Mommy's new little helper

In Training

You may already know...
Bryce has a Half Ironman in a couple in months - it will be his first tri of the season.
But did you know Miss Brinley will be doing the Princess Run next month?

These guys are making me look bad!
Should I do another 5k this year? hmmm

Bowen Rocks!

Literally.

This was his birthday present from Nece & Pawpaw.
At first he just patted it and danced to the music, but now he can saddle up all on his own!
He loves it.

Looking good, cookie

We made these neat "play dough" lollipop cookies that I spied on my friend Jessi's blog and it was right up Brinley's alley. She loves helping mommy in the kitchen and now that she's a bit older, I love having her in there with me :D

She patiently colored her dough blue, all by herself!
Ben joined us later, when it was time to roll it up and into "snakes" to form lollipops but decided it didn't smell good so he never actually ate one.

Silly boy, doesn't know what he's missing.

Favorite Foto Friday

Call me biased, but this is the friendliest little smile I've ever seen.

Bowen ~ one wonderful year

Here's what my big boy is up to:

• weighs 21 lbs (28%)
  
• 30 inches tall (60%)
• meeting all motor skill milestones (waving, clapping, stacking, etc.)
  
• officially a "toddler", walking everywhere he goes!
• Said "mama" this week! and I have witnesses :)
  
• Also says no, which sounds like "nah" while shaking his head vigorously :: funny this week but won't be cute for long, haha.
• loves bath time, splashes & kicks...sometimes so much he goes in circles (truly entertaining!)
• climbs on any step or anything that resembles a step...has made it up both his brother's and his sister's beds! ((gasp))
• he loves any ball and playing in his sister's kitchen & dollhouses...always plays with the potty for some reason, lol.
  

Dear Bo,
I thank God every day for giving you to us. At night when I rock you and you lay your head on my shoulder, it's like a little slice of heaven. I love watching you learn and grow and just become...well, you! You become more expressive everyday and this next year is going to be an adventure.
What an awesome blessing you have been, not just to me and daddy, but to Ben and Brinley too! I have never seen a more proud brother and sister, every single milestone they have been there cheering you on. You provide them endless entertainment and the bonds that have formed make my heart swell.

Happy Birthday, We love you!

Bowen's Cousin

"Bowen's Cousin" is a game Ben & Brinley play. They made it up a couple of months ago while we were grocery shopping.
Not sure why it's called "Bowen's Cousin" because it stands to reason that Bowen's cousin would also be their cousin...but it's a nonsensical game anyway...and it goes like this:

Ben: "Bowen's cousin is coming today like a stinky"
Brinley: "Bowen's cousin is coming today like a tree"
Ben: "Bowen's cousin is coming today like a pizza"
Brinley: "Bowen's cousin is coming today like a shirt"

And they laugh hysterically and go on and on....

Bowen's 1st Birthday!

We celebrated Bowen's birthday (a few days early) on Saturday with a small party.
We had a yummy lunch, opened gifts and busted a pinata.
He found a new friend in an orange balloon :)

And decided he likes cake!

Happy Birthday Baby!

My funny Valentine

This was my first Valentine from Bryce-
handmade in Spanish class, 1993.It still cracks me up.

Hey, what are ya'll doing in there?

Favorite Foto Friday

Bakersfield, July 2005

I love the way Bowen is reminding me of little Ben lately,

except with blonde hair and blue eyes.

Bowen update

Bowen had a successful myringotomy on Wednesday that left him with tubes in his ears.
He seems to be getting along great (has a runny nose like mommy) but he's walking better. Before he was taking 3-4 steps before falling but now he can walk across the room!
And most importantly, he's not in pain.
Thanks for all your prayers!

Just because collages are so much fun...

Our hard workin' snowman

Yep, it's still winter...