Halloween!!! 🐵🎃🐵

The LPs were 🐵monkeys🐵 for Halloween 2015!!! They had a great time!!! Brent and Aubrey came over and we hung out for a while before getting the boys dressed in their monkey costumes. 

We left candy for trick or treaters on our front porch and then off we went around the neighborhood. Everyone loved seeing the boys all dressed up and the LPs loved pushing all the doorbells :)

Lots of candy was collected and I know a certain someone who is excited about it.... Nick!

After we got the boys in bed - no, they didn't get any candy- Brent, Aubs, Nick and I played a few games before B and A had to head home to their pups. 

It was a fun holiday and we are looking forward to spending lots of time with family this holiday season!

Fun with daddy

Saturday, I had classes at work all day so daddy got to spend the day with the LPs!!!!

Thankfully he kept these pictures coming which made my day!!!

Sunday, we let daddy sleep in a little and got up and nursed and played. When daddy woke up, I went down and whipped up breakfast. We had scrambled eggs, an omlet for daddy, cinnamon rolls, and a smoothie!!!  We then took the LPs outside for some fresh air and then they went down for a nap. 

Rachael came over and watched the boys for us so we could have a date day. We headed to Northeast mall, did a little shopping, went to Bar Louie for lunch and then saw Sicaria at the movie theater. It was pretty good - not what I was expecting it to be. 

When we got home, we were full of snuggles with the LPs!!! They loved daddy reading to them 

The weekends are always so quick! Here's to another week!

Birthday weekend

This past weekend was Tutu's birthday! Happy birthday, Tutu!!!

We started the day with our tradition if donuts and kolaches. It was exactly a month since the boys had their first birthday donut!

After playing, the boys napped and we got ready. Soon we were headed out the door for the pumpkin patch!!

As you can see, we all had so much fun at the pumpkin patch. The LPs were mesmerized by all the pumpkins and I know next year we probably won't be able to get a picture, they'll be running around so much!

We then headed to Sourhlake Town Center and tutu and papa treated the boys to their very first pair of real shoes from Stride Ride. 

At the store, there was a little boy named Miles, who was a little older than the LPs. He had a Thomas the Train with him and Knox was obsessed with him. Sweet Knox toddled over to him and clobbered him in a gigantic hug. Miles was very confused but luckily Miles's mom was very understanding. Did I mention that Knox has a horrible runny nose right now (he's teething terribly) and I was so petrified of being "that mom". Oh well it is what it is and we have sweet kiddos so that's the way it goes I suppose. 

After our shoe adventure, we headed to Mi Cocina. Tutu wanted a top shelf margarita and mommy wanted a marg too! The boys did great as usual and played with their toys while we waited for lunch. Their fascination and love of puffs is coming to an end I'm afraid :/. They sure love milk though!

Sharing Tutu's birthday dessert!

After lunch we did a little shopping, had some fro-yo and headed back to the casa. The boys missed their afternoon nap (they had a cat nap in their stroller - well Knox did anyway) and were tired with a capital T!!!

We made it home and P fell asleep in the car. Daddy got some cuddle time while the rest of us played with Knox. 

Soon it was bed time for the boys. Dinner was had and prayers were said. It was night night for the boys while the adults decided to keep the party going!

Papa headed to bed and we watched Pitch Perfect 2. It was a fabulous ending to a fabulous day. 

Happy birthday Tutu. We love you deeper than the ocean and higher than the sky. 

San Antonio!

This past weekend we loaded up Friday and drove down to San Antonio to visit Tutu and Papa. The trip down went pretty well. We were stuck in some heavy traffic trying to get onto 35 but once we got past that, we did pretty well with timing. 

When we arrived, we played with the boys for a while and Tutu and Papa fed them their very late dinner!

Getting spoiled

Saturday morning we got up with the boys, played and fed them breakfast. Not too long after, I left the fam bam and headed to the salon to let Abby work her magic on my mane. She did a fabulous job and I am once again blonde! Woohoo!!!! 

When I got home from the salon, we had a few visitors. Beth was at the house along with Mitch, Sue and Kristin. It was so good to see everyone and I am so glad they got to see the LPs!

