two kids, one tub

…and these were the other ones I loved so dear.

Morning time is the best.  Everyone is happy and toys are shared.

Cousin love.

Ignore my reaching fingers and focus instead on these beautiful babes getting clean.  

Declyn was confused and I don't blame him.  He had literally just taken a bath, got dried off and dressed when Parker decided to get in, so of course I undressed him and put him back in the tub to enjoy some cousin bath time.

Helping Miss Parker wash her hair.

candid is the best

My sister-in-law, Jamie, was sweet enough to take some pictures of us during their visit.  These are just a few of my faves.

We spent the afternoon downtown walking around, eating out of food trucks and going into museums. 

Family photo.  These bad boys are hard to come by.

Trying to get him to laugh with a little tickle.

I was struggling to get those thighs around my head, and he thought it was hilarious.

Finally I got them wrapped around my head.

And we were off!

tree hugger

While waiting for Mike to get his hair cut, we decided to spend some time outside.  It was neat watching him feel this tree for the first time.  You forget how everything is new, and how many firsts he truly has.

Polo is found here.

Pants :: Babies R Us

Shoes :: Adias

Taco's at my parent's house turned into this. And this time James wasn't the one putting the hat on him…

it was this guy… one too many margs later.

our nation's capital

This little boy loves his dad.  And the feeling is mutual.

Despite the sun in their eyes, these two were loving their time downtown.

Taking a break  from watching the ice skaters show off their moves.

Oh hello my beautiful niece.

ha. Just now noticed Fenway's backend in the background.  Classic photo bomb. 

Trying on some hats while out shopping -- can you tell they loved them?

My love loving the sunshine. 

Jacket :: Carters

Top :: Mini Boden

Pants are here.

Shoes :: Adias. 

laid back

We have a mini-James on our hands -- snuggling with his bunny while he sleeps.

Now that we have an official playroom, that interferes with where the dogs usually hang, this has become the dogs lives.  He just goes from one to the other.  Cali has learned in order to get him off all it takes is furiously licking his face.

Fenway likes to take a quick nap while Cali is getting climbed over.

Our half-human dog loves to look out the window and watch the rain fall.

you can call me queen bee

We had some time to kill before meeting up with my mom, Nanny, Brent & James so a certain someone put on a show for me-- a different face for every click of the camera.

I told James to look through the donut and smile … this is what I got.

James : Look at me, I'm queen!

Me: James, you're actually a king, but one day if you want to be queen it'd be OK with that.

James : silence.

I love telling jokes that just go over his head.  I know one day he'll appreciate them.

This is what happens when you're forced to go shopping with the ladies.

old town

Today's playgroup took us to Old Town to see a puppet-show type entertainment for the kiddos.  Afterwards we walked around, and Kristen (who's son calls his grandpa Pops as well) spotted this ice cream store.  We couldn't resist taking a quick pic outside of it to send to the grandpas.

We met Mike for dinner and while we were waiting for food he decided to have Declyn try out an adult chair.  Needless to say it was short lived.

Striking a pose in front of the beautiful water.  The day was absolutely gorgeous.

 Similar jacket here.

Shoes :: Adidas. 

Just some mamas and their babes.

A quick group photo after the entertainment. 

from riches to rags

We were on our way out and the second stepped back after putting on his shoes, I had a 'holy crap' moment.  I was looking into the face of a little boy -- where did my baby go??

"Enough, Mom!  I'm trying to get my eat on."

The calm after the storm.  He was even relaxed in the bathtub, not swimming around like he usually does.  I can only assumed his belly was stuffed to its max.

I know he has a goofy look on his face, but that's because we were mid-convo.  I absolutely love when he looks at me, locks eyes, and starts babbling, as if I know what he's saying.

my hubs is a genius

I forgot to show off my beautiful flowers for my V.day post, so here they are!  The card that went with it is currently framed on my nightstand -- it's about two lines of the most beautiful words B has ever spoken.  Love, love, love him.

(Ignoring my messy home), Mike came up with a brilliant idea for keeping Declyn in his play area (until the carpet comes for the basement -- aka his new playroom).  Whenever we need him to stay in an isolated area, we push the sofa over and turn the chair so that he can't get out.  

We had already blocked off the entryway into the kitchen with some of his larger toys, but this was the icing on the cake. So simple, yet so sufficient. 

slam dunk

The beauty in this pic is that Mike and I got Declyn this basketball hoop almost two years ago for James.  It's coming full circle now that our son gets to play with it.

Food at CC and Pops is always better, especially when it's mashed potatoes. 

Caught creeping.

Sisterly love.  They will lay anywhere that has the sun shining, but this window seems to be a favorite.

staying in the lines

After church we went out for brunch, followed by some shopping.  

Top right -- for some reason I couldn't stop laughing at the way his hood landed on his sleeping head.

Bottom right -- his dad was helping him color in the pictures.  Instead, he wanted to put the 'non-toxic' crayons in his mouth.

Sweater Vest :: Baby Gap

Undershirt (in a raglan version) found here.

Pants are here.

Shoes :: Baby Gap

This little imitator was taking everything in.

Poor guy … I clearly didn't choose the best angle to capture this moment of babbling while coloring.  He challenged himself to see how many crayons he could fit into one hand.

Taking a moment to cheer himself on mid pulling ties and dress shirts off the shelves.

lover's league

Mike and I participated in a Lover's League - couple's fantasy football.  I believe we came in second to last place, but it is what it is.  Anyways, we had a night out to celebrate the winners (Lyss & Johnny), so here are a couple gems from that celebration.

  Family.  We may or may not have been drinking some adult beverages.

Justin and I kicking ass and taking names at shuffle board.

the big hill

The day after it snowed we had beautiful weather -- I mean sun shining, no jacket needed type of weather.  So we took advantage and while Mike as at work, my Dad and I took Declyn and James to The Big Hill.  The Big Hill is a hill by my parents house that all the neighborhood kids would go sledding on.  It was full circle taking my son there, and I'm sure surreal for my dad to be taking his grandchildren.

Bracing himself for some sledding.

Getting pulled through the snow--  partly because James would fall every two feet so it was taking forever to get to the top.

After a few runs with me, James just wanted to crawl around with Declyn and copy everything he did, including eating snow.  I tried to explain to him that the dogs go potty in the snow, but he didn't care.  Neither did Declyn.

Watching all of the 'big' kids sled.

Snowball fight!!  Declyn was in the heat of it all and had no clue, although James was kind enough to throw a few balls his way.  My dad got James good -- square in the forehead, followed by broken snowball melting all over his face.  It was priceless.

Just hanging out with my tiny guy.  A pair of sunglasses would had come in handy here.

What do you do after spending hours sledding?  Play cars, of course.

Smiling at Pops.