YUM!!!

Saturday morning, we decided to get up and head to the donut shop for breakfast. This was a first for Brayden, and WOW, did he love it! He was so eager to bite into that donut!

YUM!

Sweet Boy...

Newness

It's been a GREAT day, but I am definitely ready to go to bed.

Our day began at 6am this morning when our friend, Erin, went into labor. We kept her two kids for awhile while she and her hubby were at the hospital. Baby Lucy Joy Harris was born at 2:15 this afternoon and weighed 7 lbs. 5 oz. She is a beautiful baby from pictures we've already seen, and we can't wait to meet her!

Then I decided it was such a beautiful day that I would work in the yard and plant the new plants and flowers I had. It definitely was a beautiful day, but I feel like I'm getting old when my back is all achey and my strength was zapped after 2 hours digging in the dirt.

Then I was off to church to help with Youth Weekend prep. This coming weekend is one of my favorite weekends of the year at church, because our seniors lead the entire service. We work with several seniors throughout the week to prepare a message to share in the service. They always work so hard and so many hours and always share an amazing message of what God has done and is doing in their lives. I can't wait!

So it was a long day...but one that was full of BEAUTY and witnessing the NEW LIFE and PURPOSE that God so abundantly gives.

Little Slugger

It's baseball season, and we are very excited here in the Gray household. Not only do we look forward to heading to Astros games and watching the games under the lights, but it is also a fun thing for Jonathan to take Brayden to the local high school games. They are actually at a game tonight. It cracks us up when a ball is hit, because typically Brayden will yell out and clap no matter who it was who hit it.

Brayden also loves it when he finds a bat, because he heads straight for a ball and hits it as hard as he can (like a golf club hitting a golf ball...the mid-air thing hasn't been figured out yet). We've already ban bats from being in the house from close encounters with the TV...yikes! But outside it's a fun sport...one that he already loves!

Let's play ball!

Cool Dude

The 80's are coming back, folks! Luckily, it's in just a few ways. I couldn't stand to tie my shirt to the side or make my own puff paint tshirts anymore. However, I did find some pretty sweet shades for Jonathan that bring back memories of the black shades with neon sides that I used to wear when I was about 8. They look pretty good on him, I think!

Brayden wanted to wear Daddy's new shades also.

He looks pretty cute in them too!

Meet Priya

Our good friends, Wes & Kasey, just adopted a precious little girl from India. Priya is almost 4 years old, and she is just so precious. They just got back a few days ago, and we were able to go over and meet Priya today. Brayden had so much playing with Priya. They are going to be great friends!

Priya pushing Brayden on the trike.

Now switch! Brayden's turn to push Priya.

Brayden getting his first taste of PopIce!

(or as Jonathan calls them...Otter Pops)

We are so thankful that Wes, Kasey & Priya are back from India safely as they are ready to begin this new adventure of parenthood & being a family. We know God has great plans for Priya and are excited to have her a part of all of our lives.

Dodgeball

This past Saturday morning, Jonathan joined up with the Bible study class we are involved with, and he played some "serious" dodgeball. Their team did a great job...came home with 2nd place! It cracked me up the next day when he woke up super sore...those dodgeballs are a workout!

Matt H., Matt K., & Jonathan

Brayden & Kelsey

After the tournament, they had hot dogs for everyone.

Brayden got a treat of a chocolate chip cookie.

Here he is, staring, in disbelief that he actually

gets the WHOLE thing! (a rare occurrence)

Shoving it in...

...YUM!

My Little Picasso

Brayden frequently sees me working on my paintings that I am making for other people, and he wanted to help out. He grabbed a paintbrush off of the table and ran over to the painting to add his own touches. Luckily, it was dry and the paintbrush was clean...but he had a good time!

Backyard Fun

Just chillin' on the lounge chair

Working in the yard with Mommy

Brayden wanted to dig in the dirt too...he LOVED it!

Art Festivals and a Sandy Boy

It has been such beautiful weather lately, that we have jumped at the chances to enjoy the local festivals in the past couple weeks. Going to art festivals and just walking among the amazing talent and creativity is something so relaxing for me. Jonathan usually 'skips' on the opportunity to do so...as it's just not his cup of tea...which is totally cool with me. So Brayden and I usually head out to see the amazing art at these festivals.

