When Grandma Comes to Visit...

Doesn't that sound like a great title for a children's book?? Hmm...something to keep in mind for the future. :)
Actually, this post is about my mom coming to stay with the boys and me while Russ was out of town on a missions trip. Less than a week after arriving home from our travels, Russ set off again with the young adults from church to minister to some folks in the heart of Denver, a forgotten population. This would have left me alone with my two dear, sweet, BUSY boys for an entire week. When I mentioned this to my dad and said how very very nice it would be to have a Grandma close by to help out, he put her on a plane to Dallas and said, "Have fun!" Thank you, Grandpa, for sharing her with us. It was MUCH needed and MUCH loved. We went to the zoo, played with play-dough, went shopping, played at the park and even went potty on the toilet for the first time (Garrett I meant...just in case you were wondering). Grandma's Visit = Success

Driving Miss Julie...

  He was so excited to feed the giraffes! What a difference a year makes because last year he wanted nothing to do with these guys.

 Everything is climbable to this boy.

This picture is for you, Daddy. We know how much you looooove ostriches and emus. *Insert sarcastic twang here.*

The water feature of the kids area was such fun! Both boys got completely soaked and had to be changed but it was worth it on such a hot and sticky day.

He was pooped. This nap only lasted about 30 minutes though and he was ready to roll again. 

Garrett asked about the carousel every single time we walked past it, so we had to give him a turn.

He loooooves his froggy umbrella that Grandma got him at the gift shop.

Garrett had to show Grandma how we cook for Cookie Monster and feed him. I think she picked it up pretty quickly.

He actually got to use his froggy umbrella while she was here! We had a round of stormy weather the day before she left and Garrett was quick to ask about using his umbrella and rain boots.

Nolan's First Rangers Game

We took Nolan to his very first (and surely not the last!) Rangers game the week after Memorial Day. We went early and let the boys run around a little bit while we walked around the stadium. We took pictures of the Nolan Ryan statue, got our dollar hot dogs and made friends with our seat-neighbors. But alas, this would be the Rangers WORST GAME in a very very long time. We left after only three innings. It was that bad and it was taking that long for each inning to be played. I forget the actual score when we left but I'm pretty sure the Rangers lost by a double-digit number. *Shudder* We had a great time overall and we look forward to another game...with a very different outcome, I hope!

Posing with the original Nolan

Hanging out before the game.

His game face...

...until he sees that I've brought some yogurt bites. :)

Say Cheeeese!

This is what happens when we try to get a picture of both boys at the same time. :-/

Road Trip--Part Two

After spending a week in Illinois, it was time to head back West. But before going home we had one more stop. Russ had the privilege of preaching at his college mentor's church in Amarillo, TX over Memorial Day weekend. So we drove from central IL to west TX. I'd never been in that part of the state before so it was fun to drive on unfamiliar roads. We took the boys to the little city zoo and hiked the Palo Duro Canyon with our friends, the Griffins. Russ preached a great sermon on Sunday and the next day we headed home. It was a whirlwind two weeks on the road but we had an awesome time. :)

The Amarillo Zoo was teeny tiny but perfect for the short distraction and walking around that we needed. Poor Garrett was bummed that we still didn't see any buffalo because theirs were being kept in a shed for awhile. :(

 This is how "we" hiked most of the way back on the trail. Garrett ran strong for awhile but then he wanted to be held and this momma couldn't do that for very long. So his daddy came to the rescue and carried both boys. My hero! PS: If you're going to hike the canyon, do it EARLY like we did. It was already getting warm by 8:30 in the morning and by the time we left, everyone was sweaty. It was beautiful though!! 

PPS: Garrett's favorite part was seeing a lizard and a snake on the trail. Had to add that. :)

Road Trip--Part One

Last month we hit the road and traveled to Illinois to see my family and meet my new nephew, Mr. Blaine Boston. :) We had a blast and I was so busy having fun that I didn't take nearly as many pictures as I would have liked. Maybe I'll post more at a later date, but for now, these will have to do.

Garrett's favorite place to hang out at his Grandma and Grandpa's house...the front windows! He has a step-stool that he no longer needs in order to see outside. And now Nolan can stand up there too. :)

I seeee you!

Grandpa helps Nolan ride the rocking lion for the first time, just like his big brother did two years ago.

Elevate Church sure wore these guys out. Grandpa has his oldest AND his youngest grandsons in this picture.

Campfire time! Garrett loved helping to cook the hot dogs and then eating one for his dinner.

Nolan loved being spoiled by his Grandma.

Yum!!

This is how Nolan hung out while the marshmallows got toasted.

Waiting for his first smore experience.

Hmmm...not sure about this...

It's stuck to my tongue!

Licking off the chocolate.

Watching how Daddy does this...

...and trying it again!