Family Pictures by Day-Z Photography

Recently, we had our family pictures made by Day-Z Photography (my lovely friend, Amanda). She did such an awesome job! I just love how all of the pics turned out.

Hmmmm....

He got in and locked himself in. I swear I didn't do it. He thought it was fun. Go figure!

Mommy/Son Date Night

It was a night just for the two of us. Daddy was gone, so we decided to have a date. We hit up Chick-Fil-A (my fav) and brought it home to have our very own indoor picnic. We set up blankets on the floor and ate dinner on our living room floor. He thought it was SO cool. And I must say, I had a pretty swell time myself.

Mouth full of chicken nuggets and covered in ketchup

Me and my lovely sweet tea

Fun times!

A Night Out with My Hubby

I woke up Valentines morning to a sweet little boy holding a rose for his mommy. It was so sweet! Then the boys cooked me breakfast. I definitely felt the love!

For our date, Jonathan and I headed out to one of our favorite restaurants downtown - Sambuca. It was a romantic night out with dinner and live music. A night to remember! I sure do love my hubby!

Another Reason Why I Love Starbucks

As if I couldn't enjoy Starbucks a bit more, another reason came along. They have probably had this forever, but I just discovered it. A Kid's cup...or called a "Short," I think. Anyway, I usually have Brayden with me when we go to Starbucks to meet with friends or girls that I mentor, and he is always trying to snag my White Mocha which is much too hot and full of caffeine. But now there is a wonderful treat that he now gets to enjoy too! Not sure if this is good to get him hooked on Starbucks, but at least he can enjoy it along with me too.

Look at those eyes...they melt me!

He's hooked, I think!

Valentines (Week)

I love Valentines Day. It's a fun day to find special ways to creatively show love to the people that you love. This year, I thought we'd extend Valentines to a week celebration. I found these great mailboxes in the dollar section at Target. Everyone loves to get mail...snail mail is the best! So, I created a little mail box for each of us - Jonathan, myself, and Brayden. This week, when the flag goes up, there is mail! I've left little notes for each of them along with small treats. It's become a highlight for Brayden, who loves it when he notices that there's a new treat in his mailbox. He was somewhat disappointed when it was just a note saying, 'I love you." He was confused why there wasn't a treat...just a piece of paper. I guess that stuff will matter more as he gets older. Ha! It's been fun for me, because I know what fun it is to receive mail.

I found this great idea over at Bee in our Bonnet for Rice Krispies in the shape of giant Hershey's kisses. One of Jonathan's favorite things is Rice Krispie treats. I think he could eat the whole pan in one day. I knew this was something I had to make for him. I made the Rice Krispie treats according to the directions (on the box), then I shaped them in the form of a Kiss by putting some of the marshmallowy goodness in a greased funnel until partially set. Then I took it out and formed it into more of the Kiss shape with my hands (wet hands with a little water to prevent sticking). Wrap it up in some greased foil and add in a strip of vellum printed with a little love note, and my man was a happy camper!

Snowless and Sick

The Great Snow Storm of 2011...or as we call it in Houston: the "Greatly Over-Exaggerated Storm of 2011" came and went. Last Friday, we were expecting inches of snow and ice which would essentially shut our city down. So what did they do? They shut our city down...in expectation of the snow and ice. Businesses shut down. Schools cancelled. Even before a snowflake hit the ground. It was humorous.

Thursday night at 5pm was when it would hit. The weather updates came, and it moved back to 7pm...then 11pm. Slowly but surely, it wouldn't hit until 5am...9am...Nothing. Not a flake. Not a bit of sleet. Nada. FREEZING...but no snow. School was cancelled, and the kids were loving it!

We were hoping it wouldn't be too bad so Premiere Weekend could happen (Student Ministry's Disciple Now). But I still wanted to see some snow. It is always fun to have snow to get out and play in. Not that we really would have gotten out to play much...since we were sick. :( Brayden was sick for a few days...fever, cough, congested. No fun. Then it hit me...I had it all for a few days. Luckily, I *think* we're on the up-swing of it all and getting better. We've watched lots of movies. Snuggled under blankets all day. It's been nice. However, my house is a wreck. Well, now that I'm feeling better, I guess I must go clean now!

My sick little guy

Snow and Motorcycles

It might snow today...just maybe! Houston isn't a place that normally gets snow, but the last couple years, we have gotten it one time each year. In honor of our possible snow, here's a pic from last year's snow our our little guy. It's hard to believe he was this little just a year ago.

On another note, Brayden got this super cool motorcycle from Grandaddy Phil for Christmas. He LOVES this thing, and rides it around everywhere...even out to get the mail! It's SO fun!

It's Bubble-time!

Each night when it's time for Brayden's bath, we say in a loud announcer-like voice, "Iiiiiiiitttttt's BATHTIME!!!!!" Well, recently the common request at bathtime is that we make it also bubble-time. So tonight, it became bubble-time too. What fun!

I remember as a kid filling the bath up so high with bubbles that it spilled out...which made it

even better! Sorry, Mom! Brayden has yet to figure that out...We'll keep that a secret for now!