Team Smith

ICE 2010

2012-01-09T18:48:00.000-08:00

After Christmas we met up with the Smith side of the family to enjoy our "off Christmas" (every other year when we aren't together for real Christmas). This year we opted to forgo gifts and give instead to the charity of each families choice. And, instead of doing the typical Christmas traditions Big and Nannie generously arranged for all of us to enjoy two nights and three days at the Gaylord Texan along with all the activities and amenities going on there for their annual ICE show. DreamWorks had taken over with Shrek The Halls so there were all sorts of great family activities.

We checked in and were super excited to see everyone.

This was the view from Big and Nannie's balcony. The kids loved the indoor/outdoor feel.

They also loved running up and down the long wide hallways going to and from each activity. Truett is a bit of a runaway and LOVED for his big cousins to chase him. The most commonly uttered phrase of the trip quickly became, "Where is Truett?" Thankfully he was never too far.
First up was a Red Carpet screening of "Puss In Boots" ( I know terrible name, but what are you going to do).
Working it on the red carpet. They had flashes going off everywhere - pretty cute. Then the cat himself was there to greet his fans before sitting down to the 3D movie with a gourmet movie snacks whatever that means. ;)
Coyt and Crew made it about 5 minutes into the movie before we headed back to the hotel room. I'd be lying if I said I was sad to go, sort of enjoyed our stroll back to the room and a few quiet minutes once they were in bed.

The lights from the room at night. (Thanks for all the pictures Shelley!)
The next morning we headed to Shrek Feast.
Gangs all here!
Me and my bigs. Stacey volunteered to stay back and with the Cs while they enjoyed a morning nap. I loved the quality time with Stacey and Wyatt.
Getting into character with a townsperson.
This little man was just delightful the entire trip - not sure what inspired his especially kind, affectionate, cooperative attitude - but we'll take it!!
What better way to start your day than with Swamp Juice - a hit of course!
Shrek Waffles
Why not?
Brylie loved Princess Fiona. The boys said no thanks!
Puss in Boots was back at breakfast.
Shrek, and his long lost cousin Biggie ;).
After Sarah and Stacey completed the word scramble the whole table earned their very own Ogre Ears.

Nannie with all here mini ogres.
There was a life-size gingerbread house made with all edible products. III was ready to move in.
A few more pictures of our posse. There were just so many photo op spots, we couldn't help but snap a few here and there.
Sweet parents who spoil us all rotten!!
We are posing by one of Santa's reindeer all dolled up as various characters throughout the lobby area. This one was a mommy so it seemed an appropriate spot for a picture.

Sometimes the big babies need a lift too.Cheese!

We stopped by Santa's old stomping ground for a little red carpet free play.

Crew tried to lead us all in Yoga.

Looks like T-bird needs a lift from Uncle Stacey. :)
After everyone enjoyed a nap, and I do mean everyone, we all enjoyed a little snooze, we headed down for an afternoon of Snow Tubing.
Kung Fu Panda is a family favorite at our house and his AWESOME Snow Tubing did not disappoint.
All these picture are terrible due to the lighting and motion but you get the idea.

Aunt Sarah
Stacey III, I mean the blurry smile really says it all.
Nannie and Brylie
Mommy
We had unlimited rides thanks of course to our host and hostess so we didn't have to wait in the long line and enjoyed our special treatment very much.

Sarah and Brylie showing us how to wear your scarf after snow tubing.

We wrapped up day two with a delicious dinner at Zeppole - YUM-O!
Our last adventure together was ICE. We had done this once before so we knew to get bundled up but you're never quite prepared for just how COLD it is in there Burrrr.

We are just getting started buddy.

That's more like it. Yep, they even had tiny coats for the babies.

About half way through there is an ice slide. Nannie is such a good sport!
Wyatt whizzing down.
I just LOVE that they end the story with the one and only TRUE meaning of Christmas.
The whole family :).
Coyt and Crew were delightful they whole weekend. You just never know, but they were happy to be along for the ride.
Should have known it was your big brothers making you smile such happy smiles.
It was such a great trip and special time with our family, and I'm not just saying that - sometimes the stars just align and everything goes smoothly, its rare but it does happen! Of course it didn't hurt that we love spending time together or that Debbie had everything booked and organized for us or that the big kids slumber partied in their room every night, giving us a break and time with the grown ups. Thank you Big and Nannie for everything!!!! Can't wait for our next off Christmas!

Christmas 2011

2012-01-05T20:49:00.000-08:00

This is how we started Christmas Eve - nice and lazy lounging around in our PJs all morning - just the way I like it!!

Eventually we got dressed, all the family made their way over and we started the official Christmas festivities. This year all the cousins participated in a book exchange. Each book was carefully selected for it's recipient and every single kiddo was thrilled with their first gift.

And then we read, I don't have pictures of every little reading pair up but it was so cute to look around the room at everyone reading or being read the new books.
I almost overlooked the mustache in this picture - HA!
My 5 Guys
Then we opened and opened and opened some more.

It was fun to watch the babies unwrap their gifts, they were clueless of course, but loved all the paper and new toys - they were our gifts last year and even though they were here for Christmas 2010, this felt like their first Christmas.

Caroline liking her sisters play dough
Little people pirate ship!
Love it!
Football!
Four is a pretty sweet age when it comes to Christmas.
Crew loved Wyatt's new TOT basketball.
Future TTU QB. :)
Based on these faces I'd say the Pillow Pets were a hit!
No doubt my favorite gift of the season. Stacey III made gifts for Stacey and I at school. They were carefully placed under the tree with strict instructions to handle with care because they were very breakable. Hot chocolate for Daddy and bath salts for Mommy. He could not wait for us to use them!!
We love helping the boys pick out gifts for each other on super secret shopping trips. They really put a lot of thought into what the other one will love. Stacey III is very methodical and when he knows, he knows. Wyatt on the other hand is all over the map and has a tough time choosing, and remembering that the gift is for Stacey. :) However, he did A LOT better this year seriously contemplating what III would like. It came down to a Lego set and Kung Fu Panda II. He did mention on the way home that he really hoped Stacey would let him watch the movie too.

Kung Fu Panda II for Stacey and Pixar short films for Wyatt - two happy campers.
Brother (in-laws) don't shake hands brother (in-laws) gotta ??? Josh and Stacey in a Christmas embrace.
Honey and GP looking through the annual photo book of 2011. What an incredible year!
After opening most of the kids gifts GP read the Christmas story and we headed out to the Christmas Eve service. We decided to leave the C's home with Daddy this year. I was sad not to have them with us but Coyt and Crew and candles and quiet just don't mix ;).

Afterwards it was jammie time for the whole family!!

Kacey passed out reindeer food and everyone picked out a treat for Santa then it was off to bed for eight precious kiddos.
And wouldn't you know it - HE CAME!!!!

Yep, for you too!

Spoons - who knew - HUGE hit.
Wyatt wasted no time getting into his new star wars character.
Sisters!
Ron Swanson Pyramid of Greatness
Speaking of Ron Swanson - did you see Uncle Frank's mustache? perfect gift santa.
Intense game of 20Q.
The boys enjoying Lila's princess castle - hehe :)
My sweet loves!!!!!

We had some special visitors Christmas Day!! Biggie and Sarah, joined us. Debbie works every other Christmas so we were thrilled we were able to talk them into joining us for the day.

One of Santa's surprises was a blizzard maker Stacey wanted - only Santa would bring such a ridiculous but highly desired gift. ;) The instructions read just crank for 10 minutes - HA that sounded like forever to me but it actually went by fairly quickly and the results were worth the wait.

Wyatt woke up from a nap just as the two tiny blizzards were being finished off so he had to make his own of course. Don't tell him, but there might have been straight blue bell in the blizzard maker on round two.
What would Christmas day be without some games - Joker with Nana and Sam
and Headbands for the Smith family.

Nana loving on Crew.
We had a fabulous Christmas and feel so blessed to get to celebrate our Savior's birth with four generations of our family!! And to make memories with and pass along traditions to our boys.

Santa has Elves we have Crew & Coyt :)

2011-12-24T07:45:00.000-08:00

I still need to do a One Year post, but couldn't resist sharing a few of these two Christmas cuties!! Oh how my cup runeth over!! Merry Christmas Eve!!

2011-12-23T11:12:00.000-08:00

This has been a fun month, but the looming posts were starting to overwhelm me so here's a hodge podge of everything we've been up to so far this month.

A little movie night with the fam., snuggled up kiddos.

Play time with Daddy in an interesting ensemble after work.
We attended Christmas Chapel at WCS and ran into the CUTEST little shepherd!!
and another performer.

