Sea Life Aquarium in Grapevine

We spent Saturday morning at the Sea Life Aquarium in Grapevine.  Good times!

Peek-a-boo!

Hello, Fishy!

Octopus!

Daddy and Ryan standing on a glass bottom floor - looking at sharks!

We ended the morning with a train ride around Grapevine Mills Mall.  Emma Kate slept through all the excitement as you can see. .. . .



Pirates, Legos and Spiderman!

Ryan sure has been busy lately playing with all the cool toys he received from his birthday.  One of his favorite things are the many costumes he received from Nanny and Pops.  He's really enjoyed acting out sword fights as a mighty pirate and tackling fires being a brave fireman.

Here is a video of an intense sword fight between Daddy and Ryan over a bag of gold coins!

Ryan received a box of Lincoln Logs from his buddy Austin.  He loves building cabins and playing "house" with the figurines that came with it. 

Uncle Brent and Brandi gave him some Spiderman gear that shoots silly string.  The silly string lasted a whole minute and now we put water in it - endless fun!

Ryan also has been busy playing with his sticker books, legos and building things on his Home Depot workbench.  It's so tough being a 3-year old!

Happy 4th!

Happy Independence Day!  Our holiday was spent by walking in a neighborhood parade, hanging with family and of course shooting off fireworks (remember I am married to Bobby)!

What a difference a few years make - check out these pictures of Ryan!  He was only a year old in this picture and now he's a big three year old!

We spent the evening of July 3rd at Brandi's (soon to be sister-in-law) parents place -we ate tons of home made food and spent over an hour shooting off fireworks.  Ryan was in heaven!

Here are my boys in front of the firework stand - Bobby taught Ryan how to say "Texas Pop Rockets and "Smoke Bombs".  Oh Lordy, what have we started!

Setting off fireworks with Uncle Brent and Daddy - he loved the sparklers!  Emma Kate is not any pictures or videos from this evening.  She was there but was too busy snoozing through our homemade firework show.

 I just love Ryan's excitement at the end of the video.

On the morning of July 4th, we went over to Richardson to hang out with cousins and we got to walk in their neighborhood parade - which was HUGE by the way.  The kids decorated their bikes, strollers, push cars with red, white and blue streamers.

Waiting for the parade to start - got to pet a horse and climb in a fire truck!

Happy 3rd Birthday RYAN!

HAPPY 3rd BIRTHDAY RYAN!  We celebrated Ryan's 3rd birthday by inviting a bunch of his friends to My Gym in Frisco.  We attended a birthday party at My Gym not too long ago and I was initially worried because the party was in the middle of the afternoon and that never works well with Ryan's afternoon nap.  But he had an absolute blast playing in the ball pit, doing the zip line, climbing the rock wall, etc.  So, we knew we wanted to have Ryan's party there!

Here are a few pictures from his birthday party.  My camera charger died about halfway through the party so I asked a few friends to take pictures for me (Note: They have a much better camera than my lovely Sony Cybershot!)

Ryan's baseball themed cake - tasted so good!  I ended up freezing a good portion of it and I have been eating it off and on for over 2 weeks!

Party Favors - personalized sugar cookies from my mother-in-law!  Thanks for putting them together for me!

Grandma and Emma Kate



circle time with friends

Ryan loved riding the motorcycle!

You might be a little confused why I am posting pictures from Chucky Cheese.  Ryan's actual birthday fell on a Monday and he kept asking me over the last few months if he can see Chucky Cheese on his birthday.  So, we invited just family to help continue the celebration. . .

Ryan, Chucky Cheese, Brooklyn and Nico



Pops lovin' on Emma

Lauren, Brooklyn and Ryan watching a video of a roller coaster on the TV screen.  The chair would shake just like they were on an actual roller coaster.  I love their expressions!!

Brooklyn and Ryan

Who can possibly sleep at Chucky Cheese?  EMMA!

Ryan's Photography

 I have posted before about Ryan's fascination with Mommy's camera.  Thank goodness I don't have a really nice camera or we might have a little problem on our hands.  But what makes me laugh is that he is actually getting better with his photography. . .

Here is one that was taken of Emma playing - a little blurry but nice lighting!

