Happy 8 months, Reagan!

This week we celebrate Reagan's 8 month birthday! It's amazing how much she's grown....and how curly her hair is becoming with each passing day.

We love so many things about Reagan. She has such a good personality. She's a very content baby, although she'll be the first to let us know if she's not happy (especially with Samuel). She's learning to use her fake "my life is over" cry to get WHATEVER she wants. I am not a victim of this nearly as often as Samuel and Scott are!

Reagan embodies happiness. We haven't bought many "things" for this child. She plays mostly with Sam's toys or things from around the house, like wooden spoons and plastic bowls. She loves to bang on things while we fix dinner or clean up before bedtime.

Reagan is a GREAT sleeper. She wakes herself in the morning and we typically find her in her room talking and laughing.

Reagan has stretched our family. Adjusting to life as a family of 4 was more difficult in the beginning than I could have ever imagined. It's different for everyone, but it was really hard for us. However, today I find it hard to even think about those long days and nights because I am overwhelmed with thanksgiving for this little person who completed our family for now. I am so thankful to be her mom.

Happy 8 month Birthday, Ray Ray!

Christmas Dinner

Samuel likes to help cook any time I will let him near me in the kitchen! Recently, he put on his apron and got to work.

He made some garlic and red pepper chicken...

...while Daddy got the dishes ready.

Then we found our reindeer ears and got in the holiday mood! The house was filled with Christmas spirit, so we sang some carols and pretended like we were cold. The songs were wonderful...but it was still August in Texas!!!!

"Feliz Navidad!!!!"

Date Night

I am thankful to live in our city. I grew up in a very small town. About 5,000 people, two stoplights, and 8 car washes....I'm not making that up! So, to have access to a variety of good eating places, a mall, and two targets makes me very happy. I love it.

I also love that we can get away and still be two miles from our house.

There is a secluded bed and breakfast that is, literally, two miles from our house. When we are there we feel like we are a million miles away from anyone. There are no tv's, phones, and the key is in the cabin when you arrive. You see NO ONE while you are there. It is amazing.

Scott and I don't do a regular date night. I could list our excuses, but they don't matter. The reality is that we don't do them. And sometimes it catches up with us. We hit a breaking point and need to get away.

So, last week we arranged an overnight sitter for the kiddos and booked a cabin in the woods.

We drove up this road...


...to find this welcome sign. Batts Ferry is a little log cabin. Perfect for a night way from the world.


These two guys were guarding the front door. They couldn't scare us away!


We walked right on in for the night!


Reconnecting is good...very good. We can't do it often, but we'll be back to the little cabin in the woods soon.

The kids...well, especially Sam...had a great time! Casey, our regular babysitter, came over and she and Sam made puppets, pictures, and played the day away. We are so thankful that she can love on our kids!

Cuteness! (is that a word???)

Tractor Time

"Dad, I think there is something wrong with my tractor."

"Looks like you better work on it."

"I get my tools and fix it myself! I use my hammer, Dada."

"I fixed it!!!"


On my way again!

Reagan on the move

Reagan is such a little doll. She is so animated and getting more active every day. She's crawling, pulling up, and even trying to stand on her own! I need this child to slow down a little.
These pictures were taken tonight.

The face of sheer determination. She'd spotted one of Sam's toys that she needed to have in her cute little hands.


She was able to pause in her work to smile for the camera. (Can you see our two bottom teeth?)


Oops...got distracted by Daddy making her laugh!

...and Mama grabbing her for a quick picture....

...back to the task at hand! This is the view of Reagan that we enjoy most these days!!!!

Exploring New Places

We took a fast trip to visit Nana and Pops a few weeks ago. Scott and the crew worked on updating the landscaping at their house and the kids and I took off to explore the local Children's Museum. It was a fun way to pass some extra time that we had!