III was slightly disappointed that he didn't get to hold a staff but totally rocked his lineless role anyway.
We celebrated with Christmas snacks afterwards.

I chaperoned a field trip with Stacey's class to the museum. We learned all about how they celebrate Christmas all over the world and got to see the train exhibit. III's favorite was the train eating dinosaur.
Awesome.
They also reenacted THE Christmas story. III was the donkey...a little too animated for the narrator's liking, whoops.
The "Smith Express" took some lucky passengers on a tour of Waco's finest Christmas lights.
Getting their tickets punched.

Ally Wood turned 5 and we celebrated with a precious PJ party and donuts, both of which were MUCH anticipated by the boys

While the girls were inside making ornaments the boys were outside loving life.

"Donut seeds" for the wee ones. :)
Biggest donut EVER!
The Junods were passing through town during their holiday in Texas so we got to have a super fun family play date with some of our besties.
These two were in hog heaven getting to kick it with the big kids.
Coyt and Crew (and me!) getting some love from Wendi.
L-O-V-E these boys!!
You'd never know they only see each other twice a year.

It was extra special for Nick and the boys to get some hang time too. Now if only we could figure our how to get these guys to Waco permanently. Has ConocoPhillips been to Common Grounds?? (Picture complements of Stacey III).
Snapped a quick picture before heading off to a Christmas cookie exchange. These two are such incredible blessings to me!! So thankful to get to live in the same town with my sisters!
Cousin twins at their class Christmas party.
And finally a trip to see the big man himself, Santa!! They were so cute telling him what they wanted for Christmas. Wyatt asked for Star Wars Legos and a 20Q (electronic 20 questions game). Stacey kept his request a secret, um OK, hope Santa gets that one right, no pressure!!

A very cousin Christmas. Here Santa hold these three babies - ha! Stacey had to lend a hand.
Hard to believe that Christmas is just two days away!! Hope you are enjoying this wonderful month remembering God's greatest gift of Jesus Christ!!

Bugs, Basketball and Back to the Basics

2011-12-12T12:48:00.000-08:00

There have been lots of fun happenings at WCS that I wanted to blog about.

Earlier this year I was invited to a bug tea party (or picnic if you are a six year old boy who does NOT do tea parties) in Stacey's class.

A little Spider lesson, after we had finished our food, he was thrilled to tell me that spiders eat their food by throwing it up and drinking it like a smoothie. :) Gross.

A few bug songs for entertainment.
More recently the school was invited to attend Baylor's first basketball game which was taking place during the school day. Let's see, math or a b-ball game!?!? Obviously a very fun treat for everyone. I drove a car load with five kindergartners and have new found respect for Mrs. Sims, Stacey's amazing teacher - WOW!

I love how into the game they all are.

Look who stopped by for a visit.

And lastly just before Thanksgiving I got to attend a field-trip to the Mayborn Museum with Wyatt's class and learn all about how the early settlers like to roll. I learned we would not have lasted long using buffalo bladders as canteens, grinding our own corn or sharing bath water with the rest of my family!

Wyatt rustlin' up some grub.

An Waco Indian hello
Skinning a deer
Ally grinding her own corn.
And just this week we attended our first Christmas Chapel, post on that coming soon. :)

Galveston Girls Weeeknd

2011-12-12T12:24:00.000-08:00

This summer (yes, flash back with me, this post slipped through the cracks and is way over due) I got to spend a weekend with my best girls friends at Shannon's beach house in Galveston. I look forward to these weekends all year and this one was no exception. It happened to be scheduled right in the middle of project relocate to waco, but was a much needed break from all that craziness. I forgot my camera (I know you are shocked) so thanks Shannon and Wendi for all these pictures, you'll notice I am in WAY to many of them!

Sweet Mrs. Jerry (Wendi's Mom) sent us all a little treat:

HeHe! We sported them all weekend
We had a "favorite things gift exchange" which I shamelessly copied from another friends girls weekend, but I think we've adopted it as our own tradition after all the fun gifties.
Katy shared some wonderful news about baby number three, and come to find out Ann had similar news to share, but she was quite as a mouse all weekend, don't know how she kept in in!!
Love these ladies!!

Dinner on the sea wall

Serious game of Whoonu. Apparently everyone but me knew I REALLY love glitter?
Winner winner chicken dinner!
Time to hit the beach.

Please don't judge me by my hat - yikes.
Lauren showing how to get her beautiful beach waves, still haven't been able to locate one of these nifty dryers.
How many girls does it take to get the boat out??
Success
It was a fabulous weekend with people who have known me my whole life and love me anyway!

Three C's Birthday Celebration

2011-12-07T11:57:00.000-08:00

On Saturday we celebrated Coyt and Crew's first birthday!!! The real birthday isn't for another week, so I get to deny the fact that they are almost ONE YEAR OLD just a bit longer. Kacey and I decided that the "Three Cs" as we have nick named our cousin triplets, Coyt, Crew and Caroline should most definitely celebrate their December birthdays together and what better theme than, The Letter C. :) You know I am a nut for a theme and alliteration just makes me happy so off we went conspiring and creating (don't worry I'll spare you any more C narration).

The Invitations: (Brooke with brookedesigns.com designed the invitations and all the food, activity & favor labels - she is awesome!)

We sort of lucked out that there just happen to be all sorts of sweet treats that start with C. :)

Special seats for the guests of honor:

"Clara Caterpillar" was the perfect birthday book overflowing with C alliteration.

Month by month pictures of the Cs, crazy to see how much they have changed from those early days!

A few pictures of our three Cs from throughout their first year:

The buffet of C foods:

A few C activities:

After waking up from morning naps our three birthday babies made their first appearance and got the party started!!
As a shout out to the Cs favorite snack and dietary staple we made "Cheerio Concoctions" with all different flavors of Cheerios.

"Christmas Crafts" in full swing.

OK, who wants a birthday hat!?!? Just Caroline, al-righty then.

Then is was time to sing...Happy Birthday to Crew...

Happy Birthday to Caroline...

Happy Birthday to Coyt...Yes, I made everyone sing three time (Kate Gosling may not have taught me much but she did have a few little nuggets of wisdom...I think?) ;)

Now dig in...or not?

Apparently Caroline's just looked a little bit better.

I guess it's not so bad.
Coyt thought some cherrios were just what his cake was missing.

Forget the cake we just want to play with Honey and Nannie.

And our new toys!
Caroline getting serious about unwrapping.

Caroline and Kacey
This picture makes me laugh the boys shirts are soaked with drool, Coyt is attacking Crew and my hair looks like a baby toupee on Coyt's head, but such is life!

The Smiths

The Purdys
The cousins, it was really fun for us to have both sides of the cousin crews together!
We ended the party with a Champagne or Cider toast thanking our sweet family for all their support over the last year. We would not have survived without it!!
Such a sweet day for my sweet boys. :)

Thanksgiving 2011

2011-12-06T14:00:00.000-08:00

We kicked off out Thanksgiving hosting Wyatt's class party with Lauren. Don't you LOVE the turkey she made!

Not sure if this was the nina the pinta or the santa maria? ;) But I am pretty sure snacks were better on this ship.
Edible teepees and acorns for snack.
My Wy-guy. His sticker says he is thankful for Bob, Jack, Ella (our dogs and my parents dog) & God.
Lauren is a teacher and is so great with the class. She had them sew their own cute little ships and the kids loved it.
Charley and Wyatt hard at work.
Once school was out and Stacey was finished with work we headed to Aunt Cassie and Uncle Teddy's in Jacksboro. The boys have been begging to go to "the country" for months and were very excited.

Once we arrived glow sticks lined the road to the house. The boys were already in hog heaven.
Debbie and Cassie make holidays so much fun!! For starters they send us to a hotel at night and they take care of the kids - I KNOW!!! A mini vacation for us. And as if that wasn't enough once we arrived in our room there was a gift basket with drinks, magazines and candy waiting -I KNOW!!!

They have activities for the kids and more food than we could ever eat. This year some new TRIOs entertained the kids for hours!

Getting some love from Aunt Sarah.

We all did some of this. :)

Hunting hogs

We got crafty and made wreaths.
Kimberleigh painted Brylie's nails - B-E-A-UTIFUL!
VERY tall towers were built.

Unfortunately, all the kids ran fever off and on and just weren't 100%. Which meant less sleep for the their caretakers at night, :( but more snuggles for me during the day!

Can't thank these two enough for all they do to love and serve us.
Despite the sickies and the wind we attempted some cousin pictures and as usual Shelley captured some sweet faces.

