Random

Here are a few random pictures taken a week or two ago. I love seeing my boys together. Garrett talks to Nolan all the time and loves to "show him" things. I often hear "I show you, Moey, I show you" coming from their direction. And Nolan loves to watch his big brother Garrett doing anything at all. Most of the time it's with a huge grin on his face too. I'm excited to see how they grow and play together in the years to come. Maybe a little scared too, since I already know how mischievous big brother can be all by himself. ;)

This is a good example of how Nolan watches Garrett 24/7.

Two handsome smiles. LOVE them!

These last two pictures are of Garrett playing with Mommy's phone. The little stinker knows how to turn it on, unlock it, find Angry Birds (or Netflix or Words with Friends or any other app) and play. He can turn the volume up and down. He even knows how to call speed dial contacts. I'm doomed when Nolan gets enough dexterity to do the same. Ha!

Just for fun...

Here we go again! Garrett (on the right) at 5 months and Nolan (on the left) at 5 months.

Nolan is 5 months old today!

It's so cliche to say "time flies" but it really really does! The little man is hovering around 17lbs and has learned how to roll from back to front. It's no longer safe to leave him on his back unattended...he WILL roll about 5 seconds after you put him down. And the very latest news in the Nolan department is the arrival of tooth #2. Yes, I said #2. I can't remember if I've already written about the arrival of #1 but I probably didn't since we haven't slept a full night since the beginning of December thanks to the previously mentioned teeth. Hopefully the tooth-growing process won't be as rough for the rest of his mouthful or we are in for a sleep-deprived year. He's awfully cute and snuggly even when he's cranky though. God totally planned that or people would never have more than one child. So here are his 5 month pictures with Airborne Bear! Poor thing got gnawed on this time.

Happy boy

Chewing,

chewing,

chewing,

aaaaaaaand still chewing.

Can you see my teeth? The first one is really visible but the second one just popped through yesterday.

Nolan's "What you talkin about Willis" face

Trying to figure out the parachute. He's very grabby these days so guard your hair and don't wear hoop earrings around him.

TicketCity Bowl Game

Back on January 2, Russ and Garrett and Aunt Hillary got to check out the old Cotton Bowl and see Houston play Penn State for the TicketCity Bowl. (Side Note: If you know of a veteran or active duty serviceman, check out vettix.org where you can find free/almost-free tickets to concerts and sporting events worldwide.) The day was beautiful but chilly and my boys both got a wee bit of sun on their cheeks. :) Garrett entertained himself by yelling touchdown and playing with his cars. When that got old, he took a nap on Aunt Hillary. I know that hobbies and interests change a lot as you grow and develop, but I do think we have a sports fan on our hands already. Sigh...someday I'll have a daughter to do girlie things with. ;) I love my boys though!!

Pre-game hug with Aunt Hillary

Are you ready for some football??

Group pic

This is how he stayed busy...

...until this happened. The boy loves to nap (although he likes to say NO to it at first!).

They headed for the shadier seats once they realized that at least half their faces were going to pink the next day. Garrett looked like he'd been slapped! But it was all worth it since it was a great day and game.

Fort Worth Zoo

It seems odd to go to the zoo at the end of December. But with the weather being perfect and Russ on break (plus we had some tickets we'd already bought way back in the springtime) it was the opportune time to visit the Fort Worth Zoo. Of course, one of the things Garrett was most excited about was getting to go with his cousin Kaylie. :) We had a great day and Garrett was asleep in his carseat before we even got out of the zoo parking lot and headed for home. Even Nolan cooperated and let us have a nice long day at the zoo.

Outside the zoo gates...ready to see some animals!

Two peas in a pod.

Russ had to give them a hand sometimes.

On a safari

Garrett was copying Kaylie all day long. Definitely a case of monkey see, monkey do. :)

Once again, he had to watch how she climbed then copied.

They didn't want to leave the phones!

I think that Kaylie should be called the Turtle Whisperer...they followed her every time she moved!

Family pose

Oh, the Wells Fargo wagon is a comin down the street...with two cute kids inside! What a great way to end 2011. Happy New Year!!

Christmas 2011

How did we get ready for Christmas? By baking a birthday cake for Jesus, of course! Garrett loves to sing "Happy Day Baby Jesus" (That's happy birthday to the rest of us.)

How the boys spent their time in the days before Christmas. Love them!

"Moey" and me watching big brother paint

Trying to keep the little hands busy so he doesn't unwrap anything before Christmas morning!

Christmas Eve in their matching jammies! We had fun eating tamales and cake with the Macmurphies...all of them!

Merry Christmas Morning!! He loves his new tool bench and has already built several "puppy houses".

Emptying his stocking

Giving Nolan the Mickey Mouse blankie that he picked out for him

Handy Garrett, on the job!

Hmmm...how can I fix that?

Lovin on Mickey

One tired momma and a teething baby boy

We tried to get a family picture but Garrett was having too much fun playing with his new toys.

He loved opening his presents this year and said wow about nearly every one! 

We hope everyone had a fun and family-filled Christmas celebrating the birth of Jesus. :)