Beth and Knox with P in the back

Nick and I drove to Austin to celebrate Matt and Michelle's son, Caden's first birthday. It was a Texas Tech themed party and we were dressed the part. 

Our sweet family

We left the LPs with Tutu and Papa. There were more visitors for the LPs while we were gone. 

Spoiled with cake!

Caden's birthday was a huge success and it was nice to visit with friends. Thank you Tutu and Papa for watching the LPs!

Matt, Michelle and Caden

Me and Michelle

Sunday morning, we had a nice breakfast and spent some time visiting before packing everything up and heading back to Grapevine. It was a decent ride. The boys slept from about 10-12 and after that, I spent about an hour between their car seats feeding them and playing with them. All in all, they did really well. We didn't stop and made it home just in time to play and attempt to take a nap. They slept all of 20 minutes before it was time to get them up and play with them so they would sleep Sunday night. 

We had a blast and we are getting this road trip to San Antonio down!!!

Birthday party!!!

The LPs first FIESTA was everything I planned for and more!!!! 

Our family from California flew in, G2 flew in, Tutu and Papa drove up, and Beth and KK flew and drove up too!!! Not to mention all of our in town friends who helped us celebrate! 

At Brios on the LPs actual bday!

Katie came and took some incredible pictures that I just got back. I'm still trying to figure out how to get them on here. She set up an awesome photo booth and the LPs did great setting their pictures taken with all of their guests. There were about 50 adults and about 15 kiddos who celebrated our sweet boys!

The fam bam!

The morning started with a pretty healthy breakfast for the boys (they got donuts on their actual birthday!) followed by play time with Papa and nap time. Meanwhile, the fam bam, Beth, KK and Tutu and myself got things ready for the PAR-TAY! Between picking up the cakes, getting their signs delivered, the food being delivered, picking up the chick fil a for the kiddies and getting ourselves ready, we were busy bees! I definitely could not have done it without my tribe!!! Thank you everyone!!!!

Knox on his birthday with his donut

Pierce on his birthday with his donut

When the boys got up from their nap, we changed them into their party gear. I must say, they looked pretty darn cute!!!! And very festive! 

The FIESTA table

Shortly there after, their guests began to arrive! The LPs were so cute. They wanted to run around and play with all the kids. They got their first true taste of chick fil a nuggets and fruit for lunch. 

"Chick fil a mommy!!!!"

"Yummy!"

After they ate lunch, they played some more and then it was time for the cake smash! They were hysterical. Knox dove right in. He pretty much demolished his entire cake. He pulled it down onto himself and he had a grand ole time putting his frosting covered fingers in his mouth and divulging into the creamy goodness. Pierce on the other hand was a bit more timid. He tentatively dove in after watching Knox. When he figured out what it was all about, he was absolutely precious. He bent his head down and gingerly licked the frosting straight off the cake. When he did this, he also got yellow frosting on his long eyelashes. Katie captured this moment and I am so grateful! 

Smash cake time!

As with any child on their first birthday, the LPs were covered in frosting from head to toe. I had run to our bathroom to get their water running for their bath. When I turned around, Tutu and Beth were carrying the boys into the bathroom ..... In trash bags!!!!! It was hysterical. Both boys were so bewildered as to what was going on! 

Beth ended up bathing them with me in the tub after P-man slipped a little and got scared. We gave them a good scrubbing, changed them into onesies and put them down for their second nap. Those sweet boys were beat!

While the LPs napped, people began to filter out while a second set of friends were able to stop by. The bigger kids took some swings at the piñata that was outside and had a great time collecting all the candy to take home. 

When the boys woke up, we unwrapped presents. The LPs loved the pulling out of tissue paper and thoroughly enjoyed ripping wrapping paper. They were totally into it and I have a feeling Christmas is going to be so much fun this year!

After presents were unwrapped and the last of the guests filtered out, the dream team got to work helping me get the house cleaned up. After the boys had supper and went to bed, we did some well deserved vegging while sipping wine and watching football. 

It was a busy and perfect day. The boys had a blast and I think all of our friends and family did too. Thank you to everyone near and far for coming and celebrating the two greatest gifts Nick and I have ever received. We love and appreciate each and every one of you. 

Happy birthday Little Presidents!!!

