snapshots. Who knew boys could look real cute sitting in a lot of flowers! Here are a couple of the shots we took . . .

We Love Easter!

First of all, thanks so much to those who left comments on my last post. I think I've found some good ideas!

We love Easter. Easter is so great because you get the good warm fuzzy feelings you get around Christmas time, but you don't have the stress of Christmas! We hope that everyone has a wonderful Easter.

Here are some pictures from our activities thus far . . .

Our friends had an easter egg hunt and lunch at their house this past Sunday. It was a lot of fun. All of the other kids really got into it, but as you can see below, Zachary got one egg for each hand, and he was perfectly content!

. . . perfect, two right here, that's all I need . . .

. . . and shake them . . .
. . . and put them in my oversized basket!!

We also went to the Dallas Arboretum to look at all the flowers and to hopefully get some good photo opportunities. Well, we tried, but Zachary was more interested in what he could get in his hands, and eventually into his mouth!

What a handsome little boy!

We also tried to get some shots with his cousins, but three little kids, good luck!

Again, Happy Easter to everyone!

Need Help!

Hey everyone. I am in need of some help. I really want to organize Zachary's pictures in a fun but easy way. I have looked online for digital scrapbooking sites, but am unsure as to which one to choose or try. If you have an opinion or a great recommendation for digital scrapbooking and printing, let me know!! I'm thinking instead of starting off experimenting by myself, I might see if anyone has any great recommendations.

Thanks!!!

Zac's First Birthday

So we might be what you call "bad bloggers", we don't update for a while, then when we do, we're always a month or two after what we're blogging about. So, in that spirit, I'm finally posting some pictures of our cute little Zachary's first birthday, and yes, it was well over a month ago!

When Mark and I are getting ready in the morning, we'll let Zachary watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, and every time Mickey comes on at the beginning, Zachary gets a big smile on his face. So . . . we had to go with a Mickey Mouse theme.

Here is the invitation for the afternoon party with friends, Mark did a good job designing! :)

While I was making the cake the night before, Julianne and Mark did the decorations . . . so talented! And yes, Julianne and Jack were here. They came for 10 days - we LOVE it when they come!! With our "have a ball theme" we had to have a ballpit. I think the kids had fun!


And what's a party without some good food . . . we even found some Mickey Mouse shaped chicken nuggets (isn't Costco great!). I love how with kids you have to push all things toward the center of the table.

That night we had a party with family, pizza and cake, yum. Can you say "lots of highchairs"!

. . . and of course I had to make a Mickey Cake!


And what's a Mickey Mouse party without Mickey Mouse ears. They didn't stay on very long! Here is Zac with three of his cousins.

We're not sure who was more excited about his gifts, Zac or his cousins! :)


Happy First Birthday Zac! Thanks to everyone for coming! It was a really fun day!