We've gotten to go to two lately, and one thing that I am discovering - with a toddler in tow - is the kids' areas. There are usually fun (and free) projects for the kids to do. This gives them a break from sitting in the stroller and a quick chance to play and be creative as well. Most of the activities were too old for Brayden, but he did find and LOVE the sandbox area. He sat there - insisted on sitting in one of the tiny plastic chairs - and dug around, scooped, and poured the sand. We then headed over to make a shaker out of a plastic bottle and lentils...that didn't last long...he wanted more sand. So back to the sandbox we went. He played a bit longer, then it was time to go...he was so sad! I'm glad my son likes playing in the sand, because I LOVE the beach! Makes for a good combo...now I'm off to think about planning a beach trip...

Lacrosse Game

He wanted to be just like the boys at the lacrosse game. He sat there watching as if picking up pointers for when he plays when he gets bigger...ha! Congrats Kingwood HS boys lacrosse team on winning the game!

Discovery Green Park

I love finding new, exciting places to adventure to. I love finding fun restaurants or a hidden thrift or antique shop with endless treasures. I love it when it's there and all along I had no clue...but then it is discovered! We found a new 'treasure' in downtown Houston. It's been there for two years right smack in the middle of downtown, and I didn't even know it. Discovery Green is a newly developed park with a big stage for live bands to perform, a playground, 2 restaurants, a fun fountain area for the kids to play in, and has a huge lawn for picnics.

Brayden, myself, and my friend Julie C. headed down there for a picnic a couple days ago, and it was such a beautiful day and a fun experience! We will definitely be heading back there for the live music, fun picnics, farmer's market, and much more!

Brayden 'playing' in the fountains.

He wasn't so sure about it all yet...

the water was COLD!

On the playground playing the xylophone.

He was much more interested

in using it as a microphone.

Brayden's Bible

It has become a common occurrence when Brayden wakes up, he will reach out of his bed to where his Bible sits. He will pull it into his bed and sit there flipping through the pages looking at the pictures. He loves his Bible storybook. I love it that my son, even at just 1 1/2, is being saturated with the Word of God. I love it that God's Word can seep into us even through a child's picture Bible.

I pray that as he grows, he will indeed grow "in wisdom and stature and favor with God and man." (Luke 2:52) I pray for him to become a passionate follower of Jesus Christ and desire to live for His glory in every area of his life. I pray that we as parents will teach and live out Christ in our lives so our family will see and desire to know Him more. For the Word of God does not return void...even when it's flipping through the pages of a child's Bible storybook.

This was the first shot I could get this morning -

not a great picture - but there it was...his Bible!

Picking up his Bible to show me.

(Yes, he is still wearing snowmen pjs...

gotta get good use out of every piece

of clothing while it still fits!)

Best Buds

Brayden and his buddy Jett (6 months old)

They were matching at church on Wednesday night

and were just too cute!

Buckethead

The hunt is over.

The candy is gone.

The fake grass has been strung out everywhere.

The plastic eggs are put away.

And this is his solution for what to do with the Easter basket...

My Little Reader

He shoots...

...and he scores!

Puddle Play

When it rained, we had to bust out Brayden's new rain boots and go play in the puddles. It took him awhile to figure out how to walk in them, but he quickly realized the purpose...splashing! He loved it!

Easter 2010

Easter Sunday at church

After church, Brayden hunted Easter eggs around the house. He realized they were filled with Teddy Grahams, so he would open each and every egg when he found it to see the treat inside. It was fun to see his excitement as he searched for and found the eggs.

His baseball Easter basket

Found an egg!

Boys will be Boys

It always makes me laugh when Brayden pulls an "all-boy" move. It happens all the time, yet it always makes me laugh. Whether it's listening to him yell and grunt in the other room while playing with Daddy, or giving him a paint brush to mimic me quietly painting (above picture - no paint involved) only to result in the challenge to a sword fight (picture below)...he is all boy!

Today, we were out in our front yard, and I spotted a single small pink wildflower. It was so pretty. I pointed the flower out to Brayden, and said, "Want to go pick the flower?" He looked excited. I thought, "We'll go put it inside in a single bud vase to admire!" He ran over to the flower, grabbed it from the top. My thought, "Well, I never have taught him how to properly pick a flower." So I told him to grab it from the stem and carry it. He looked at it briefly in his hand, then threw it on the ground, stepped on it, and ran off to get his ball.

Oh well. He is ALL boy, and I love it!

The First Fort

This was the first fort, of many, I am sure. I got a box full of canvases for custom paintings I am doing, and it was instantly the perfect fort for Brayden. We pulled the box apart and made it his own little tent to play in. He LOVED it!

Need a Kleenex?

I walked into our bedroom yesterday,

and this is what I found...

So innocent, right?

He then proceeded to show me just exactly

what he had been doing...pulling out one right after another!