And then they were ONE!!! Where has this year gone? At times it felt like time was standing still - pumping/feeding every 2-3 hours, changing diapers every 2-3 hours, the less than restful nights.... For the most part, those days are behind us and now we have two gorgeous, thriving one year olds!!!!! 

This year has been nothing short of rewarding. We have watched our little 4 pound babies grow into active, loving, playful 18 pound toddlers. They are so much fun and we love each moment we get to spend with them. Even the poopy diaper and crying moments :) 

Pierce, you are walking peanut!!!!! You look too small to possibly be toddling around but you are! Mommy calls your walking the zombie walk. You put your hands out in front of you for balance and you wobble a little but you get where you want to go and FAST!!!You love to eat and still shovel your food into your mouth all at once. We have to give you a few pieces at a time or you try to cram it all in at once. You love anything with cheese just like your daddy. You love to climb the stairs in the playroom and you sit in the second step because it makes it easy for you to stand up. You kill us with your facial expressions and your one tooth grin. You are quite a flirt and will smile at anyone who gives you the slightest glance. You hate having your diaper changed but calm down when we give you your bottle of lavender to hold. You love your walker and plow into anything that may be in the way. You still have your piercing scream but it usually only comes out with diaper changes or when you're really tired. You are a pretty good little napper. You take short naps but as soon as we put you down, you usually fall right to sleep. You say "mama", "dada" and "nana" and you love to shake your head "no". You're pretty good with a sippy cup and you're still a good little nurser. You're so busy these days that mommy loves her cuddle moments with you although they are few and far between. You're go go go all day long!!!!

1 year STATS for Pierce Alexander Job

Weight: 18# 8.5 oz.    (8.9%)

Height: 28 in.              (1.6%)

Head: 47 cm.              (73.69%)

 

FIERCE PIERCE

Knox, you're a little reserved and haven't quite wanted to let go of whomevers hand you are holding in order to walk. You are getting there though! You've taken a few steps on your own :) you still love the two stairs in the game room and will climb them all day long. We've tried repeatedly to show you how to come down yet you still like to come down face first! It's a little scary for mommy and daddy. You are a great eater and I hope and pray it stays that way. There are very few things you don't like and you're great at picking up one piece at a time. You now have 3 teeth (two on the bottom and one on top)  with one that's about to pop out any second. You've been drooling like crazy and your finger has constantly been jammed in your mouth lately. You love flipping the pages of your books and you love to bounce. You pull up on everything and will bounce away to any song or beat or just because! You love your paci and when you wake up in the morning, we listen to you coo and hit your paci against the side of the crib. You like to have one in your mouth and one in each hand. It's quite comical! You aren't a huge fan of diaper changes and like to turn over onto your belly and then sit up on the changing table. You are a decent napper but take a little while to go down. You like to stand in your crib, scaling it, paci in hand before bouncing and then finally lying down to rest. You say "mama", "dada", "eh?", and "nana". You're a super cuddler and will wrap your arms and legs around us and cling to us like a koala bear. 

1 year STATS for Knox Collier Job

Weight: 18# 10.5 oz.  (9.93%)

Height: 29 in.              (14.36%)

Head: 46.5 cm.          (59.69%)

KNOXER BOXER

You two are our biggest blessings and our biggest joy in life. Before we conceived you, we were losing hope that we would ever be parents. Thankfully,  God had other things in mind. We thank Him EVERYDAY for bringing you into our lives and entrusting us with two beautiful souls. We hope and pray that you grow up loving and knowing Our Savior and that you are happy and healthy. We will do anything in our power to make your dreams come true. This has been the best year of our lives and we look forward to what's to come. Happy first birthday to our sweet little presidents. 

Weekend with Tutu!

I worked Tuesday and Thursday last week so the LPs were with our amazing nanny, Lena. 

Wednesday we went and toured another Mother's Day Out at First Baptist Church in Colleyville.  Their program is known as the Sonshine Academy and they allow you to bring the kiddos one day per week. This is perfect for us so that I have one day during the week to run errands, clean the house and just get things done! Plus the LPs get to learn about our Heavenly Father and play with other kiddos! It's truly an answer to prayer. 

Thursday evening, my mom drove into town. I had gotten off work a little early and was able to stop at a little Mexican store, Mariposa, that I really wanted to check out. I was able to get some things for the birthday party that I think are going to make it look amazing! 

