The Deep Water Unit

Yes, that may seem like a strange title for a blog post..... we learned the hard way what a few drops of water on a lap top will do. We had to send my computer to Apple's "Deep Water Unit." (They make it sound like I took my MacBook scuba diving - which I did not!)

But, now I sit on the couch with my MacBook back and fixed -- love those smart Apple dudes!

So now on to the catch up -- This is what my sweet guys did for me on Valentine's Day -- Brian help the boys write on cards for me.

Part (yes only part) of the boys' stash from their Valentine's Day party at school. And, take note that Benjamin made a Valentine for us and wrote his name on it!

These are Benjamin's hands and they are for me to wrap around me so that his hands can hug me anytime! How Cute!

The two red carnations are from the boys and the big vase is from the Mr. I am so glad that I have such considerate guys in my house!

Look for more catch up posts soon!

Yes, we are still here!

Sorry friends it has been so long.....we have several big irons in the fire right now (more to come on those later). But I am back!

About a month ago we took a little weekend trip to visit some friends who just moved to South Carolina. They have a son who is 2 months older then Benjamin and at little guy whose 18 months. The 4 boys had so much fun playing together. Benjamin and Ethan loved driving the jeep!

Here are the 4 cutie pies!

Recently, it has been really warm here and we have taken this opportunity to get some practice in for the up-coming soccer season. I think that the boys both understand that you don't touch the ball and only kick it! It will be a very exciting season as both boys will be playing on the same team. Soccer starts in a mere 3 weeks.

Our cleats (cweet shoes as Ethan calls them) are cleaned and our shin guards are ready to go!

Happy 4th Birthday Benjamin!

Wow! Benjamin, how is it possible that you are already turning 4? It seems like just yesterday I was up all night on February 1st because I knew you were coming the next day and I was so excited to meet you that I could not sleep!

This year has brought so many new and exciting things for you. We have watched in amazement as you have blossomed into a very extroverted, funny and boisterous little boy. You love your family and we often hear you telling us "Remember what I told you? I'll be your best friend." You play so well with Ethan and love being his brother (though there are moments that you remind Ethan that you are the BIG brother and try to tell him what to do!).

You are such a wonderful helper to us and take pride in your work. This year, you have learned to dress your self and even snuck downstairs after your nap and had dressed your self! You have learned to trace all your letters and can write a few letters on your own. You are able to spell and recognize about 30 words (including your current favorite - Batman). You can understand and speak about 60 Spanish words and phrases and are quick to translate for our friends who do not know Spanish!

We love how social you have become! In fact, when we pick you up from school we always hear how helpful you were to new friends in your class and we hear about who your best friend is. You enjoy talking to people any where we are and can hold a great conversation!

Though you eat a lot, you are so active and stay very skinny. Last fall you played on a T-Ball team and had so much fun. You hustled after every ball and loved batting! You would much rather be outside in the yard or at the park then in the house.

We are so glad that you are a part of our lives and we love to see you growing up before our eyes. We are looking forward to seeing what this year holds for you!

36 Months:

37 Months:

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47 Months:

Note: At this minute (7:52 am), 4 years ago, we met Benjamin for the first time!

Since we last chatted...

... we have been busy:

making snowmen from the 8 inches (yes, I said 8 inches) of snow we got 2 weeks ago

conducting important strategic planning sessions ("Daddy, what color marker should I use next?")

driving (and riding in) the Big Wheels Papaw got us for Christmas

And, creating masterpieces out of Play-Dough.

We hope that everyone is staying warm and enjoying time with their families!

Looking to Warmer Weather

As I was looking through pictures from the fall, I can across these. While we still have about 5 inches of snow on the ground in the backyard, it has been in the mid 40s this weekend. But looking at the boys on the leaves makes me think back to much warmer days. Hope you enjoy them too!

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow

Last night after only 1 hours of snow the roads were covered and I knew we were in for some fun day today! We awoke this morning to find about 8 inches of snow on the ground.

The boys started off the morning by watching a DVR'd Christmas cartoon. They are snuggled under a sleeping bag that Uncle Randy and Aunt Kay gave them! (Thanks guys -- the sleeping bag came in very handy today.)

What a pair of cutie pies!

They fell asleep as soon as their little heads hit the pillow tonight. We are looking forward to another fun snow day tomorrow after a long winter's nap tonight!

My Winter Vacation by Benjamin and Ethan

We got to spend a long time (12 days) home with mommy and daddy. On New Year's Eve, it was very nice outside and everyone was well so we went to the park. We got a chance to run around and play on the slides.

We also got to test out the cool wood airplanes that Uncle Evan got us. Daddy made the plane do big loops.

It was really windy but warm --- see our crazy hair??

And, here are our 2 favorite parents!

Earlier in our vacation, we were both not feeling well. (Between us we had 3 visits to the doctor, 3 medicines and a new machine for breathing treatments for Benjamin.) It was very cold outside (mommy took our pictures in the snow) so we did a lot of this:

We can't play unless Ethan's Gigis are nearby!

And we have been wearing the capes that Santa brought us -- we think that Mrs. Claus must have made them! We like running very fast so that the cape flies behind us!

We loved being home with mommy and daddy and seeing all our family over our vacation!