Crew was a little more accommodating than Coyt who wasn't feeling too well and was not in the mood for pictures.
Stacey - 6
Wyatt - 4
The whole bunch
Brothers!!
We loved our time together and know it is no small undertaking when our circus comes to town!
After we wrapped things up in the country we headed back to Big D for the Tech vs. Baylor game at Cowboy Stadium.
Stacey takes his sports very seriously! Poor thing wasn't feeling 100% but he would have been devastated to miss this.

Wyatt, on the other hand, is just there to party and could have cared less that we got killed. :(

He just loves playing with Ally.
After shaking off the Tech loss we wrapped up our Thanksgiving holiday with lunch at the American Girls Bistro celebrating early birthdays for Lila and Ally. Santa brought me Kirstin way back when there were just three dolls and I am pretty sure that had this store existed when I was little my head would have literally exploded with sheer delight at all the precious tiny little doll details!
I am so grateful that God blessed me with these precious nieces and that my sisters let me tag along for girly outings such as these! Heaven knows my band of brothers will not be hitting up the American Girls Doll store anytime soon.
Such a good Thanksgiving, with so much to be thankful for!!

Turkey Trot

2011-12-05T18:19:00.000-08:00

Hi blog!! So many posts to catch up on!

Just before Thanksgiving Woodway Christian held their annual Thanksgiving Feast and Turkey Trot. Families are invited to lunch followed by a very serious race. Stacey had been looking forward to this day for weeks.

On your mark...get set...GO!!!!

Then the real runners took off! HA, more like moving spirit squad relocated ;).

They have a one mile and a three mile run, III insisted on running the THREE miles and came in 12th in the whole school. The fact that he can run three miles at age six sort of baffles me, I was SO proud to see him cross the finish line!!
And so was he!
Ryan (who btw got 2nd in the whole school and first in his division!!) and Stacey with their finishing numbers.
A super fun day that I know these boys will be looking forward to with great anticipation until it rolls around again next year.

5, 6, 7, & 8

2011-11-23T06:06:00.000-08:00

Love when these two do their perfectly synchronized choreography.

Soooo Much to be Thankful for!

2011-11-23T06:02:00.000-08:00

Alphabet Lunches

2011-11-20T13:48:00.000-08:00

One week I decided I would make Stacey a letter lunch to go with the letter he was studying at school. So I made a letter "O" lunch...and that was all it took, I was hooked and so was he! He loved it and couldn't wait for his next letter lunch, and I couldn't disappoint him.

Stacey loves buying his hot lunch so I only actually make his lunch a couple times a week, if that and when it isn't a letter lunch it is usually a lunchable or something equally as easy, but once a week I muster up my creativity. I'm not sure who has more fun, me or Stacey. I'd be lying if I said I didn't sort of love scouring the isles for specific letter items. Some weeks are harder than others like "I" for example, but it's become a fun little tradition and keeps us from getting into a rut with our snacks. :)

Several weeks ago the kids had an early release day so we invited the cousins to join us for a letter "T" lunch at home and you know I can't resist a good Treasure hunt.

Ta-da, a T lunch with a Train Tortilla, Teddy Graham, Turkey rolls with Tooth pics, Transformer fruit snacks, Texas crackers, Tri-Color Tortilla, Strips, Trix and a Tootsie Roll

And what do you drink with a letter T lunch? Tab of course - HA! Didn't even know they still made Tab, or exactly what it was, but they do and it was a hit.

They study the letters in random order so I never know what the next week will bring, oh the anticipation! ;) We're about half way through the alphabet so lots more letter lunches still to come.

Eleven Months!!

2011-11-18T13:44:00.000-08:00

Well I managed to take and upload these pictures last week, but neglected to actually post them! Whoops. The boys are over the hat and would rather take it off and chew on it than wear it for two seconds, so these aren't are best pictures, but they are my precious messes at 11 months.

Coyt

Crew
My mind just can not comprehend that these two are closing in on their first birthday! I really do feel like it was just yesterday that we found out we were having TWINS!! And that I was waddling around town blowing everyones minds with my girth.

Coyt and Crew are pretty happy boys unless they are tired or hungry and the occasional teething outburst. We are trying to transition from baby food to table food. Crew is good about eating whatever you give him, but Coyt will sit there with a tray full of food and cry until you bring out the babyfood.

They are pulling up on everything and reaching new heights every day. Just this morning we heard the piano being played by 20 tiny fingers that just a few days ago couldn't reach such high heights. They can sit in real high chairs at restaurants and we switched them from their infant carriers to regular car-seats.

Even though they are still very much babies all those little milestones are just evidence that they are getting bigger and are a little less baby everyday...sniff sniff. However, knowing that these PRECIOUS days are going to be gone in a blink helps me keep my cool when they are crying in surround sound, or peas are getting spit at me or I am changing what feels like the hundredth diaper of the day. Because I know in jut a matter of months I will be wishing for these sweet sweet baby days.

BU Homecoming

2011-11-11T12:43:00.000-08:00

Last weekend was Baylor Homecoming and since we have officially taken the leap into full on local fans we enjoyed all the festivities from the bonfire/pep rally to the parade and game. We also loved getting to see friends who were in town for the weekend (sorry no pictures to prove it). It is really fun being in a college town especially since some of our very favorite people went to Baylor and like to come back to their old stomping grounds!

Wyatt taking in the parade, he LOVED it!

It started out a little chilly and these two weren't sure what to think.

Look who we ran into. :) I have no idea where he gets this head tilt cheesy pose!! But it is his go to.

We saw Claire, one of my small group girls, who is now a SENIOR at Baylor, oh my heavens, looking BEAUTIFUL as a homecoming queen nominee. She'd get my vote!
And the Woodway Wildcats were in full effect rocking the parade!! You can see Honey, Ryan and Stacey at the front of the float.
Totally awesome!
The scarf sisters!
Such a fun weekend.

Fredericksburg Girls Trip

2011-11-11T12:15:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago I got to spend the weekend catching up with my best friends from my college days at TTU. At one time we were all in the DFW area so we would meet for dinner in Dallas or Fort Worth about once a month, but, Lisa moved to Wichita Falls many moons ago and now that we're in Waco we were past due for a girls weekend together.

Pit stop at the Dr. Pepper Museum on the way there.

I got there with my camera but no sim card :(, thankfully we took a few iphone pics.

We walked through the shops in Fredericksburg and went out to dinner.
We grabbed lunch at the Peachtree and shopped 'til we dropped. My cute avocado soup.

Then, we spent Sat. night at lake LBJ. We had a fantastic dinner at the Lost Oak Vinyard Tree House Bistro, stopped by the Kingsland HEB for magazines, and solved most of the words problems by 11:00.

And while we were away our husbands and grandparents managed to hold the fort down with only one trip to the ER. Yes, seriously, but a few stitches later Jude was good as new!

I don't see these girls as often as I'd like but when we get together we pick up right were we left off like we haven't skipped a beat since our days at Savannah Oaks. We reminisce about Brooke and what she would be doing if she were still with us. We laugh about our former selves and how much we've changed and simultaneously how we're all exactly the same! It was a great weekend and good for this girl to spend some quality time with some of my favorite people. I can't wait to do it all over again soon!!

A Major Award!!

2011-11-11T05:57:00.000-08:00

OK I know you are sick of hearing me brag about my kids, what with the soccer post and INCREDIBLE feather creations (wink wink), but I just can't help but post one more braggadocios post about my firstborns award winning week!

And please know that this kid gets in trouble he hits his brother, he talks back, he's the pickiest eater I've ever met and does all the normal things that kindergarten boys do, I am under no allusion that he is perfect.

However, he is also a pretty great kid, and this week at school he was awarded the WOWCat (Woodway's Outstanding Warrior for Christ). It is an award given by the teachers to a student in each grade every six weeks. Way to go Stacey, we are so proud of you!!

Every Thursday in P.E. is Mileage Club which means running your heart out! They run as many laps as they can and at the end of the six weeks they receive a ToeToken (little foot key chain to hang on their backpack) for every five miles they've run that six weeks. Stacey got his second ToeToken this week, which he is beyond thrilled about. And, along with two other kindergarten boys has run more than anyone in the school thus far!!! I'm thrilled that he has picked up on my love of running - HA - J.K. - not sure where he gets it, but I'm so glad he loves it!

Stacey, we are so proud of you for being a good listener and obeying in your classroom and for doing your absolute best at school both in your classroom and in the gym. Way to go buddy!!

