Mardi Gras Wagon

Layna LOVES Mardi Gras -- and to celebrate, she rode around in her party wagon to get beads from the crowd... and it worked!!

Checking out the crowd

Give me some beads!!

...so who bought the King Cake?

Our favorite lunch

We've made it a habit to go to lunch as a family after church services on Sundays. One of our favorite places to go is Jason's deli (fantastic everything!), especially since we can walk around outside before and/or after we eat. Since the weather's been so great, we took time after lunch last week to walk to the bridge across from the restaurant and check out the river below. We saw rocks, birds, trees, a waterfall, and a turtle!

B pointing out the waterfall

Of course, it doesn't take long for Layna to get in on the action, too!

Trying to find the turtle

Getting Around

Last week, the weather here was absolutely perfect -- sunny and high in the upper 60s... can't beat that! We spent all the time we could outside, including trips to the city playground. It's an excellent playground with multiple areas geared to different age levels. Even though Layna can't play on the equipment, she had a great time traveling the walking path and circles the playground. She cruised all around, smiling at everyone as she shuffled past!

One. step. at. a. time.

Beep beep!! Coming through!

Our busy bug

Have I told you lately how busy Layna has become? This child never (ever) stops moving. Brayden was a relatively active child, but at least he would stop moving when we changed his diaper or walked him in the stroller. Layna? Nope... never. stops. moving. When we change her clothes she squirms right and left trying to get up. When we walk her in the stroller she kicks her legs the whole time (I mean the whole time... like for an hour or more...). It's remarkable. How she has the constant energy, I have no idea.

Anyway, on par with her endless energy, she's been exploring all the fun things in the house. She's discovered Brayden's little rocking chair. Since Brayden most often prefers the sofa, Layna's taken to climbing into the chair and rocking non-stop. She's too cute!

Rocking, rocking, rocking

Hey, Dad!!

A "super" birthday

I know it's been awhile, but I still have pictures from our weekend in Florida... and since it was Nicole's birthday AND the Super Bowl in the same day, I figured it wouldn't bother you. :)

To celebrate the Steelers being in the Super Bowl, Brayden got his gear on! ...of course, he kept playing all the while, especially with Poppy's model train.

And when you play with trains, you need a hat!

Here I am!

We celebrated Nicole's birthday with a trip to the park... Brayden loved the dock on Lake Tarpon where he could lounge around and check out the ducks!

On his way out on the dock

Looking for (more) ducks

Relaxing in the sun

That night, we continued the celebration with a great dinner and a cookie cake (her favorite). Brayden helped blow out the candles:

Yummy cake!

There sure is a lot of chocolate on this blog...

Fun with Mia and Poppy

While we were in Florida for Ethan and Nicole's birthday weekend, the kids had lots of fun with Mia and Poppy. Here are just a few pictures of the good times.

We went to play at the local park (a great playground!):

Mia and Buggie at the park

...and then had plenty of fun at home!

Mia and Poppy with the kiddos

Layna telling Mia all about it!

Happy Valentine's Day!!

We celebrated this morning with some great gifts -- including a recordable card from Brayden saying "Happy Valentine's Day! I love you, Dad!" How great is that?! I'll keep it and play it whenever I want. Can't beat that!

...but for those food lovers out there, we also celebrated with some chocolate waffles (from scratch!) with raspberry syrup, made on our new waffle iron! Yumm... Alton Brown would be proud!

Chocolate Valentine's waffles -- stop drooling

Pogo Fun

As promised, here are pictures and a video of Nicole's birthday celebration... and pogo sticking!! This has to be the best 28th birthday gift ever!

Nicole and her new toy

In mid-jump (or is that mid-pogo?)

But what would a post about a pogo stick be without video?! Feast:

Happy Birthday, Cuz!

Brayden and Layna's cousin, Ethan, turned 2 on Monday, but his birthday party was last Saturday. Unfortunately we had a dramatic day with Brayden including a trip to a Walk-In Clinic (he's fine) so Brayden and I weren't able to make it (sad!). However, Nicole and Layna had a blast!!

Being a Gymboree party, Layna had plenty of space to crawl all over.

Yay Gymboree!

Crawling to the bigger toys

She got over to the good stuff and played with Aunt Elyse:

Climbing all the way up!

Then it was time for Ethan to celebrate with presents! These gifts were from Brayden and Layna -- to go with the t-ball set Nicole and I got him.

A ball and glove!

...and of course, cake!

Blowing out the candles

Even Layna got a little taste before Nic could stop her! Good going, Buggie!

Quick hands!

Happy Birthday, little man!

Eric, Ethan, and Jen (with Jillian almost here!)

Nic's Bday Dinner

Last weekend may have been all about the Super Bowl for most of you (and we had a great time Sunday, too!), but for us it was full of birthday celebrations!

We started on Friday by celebrating Nicole's BIG 28th birthday at one of our favorite places: Bonefish. Yum... seafood in a port city is just about the best! We had a great time, and here are some of the pictures:

Layna getting ready to e.a.t.

Brayden had a great time with chopsticks...

Trying to get it...

Luckily Uncle Matthew was there to help!

Then came the gifts. This one was from Elyse -- and I think she won the "best gift" award this year. I'll explain more after the picture...

SURPRISE!

Yes, friends -- that's a pogo stick! So here's the story: Over Christmas, we were sitting around chatting when low-and-behold it's revealed to me that Nicole was something of a pogo sticking phenom as a kid. I couldn't wrap my brain around Nicole pogo sticking up and down the street, but apparently she had some mad skills. SO, Elyse had the brilliant idea to buy her a pogo stick for her birthday! As if being gifted a pogo stick for your 28th birthday isn't enough... just wait for the VIDEO of the birthday girl using it! (coming soon!)

Whew... even after that excitement, don't think we forgot about the cake!

Blowing out the candles

Coming up next... Ethan's birthday party!

Happy Birthday, Mama!

Many (many!) years ago, Nicole came into the world!! Happy Birthday, Mama!

The birthday girl

I'll have pictures from our birthday celebration very soon!