Birthday Boy!

TODAY is Brayden's 2nd birthday! SO hard to believe! It blows my mind to think that our baby is now very much a toddler and growing more each day. He seems to be growing by the minute, and I love seeing how God is developing him into a little boy who I pray seeks God with ALL his heart as he grows up.

More pictures from the birthday celebrations

in tomorrow's post...

Dress Like a Cow...and Eat Free!

Today was "Cow Appreciation Day" at Chick-Fil-A, and if you dress up like a cow, you get a free meal! So Brayden and I cut out "cow spots" and put them on our t-shirts and headed our way to get some yummy Chikin!

Ready for some Chikin dressed up as a cow.

He had spots on his shirt, a "Eat Mor Chikin" sign

around his neck, and a cow nose to complete the look.

Soon after sitting down to eat, we were informed of a "Cow Drop"

out in the parking lot. A helicopter was coming to Chick-Fil-A

to drop 200 mini plush cows with parachutes down into

the Chick-Fil-A parking lot.

He got SO excited when the cows started

dropping with their mini parachutes.

The crowd of a couple hundred people were SUPER intense about catching these cows! Ten cows had red stars on them and the people who caught them won a YEAR of free Chick-Fil-A...WHAT?! I was really hoping to catch one of those, but as the drops went on, I just wanted to catch ONE cow...Poor Brayden wanted one so bad, and I just couldn't catch one. I tried so hard, but ended up getting pushed around and stepped on by men jumping a bit higher than I could. He was so bummed when I didn't get one...

I felt so bad that I couldn't get one...

...but then we saw one of our amazing HS girls from church.

She had caught one and gave it to him. SO SWEET!!!

He was SO excited and played with it the entire night...

throwing the cow up and letting the parachute slowly bring it down.

Thanks, Madi!

Brayden with his cow from the helicopter Cow Drop

Rain, Rain, and More Rain!

We have been FLOODED here lately. Not literally...but almost! It has been raining NONSTOP for several days. Brayden loves sitting at the window saying, "Rain, rain, rain, rain..." as he does with most words...repetition, repetition, repetition. Just like when he says, "Mommy, Mommy, Mommy..." I love it though. I remind myself to love those moments and cherish them.

Watching the rain with Daddy

Lions and Tigers and Bears...

Our little guy is REALLY into animals. He loves looking thru his books about animals and pointing and 'naming' each one...or saying, "Mommy, Mommy, Mommy..." until I tell him the name of each animal. He loves making animal noises as he names them. It's fun to see him learning and soaking up so many things. One thing that shows me he is SUCH a boy...he used to have this cute little "quack, quack" when he'd be making a duck noise. Now, we're entering toddler-hood and he's really starting to act "all boy." His duck noise is now "quack" - but in a deep, man, scruffy gurgle. He keeps us laughing!

4th of July

For 4th of July this year, we enjoyed time with friends who have become like family to us. It was great to begin celebrating it at church - honoring our heroes who have fought for our freedom and also to ultimately point to Christ for the eternal freedom we have in Him.

We then spent the afternoon outside at Brayden's friend Kelsey's 2nd birthday party. The kids had a blast playing in the pool and on the swings. Then we headed to our friends Steve and Julie's for dinner. Next...firework time!

We have a favorite little place we love to go watch fireworks. We watch the Kingwood Town Center fireworks, but we set out blankets and chairs near the Kingwood Golf Course driving range. It's a blast and we love it that all of our friends head out there to watch the fireworks together.

Me, Kasey, & Julie w/ our little ones:

Brayden, Priya, & Kelsey

Matt, Julie, & Kelsey

The Chriswells - Steve, Julie, & Frazier

Our awesome summer intern - Donika

with Erin Harris & Lucy

Andrew & Bekah Kruger

Now, the fireworks began...and our little guy suddenly got REALLY scared. Poor baby!!! He sat there with earplugs in, his glow necklace on, and his eyes closed...(no, he is NOT sleeping...at all! Just really scared!) :(

That's better...now he feels safe with Daddy!

Overall...a great day! One that we remembered our heroes and the freedom we share in this amazing country of the United States. Thanks so much to all who serve our country and all that you give to ensure our freedom!

Party Decor...Part 1

Brayden is *almost* TWO! I've been working on a lot of prep for his party...decorations, invitations, etc. Here's a sneak peak into what's to come at his party...

Invitations...

Invitations inside...

Party Decor, favors, etc...

A Toy Story Fan

Brayden got a Toy Story "Woody" doll from Grayma, and he LOVES that thing! He carries him everywhere and loves saying, "Woo-wee!" He is a fan!

Our Little Firefighter

From 3 different places...Rain boots - Target. Firefighter rain jacket - garage sale. Firefighter hat - Wal-Mart. And an amazing ensemble came together...one that is sure to become a favorite to our little guy. The rain boots have become a favorite to (try to) wear anywhere. I'm sure, as most kids do, he will also go thru a phase where he is very specific to what he wears. Luckily we're not there yet, but I know that he does love wearing these boots...so I wouldn't doubt those will be in the repertoire when that time comes.

GO 'STROS!

Well, the Astros haven't been having a great year so far, but we had to still hit up a game. It's always a fun thing to do as a family. It cracks us up when Brayden sees a hit, he goes, "WOOOOAH!!!!" So fun!

Good Friends, Good Times

It was so great to get to see our good friends, Greg and Becky, this past weekend. We loved having them come stay with us...even though they came down to root against the Astros in the 'Stros vs. Rangers game. Brayden had a blast getting to play with their kids - Reese & Abby. We went down to Discovery Green park and had lunch and let the kids play in the water fountains. What a blast! Thanks for coming down to visit, Stamps!

Becky & me

Greg & Becky

Abby & Reese

Brayden playing in the fountains