Birds of a Feather

2011-11-11T05:42:00.000-08:00

This month Stacey and Wyatt both came home from school with a turkey feather to be decorated however they desired and returned to school to display with the rest of the class creations on their turkey.

Stacey of course wanted to decorate with his favorite thing in the whole world - candy, but, no edibles allowed, so we went with the next best thing - candy wrappers. Then he also wanted to decorate it with Texas Tech and Baylor, hummm, interesting theme?? We went with a double T made of candy wrappers and he was very pleased.

Wyatt also had no hesitation with his inspiration, batman and spiderman, I had just picked up a cape and mask for $3 in the Halloween clearance section at Wally World so ta-da our Super Wyatt feather was a no brainer. Wyatt was more of the brains of the operation and lost interest when it came to actually assembling it, but trust that he made ALL the decisions, right down to the placement of each hair.

A fun family project and great lesson in patience and letting go for mommy, I mean lets be honest who wouldn't choose super heros and candy over fall leaves and acorns? ;).

Soccer Studs

2011-11-03T08:52:00.000-07:00

We had a fantastic soccer season cheering on the Sharks at the Woodway Family Center. We let Wyatt play up so that he and Stacey could be on the same team and I am so glad we did. One practice schedule & one game = greatness. Not something we will do forever, but perfect for this season. And several of Wyatt's classmates were on the team too so it worked out perfect.

Our coaches were fantastic encouraging, teaching and corralling these boys all season.

Stacey III totally gets soccer and not to sound too much like a bragging biased Mommy, even though that is exactly what I am, :) but the kid has got some skills!! "Franchise" was his nickname an he was so fun to watch!!

Way to go #1!!

#3 is equally fun to watch!

Our Wy-Guy had so much fun playing soccer. He loved being on the same team with his brother and buddies and he managed to get that ball in the goal several times over the course of the season. The Family Center is just his speed and you would never know this was the same kid that shed many a tear his first season, those days are long gone.
Gooooooo Sharks!
Smith brothers

Love this team picture, pretty much says it all.

We had lots of fans come watch the boys play but their #1 fans, the twinados, kept me from getting many pictures of our cheerleaders.

Next up, basketball.

Halloween

2011-11-01T11:58:00.000-07:00

This year we took a departure from traditional race-car drivers, superheroes, and pirates of years past and decided to go straight W.T. as "Swamp People." I'm really not sure how this came about but somehow after tossing around lots of ideas this is what we landed on and the boys were thrilled.

You may not be familiar with the hit show that chronicles the adventures of back woods gator hunters, why would you be?, but, it is a family favorite around here. However, if you are one of the Cajun loving viewers than you just might recognize these two.

Meet "Bruce" and "Willie"

I seriously gave no instructions for these two poses.

Look familiar? Ha! This is Bruce (in the overalls) but this isn't actually Willie pictured, Stacey was more of a mix of several characters, but you get the idea.
Ready to "choot em"

What kind of hunters would they be without some live gators to test their skills!
Got em!
Catch of the day. Dats suh big allugatahs
Don't worry, no gators were harmed in this reenactment.

Daddy with his tiny tree-shakas

Friday night we met up with the cousins for some pictures before heading to FBC Woodway's Fall Fest.

These two know just how to turn on the charm!

And drumroll please...join us under the sea with King Triton, Ursula, Ariel and Sebastian. I mean could you die!? Kacey really knocked it out of the park for her sweet family!! And Lila was in heaven!!
A city champion and a beautiful ballerina.

Love this picture. They're looking at each other like "What the heck are we wearing?" HA!!
Cousin Crew

Saturday I hitched my wagon to my sisters and got to attend an AWESOME fall party at the "Cooney Pumpkin Patch" It was an absolutely beautiful night out in the country and we had a blast picking pumpkins, decorating them, jumping in bounce houses, eating BBQ, going on a hay ride and visiting with friends.

I like this picture just because you can see Ang and Kacey wresting the triplet cousins (no small task these days) while I am off taking pictures. :)
Don't these three look like they could all be sisters? I think it's the hair? Sisters are not they are cutie pies!
On Monday morning Wyatt got to wear his costume to school. We decided to give Bruce a break before trick or treating and he went as SpiderMan!

Serious spidy skills!
"Don't worry Mom, it's just me, Wyatt." He is still completely conviced that he IS spiderman when he has his mask on and we have no idea that it's Wyatt until he reveals himself. Hilarious
We got to celebrate with his precious class at a fall party.
Later that same day Stacey's III's class had a 50s party celebrating the first 50 days of Kindergarten.

Stacey and his sweet friend Jackson.
Had to document the comb in his back pocket. ;)
Yummy sundaes!
Stacey with his amazing teacher Mrs Sims. Isn't she precious in her poodle skirt!!
After snacks at Mrs. Sims Diner it was off to the "drive in."
Monday night the alligators were back on the prowl looking for trouble.

Thankfully the local zoo keeper was around to keep them out of harms way. :)
In the wild.

You can't really tell in pictures but when they were crawling they looked so funny, they move like real baby alligators.
Before we headed out with friends for the actual trick-or-treating the boys wanted to practice at Honey and GP's so they snuck around to the front.
Decisions, decisions.
Then it was finally time to hit the streets and trick-or-treat!

Can't get enough of this one.
What's a gator got to do to get some candy?
Until next year, Happy Halloween, from our swamp to yours.

Our Little Punkins

2011-10-28T07:51:00.001-07:00

We hadn't made it to the pumpkin patch with the C's so I stacked all our pumpkins in the backyard and we created our own little "patch".

They both LOVE being outside and thoroughly enjoyed their personal pumpkin patch.

Crew on Left Coyt on Right

Coyt
Crew

Perched

2011-10-24T19:27:00.000-07:00

Boys climbing trees, it just feels right. :)

Happy Squirrel Day!

2011-10-21T12:41:00.000-07:00

Ten Months Old!!

2011-10-20T12:49:00.001-07:00

Can't believe how big these two are getting! I delayed their 10 month pictures a few days due to the green goop that had taken residence in there eyes. I am all about reality but no wants to see that. Thankfully they both seem to be feeling much better.

Both boys have gotten new teeth this month, fangs on top (just in time for Halloween) and one of Crew's front teeth just broke through too. We trying all sorts of finger foods but they still seem to prefer baby food. Their reach and confidence pulling up has them getting into everything and I know that is only going to get worse. Thankfully Mom and Dad don't mind finding new homes for anything that previously resided on their level.

Coyt - 10 months

Crew - 10 months

Maybe it's because they sleep so good these days or maybe it is because I have lots of extra help living with Mom and Dad, or maybe it is because they are just so darn cute and you just can't help but smile at cuteness times two!! Or obviously, all of the above, but our double duo has never seemed so sweet.

Double Snugglers

Double Jumpers (Crew in navy Coyt in baby blue)

Double Baby Booties
Double Bathies
Double Swingers
Double Droolers
I don't mean to make life sound all sugary sweet and perfect because - Hello - it's not - but when it comes to the Cs at 10 months I am just LOVE LOVE LOVING life. I am 100% smitten with these two and after several months of looking forward to each new day without looking back, just thankful to have just survived another, I am ready for my time machine to hover right here for as long as possible!

Pumpkin Patch

2011-10-20T12:39:00.001-07:00

Yesterday I got to go to the pumpkin patch with Stacey's class. Nothing says fall like a field full of pumpkins and...a FLEECE, can you believe it was actually cool enough for a fleece??

My punkin

Story time with the whole class.
Picking just the right one for himself and three for his brothers, sweet boy.
A crazy face for a crazy pumpkin.
I loved getting to spend my morning with just III, thanks to Ang back at home corralling the Cs for me :).

Sweet Swingers

2011-10-12T19:02:00.000-07:00

Crew's in blue Coyt's in green

Getting a little push from Miss Julia

This was the Cs first time swinging at the park and they loved it. And I of course adore those precious little dangling feet and the fact that they could fit in one swing together - gah! It reminded me of the early days when they could cuddle up in one bouncy seat, one bassinet, one baby swing etc. What an incredible blessing to get to mother TWINS! still can't believe they are mine sometimes. :)

"Sharing" Twin Style

2011-10-11T08:32:00.000-07:00

Coyt: La la la just another day in paradise

Coyt: "Don't mind me just casually taunting you with this AWESOME ball!"

Crew: "Must - have - ball!" (Just look at those wide eyes laser locked onto the ball - green with envy!)

Crew: "Yep, I'll just take that."
Crew: "Hey, what's that over there!"

Coyt: "No way I'm fallin' for that again..."
Crew: "Ta da!!"

