Having some fun

Nothing of note has been happening... except that it wasn't freezing outside this weekend! We were so excited to find some sunshine and (relatively) warm weather this weekend, that we took advantage! We enjoyed a couple meals outside in between playing (this isn't a a terribly good picture, but she was so cute in her little chair that I couldn't resist):

Having a little lunch

Yesterday we were back inside because it turned cool and breezy ...but that didn't mean we couldn't eat well!

A growing boy!

And finally, in case you'd like a little church, here's my quickie sermon from Sunday (they're getting shorter...). Click here to read the lessons, then click here to listen (or click here to read, although you should really listen to it).

Praise singer

I made the unfortunate decision to purchase a Veggie Tales praise songs CD at Target last week because Brayden saw it on the shelf and it was on sale and it's praise music and it's Veggie Tales ...and I'm a sucker (or a priest, whatever). Suffice it to say, Brayden and Layna LOVE this CD. So much so, that they've taken to singing the songs around the house ...which brings us to today's video clip. Brayden and Layna serenaded Nicole during dinner last week with Open The Eyes Of My Heart, and their rendition is so sweet you might just cry... (especially when Brayden mistakenly sings something other than "holy, holy, holy" ...just wait for it):

Snow day!

Snow! Nic and the kids were thrilled to play in the snow on Friday! Unfortunately, I was north of Birmingham at a convention (where it didn't even snow!) so I missed it. But they had a fantastic time. Nicole took a little video before needing to put the camera away so it didn't get wet.



Here are some pictures around the house after the kids went to bed (and before the snow melted...)

A little dusting

The backyard (with little elf footprints)

The next day, sadly, the snow was almost completely gone... but the kids had more fun anyway!

Running to play

Playing house

Swinging together -- how cute!

Playing hide-and-seek

Reading Dr. Seuss

Brayden's been reading words and even simple sentences for awhile, but recently his reading seems to have begun to really improve. He's been interested in reading whole books ...even Dr. Seuss! Here's a video of Brayden reading Green Eggs and Ham. This is only the second time he's read it, so this is definitely not from memory. (unfortunately it isn't the whole book because YouTube has a 10 minute maximum -- translation, this is a long video!)

A Truly Super Bowl

You may think that the most exciting thing happening today is the Super Bowl, and, well, it probably is for you ...but for us, the real excitement is that (drum roll please!) -- Layna is using the potty!! (talk about a super BOWL!) For the last two days, she seems to have simply decided it was time. Amazing. She's such a stud! I'll have more updates for you soon (tasteful updates, promise!).

Have SUPER Sunday!

There was an old lady...

Yes readers, Nicole is now 29 (as old as me!). Happy Birthday, Mama!

Nicole had a wonderful birthday, offset by about 12 hours. We "started" her party the night of birthday with balloons, a special dinner, and gifts, then "ended" her party the next morning with yummy Dunkin Donuts (her favorite breakfast -- the first DD in Birmingham opened at 5am the morning of her birthday, so she had to wait until the following morning to get them since the kids and I had to travel a ways to get them...). Here're the pics!

Birthday balloons from the kids

We feasted on her favorite dinner: veal piccata, roasted garlic mashed potatoes, and bacon-wrapped asparagus (okay, that was my choice).

Mama and her babies

Nic's favorite (cookie) cake

Gifts - her new Ultimate Cake Decorating Caddy

Breakfast of champions (chocolate filled AND chocolate glazed!)

Birthday: Coming Soon!

Yes, Nicole's birthday post is coming soon. Until then, here's a little something more to read - click here.