Cory

I'm at a loss for words right now...forgive me. But found these pictures which made me smile. Matt and I went to Lubbock one weekend before Cory went to bootcamp. This was November of 2007. We had a lot of fun that weekend. We took the boys out for burgers, grilled steaks, and I made homemade mac & cheese for the boys. I also remember doing 5,687 loads of laundry for Shelby.
I love these boys so much.
xo

Uncle Cory's visit - 16 months

Hello everyone! It's been a busy few months around here...which explains for the lack of posting! We've had back-to-back company for several weeks...so I will have lots of fun pictures coming soon.

Cory drove home for leave from NC week before last and he stopped here for a few days! It was a fun visit. Declan had so much fun playing with Uncle Cory! We went to the Science and History Museum in Fort Worth one afternoon. I'm not sure who had more fun - Cory or Declan! Maybe it was a tie! Enjoy the pictures! :)

Isnt this gross? We got a good laugh out of this item in the gift shop.

We almost bought this treasure for Uncle Shelby. As you can see, Declan is suspicious.

It took me a while to figure out what this was. It's a construction site and you are supposed to build the walls with the black foam bricks you see scattered about. When I told Cory, he looked at Declan and said, "Looks like too much work to me." haha

It's safe to say Cory had way more fun with all the water toys outside. Here he was building a dam.

Declan loved this - you could press the buttons and it made big water bubbles in the tubes.

This was Declan's favorite. You put your hands on the little silver imprints and the ping pong balls would fly and the pin wheels would turn. :)

Declan sitting in a dino track

And my most favorite....Uncle Cory reading Declan one of his favorite books. :)

Declan has said Cory's name 3 times now...so sweet. Of course, Cory hasn't heard it once! But
Shelby heard it the other night...so I have at least 1 witness!

Love to all!
xo

15 Months!

15 Months has brought lots of fun and new tricks! :)
Declan repeated twice to me the other day, "I wuv you!" Of course he hasnt said it again since then, but still, very precious!! Here are a few other new words...
Good (he loves to say this appropriately - like while eating or drinking something!)
Dead (weird....but he repeated it while Dad was giving him a lesson on the circle of life. They were talking about leaves. Matt told him the leaf he was holding was Dead. And he said, "Dead!" lol)
Yum (also with food and drink!)
He finally started clapping yesterday....so cute. He will crawl around and stop and just start clapping out of no where. It's precious!!
He's also found Daisey's water bowl, which is so fun to splash and play in! Ahhhh!
We are headed to the dentist tomorrow - his first appointment. I am preparing myself for the worst but hoping for the best. He does not like for me to even brush his teeth, so I'm sure it's going to be a total nightmare!!I leave you with one of my most precious Daddy and Declan pictures. It was taken a few weeks ago when he didn't want to go to bed. So we pushed bedtime back a bit and Dad and Declan had some cuddles. So sweet!

Love to you all!!

14 Month Update

Please forgive me for neglecting the blog for the past month....my dear two followers, I'm so very sorry! :)
We've been busy around here! Declan has been using rolling as his main mean of transportation for a long time now...and he just decided about a month and 1/2 ago that he would like to crawl. This kid is exhausting! Everyone kept telling me to enjoy that he wasnt into everything...and they were right! My days are now spent picking up door stoppers (that is his very favorite thing to play with!) and saving Daisey. He loves to chase Daisey's tail, to open and slam shut the kitchen cabinets, and follow me around the house (that is precious!). He's pulling up on things but I still think walking is a few months away. He still wont bend his knees if we "help" him walk....and he loves to stand on his tippie toes.
He is such a big boy in so many ways now...I'm just blown away. When people ask how old he is and I say "14 months", I'm always shocked when I say it. Where on earth did the time go? He is so precious and such a joy. I'm still loving being at home with him. Matt admitted to me recently that he surprised that I havent gone crazy yet. But it really just gets better and better! The first few months were the hardest to adjust to - now I cant imagine being away from him. I love a rare break from time to time, just like any other Mom, but overall, I really love being at home with him. I'm so lucky to have such a wonderful husband who works so very hard so I can do this. I'm forever grateful to him for this life of ours!! I went and looked at a few daycare centers in January to see if I could part with him 1 or 2 days a week and it was heartbreaking! I told Bev (one of my two dear followers) that it would be like the "hard knox life." I really meant it jokingly..I know he would adjust. But, those kids didn't have pacifiers...or bottles...they were tough. I'm afraid I have spoiled Declan rotten. I still think the interaction would be great for him though. I might revisit the subject in a couple months. I just don't have the heart right now!This is what we do while Mom is taking a shower and getting ready! :)

Declan's favorite word is still "Yeah" and I swear I heard him say "Daisey" last night. He also says, Mama (not very often!) and Dada. I asked him a few weeks ago if I could brush his teeth and he told me "no." He hates to have his teeth brushed...poor kid. So now I just brush...no asking!
Tonight I put his veggies on his tray and he started sorting them....putting the pea's in the cup holder (he hates pea's) and the corn in another pile (he loves corn!)...it was hilarious. I can usually point and laugh at things he does and blame it on Matt but I'm afraid this OCD quirk might be all mine....