Coyt: :(
Crew: Sweet victory!
Just another little life lesson from the Cs.

Handsome Hunters :)

2011-10-11T08:30:00.000-07:00

Number Nine!!

2011-10-06T12:09:00.000-07:00

Shortly after we moved to Waco we got some super exciting, super shocking, super surprising news...my sister, Angie, is going to have baby #3!!! She is an amazing mommy and while she needed a little time for the news to sink in we were immediately thrilled.

Gift baskets and pedicures were an obvious next step. ;)

We can't wait to welcome the ninth member of the cousin crew into the family!!

Grandparents Day

2011-10-05T08:19:00.000-07:00

Last week the boys had grandparents day at school and you don't have to know much about us to know we are beyond blessed in the grandparent department!!

Nannie and Big came in for the festivities. Wyatt's class sang some songs and showed off some of the skills they are learning this year and then they got to see Stacey's class, hear him recite a poem and have lunch together.

Everyday is a little bit like grandparents day with Honey at school (not to mention we are living in the same house!) but this day was obviously extra special.

GP and Honey with the oldest half of their grandbaby gang.

This picture turned out super blurry :( but I had to include these two cuties who seem to really enjoy each other's company. Stacey has some great buddies in his class this year and just loves David. They were in rare, but true kindergarten boy, form at lunch thinking everything they said was was hi-larious. So glad that Stacey is making some sweet friends at school!
After lunch everyone could have a keepsake photo made, so I snapped a few of my own. I'm hoping maybe the boy's faces were a little less silly in the official photos.

The bookfair just happened to be going on the same week (somebody had their thinking cap on for that combo) so the boys were treated to lots of new books thanks to their generous grandparents who all LOVE books and reading.

Nannie would sit and read books to her boys ALL DAY LONG and sometimes they do just that.
I could never explain how incredible or important Nannie, Big, Honey and GP are to our family. So I'll just say THANK YOU for being such amazing parents and grandparents, you are deeply loved and appreciated by this six pack!!!

Welcome October

2011-10-01T07:01:00.000-07:00

Coyt
Crew

O-C-T-O-B-E-R

Halloween brings a candy bar

Christopher Columbus is a holiday

Fall is here and Winters on its' way!

Brrrrrrrrrrr

OK maybe not the brrrrrr part just yet, but it is October and we're obvioulsy ready around here. ;) I couldn't resist these matchy matchy jammies so I pretended III was still a 5T and the troops were so thrilled that a photo session full of unprompted smiles ensued.

September Snapshots

2011-09-27T13:00:00.001-07:00

There is no rhyme or reason to these pictures, which seems to be my blog MO lately, (I might have just googled MO to make sure I was using that term correctly) but, here are a few snapshots of our six pack circus. About half were taken on the iphone while my camera battery waited to find its charger. These "this and that" or "around the house" or whatever you want to call them, posts always seem so random when I'm posting them...because they are...however, when I look back they are also some of my favorites. :)

Blurry brothers (Crew & Stacey)

Sharks soccer fan club...more soccer pictures to come now that the aforementioned battery and camera have reunited.
Super babies holding their own bottles.
Double snuggles from Daddy.
Racket ball man strikes again!!
My cutie-pie kindergartner. :)
Scrub a dub dub two babies in the tub!
These two precious messes went to the doctor yesterday for their 9 month check up and low and behold they were both on the charts!! 25% for weight and 50% for height!! They are almost exactly the same size these days both 28" tall, and 18 pounds (Crew 18.4 lbs, Coyt 18.1 lbs.).

Until my next random "Mode of Operation" post. ;)

Sunny Shoppers :)

2011-09-22T20:19:00.000-07:00

Karaoke Night

2011-09-17T11:58:00.000-07:00

Nine Months Old!!

2011-09-16T20:21:00.000-07:00

Coyt Austin - 9 Months

Crew Anderson - 9 Months
Yes it is September/fall and yes the boys are outside wearing shirtless sear sucker, but it is still so very very hot and this it's not a look they'll be able to pull of at 16 so it was now or never.

What a month. We don't go in for the Cs nine month check up for a few weeks, so no official stats yet, but I'll go ahead and bore you will lots of other details. :)

These two are getting faster every stinkin' day! I will leave them in a room and come back only to find them having disappeared in two different directions. Although, come to think of it, they do seem to follow each other around a lot of the time.

The two pictures represent their most recent positions well. They are pulling up on everything and can get to a standing position fairly easily but still haven't mastered getting down. They'll pull up to the side of their cribs and then scream for me to come get them because they are trapped there unable to descend the great heights they have climbed. Neither of them are excellent at sitting yet, but both can now do a little side sit, like Crew is doing above, when they are crawling around. So they are getting there, baby steps...literally. ;)

Both boys are wonderful sleepers taking two naps (about two hours each) and sleeping 12 hours at night. What a difference from jut a few short months ago! We've dropped the "dream feed" at 10:00, and I am just nursing them in the mornings. They are eating three times a day and taking bottles with lunch and before bed.

They can both say MaMa and DaDa, and sometimes I think they actually know what they are saying!!...of course other times not so much.

If you get on the floor with them they love it and will crawl all over you like two little puppies, panting and flopping all over the place.

This month, thanks to the amazing carts at HEB with TWO seats up front (genius!) I was able to take both boys to the grocery store and actually getting a FULL load of groceries. One small step for most one giant step for this mommy!!!

And lastly, this month, Daddy decided to channel his inner stylist and buzzed the babies precious little heads...(dramatic pause)...while I was at Target. I came home with feelings I can only compare to Shelly Long's classic Troop Beverly Hills "HE PERMED ME" moment. So many questions so few answers.

What monthly post would be complete without the consistent sentiment of, where does the time go???? and how are my twinsies NINE MONTHS OLD? Sigh, such a sweet stage, wish I could bottle it up for a rainy day.

Baby Faces

2011-09-16T11:38:00.002-07:00

I was taking a picture of Coyt to document his first shiner - he had a run in with a step and needless to say the step won - but he decided to turn on the charm and show me all sorts of expressions.

These pictures really don't do his black eye any justice, it looks much worse in person. But, it has earned him some street cred with the other babies on the block...you know the cribs? (that's baby gangster talk). Oh someone stop me I'm cracking myself up!

Not to be out done Crew wanted to show you a few faces too.

Meet The Wildcats!

2011-09-16T10:55:00.000-07:00

Today I got to attend an AWESOME pep rally for "Meet the Wildcats" at the boy's school. It was so cute and the kids were all beyond excited!! Keep in mind most of them have never been to a pep rally. This was Woodway Christians' first one ever and the first appearance of the wildcat mascot.

Everyone came in to the sounds of High School Musical blaring catchy tunes about togetherness and wildcats and if that doesn't get you fired up then I just don't know what will. It's like this generations, Eye of the Tiger. Apparently something about large cats just says - it's game time!

They were each given a pom pom and immediately it was spirit central. (It was yellow day in Stacey's class)

Charley and Wyatt
Landrey
Ally
GP was on hand to help with the wonder twins. Thanks Dad!!

Honey did a great job getting everyone fired up and running the show. She started things off with a prayer for sportsmanship, in victory and defeat. I just love that prayer can be a part of everything they do at school.

The Volleyball team and Football team got to run through this banner. Pretty sure none of them weigh over 75 pounds, but they made it through just fine. ;)

While all the fans cheered them on. It's a little where's waldo, but if you look close you can find Stacey and Wyatt are in this picture.
THE Wildcat made his grand entrance and threw gum to all the cheering fans below.
Several of these precious teachers just happened to be former cheerleaders and led everyone in some cheers and chants. I was holding Coyt, who was temporarily a little freaked out by all the wildcat wonder, and sadly missed getting a shot of the pyramid - which included a perfect split and cartwheel by one of these superstars!! Just trust that it was fantastic (and something I couldn't do now or ever for that matter!).
WOODWAY!!!
WILDCATS!!!
What's a pep rally without a little spirit stick competition? Mrs. Dunlap's class was part of the winning group.
Just a little excited.
Go Wildcats!

Playdate Falshback

2011-09-08T08:17:00.000-07:00

This summer we got to have some extra special play dates.

The Junods were in Dallas ALL the way from Doha. And even though they don't get to see each other as often as we'd like these boys have known each other since birth and play together as if they were next door neighbors - and I have to tell you it just makes my heart happy to sit back and watch. It also makes me wish they were actually our next door neighbors! :)

Barrett, Wyatt, Stacey and Brooks

Georgia (the precious princess in the sea of boys) and the Cs getting in on the action. We are already looking forward to some extended time together with this crew next summer!! Who is ready for Basket Ball Camp?
These next few pictures were taken at a Burger King play date (yes I said Burger Kind, Waco folk, don't knock it 'til you've tried it) in June. We were in Waco for VBS and Shannon M. (another lifelong friend of mine) was in for the Starburst golf tournament. We met up with the locals, Katy and Lauren, and as always enjoyed every second of catching up.

