To Auto or Not to Auto?

So, I don't have a fabulous "topic" tonight.  I just thought it was time for a new blog.

Here's what's going on with us.... we got sick... AGAIN.  It started with me.  How weird is that?  I was sick on Saturday night.  I really thought it was food poisoning.  It wasn't.  I took the kids to school yesterday and ended up getting the dreaded call.... Walker is throwing up.  Ugh.  Thankfully, he only threw up the one time and acted totally fine the rest of the day.  Clark and Everly have stayed healthy.... so far.

Other than that.... we're boring.

I think I mentioned months ago that I wanted to be a better photographer.  Today I took the first step. I spent some time with the gal that takes awesome photos of our family.  Tonight I started to practice.  The kids are amazing subjects.... the mama.... not so amazing:

I would call this a pretty terrible first attempt.  I really thought they would be better!

Here's the kicker about all this.... if the camera had been in auto, a few of these pictures would be FRAMERS!  Sooooo, it's going to be difficult to continue to put it on manual since I know I'm terrible right now.  I don't want to miss something precious!  But, I'll do it.  It something I want to get better at and auto isn't gonna make me better!

Okay, and here are two more pictures (back when the camera was in auto)... just because they are funny!

They look like they are ready for a roller coaster!

OOWWWWW

I'm not sure that this story is going to translate to blog speak.  But, I'm going to try.

If you know Remy, you know about her howl.  Or, as I like to call it, her singing!  If you howl, she'll sing and sing and it really is adorable.

Yesterday, Walker and I were looking at his alphabet books.  In the W book is a wolf.  Well, I told Walker the wolf says,"ooowww".  As I was howling, Remy began to howl and Walker could not stop laughing!

Now, he chases Remy and says, "dog, ooowww!"  It is hilarious to hear him howling.

This afternoon he kept showing Remy the wolf:

And, his howling got her to sing:

Finally!  Remy gets some attention!!!!

So Sweet!

I think this looks like Walker is jumping on his sister... But, it isn't! He just walked up to Everly and gave her a hug!

Awwww!

Who Needs Chairs?

Baby Aisle, No More!

Another one?  Yes, I know I keep talking about milestones... but, when they happen, I have to tell you about them!

Everly is officially OFF the bottle!  No more buying formula or washing bottles!  Woohoo.  (this actually happened last week, but I'm just getting around to blogging about it.) Now, I only have to go to the diaper aisle, not the baby food aisle!

For almost a month she was only having one or two bottles a day, but after I took Everly to her one year check up, I knew it was time to take it away for good!  She cried the first morning and hasn't looked back since!

Speaking of the one year check up.... she looks great.  I thought I would post some comparisons of my two babes.

Everly weighs 19 pounds, 15 ounces and is 27 3/4 inches.

Walker at one year was 19 pounds, 7 ounces and 29 3/4 inches.

I can't believe that she's a whole TWO inches shorter than he was!  Maybe they measured wrong, or maybe she'll just be shorter!  I guess that's okay.

Both of my kids are in such a fun place.  Walker has such a sweet soul.  At the check up, he patted on Everly after she had her shots.  Melts my heart.  And, Everly squeals and runs around chasing her brother... it is so cute.  They play so well together.  I'm sure I've said it before... I know they will have their fights, but it is so fantastic to see them getting along and playing.  That's exactly why we had them so close together.  I hope they are always best pals!

Another Milestone...

This time it's for Walker!

Yep, that's my BIG boy in his BIG boy bed!!!  We converted the crib yesterday.  Walker was thrilled when he saw his totally new room!

He wanted to get a feel for the bed.

You gotta love this picture:

Walker and his pal Woody!!!

And, little sister wanted to check it out, too!

So, I was curious and a little nervous about the actual bedtime... But, it was perfect.  This might be my favorite picture!

                                      
 There's plenty of room to lay down and read Walker a book!!!!

Here are a couple of pictures of the room.  Nanna got this branded piece of wood while we were at Lost Pines:

A view from other angles.

So, how did the night go?  Perfect.  He slept his usual 12 hours and called for Mommy and Daddy in the morning!!!

This afternoon's nap time.... a different story.  He thought it was great fun to jump down and come peek out of his door.  After 45 minutes of playing, I finally got him to lay down and he went right to sleep.  Hopefully the "fun" of the new bed will wear off soon!

Lost Pines Adventures!

I apologize in advance... there are going to be a LOT of pictures in this post.  I was going to break it up into several posts, but I'm just going to include everything!  We went to the Hyatt Lost Pines over the 4th of July weekend.  My kids had a ball! 

They got to spend time with Nanna and Bubba and all their cousins.  All while doing activity after activity and swimming and playing!  What could be better?

So, let the picture ambush begin.

Starting with my little man hanging in a stagecoach!

We took a little walk down to the Colorado River.  Daddy and Walker had fun looking at the water.

Look at my handsome boy.... such a sweet face!

One of the best things about Lost Pines is the pool.  Lazy river, kiddie pool, slide and splash pad.... all things these babes loved!!!

Here's Everly playing on her first splash pad experience.  She's a pro!

 And, so is Walker!

 I love, love, love Everly's face in this one! 

Although, it kind of freaks me out.... she shouldn't be old enough to be running around in the water!  Where did my little infant go?

Both of my kids loved playing with cousins.  Here's Walker with Maggie and Brooke!

And, Everly with all the girls!!!

What happened to her shoe? 

Mama Ru turns 91 this summer.... this weekend she got to spend time with her four grandkids and eight great-grandkids!  So special.

More adventures.... Everly and Walker on a horse!

Walker liked this fake horse a LOT more than a REAL Longhorn.... he would NOT get on this guy.

I think Wendy said it best... if he decides to go to A&M, we'll look back on this picture and realize that this is when the decision was made!

This is one of my favorite pictures of the weekend... Bubba and Nanna with all five of their grandkids:

There's a big, fun slide at Lost Pines.... Walker isn't big enough to go by himself, but Mommy and Daddy took him up over and over!!! 

 Walker's reaction the whole way down.... WEEEEE!

Such a big boy!

He was very proud of himself!

And, Everly heard that Walker has having fun on the slide, so she decided that she needed to see what it was all about.... check out my big girl!!!

Going down a big water slide is something I really didn't see myself doing again in my lifetime.  That's why kids are so fun.... you get to act like a kid again!

More big fun... a bounce house inside the hotel!

 And, here's Everly playing in the big playroom!  My little 4th of July sailor girl!!!

Oh, and here's an important one.... an actual family shot!  I'm so glad Wendy stopped us in the pool to get this picture! 



Okay, that's a lot of pictures.... I think you get the idea... we had a really great time!  It's hard to travel with a two-year old and one-year old, but all of the big fun outweighs the hard part.  We all had a great time.