Nick kept the boys up so that we could play a little before putting them to bed. They were so excited to see Tutu and they were showing off their new skill... Walking!

Mom had him in a fit of giggles!

After we put the LPs down, we enjoyed an incredible bottle if wine:

Mom and I put the whole bottle back with no problem. And even better, no hangover! It was that good. 

Nick went to visit with his Uncle Aaron so mom and I made a little game plan for the weekend and just enjoyed each other's company. 

Friday morning we got up with the boys and Nick headed into work. Melanie, our designer, came over and staged our house for the party. It turned out really awesome. She also found us a rug that we love!!

After the LPs first nap, mom and I packed the boys up and we ran errands. 

We went to TJ Maxx and got some things for the spare bathroom and Tutu bought the boys their Halloween costumes! They are going to be monkeys!!! She bought their Halloween costumes last year too and would like to continue to do so. I love it!!!

After TJ Maxx, we stopped by Kohl's. We carried the boys in and they rode in their first cart!

Pierce HATED it!

Knox didn't mind :)

We then drove to Southlake Town Center and had lunch/dinner at Mi Cocina. The boys devoured their quesadilla and got a bottle of regular milk. 

This sweet couple stopped to talk to us. They have a set of 18 year old twins!!! Lewis and his wife:

We then walked over to the Impeccable Pig and did a little shopping. The LPs had missed their afternoon nap and they were passed out as soon as we got in the car. 

When we got home, we unloaded and let them sleep a little. They both woke up a short time later and we played until bedtime. 

After we put the LPs to bed, mom watched the boys so we could go visit with Landon and Lauryn. They had sweet Everly Belle on September 10 by c/s. She's beautiful and L2 are naturals at the parenting thing. 

Nick and EB

Sweet nugget. She weighed in at 9#5!

After visiting with the Parhams and Meyers, we headed home and hung out with Tutu before calling it a night and heading to bed. 

Saturday we got up with the LPs and did our thing. We played and they ate and then nap time ensued. During their nap, we all got ready and when the boys woke up, we got them ready and headed to get their first haircut!!!

We went to Cool Cuts for Kids and Sarah cut their hair. They got to sit in a cool car and "drive" it while Ms. Sarah worked her magic. They boys did pretty well in my opinion. They sat pretty still while Ms. Sarah had the scissors but as soon as the clippers came out, the tears came streaming down their faces and they wanted out!

After their haircuts, we stopped and picked up lunch and then we headed home and Tutu took over. She was up to the task of watching the boys so we could run errands and Nick and I cannot thank her enough!!!  Thank you Tutu!

First stop was to get my car inspected. It was due for an inspection in June. It's September....  I was also in need of an oil change so boom! Done!

Next stop was Home Goods in Irving in search of this bar stool:

Unfortunately, we were only able to find one but at least we now have two. We are going to continue our search. Hopefully we will find a third. 

Target was next door so we hit that up too. We got diapers and wipes for the LPs along with some snacks they like and some planters for the backyard. 

After Target, we headed to Lowes. We spent FOREVER at Lowe's. At least it felt that way to me. Anyway, Nick picked up some things he needed and then we spent more time picking out flowers for the house. It all looks so nice but man alive we were there for a while. 

Mom told us she was good with getting the boys down for the night so we had date night! We went to Bonefish Grill and it was delicious. We enjoyed a drink at the bar and then dined Al fresco. I had scallops and shrimp and it was amaze balls!!! Nick had a filet that was pretty tasty too. 

After supper we headed home to unload all of our goodies. Boy was my car packed to the brim! Tutu helped us and we hung out watching tv and chatting until it was time to hit the hay. 

Sunday we slept in until almost 8 and got up with the boys. When they went down for their nap, mom and I got our clean on. We needed to get the house in order for the boys FIESTA next weekend! Nick worked on the yard and washed the windows. The outside looks so good and the inside is so fresh and so clean clean!

Mom and I played with the boys and before we knew it, it was time for for tutu to head back to SA. It felt pretty good to say " see you in 3 days!" 

Nick and I spent the rest of the day working around the house and playing with the LPs. It was a great weekend and next weekend - it will be epic I'm sure!