Wrestling - it is the boy love language that knows no bounds.

Wyatt, Charley, Stacey & Justin
The whole gang
plus these two peanuts.

There is just something so special about seeing your kids enjoying spending time with your best friends' kids!

Hodge Podge Happenings

2011-09-07T12:45:00.000-07:00

Well my throngs of readers (basically immediate family ;)) have been commenting that this little bloggy blog needs some updating and I really have no excuses for my lack of posts as of late other than my lack of decent photography! And when you see these pics you might just assume I kept them to myself too. But, since the fans (ahem, grandparents) have spoken I must not disappoint my people!!

Here are the cousin twins, Ally and Wyatt, giving me a hand with the true twins. I must say we love all the extra help we have around the house.

What??

Nannie and Sarah didn't waste any time getting down here to see us (thank goodness!) and we rewarded them by showing off the local sights with a trip to the Richland Fashion Mall! :)
We also got a two back-to-school packages from Aunt Sarah - which the boys of course LOVED!!
Angry Birds Rule!
A shout out to our London Peeps!! I love my "Mummy" - HA! Shelley got these for the babes before they were born. Heaven knows their Mummy loves them to pieces.
Before you get too concerned about the size discrepancy between the twins in the following picture, that is actually Stacey III. :) When he discovered that he and the babies (or one baby as it was) had matching jammies, via cousin hand-me-downs, he couldn't wait to wear the "chicken" jammies together!!
A little trip to Barnes and Noble, I was feeling very daring letting them loose! Of course somehow SpongeBob ended up in the pic. instead of a beautiful picture book, that porous little yellow fella is always trying to squeeze his way into my world.
Speaking of yella fellas, we went to to our first Baylor game as local fans with the Sheps (loved seeing you guys!)! I felt a little like a traitor in my green and gold get up but the game was AWESOME and we are confident that our cheers helped give the Bears the extra umph they needed to win. Can't wait to go back.
And lastly a few pics of us last night enjoying the B-E-A-UTIFUL weather on a blanket with my babies.

So there you have it, a hodge podge post no doubt, but as you can see - life is good in our neck of the woods!!

First Day of School!!

2011-08-19T14:38:00.000-07:00

One of the best parts of moving back to Waco is Woodway Christian School. My Mom is the director and it is sort of a dream come true for my boys to get to go to her school!!!

Last Thursday was the first day. Wyatt started preschool and Stacey started KINDERGARTEN!!!

The preschoolers don't wear uniforms but K-8 do (the official shorts weren't in yet). I am already pro uniforms, it makes getting ready so much easier!
One proud papa.

These two were very excited and ready to go! I was so proud of how confident they were.

Posing with the principal, AKA Honey. I overheard Stacey III telling Wyatt he HAD to obey Honey at school because she is the Principal! Wyatt said, "Yeah she's the BOSS!" Love it!

I got a little teary watching my alpha baby walk off to Kindergarten...sigh.

Once we got there Stacey III got his serious school face on and was pretty done with pictures. but I snagged one of his class starting the day with his teacher Mrs. Sims.

III was off so now it was time for my social butterfly to head to his class.

His "All About Me" poster. He did write his name at the top but it is really light so it isn't showing up below.

Finding his name in the hall.

As if the school wasn't enough of a blessing Wyatt's little class is chalked full of friends and even family!! Ally, his cousin is in his class as well as some other precious friends whose mommies I just happen to love (Ann sorry you're not in this picture)!! I mean what an incredible blessing!

Wyatt with Mrs. Dunlap.

We are three days in and I think it is going to be a great year. I am so thankful for God's provision of this school and the opportunity to send my boys there.

Eight Months Old!!

2011-08-17T18:06:00.000-07:00

This month has brought lots of new developments. At the beginning of the month Coyt's first tooth made an appearance quickly followed by his second and about a week later Crew followed suit. Drooling, fussing and chewing on EVERYTHING in site came along with the four new friends. Coyt and Crew's hair has turned blond, much lighter than when they arrived in December. And just this week they officially went from scooters to crawlers. Watch out world the C's are on the move!!

Crew (check out the couture denim diaper, I know these have been out for awhile, but hilarious!! And he is workin' it!!)

Coyt (sweet thing has been a little sicky but still managed to give me some sweet smiles)
Last night in their cribs for awhile (because of the move). Coyt

Sleepyhead Crew

They are eating three meals a day and just discovered puffs and baby mum mums.
Don't let this picture fool you, while they've got the crawling down they still can't sit up!! The dismount from this position needs work - it's not pretty! Thank goodness for Honey and GP's cushy carpet.
And so it begins...

Couldn't help but include a few of this lizard baby. This is Coyt's new favorite expression? Cute huh?

My sweet precious baby C's it has been a crazy month but you have been delightful and continue to make my cup runneth over with absolute joy!!!

Warm Welcome

2011-08-09T07:37:00.000-07:00

The last two weeks were jammed packed with saying goodbye to friends and family (sorry I was terrible about taking pictures!) and packing, painting and polishing up our house to put it on the market.

We were going pretty nonstop and when Sat. rolled around I thought I was ready to rip of the bandaid and head out with a big smile on my face, but I couldn't help but shed a few tears as I pulled out of the driveway of our home sweet home. :(

Somewhere down 35 I was able to turn my frown upside down as I thanked God for his perfect provision and plans for our family!!

The Wood/Warren/Purdy tribe was waiting at Mom and Dad's to welcome our circus with open arms. That quickly softened the blow of leaving and might have made me cry a little too. ;) I've been a bit of an emotional roller coaster.

We had a "Welcome to Waco" banner full of some of Waco's finest.
Yes, that is David Koresh - HA!! George Bush was also featured along with Zumba, Woodway Christian (where the boys will go to school), CTIW (where Stacey is working), the suspension bridge, Family Center, Waco Water Park, Cameron Park Zoo, Mayborn Museum, Dr. Pepper and of course our family and friends, just to name a few.
We had a great dinner and celebratory cookie cake.
Wyatt enjoying his self portrait in icing. Looks just like him.
There were also some sweet treats waiting for us on our pillows. The boys beds had skittles! We could really get used to Chateau Woodfall!!
Mom and Dad, with LOTS of help from Angie and Kacey have worked so hard to get ready for our arrival. They cleaned out closets, had a garage sale, rearranged rooms and furniture and even installed a dog pen for Bob and Jack in the back yard. We are SO SO THANKFUL for their willingness to let us invade!!Hope Waco is ready for us because ready or not here we come!!

Cowboy's Life Is The Life For Me

2011-07-31T12:35:00.000-07:00

* This post is WAY out of order, and seriously delayed,

I wrote it several months ago but I wanted to wait until

I could include the video, and then it just slipped through

the cracks. Better late than never right? *

I couldn't help but take a little stroll down memory lane with my cutie pie cowboy...

2011
Last month at the Parkway Hills Little Britches Rodeo (or Radio as III kept calling it - hehe) Stacey III had his singing debut in a quartet of precious cowpokes!!

When I got the note home saying that he had ben selected for a solo I'm not going to lie, I was VERY surprised.

And just as an additional scene setter that particular week I was drowning a little bit in babies and a staph infection for Wyatt which required horrible tasting medicine three times a day and extra baths and bandage changes yadda yadda yadda. Oh yes, and Wyatt's birthday was the same day as the rodeo and now I was also supposed to make sure Mr. stage fright didn't freeze up on stage. I know boo hoo poor me, just saying, I was already feeling very "Calgon take me away"!!!

Now at home III is the next American Idol, but in front of a crowd he tends to be very shy. I always loved performing (I know no one is shocked that I have a flare for the dramatic) but Stacey (Daddy) on the other had will throw up just thinking about getting up in front of a crowd. And I think I had just sort of unknowingly assumed that performing wasn't going to be III's cup of tea either. However, I just love that Mrs. Jerry loves him enough to see that little spark of leadership and wanted to challenge him. I think sometimes I am too quick to categorize my kids instead of looking for ways they can stretch themselves and explore all the possibilities. I know I sound way to serious to be talking about this tiny little thing (especially when you see how unserious it was!) but, it was a good little Mommy life lesson for me.

