Birthday Party Attempt :-]

Nolan's birthday is in the middle of August, which, here in Texas, means HOT!!! So we decided to have a birthday party for him at a local spray park (or a sprayground as some call it). Makes sense, right? Unless, of course, there is a series of freakish thunderstorms that leads to flash flooding. Like today. :) We kept our eyes on the weather throughout the day and it looked as if our party time might be in a window of cloudy but rain-free weather. We went early, set up for the party, our friends showed up and about 15 minutes later...BOOM! Thunder. Massive thunder. Followed by equally loud lightning. We tried to wait it out and let the storm clouds pass by. We even had Nolan do his official cake-smash on Russ's lap between claps of thunder. But then the rain came and it was time to pack it in. Nolan, we tried. We really really tried. But you, my darling little water-baby had a blast and were oblivious to the extreme weather taking place all around you, so I suppose we can call it a success?? I have to say, our friends were awesome and stuck it out until the very end. Here are the few pictures I took during our 30 minute birthday party.

Notice Garrett's pouty face. He so wanted that cake. Don't worry, you'll see him smiling in the video soon.

And Garrett helps him out. Sweet.

This was our view from the car as we left the park. POURING. Definitely a birthday to remember.

Nolan turns ONE!

Our littlest guy turned one year old on Tuesday! We decided to take him to the park to play before it got too hot to enjoy it. He and Garrett both had a blast running around and climbing on the playground equipment. We did do a mini-celebration that night with cupcakes and let him demolish one of his own. It's hard to believe that it's been an entire year since we brought him home and turned our family of three into a family of four. It's been exhausting, wonderful, crazy, and amazing. We love you, Nolan!!

Sorry, Airborne Bear, he's got chairs to climb and messes to make.

I'm ONE??!?!

21 lbs 6 oz

30 1/2 inches tall

Brotherly "love"

My big boy hanging out in Nolan's room.

This is just a glimpse into the chaos that ensues when the boys are left to play together in Garrett's room for more than 15 minutes at a time. Total destruction.

At the park!

What IS this?

 Feels squishy but tastes all right...

...yummy!! Happy Birthday to ME!

Video Extravaganza

I've been really bad about posting lately so here are some videos I've had for a little while but haven't remembered to share until now. :)

Our boys love the Wii right now!

Attempt #1 to get Nolan to dance on camera. He's so cute when he does it but he does NOT like being recorded.

Attempt #2 to get Nolan to dance on camera. You can definitely see his dancing potential here but it's still not his full-on dance routine.

And finally, Garrett and I perform Jesus Loves Me as a duet. Plus cymbals.

My Boys

Dallas Cowboys, that is. :) Monday night was the first pre-season Cowboys game and my boys each did their part to cheer them on. Each in their very own Romo jersey. (No, Romo is not our favorite player...Witten is. But we like Romo too!) Thankfully the Cowboys won so their team spirit wasn't wasted.

(Ignore the blue hands on the three year-old. We were doing "experiments" with baking soda, vinegar and food coloring and he was very hands-on. Shocker.)

Daddy time

Garrett and Nolan love their Daddy time, which usually consists of jumping on him, tickling him or pinching his nose (that's Nolan's favorite thing). They take advantage of every opportunity to make a dog-pile on Russ...and he loves it too.

HOT fun in the summertime

Welcome to Texas. Hot, hot hot. At least this summer hasn't been non-stop 100+ degree days, but it's still been too hot for my liking this last week. The boys and I busted out the baby pool the other day and had a good time cooling down in the water before drying off on the climber. Now that Nolan is completely mobile, he loves being outside and exploring the backyard. I love this but I get paranoid about the bugs and creepy-crawlies he could be stepping on and getting bitten by. Yuck. Anyway, here are some pics of my sweet boys in their pool.

 

 I can't believe they're both growing up so quickly. Garrett is 3 1/2 now and Nolan will be 1 in a couple of weeks. Sigh...love these boys!