3 Reasons I Love Christmas...

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Watch Out Beckham!

Grady has been going to soccer since the day Chase was born, so I guess it shouldn't come as a surprise that as soon as Chase could walk he would be ready to tear up the soccer field!! Everyone was amazed at how this little guy could dribble with the best of 'em!

When It's Cold Outside....

...you swim inside!!! I took the boys to the Westerville Community Center this past Wednesday night for open swim, and it was wonderful!!! I was a little nervous about taking both in the water alone (Nick was out of town for work), but when I heard it was a zero-depth pool, I knew it'd be just fine. I'm glad we went, because Grady & Chase were absolutely thrilled to be in the pool when it was 20 degrees outside, and there was a lazy river we sailed through with a baby in each arm...it was fantastic. I snapped this picture because I thought it was so funny to see Grady all bundled next to the pool...Needless to say, we all slept like logs that night!

Happy 3rd Birthday Ella-girl!

Can't believe these 2 little bugs are such BIG kids now..............Ella & Grady in 2008!

Ella at her 3rd Birthday party!!!! They grow so fast!!!!

Grady chowing on his fav...pizza. They were at Magic Mountain, and Grady LOVED the big indoor play area!

Build A Bear Trip!

When Grady was a baby we took him to the Build-A-Bear Workshop to create a new friend...he picked a gray cat (like our real gray cat). So this Christmas we decided to take Chase to do the very same thing! He picked a furry brown bear, and we knew it was the one when he looked at it & immediately bit the bear's nose...it was love!


Grady managed to swindle his way into getting a fuzzy friend too...and OF COURSE he picked a panda...whom he named "Panda". Duh.

Grady pushing the pedal to the fluff machine, filling up his panda!

Grady picking out hearts for his & Chase's friends...

Chase patiently waiting for his bear to be completed! P.S. more people stop me to admire this little guy's hat! Best Target purchase ever!

Grady "washing" the animals before we take them home!

Meet Prince Zavier!

Meet Zavier James Hicks! Z is one of my best friends, Lacrisha's, new baby boy...According to Crisha, I get to be his aunt, and I am thrilled for the honor! I got him the little outfit he is wearing in this picture for his very 1st Thanksgiving, and I'm so happy for their family. Lacrisha continues to be someone I VERY much admire as a friend & woman...she is strong & independent, and I know she will be an excellent & caring mother for this little guy.

Indian Summer (for a least one night!)

We had a really nice evening weather-wise, and I had alot of bread that I've been saving to feed the squirels, but since it was so nice, we went down to Creekside to take the ducks a little snack...Grady was H-A-P-P-Y!!!

Nick is such a GREAT daddy...I'm so thankful for him & how great he is with the boys.

The ducks started to get too close, so who better to "chase" them away!

Me and my peanut!! LOVE 'EM!

BIG Boy Bed!!!

We FINALLY transitioned Grady into a big boy bed, and he loves it!!!! I think he really feels grown up, and is starting to realize he is his own person...the other day he told me he was "a good big brother", so he apparently has no self esteem issues :) The first 2 nights in the bed have been successful, and he didn't get out of bed once! So far so good!

My Best Work

Big Brother

Since Grady was with me to get Chase's 1 year pictures, I asked the photographer to snap a few of Grady...he is a picture pro!

Happy 1st Birthday Chase!

I can't believe Chase is 1! This year has absolutely flown by, and every day I fall in love with this baby boy even more....I can't imagine our family without him, and his smile is infectious. I am not lost on what it means to have a family, and I am truly thankful for the chance to be Grady & Chase's mom...here are Chase's 1 year pictures...

Circle S Farms!

We haven't visited Circle S Farms since Grady was 6 months old, so it was great to return! We went with the Hauser's, and had a great time on the hayride, picking pumpkins, eating donuts & cider, visiting with the goats & taking pictures!

Moo

We went to our neighbor, Parker's, 3rd Birthday Party this past Saturday, and the boys were adorable in their cow costumes! Grady picked out his own costume, but I wasn't sure he would actually want to wear it when the day came...but he did! And he was excited to do it! I actually already had the cow costume for Chase (thanks Gram!), so they were a perfect duo! It was a gorgeous day for an outdoor birthday party!

My Boys

Nick reading Grady's favorite book right now, "Thomas". Chase has really just started to sit & enjoy a book, so it's sweet to see them all together...

Chase Is 11 Months!

Cruising, "talking", kissing, playing...11 months is a WONDERFUL age!! Love this sweet baby boy!

Grady Says His Prayers...

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Our grocery shopping trip turned into a field trip! There was a fire truck at Kroger yesterday & Grady was amped! He got to touch the truck & even said "hi" to the firemen inside! This got me through Kroger easy-breezey, seeing how this put Grady's mood from good to GREAT! Notice the sunglasses too...his fashion STAPLE all day...he even tried to nap with them :)

I'm the only who cares, but....

Chase has learned how to clap, and I just think it's so cute! Mainly because he gets so proud of himself when he does it...

More Zoo Pics!

The bear playing with his toy (which looked like a plastic dog toy)

Playing bears...it was a great day to watch the bears! They were wide awake!

the polar bear doing his spins!

I swear the bear kept looking for Grady b/c of his bright orange shirt

Grady "observing" the goat eating...

Grady's favorite animal...the panda (notice his stuffed panda in hand)

Daddy & Chase on the merry-go-round (that's almost 100 years old!) . Nick got to join us after work, so it was great to have some help!

"Mom Mom" & boys w/the tigers (who are ALWAYS sleeping!)