Neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt

We went to our annual Easter egg hunt in the neighborhood this year and

we had a new member to join us! I think little Riley-Roo had about
as much fun as Reid just watching everyone and investigating
his new Easter bucket!

Here they are, waiting for the fun to begin!

And he's off....

Time to investigate all of the treats!

One of our MILLION pictures trying to get both boys to
smile and look at the camera! Ha! No easy task these days!

My sweet boys. :)
Makes my heart melt.

Daddy & his guys.

Look at that sweet face!
I just HEART this picture SOOO much!

Riley going on a "wrapper" hunt.

I got it! It's mine. ALL MINE!

Reid ran right up to the bunny before we could get Riley
in the picture. This boy is not afraid of furry animals!

Riley didn't seem to be afraid either... we'll see what happens
next year!

Both boys with the bunny.
We tried & tried & tried to get Riley to look up, but he was way
too interested in that pink basket with all the candy down there!
I think I would be too!

Looking at all their loot!

Riley trying to get at his brother's stuff.
"But he has candy in his basket and I don't! No fair!"

I'm just gonna go for it. He won't see, right?

Look at that sweet big bro sharing his eggs!

At this point, Riley was just DONE.
He had had enough of us making noises and trying
to get him to look at the camera. After only a 25 min.
nap that morning, he was ready to go bye-bye!

I couldn't end with that shot.
My FAV picture of them all!
After the 100 and something I took, this one was the BEST!
Thank you boys! We love you sweet sons!

Happy Easter everyone!
Our Savior is risen! Praise be to His name!

Easter Buckets

I had such a ball picking out the boy's Easter buckets this year!
I've always wanted a personalized Easter basket but never found
one I was in love with. These were THE cutest ones I had EVER seen!
The girl that did them is uber talented and I think they turned out pretty
darling if you ask me!

I hope the boys like them. They're a little big, but they'll grow into 'em.
Can't wait till Easter morning when the Easter bunny comes hopping by!

There's a first time for everything!

Riley rode in the wagon with this brother for the first time last week!
I didn't realize how heavy it would be to pull TWO kids in a wagon, but I must say, I loved looking back and seeing my TWO BOYS riding in the wagon together. :)

Nothing like a little brotherly love, I mean smack down!

That's a little better.

Always wanting what he doesn't have! -- but I must say
you look pretty stinkin' cute in your little brother's hat!

Riley excited to find his brother's monster truck.
Look at that face! Looks he just won a million bucks.

It's mine, all MINE!!!

Reid's first time reading to his brother.

Reid "helped" Daddy wash the car on Sunday!

I'm not sure which got more water--
the car, the driveway, or Daddy!
Thank you Daddy & Reid for washing Mommy's dirty car!


We had a ball this weekend with Reid (and Riley too!)
Reid had his EEG done this weekend and did SOOO well!
He was such a trooper and so incredibly brave... The technician was awesome and SO great with Reid. He sat so still and let the lady put all the wires on his head.
I . COULD . NOT. BELIEVE. IT!!! I was just on top of the world
after it was all over on Saturday. We went to get ice cream and I didn't even care about calories... I was so happy! One word -- Paciugo. How can you say no to that!?
We took Reid to the park afterwards. Just me, Rod, and Reid. It was so fun to just have hang out time with our little guy. I love those moments when we get to have special time with each child. Reid's test results came back on Monday morning and the doc said it was normal!! PRAISE THE LORD!! HALLELUJAH!!!
We are so happy and just praising your Holy name, Sweet Jesus! Thank you for your goodness!


The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy. Psalm 65:8

9 months already?

I know I say this every month, but I really cannot believe you are already 9 months!
You HAVE to stop growing so fast, Riley! I've already forgotten what it was like when you
used to put your head on my shoulder & sleep so peacefully.
It seems like yesterday that we were walking around at all hours of the night
with you while you cried & cried through the colicky stage.
I haven't forgotten that! :)

You are FULL of energy now and starting to show signs of wanting to crawl!
You have definitely started to develop a little personality of your own and
you know what you like & don't like already.
Not sure how much longer we'll be able to do baby food.
You are definitely happier eating table food!
Already such a BIG boy! :)

You can clap your hands now and love to put any & everything
in your mouth!

You just get sweeter with each passing day.
You love to watch your brother and laugh and laugh at him
whenever he plays peek-a-boo with you!

You absolutely LOVE . TO. ROLL! I can't get you to stop rolling!
You roll any & every time you get a chance...
on the floor, changing a diaper, changing your clothes, in my lap,
the list goes on!

You are such a happy baby and smile ALL THE TIME!!
You love the grocery cart, being in mommy's arms, and riding
in the car with your brother.

You HATE for your diaper to be changed and can't stand for me to lay
you down on the changing table! I almost have to pin you down to put clothes
on you! You're a stinker! I LOVE you to pieces!