We played the practice CD on a nonstop loop for several days and by the time the rodeo rolled around he was ready.
First there were the rodeo relays
Then the cowgirls and cowboys gathered around the campfire. And then it was time...OK buddy here goes!!!

I could not have been any prouder!!!! Stacey III you are a precious little cow-poke and super singer. Forgive me for underestimating your star potential. ;)

(please excuse a little technical difficulty with the microphone)

Sherrill Park Junior Golf Camp

2011-07-31T12:06:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago Stacey III got to go to golf camp courtesy of Big and Nannie. It was a week long camp from 8 to 12. Stacey was the littlest one of the 15 or so kids there and didn't know anyone going so I was just a little nervous for him. But there was no need for nerves, he did great and loved every minute of it!

When I pulled up to pick him up the first day, he was out on the putting green and I about exploded because he looked so darn cute out there in his little golf get up. Even though he was the youngest one he looked so grown up and I was so proud of how independent and confident he was.

I know I'm his mother so I am a bit biased, but stop it with the tiny golfer preciousness!!

Just a little clip for ESPN when he is on the tour ;).

WE ARE MOVING!!

2011-07-30T08:06:00.000-07:00

If you are reading this here instead of hearing it straight from me I apologize! Things have happened rather quickly, but Stacey accepted a job in Waco and we'll be heading there permanently on August 7th! And by permanently, I mean we'll be living with my parents until our house here sells and we're able to find one of our own.

As fun as it would have been to try and show our house with four boys and two dogs we thought it might be just a bit simpler if we got the heck out of dodge. So, we've been rushing around like chickens with our heads cut off trying to get this beauty ready to put on the market.

I've always thought I didn't want to be one of those people that waits to fix everything up until they are going to sell instead of enjoying it themselves, but reality often trumps such aspirational thoughts.

We are super excited about the job, and all that waits for us in Waco (my family, lifelong friends and all a smaller town has to offer!), but we are equally sad to be leaving everything we love here (our family, lifelong friends, all that big-D has to offer)!! Clearly it is bitter-sweet. Thankfully, we know that friends are friends forever if the Lord's the Lord of them and a friend will not say never cause the welcome never ends...What? sometimes the '90s Michael W. just says it best. ;) We are happy that we'll just be a couple of hours away and when we need a Dallas fix we can make it happen.

And while I am letting sappy songs do the talking I can't help but hum a little...if these old walls, If these old walls could speak, of things that they remember well, stories and faces dearly held, a couple in love living week to week, rooms full of laughter, if these walls could speak...I know a house is just a house and moths and rust will soon destroy and all that, but this particular house is where I brought home four precious babies and where we were reminded repeatedly that loves grows best in little houses, so it will always have a little piece of my heart.

And it could have a piece of yours too for the low price of just...JK. But seriously.

Seven Months Old!!

2011-07-30T07:26:00.000-07:00

Whoops, I am about 15 days late posting these seven month pictures, but rest assured they were taken on the actual month marker. :) Things have been just a little crazy around here, more on that in my next post.

These sweets are as happy as they've ever been and continue to melt me. We weighed in at seven months to make sure our teeny tiny babes were growing and they had both gained a little over a pound. Coyt was just barely on the chart, but we got a thumbs up to keep on keepin' on.

Crew 15 pounds 1 ounce

Coyt 14 pounds 11 ounces

These two pictures pretty much sum up month seven.

Lots of eating,
and even more playing. Coyt and Crew LOVE their toys, and scooch all over the place to get them.

The brotherly love still abounds. :)

The C's also got some extra special loving this month from Aunt Margaret (Stacey's great aunt). We loved having her in Texas for a few weeks!!
And Beth and Aunt Boochie (Stacey's Aunt and Cousin). I loved having all the extra arms.
The magic touch.

All the boys enjoyed meeting and playing with sweet Kira, their second cousin.

Pigs In a Blanket

2011-07-16T07:40:00.000-07:00

Six Years Old

2011-07-15T07:12:00.000-07:00

I know it's the same song second verse, but where does the time go???? Feels like just yesterday we were bringing our teeny tiny baby home from the hospital.

Stacey woke up and collected his trail of #6s and then perched himself in this spot until we were ready to open some presents!!

He kept saying, "I just can't believe I am six-years-old!" :) Precious thing."Wyatt" got him a Cars 2 (the 2 part is VERY important to these boys) Lego. We've got to work on Wyatt's gift giving skills, he is still a little rusty on the - not what you want what Stacey might want - concept. Thankfully, I think they both liked this one.
Coyt and Crew got him, some Phineus and Ferb figurines.
It was McDonald's flapjacks for breakfast, yes with Sprite - you only turn six once.
Then LOTS of playing with all his new toys, Wii games and swimming!
I asked III if he wanted to go anywhere or do anything for his special day, but he just wanted to stay home and play. Thank goodness, because Daddy had to work super late so it was just mommy and the boys all day. As much as I love taking the super twins and big brothers out on the town alone we operate a lot better four to one at home.

We ordered pizza for lunch per the birthday boys request. And we decorated a spectacular cake with, what else, the #6. It was a super simple birthday, but it was such a fun day with my boys.

Leftover pizza for dinner? Yes, please!Not gonna lie, Wyatt and my duet of Happy Birthday was a little weak.

Hope all your birthday wishes come true buddy!
Stacey Reese Smith III you are an absolute delight and it is such a gift to be your Mommy. This year you have grown so much in your independence. You have pushed back and tested your boundaries a lot and tested us as well!! You're often too cool for Mommy's kisses and have mastered the art of rolling your eyes. But when it is just us I KNOW you still love and need all our love and affection...even all my kisses!
You remain incredibly thoughtful and kind and for the most part you are a rule follower. You and Wyatt fight like cats and dogs, but you are ALWAYS thinking about him and you really are an AMAZING big brother. You adore Coyt and Crew and the feeling is mutual!! You are very helpful. I'm not sure how I would manage to entertain the C's without you! You shine when our whole family is together and as much as you love to go and do you also love days when we are home in our PJs all day long.
Your competitive drive has really risen to the surface this year. You are very serious about sports and games and DO NOT like to lose, but you are learning to have self control and be gracious when things don't go your way. You are pretty fearless and I'm amazed at how adventurous you are.

We call you the hummingbird because you LIVE for candy and dessert (yet you are a bag of bones)!

You are funny and smart and I know that you are going to thrive in Kindergarten. You often surprise me with your wit and I am amazed at how much information you soak up every single day!

I could go on and on but the bottom line is you are an AMAZING kid and we are so glad your ours. Happy Birthday, we agree with you, we just can't believe you're six-years-old!

Happy Birthday Hawaiian Falls Style

2011-07-14T14:50:00.000-07:00

Since last summer our little kahuna, Stacey III, has wanted a birthday party at Hawaiian Falls. It is a great little water park that has all the bells and whistles you'd expect, wave pool, lazy river , slides, kids area etc., without being so huge that you're walking all over the place and waiting in line all day. And is is very family friendly. Is the PR dept. hiring? because apparently I have developed a few talking points for them!

He really wanted his BFF Ryan there and since I wasn't sure I was up to being responsible for a lot of kids in the water we stuck to a cousin invite list this year.

I know you'll be blown away with this original idea, ;) but we went with a pirate theme.

The invitation:

Cupcakes:

I found the liners and pirate flags at Michael's, but wanted to add a little treasure too. I was picturing the little treasure chests you get from the dentist office when you lose a tooth, and after a little searching found these at Mardels.

Some decor for the land-lubbers:
Personal treasure chests full of loot (snacks) for the never-land crew:

How could you not include this themetastic treat:
Birthday Boy!

The birthday book:

This book is precious, just perfect for my six year old pirate and soccer loving boy.

Stacey wasn't tall enough to do all the rides but these two rode this one over and over.
They rated it TOTALLY AWESOME!
This was more the girls speed.

Remember those pictures of the cupcakes from the beginning of this post? Well, I'm glad I snapped a few before we left because by the time we were ready to sing Happy Birthday they had melted into a giant mess. It was only 100+ degrees, can't imagine how that happened.

Six years old. Sigh...

No one seemed to mind the missing "sand" too much.

Besides, the candy treasure was the best part.

I was trying to get a little group shot when the giant bucket dropped and drenched everyone, sadly I missed the money shot of the actual soaking.