Lots of love to you all!
xoxo

Creamy Jalapeno Dip

We've been stuck in the house for 6 days now....and I think I'm finally getting out today. I have a serious case of cabin fever! I finally pulled my sewing machine out yesterday and made something cute....maybe my next blog post?

This dip has been a huge hit...both at Christmas and Declan's birthday party. It would be perfect for a Super Bowl party! Enjoy!

Creamy Jalapeno Dip

1/3 cup pickled jalapenos
Juice from pickled jalapenos, to taste
1 packet buttermilk ranch dressing mix (make sure to get the buttermilk packet - not regular Ranch!)
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 cup of mayonnaise (regular - not reduced fat)
1/2 bunch of cilantro, stems removed, chopped (I personally didn't like it with this much of cilantro - I used about 1/4 bunch)

Place jalapenos in the blender and puree until very fine, using juice as needed. Mix the dressing mix, buttermilk, mayonnaise and cilantro in a separate bowl; add to pureed jalapenos. Mix in blender. The dip is best if you refrigerate it overnight. Serve with chips or fresh vegetables, or use as a salad dressing.

Makes about 1 1/2 cups. (I usually double the receipe for big crowds!)

Wishing everyone a warm and safe weekend!

Declan's 1st Birthday Party - Dallas

A fun video Andrea (Thank you!!!) took of Declan and his cupcake! :)

Christmas - Grammy Tammy and Bob Pop's

Kisses anyone??

Declan and Papaw

I have a feeling my Uncle Scott bought the singing reindeer for Declan because it's slightly annoying....but, he loves it. It was one of his most favorite presents and actually kept him really happy. :)

Christmas - Dad and Nancy's house

The present of 2010? Head massaging wire contraption. Who knew. But seriously....get yourself one! It tickles but feels so good (picture above is proof!)....very addicting!

Merry Christmas from Bruce!

Checking out his new toys!

OG and Declan calling his Toy Story buddies

Aunt Jean's famous Cinnamon rolls....mmmm

Aunt Jean's jingle bracelet. He loved it so much that she ended up giving it to him. And he still plays with it. :)

Also, please note the "Grinch" sweatshirt from Aunt Mary.....I have a feeling she knew it would be perfect to wear on Christmas day...wouldnt you feel a little Grinch-y if your birthday was Christmas??

Declan and his pony from Pat. He may not look excited to you, but that's just the look of an experienced pony rider. :)

Declan's 1st Birthday Party

We had Declan's first birthday party at Grammy Tammy and Bob Pop's house while we were home for the holidays. It was small - just family. It was important to me to have his birthday party on his real birthday (Which also happens to be Christmas. Poor child!). As Matt said, he doesn't even have a clue it's his birthday....but for whatever reason it was important to me. We had a cute cake made from Mama Tucker's. It was really simple but sweet. Unfortunately, Declan had an ear infection (which we didn't find out until the next day!), so he wasn't as excited as the rest of us. :(
His happiest moment was when we all sang Happy Birthday to him.
Uncle Cory trying to get Declan interested in his cake...Cute Camo outfit (with hat!!) from Uncle Cory! :)

Declan's very best buddie...Amber. :) What a sweetie....even as unhappy as Declan was, all she wanted to do was cuddle and sing to him. She wins the best babysitter award! He loved hanging out with you!Bev made this adorable quilt for Declan. It is too cute and 100% boy fun! It is currently in Declan's play room (which used to be our library...ha).

And a big shout out to Ashlyn...for taking all of these pictures! Thank you! :)

Welcome!

Hello family and friends!
It has been a goal of mine for a while now (ummm 13 months to be exact!) to start a blog! And I'm finally sitting down and making myself do it! I'm hoping it will be easier than sending out mass emails with pictures. I could never attach more than 3 pictures on an email at one time too...and let's be honest, I have more than just 3 every month! :) I'm also hoping to post other fun things occasionally (recipes, projects, etc).
Hope you all have fun keeping up with our adventures!
Love,
Megan