Colorado, Here We Come!

This year for vacation, we decided to head to the Rockies. I have been to Colorado for many youth ski trips during my high school years and then for summer camp a few times, but I had never taken a trip to simply relax in the mountains during the summer. Honestly, I was a bit hesitant. See, I am a 'beach girl.' I love to just lay on the soft sand and soak in the rays for hours upon end, but Jonathan requested that this year's vacation be to the mountains. It took awhile for me to be convinced, but when I realized the thermometer would read in the 50's rather than the 90's at this time of year and that we could do fun things like bike riding and hiking, I was sold.

We headed to Breckenridge, Colorado last week and had an amazing time. I will post pictures over the next few days to recap some of our highlights of the trip. One thing I can say is that the beauty of the Lord was SO evident and majestic in that place. It was awesome to see His glory displayed!

Welcome to This World: Brooks & Reese Bruner

Early this morning, my cousin Stephen & his wife Sarah gave birth to two healthy, beautiful babies. James 'Brooks' and Reese Redding were born a little after 3:30 this morning. They were 5 lbs. 13 oz. and 5 lbs. 11 oz. respectively. I am so excited for Stephen & Sarah and for the adventure that they are embarking on as new parents. Welcome to this world, Brooks & Reese!

Brayden's 1st Steps!!!

Today, Brayden took his much anticipated first steps! Every day we try, but he was just not interested in attempting it. Today was MUCH different. We set him down on the floor, and he took 2 steps at first. So we moved into the living room to try some more. He was SO eager and excited to try and succeed at finally walking! We are so proud!

Enjoy the video... (he goes back and forth MANY times...but we LOVE it!)

A Fun Date Night

I think it's really important to make time to 'date' your spouse, even when you're already married. Kids, work, and just busyness can creep up and make it where those date nights just don't happen. Jonathan and I try to go on dates regularly, because we really believe our marriage is a priority and we have lots of fun hanging out together. We want our lives to be focused on Christ first, but then we believe that to be godly parents, ministers, and good friends, we need to invest time in our marriage. We planned the night out to see Cirque: Montage. We decided to celebrate my birthday early and went to Taste of Texas afterward for dinner...my favorite! It was great to spend the evening hanging out, having fun, and just spending time with my great hubby!

Date night...

Serious faces...

Being silly...

To cap off the night, we celebrated

my birthday at Taste of Texas!

Cirque: Montage

Jonathan and I have always wanted to go to Cirque du Soleil, but we have never had the opportunity. When we found out that Cirque Imagination (former Cirque du Soleil performers) were coming to Houston, we jumped at the chance to see it. We trekked down to southwest Houston for their show, Montage. It was PHENOMENAL! We were amazed at the things that these performers were able to do.

The best part of the show was when they picked people from the audience to come up and perform on stage. As the Ringmaster walked around the audience to pick people, he walked down the aisle toward us, and pointed and said, "You!" Jonathan looked around and said, "Me?!" "Yes, you!" So, Jonathan got up out of his chair and went up on stage with two other members of the audience. It was AWESOME!!! (And I was glad it wasn't me!)

He had to perform a scene where he was the hero cowboy who comes in and rescues a young maiden from harm. He rode in on his imaginary horse, jumped off his horse, spit on the ground, then strutted over to the bad guy and "punching" him he rescued the girl. It was SO great! He was the hit of the scene and performed so well! I was so proud!!!

The beginning of their scene. Jonathan is

decked out in a cowboy hat and lasso.

Jonathan with the Ringmaster after the show

(He gave Jonathan a hard time for how tall he was,

so he is standing on a chair in this picture. Ha!)

A Hat Boy...or not

I love hats. I really do. I enjoy wearing a hat on occasion and also love it when Jonathan wears one. So, naturally, I have attempted to get Brayden in on the 'hat loving' as well.

Ever since Brayden was born, he made it apparent that he was not digging this whole hat biz as much as we were. Since he was 10lbs. 10oz. at birth, the 'newborn' hats at the hospital did not seem to want to stay on. We would put it on, and slowly....it would just pop off. It was still cute, though!

Since then, I have bought numerous hats...sometimes he enjoys wearing them...and sometimes not. Oh well, it's worth a shot - they are just too cute!

Anyway, here's to hats...

Easter '09 - rockin' the newsie cap

Lovin' the Astros baseball cap...

...and not lovin' the LA baseball cap.

Sorry Dodger fans!

Wearing Daddy's hat

Go Sooners!!!

My favorite little beanie to keep

our little guy's ears nice and toasty!

Bubbles, Bubbles, and More Bubbles

If you have kids who love bubbles or are a kid at heart and would simply enjoy playing with bubbles, I have found a 'MUST HAVE' for you! This weekend, I helped out in the nursery at church, and they blew bubbles that 'blew' me away...ha! Anyway, I rushed off to get them from Gymboree. They blow immense amounts of bubbles at a time, and they last a VERY long time. As I'm sitting here now, there are bubbles still covering my carpet and TV stand that were blown over an hour ago (see above picture)...crazy! Brayden loves it. He does try to eat them on occasion, but he is fascinated by them and loves to try to grab them as they float around.

Bubbles from ONE blow

of the bubble kazoo, as I call it.

Brayden attempting to eat the bubbles.

Bubbles stuck in his hair...

Good Friends...Good Times

It was so refreshing and sweet to have two good friends come in town this past week. Mo and Brittany made the trek down to Houston to spend a couple days with us Grays. We miss having both of them around! I knew Mo in college - I discipled her for 3 years - and over that time, she became one of my closest friends. Brittany interned for Jonathan and I four years ago and has since become so dear to our family. I love both of those girls so much, and I wish they both lived close so we could chat over coffee on a regular basis. For now though, I'll definitely take the visits now and then and the fun memories that are made.

He's Just That Into You...a Ladies Night Out

Erin Harris and I in front of our table

at our ladies event.

Here is the baking-themed table

that Erin and I decorated:

Silpat baking liners were our placemats,

and cookie cutters were our napkin rings.

We made jars with layered cookie ingredients

with a candle in the middle.

Aprons were on each chair as the chair cover.

This last week, we had a ladies event at our church called "He's Just That Into You." It was such a wonderful night with the girls, full of a Tabletop Tapestry where over 80 tables were decorated by women in the church with fun, creative, and unique designs. My friend Erin and I decorated a table together. Our theme was "baking." We had fun compiling our table with our fun baking tools, recipes, yummy desserts, and aprons!

We heard an amazing message from Debbie Stuart about how God has an amazing plan, purpose, and promise for each and every one of our lives. It was an amazing reminder and encouragement that "He is just that into you."

Climbing and Throwing...a Boy Thing!

Recently, Brayden has 'acquired' the new skills of throwing and climbing. Since acquiring expertise at these two things, he has continued to perfect and engage in them in extreme ways that never cease to amaze us! He LOVES to throw balls, toys...and yes, even remotes! He is such a boy! It's so fun to see how he is developing and will sit and roll a ball back and forth. Then when he realizes he can pick it up and throw it to you, he just giggles and breaks out into a big belly laugh. I love it.

This past week, we realized that Brayden can now be classified a 'climber.' He loves to try to get up on anything and everything...which can be a scary thing! Today, he pulled himself up on the couch. It was CRAZY! Jonathan and I proceeded to put him back onto the floor and watch him crawl up on the couch over and over again. Pretty soon, he was tired of 'performing' and just wanted to enjoy the view from the couch that he had conquered.

What can I say...such a boy!