Everett's 5 Months Old!

Each month we take a picture of Everett with this blue bear and a sign. (We also did it with Anderson). While the "final picture" is always adorable, the funniest part is always the "out takes". Half the time I can't bring myself to delete some of them because they turn out so stinkin' funny. Here's a few of this month's picture-taking session highlights:

The moment when Everett first notices this giant bear that we keep propping him next to.

"You want me to do what?"

"La De Da"...And I'm falling.
Happy 5th Month, Sweet Boy!

Texas State Fair

Reese was able to sneak away from work for a little while this past Monday so we could head to the fair on a weekday and miss the huge weekend crowds. Anderson had SO much fun! He loved all the rides (he's barely just at the 36 inches required to ride them). He was so brave and wanted to go on the giant adult rides too. (He must get that from Reese- certainly not Mommy!) Everett was a trooper and had a great time as well. Mommy and Daddy? Well, let's just say we were exhausted when we got in the car to head home. Both boys conked out in their car seats and we were left wondering when we would get to rest!

One of the 4 "small prizes" Anderson won.

Anderson thoroughly enjoying his lemonade.

When there's action to see, Everett's a happy boy!

Mommy and Anderson ride the roller coaster

Family picture with Big Tex (Everett's in the carrier on me sleeping)

Anderson and Mommy on the Giant Slide that went "super fast"!

Anderson LOVED this Monster Truck ride!

Today With the Boys

Where Anderson Goes....

....the Cars go too. Literally, they come downstairs first thing in the morning, move from room to room in their box, watch Anderson take a bath, etc. At the end of the day they each zoom into their garage in Anderson's room before hearing personalized "Goodnights" from Anderson.

The Cars in their Garage

Rules I Didn't Know Needed To Be Made

Everett was sitting in his Bumbo seat this afternoon and Anderson was playing innocently nearby. I turned my head for a few seconds. When I glanced back at Everett he was still sitting in his Bumbo seat, but was now wearing a Lightning McQueen box on his head. He wasn't protesting or moving at all - just sitting there with the box on his head- and by on his head I mean his entire head was inside the box. Anderson wasn't paying a bit of attention to it either. It's like it just dropped out of the sky and landed on his head. I'm sure this is only the beginning...poor Everett. New Rule: Do not put boxes on Everett's head.

He's Asleep! It's MY Turn!

Today I picked up both boys from playschool. Anderson had chosen not to nap during rest time, so he was exhausted. Everett, on the other hand, had just woken up from a nap. As expected, Anderson conked out in his car seat. Almost on cue, Everett began babbling and talking in the most animated and prideful demeanor that I’ve ever heard. He was making new sounds that he's never made before! It was literally like he was telling me all about his day. Everett wasn’t just babbling here and there- he went on and on for a good 6-7 minutes. It made me realize that maybe all he was waiting for was for Anderson to be quiet and to know Mommy was listening. Lesson learned: I’m going to have to make sure I take the time to listen to Everett. He apparently has a lot to say!

Plano Balloon Festival

On Saturday afternoon we took the family to the hot-air balloon festival. Anderson was excited because he just recently earned "Al Oft the Blimp" for his Cars collection. Even though a blimp and a hot-air balloon are different, to a two-year-old they are pretty darn similar. So, Anderson was thrilled to bring along his blimp. We enjoyed watching the balloons come to life with air and float away into the sky one by one. There were moments, however, where Anderson seemed to be more into his corn dog that the balloons around us. So goes the life of a toddler!

Yummy!

Daddy, Anderson & the corn dog.

The balloons filling with air!

Anderson flying his blimp through the air.

Yes, I reserve the right to dress them alike up to the age of 5. ;)

Mommy & her boys!

Cool guy Everett

Anderson telling Everett about his box of raisins.

The boys enjoying their ride!

Two Cute Boys

Big Brothers are the Best

Yesterday Everett was playing on the floor and Anderson was nearby. I walked out of the living room to run some laundry upstairs and as I was headed up the stairs, Everett began to fuss. I heard Anderson go over to him and tell him "It's OK Everett. Mommy be right back." It melted my heart!

Here's another sweet picture. Anderson loves showing Everett how things work and he loves for him to be "happy".

Yeah for Everett! He decided yesterday was the day to begin rolling from his back to his belly! (He just rolled right off his play mat onto the wood above ;)

Front Yard Fun!

On Monday evening we went outside before bath time to have Popsicles. Well, when a 2 year-old eats Popsicles, a mess is made. So, out came the hose. That of course turned into an impromptu water-play session in the yard. Fun! Daddy was the good sport who got wet with Anderson. Mommy got to sit on the steps with Everett and read a magazine while watching the silliness. It turned out to be a really fun time with the boys, even though bedtime ended up being a little later!

Anderson LOVES drinking from the hose!
His little underwear grew bigger and bigger as they got wet!

Daddy got in some really good sprays that produced loads of giggles!

We should all run through the yard and sprinklers this carefree!

Mommy and Daddy couldn't resist taking this pic! ;)

Everett sat happily in the Bumbo seat watching the fun. He loves being outside!

Everett and Riley

Everett has discovered Riley! He loves to watch her and will just stare at her if she is in front of him. The other day Everett was just laying around on his belly when Riley came over and rolled over on her back. She assumes this position when anyone is on the floor because she's wanting someone to rub her belly. I think it's hilarious that Riley went up and laid this way in front of Everett fully expecting him to reach out and rub her belly.

Riley finally got bored of waiting on Everett to rub her belly so she went in for the nose kiss.

Everett loves to get his little hands on her! Thank goodness Riley is the sweetest dog in the world.

Such a cutie!

I can't get enough of my hands!

Everett Laughing (4 Months)

Here's a video of Everett laughing at Daddy in the mirror. Look at my chunky guy!

Rain Rain Everywhere! (& the TP Lesson)

So, you may have heard that the Dallas area got quite a bit of rain today. Well, Anderson loves all things regarding rain (the rain itself, the thunder, the umbrellas, the windshield wipers, etc.). So, of course he wanted to go play in the rain. When the downpour hit, I stripped him and sent him on out. He enjoyed it and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to take some naked toddler pics. ;) I tried to tell him that he could leave his underwear on, but he insisted that he didn't want them to get wet.

So, this is a little shameless bragging on behalf of Anderson. He is a potty-training all-star! He (knock on wood) had not had an accident in a few weeks time. That's including a trip to Grammy & Gramps' house, a road trip to the lake, and starting school. He's done SO incredibly well and the best part is that he's actually pretty independent about the whole deal. He prefers to go "by himself" and only calls us to help when he's finished. However, we are still trying to get him to understand the concept of toilet paper.

Cars, Cars, Cars!

For Anderson's 2nd birthday he was given a Lightning McQueen car that you shake and it drives across the floor. I guess that was the beginning of a 2-year-old's obsession with the Disney movie Cars. We showed him a little bit of the movie and now only a couple of months later, he knows all the characters. He still hasn't even seen the complete movie! The best part is that Anderson's wonderful success with potty training can be attributed to Cars. He loved earning stickers for his Potty Chart and then getting a new car each time the chart was full. Here's Anderson playing with his collection.

Lately, the cars must be in all pictures that are taken!

4 Months!

Wow! Everett's 4 months old! I can't decide if it's been the longest or shortest 4 months! ;) Here are some of the "big" things my chunky boy has been up to lately.

How cute am I?!

Everett on his first day of 'school'!

My first go at using a cup!