Happy Valentine's Day

Levi had a Valentine's party at school and was so proud to bring all of his Valentine's home. He loved getting them all out of the bag and looking at them.

Superbowl & Steven's birthday

We have had a busy few weeks. We had some friends over for the Superbowl. The kids were wild of course so I missed most of the game. Steven's birthday was last week so Dylan and I made him cupcakes and then Papa and Stephanie brought Hinze's for dinner. Friday night we had a mini birthday party for Steven at La Ha (the neighborhood Mexican restaurant). And then Saturday morning we headed to the ranch to enjoy the beautiful weather. My sisters family was there also and our friends Lyon, Tara, Barton and Kate also joined us. The kids stayed busy fishing, going on jeep rides and checking out the cows. Dylan was very sad when we had to leave and made us promise to go back real soon! Below are some pictures from all the festivities.

January

January seemed like a cold and gloomy month. Levi and Dylan did not seem to notice and were very active. On days it was warm enough went to the park, Levi in the stroller and Dylan rode his Dino-bike all the way. At the park they like to play football and run (Levi holds me hand and walks) up and down the hills. Due to several cold and rainy days in a row we brought our play slide/house in from the backyard. Both boys love it and we needed something safe indoors for Levi to climb on. We have also been playing a lot of hide and seek. Dylan likes to tell you where he is hiding to make sure you will be able to find him. They both like hiding in our closets and bathroom cabinets.

Dylan is enjoying school, riding his bike, and play dates. He is doing so well riding his bike I think he may be ready for the training wheels to come off soon. I have to run to keep up with him so it is good exercise for me! I can tell he is learning a lot at school. He tells Steven and I what letters words start with, Like D for Dinosaur and A for Angela. He has also taught me a few new Spanish words! He made up his own joke and tells me and Steven and cracks up. It does not make much sense but I thought it was good for a 3 year old. He gets too shy to tell anyone else. He is still a very affectionate mommy's boy and loves when we are all together.

Levi is doing much better with his walking although he is still a little wobbly and prefers to hold a hand. He loves to wear shoes - especially mine! He also loves his hand me down crocs from his cousins. He wears his crocs almost all day around the house and sometimes like tonight is sleeping in them. It is too much of a battle to try and take them off! He is a little chatter box although I do not understand too much of what he ways. The words I do understand are mommy, daddy, milk, bye bye, crocs, bath tub, duck, and ball. I think Dylan is Levi's favorite person and he loves to be around him. He does not seem happy at home when Dylan is at school, out with Steven, etc. He wants to be a big boy like Dylan and do everything Dylan does. He is not as much of a mommy's boy as Dylan is which is hard for me sometimes, but sometimes it is nice that he lets and prefers for Steven to hold, bath or put him to sleep. Levi loves to wave and say bye bye so when Steven leaves for work in the morning both boys usually stand in the dining room window waving - waiting for his truck to back out - too cute!

Steven and I have been staying busy with work and mainly the boys! Steven's grandmother passed away mid month and we went to the services in East, TX. We also went to a visit my college PPA friends in College Station. It was nice to see everyone and let all of our kids play together. Life/time seems to be going by so fast - I can not believe how big my babies are getting. I know too soon I will miss them always needing and wanting me. I am so blessed and am trying to enjoy every minute with my boys (although sometimes I want to scream and have a moment to myself)!

Christmas at Home

We were all exhausted when we arrived home on Christmas Eve so we just rested and got ready for Santa. Dylan woke up at 5:50 on Christmas morning (in our bed of course) and asked if we could go to La Ha (our favorite Mexican restaurant)! Too funny! Then he remembered it was Christmas and headed for the living room. He was very happy with his Santa presents (dinosaurs, a scooter and monster truck). Levi woke up shortly after Dylan and was also very happy about his new toys (tool bench and car garage/ramp). Papa Lee and Stephanie arrived a little later and then we all opened presents and ate lunch. Steven, Dylan, Levi and I all went to Christmas church at 12:30. Dylan slept through the service and Levi was wild. After church we headed to my parents house for another Christmas and Christmas dinner. After opening presents there and eating the boys were so exhausted that they were both cranky so we headed home. Uncle Brandon had showed Dylan how fly his remote control helicopters and even let me practice so Dylan had a new hobby! Dylan and I also had made a birthday cake for Jesus. It tasted good but looked awful - Dylan wanted green icing which we ran out of - so it was green and white and then cracked in transit to my moms house. At least we tried.

Christmas in Atlanta

We left Monday morning for the airport. Levi seemed to be over his stomach bug. The boys both did great at the airport and on the plane. Levi was a little wild at first then took a nap. About an hour after we arrived at Grandma's house Dylan got the stomach bug and then a few hours later I got it also! Steven ended up taking me to the hospital in the middle of the night and they kept me there until Wednesday afternoon. The boys both got sick a few more times but I think by Thursday when we celebrated Christmas we all felt OK. Steven luckily never got sick so he was able to take care of all of us. Dylan had a good time going to the pet store with Joe to see all the animals, playing Super Mario cart video games with Uncle Bryan and feeding the birds. Grandma cooked a big Christmas dinner on Thursday and then we all opened gifts. Dylan liked handing out all the gifts and helping everyone open their packages. He also got several dinosaur items so he was happy! Levi was not too sure what was going on but liked playing with the gift wrap and bows. Besides getting sick it was a nice Christmas in Atlanta and we headed home for Santa on Christmas Eve. Also look at the nice stokcings Grandma made for the boys in the picture below.

Weekend before Christmas

Steven went on his annual boys flag football trip and Levi, Dylan and I had a big time at home. Saturday morning my mom kept Levi and Dylan and I went with Ashley and Hunter to see Curious George Christmas movie at Studio Movie Grill. Dylan loved it and was very well behaved. After the movie him and Hunter ran around in the park and even saw Santa Claus on the way back to the car! Back at home Nana, Dylan and I all made Christmas cookies - Levi tried to help. That night the little boys and I went to Ashley's for dinner and lots of play time. I thought I was going to have an easy, quiet night when both boys were alseep on our short ride home. Then ... Levi began throwing up in the car and did not stop all night! Needless to say I was super glad to see Steven Sunday afternoon and ready for a nap! Levi was tired but felt better on Sunday.

Dylan's gymnastics show

Dylan takes gymnastics at school on Thursdays. Below are pictures from his first show - he did somersaults, frog jumps, the balance beam and a handstand! He liked being the star of the show although later he told me he was nervous.