Ryan taking a picture of his reflection in the mirror - very artsy!

Close Up!

Playdates, Swim Lessons and More!

The Summer is in full swing and the kids are lovin' all of this free time.  Mom and Dad are also enjoying everything that comes with the Summer except for the hot weather.  Lately, Ryan has spent a few Saturday mornings with his cousin Lauren.  Here are a few pictures taken at Jump Street & Campbell Green Splash Park. . . .

Uncle Brandon, Bobby and Emma Kate

Coolin' off at the Splash Park

Ryan has been taking swim lessons over the last 2 weeks.  He's been doing very well but tends to get distracted easily because we are in our neighborhood pool.  Overall, he's learned how to hold his breath, kick with both feet, swim about 3 feet by himself, hold onto the ledge, etc.

We are now debating if we want to sign him up for another 10-day session.  Bobby wants to hold off on doing it until our social calendar isn't so packed, I on the other hand don't mind the lessons because I can sit back and relax!

And you'll see Emma loves going to the pool too!

Love this picture of Ryan after one very tiring lesson - he swallowed lots of water and was just dog gone tired - poor baby!

Bobby tossing the ball with a few neighborhood kids.  Emma just relaxing!

Swim Lessons

The four of us went to our neighborhood pool on Saturday evening for a little dip.  I walked in the gate first carrying our towels and bags.  Ryan was walking right behind me and Bobby was walking behind Ryan and carrying Emma.  Before we got even close to the pool, Bobby and I both told Ryan he needed to stay out of the pool until we put our stuff down and got his floaties on.  Ryan interpreted this differently and he proceeds to jump in the pool. (Insert here the fact that Ryan has no clue how to swim).  He went under water for the longest 3 seconds of my life.  Bobby jumped in after him (still holding Emma) and pulled him above water by grabbing the back of his rash guard shirt.  Yes folks, we had only been at the pool for 10 seconds before causing a huge commotion.  Ryan was feeling very timid to get in the water after that episode - certainly doesn't sound like the Ryan we know.  That night, we learned of an opportunity of private swimming lessons that were being held in our neighborhood.  The cost is very reasonable and it's Ryan and another boy named Andrew.  The swim lesson goes for 10 days straight and are 30-45 minutes long.  Here is a picture of Ryan that was taken yesterday before his first lesson.  He loved it!  Let's hope we have a little swimmer by the end of all this.  I don't think my anxiety level can take Ryan jumping in the pool again. . . .

Emma's 6 month Appt

Emma Kate had her 6 month appt with our Pediatrician yesterday.  Here are her stats:

Weight:  15lbs 12oz -- 50%

Height: 26 in -- 75 - 90%

Head: 16 in -- 25-50%

It was interesting to see that she is in the 75%-90% in height.  I find comfort knowing this child of mine has at least one trait of mine - my height!  We got the green light to start feeding her solids - we've tried peas, carrots and green beans so far.  She likes the carrots and peas but hated the green beans.  I also added bananas and pears in her cereal this week and she loves that combination.  I have this feeling we won't have any problems with her eating. . . just like her brother!




This picture makes me laugh.  You can see she has bandaids on her legs from the shots they gave her earlier that day. She was busy telling all her friends how horrible shots can be.  But I was a brave girl and that's all that matters!





Bobby and I are in love with this sweet little girl!

Sitting at the Dr's office



Dance Party In The Kitchen!

The words "routine" and "schedule" are key things to keeping me organized and to feel sane at the same time.  For example, our evenings look like this. . . everyday.

Bobby goes to the gym from 3:30p - 5pm

Gracie leaves the house at 5pm

I settle in with the kids at 5pm and start to make dinner

Bobby comes home at 5:30p and showers before we eat dinner

We eat dinner at 6pm

We all clean up the kitchen and then go on a walk in the neighborhood till 7pm

Bath at 7pm

Quiet Time/Reading Books/Bottle for Emma - 7:30p

In Bed (both kids) - 8pm

It can feel a little like Groundhogs Day especially on the weekdays!  Here we are lettin' loose and having an impromptu dance party in the kitchen while cleaning up dinner.  I love my silly family!