My boys love it, but Lila was not a fan of the surprise attack!
Nothing Mommy couldn't fix.
Thankfully Aunt Angie was there to solve the sunscreen crisis of 2011. She is so patient.
Aunt Sarah and her SIX-year-old nephew.
We are certainly blessed with some amazing sisters/aunts. Don't know what I'd do without them.
Don't know what I'd do without this precious boy either!!
Party favors:
Beach towels, pirates for the boys and mermaids for the girls.
After we had filled up on water park fun we headed back to Nannie and Bigs to retrieve the C's (Debbie and Aunt Margaret watched Coyt, Crew and Caroline during the party - THANK YOU!!!) and opened a few gifts.
It was a great day and most importantly III loved it.

My forward thinking party planner clone is already plotting for next year, he's requested a paint your own pottery party - HA!! He has very diverse interests for six!

God Bless America!

2011-07-07T15:23:00.000-07:00

We spend almost every fourth of July at the lake with my family and it is a tradition that I LOVE LOVE LOVE!!! It's what we did when we were kids and I love watching my own kids enjoy lots of the same traditional activities.

We came in early on Thursday afternoon with Honey and GP and got to enjoy the calm lake before it got crazy. The C's got to enjoy their first boat ride. We were scrounging for some tiny flotation devices. Sorry Crew-Dog you got stuck in the girls beach league. Coyt is taunting you but his get up isn't exactly awesome either.
If they weren't already, after this month the bigs are officially lake lovers.
Crazy boat hair.
The lake house is full of quilts and I thought this one framed my precious little bits just perfectly.

Trying out some new teeny tiny flip flops.
I think he likes them.
One night while the grill was still hot from a delicious rib dinner we made s'mores.
Yum-O
The traditional Aqua Boom fireworks show over the water was scheduled for Monday night, but we all had to head out on the 4th so we were going to miss it. We checked the paper for other shows and decided to take the big kids on Sat. night to the fireworks show in Marble Falls.

Well, little did we know that it was a private show. So after finagling our way past the guard we rolled up, no makeup, fresh from the lake, kids already in PJ's thinking we were going to be sitting in a parking lot in our lawn chairs only to find ourselves in a full on country club par-tay, people dressed to the nines, white tables and chairs, live band, open bar etc. Needless to say we felt like we were just a tad bit conspicuous!!!! Oh my goodness we had some good laughs and thankfully it got dark fairly quickly.

Here's Angie and the ragamuffin gang.
A little DC never hurt anyone.
Wyatt getting his (water) guns up.
This little man is a M-E-S-S!!
Stacey and Ryan playing some water air hockey.
Coyt and Crew taking a dip in the baby pool.

They are such serious swimmers, I can't seem to capture a smile.
Kacey and Josh brought their projector and put on a movie night. So fun!! The kids watched Cars and then the after bedtime the grownups watched True Grit.
More fun on the Skibob, Airplane, Rocket, Spitfire - whatever you want to call it.
And of course lots of time out on the water.

On July 4th before everyone headed home we rinsed off all the lake water and got gussied up in our Red White and Blue best for a few family pictures. All the boys in our family (young and old) LOVE it when we do this - HA! ;) Thankfully they were willing to cooperate for a few pictures.

Our Cousin Crew of 8 under 8
Our cousin Miles and his girlfriend Amber had made it into town and were the designated photographers.

I sure do love these folks. :)

The Woods
The Warrens
The Smiths
It was a great Fourth of July weekend enjoying our family and celebrating our country and our freedom.

Basketball Camp 2011

2011-07-06T16:52:00.000-07:00

Last week we were back in Waco (yes we have spent most of June in Waco and at the lake!) for Baylor Biddie Ball Camp. It is a basketball camp for boys ages 4-7 so both Stacey and Wyatt got to go, as well as Ryan who is a veteran of the camp.

This particular week I was without a car so Angie and some other friends graciously took my boys back and forth, (THANK YOU!) but on Thursday the twins and I ventured out to observe just what these boys had been up to and and I have to say it was awesome! I would highly recommend it to anyone with a sports loving boy.

To say they were excited would be a huge understatement, everyday they were asking, "Is today the day we get to go to basketball camp?" Finally it was time!!
Wyatt and Charley. Charley is one of my BFF Lauren's little boys and Wyatt thinks he is the coolest! I love this picture because my Wy-Guy hasn't reached that stage where he is too cool to hug his buddy, and you can tell just how excited he is.
Coach Drew starting things off with some inspirational words and a few push ups.
A little running game to get things started. Stacey III takes his athletics very seriously. The facilities are fantastic and the boys got to enjoy them all.
Wyatt was in the youngest group and they were edible in their little basketball get up. The Baylor players (past and present) are the "coaches" of each group and Wyatt's coach was Mamado, who just happens to be 7 feet tall. He was enamored.
Dribbling, no problem (hilarious I'm telling you).
Relays
Ohhh blocked it, I think he might have an unfair size advantage. ;)

At the end of camp all the boys got a basketball and camp t-shirt - they were super excited!

Coach Drew was really great with these guys.
Wyatt & Mamado
This kid's got skilz!!
It was a great week and we can't wait for next year!
And in a few more years...
:)

We've got to get these kids back in the Red and Black Red Raider garb they are accustomed to quick!! But I have to give BU some serious props for a great camp. :)

Visitors from the UK!!

2011-07-06T14:15:00.000-07:00

Last month the Woodburys were back in the US of A from London for an extended visit. We LOVED having them around and the boys loved playing with their cousins. They've made the trek back overseas and we are missing them terribly. Thankfully it won't be too long (just a year) before they are back for good.

Shelley is great behind the camera so I was really lazy about taking pictures and have "borrowed" lots of hers for this post.

Nannie and all her grand babies.

Truey showing some love

Stacey's running dive

Sarah and Brylie

Uncle Geoff
These two are thick as thieves. Wyatt told Stacey III that he wanted to marry Brylie. So cute. We told him he had excellent taste, but explained that you can't marry your cousin. ;)
The last weekend before Shelley and the kids headed back (Geoff was already there) we went to lake LBJ with the whole family for the weekend.

Nannie and her Alpha grandson.
Big and Coyt
Crew Cutie
Sorry Coyt I think your hat is a little small - ha!
Twin talk

Time to hit the lake, sorry about the pink jacket Truett.

Slip and slide!

Going double duty for dinner
Ahhh, Sarah & Nannie soaking up some R&R
"Look Mom, No Hands!"

The mud spot is a favorite.
While we were at the lake we had a little photo shot with the kids. Always a challenge to get six under six to do anything, but I thought Shelley captured some keepers. These are a few of my favorites.

Sigh...missing you guys so much, can't wait for your next visit!!

Champions!!

2011-07-06T14:09:00.000-07:00

We were in Waco a few weeks ago for VBS and got to cheer on my nephew Ryan and the Tigers in the city championship. It was some intense stuff, but the Tigers prevailed and won the whole thing!! We loved getting to be there and seeing Ryan in his element.

GO TIGERS!!

The apple didn't fall to far from the tree here. ;)

Six Months Old!!

2011-06-20T10:38:00.000-07:00

This month with the C's has by far been our best yet. I think I say that every month, but I feel like the first five months (while wonderful in their own special way) were HARD! The best kind of hard imaginable, yes, but still hard. And while each day has its own challenges, it really feels like we are settling into a routine and just enjoying Coyt and Crew more than ever!

The biggest milestone this month has been SLEEP, oh sweet sleep we have missed you and are SO grateful to have you back on the nightly menu. Both boys started going a good six hour stretch from 10-4 and just this week have stretched that to 8-9 hours, sleeping from 10 to 6ish!!!

We've transitioned from the swaddle to self soothing and have started baby food too.

The boys had a good six month checkup this morning. They are both still pretty small frys. Crew was in the 5th percentile and Coyt was just below the chart so we've got to work on getting some more lbs. on him. But, both boys are strong and VERY active and therefore burning lots of calories. They roll with purpose these days and scooch all over the place. I hesitate to even type it, but they are showing signs of being dangerously close to crawling (heaven help us!).

Crew (AKA Crew Dog) 25 1/2 inches 13 pounds 13 ounces

Coyt (AKA Coyturoy) 25 1/4 inches 13 pounds 4 ounces

So they might be a little small but...

check out these muscles!

If I started every morning off doing planks like these guys I'd be little too :). I mean seriously this kid is working it, no wonder he needs some extra calories!
Vroom Vroom

I stole these pics taken earlier in the month from Shelley's blog, she is such a great photog! (post about the Woodbury's visit from London to come)

Getting some love from Uncle Geoff

Alliteration Observatons

2011-06-09T13:12:00.000-07:00

Shirtless Stories with Stacey

Laughing and Lovin' some LoviesBummed out in the Bumbo with my Brother
Fun times Fit for Four

Just cause

2011-06-08T13:04:00.000-07:00