I . LOVE . THIS . FACE !!!!
I came up with a little acronym to describe our 9 month old...

Roley poley

Into all kinds of things
Love bug

Eyelashes to die for
You have your mommy's heart

You are a precious gem of a baby, Riley.
I love going into your room to get you up from naps and in the morning.
I love seeing your sweet face looking up at me in the crib.
I love giving you bottles and cuddling with you at night before you go to bed.
I love the way you grab my face and hold it so tight.
I love how you already love your brother and want to be near him.
I love how you're already trying to play with big trucks like you're a BIG boy.
I love hearing your sweet baby talk... "ba-ba, ga-ga, da-da." It melts my heart.
I love you to the moon & back and am so in love with that little face of yours!

I wish I could freeze you in time and just enjoy this baby stage for a little while longer.
You are a joy & even though I love the baby stage, I can't wait to see what
you'll do next & surprise us with!

Happy 9 months Riley!
We adore you!

Bunny Brownies

I saw this adorable little Easter craft on a blog recently and just HAD to share!
It was so cute and easy and I loved making them!
I made some for Reid's teachers and they just turned out darling!
All in all, it took about 5 minutes to make them.
Add a little tag for directions on how to mix & bake, and you're done!
All it's is Easter colored m & m's, graham cracker crumbs, brown sugar, and some peeps.
How can you go wrong with chocolate, marshmellows, and graham crackers?
Ummm.... you can't! I'm on a no sweets fast right now, so the smell of these m & m's is killin' me!
I may have to make a jar just for myself when I'm eating sweets again.
They just smell so darn good!

(a.k.a. Easter S'mores, but I thought Bunny Brownies was WAY cuter!)

Pictures with the bunnies

This has become an annual tradition in our family since a friend told me there were live Easter bunnies at the mall. How can I pass up on such a cute picture opportunity?! Reid LOVES it and enjoys it every time we do it. Riley.... well, not so much this year. He didn't mind the bunnies, but I think the photographer scared him with this silly toy he was playing with. Not sure why it scared him, but this was the best shot we got.
That's okay Riley-Roo. We'll try again next year!

Your brother would stay up there for hours if we could let him! He is in LOVE with bunnies this year ever since we had the little baby bunnies in the backyard. He was begging me and I mean BEGGING me to let him go up and play with the bunnies just ONE.MORE.TIME after we were all done taking the pictures. I couldn't quite convince him that it was not our turn anymore and we were all done! Riley was not a happy camper about any of it, so getting him back up there was completely out of the question! Poor guy. He was so happy when I'd pick him up and as soon as I would sit him back down in front of that white picket fence, the tears just wouldn't stop comin'! I felt so bad for my Boo-Boo (one of my favorite names for him). I had to just let it go and know that all pictures don't have to be smiley ones right?
(this was as big as I could make it after I scanned it... not sure what the deal is).

LOVE spring traditions like this. I can't wait to go to the arboretum! Thanks for telling me about this sweet Mandy! Such a fun time!

Texas Bluebonnets

Since Reid was about 18 months old, I have been taking him out to take pictures in the bluebonnets. Last year we missed it by just a few days, and I was determined that this year we were going to get out there in time to take pictures in these beautiful flowers. It is a Texas tradition that I love and the flowers are SO pretty!

I was out of town this weekend for a girls weekend and as I was driving there & back, I kept seeing all these families taking pictures of their children in the bluebonnets. When I got home, we made our way out to a beautiful field of these wild flowers not too far from our house!
I was all excited, and had high hopes that we wouldn't have any trouble with the boys since they had just both awoken from naps. Alas, it was no easy task! Is it ever when it involves toddlers and babies? However, we managed to get some good pics along the way after a little distraction and the promise of some treats after we were done. A little bribery never hurts! :)

One of the best shots!
Look at those sweet smiles!

I guess Riley was a little hungry!
Bluebonnet, anyone?

All of my sweet boys. :)

He loves when Daddy tosses him in the air!
What kid doesn't?!

Me & my sweet Reid
LOVE.THIS.BOY

Riley-Roo
Sweet little boo-boo!

Don't you love the forced smile?

Isn't that angelic? MELT.MY.HEART. SWEET

I can't wait to watch these boys grow up together.
I love watching Reid be a big brother, hand Riley toys, take them away, and he always wants his little brother's high chair right next to him at the table.
I can already see Riley looking up to his big bro and watching every move he makes. He gets the biggest smile on his face when he sees Reid and just giggles with delight when he is around him. It's pretty stinkin' cute if you ask me and I just love saying "My boys."
Thank you Lord for these precious, adorable blessings.
They are my greatest joy.


"The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy. You care for the land and water it..."
Psalm 65:8-9