Mom's First 1/2 Marathon!!

I did my first 1/2 marathon this morning!! The OKC Memorial run. I just might be hooked! :) It was by far one of my greatest accomplishments apart from my family! I also can say that all the training paid off because it was not "hard." I did it with enough strength left to do more. Now, I'm definitely not saying that I want to do a full...but, I can see why and how marathoners get hooked! What a FUN morning...

BIG HUGE thanks to the world's BEST husband for taking care of the kids while I trained for this. Brooks, you are my everything and your encouragement means more than I can possibly try to say with words on a page!! I love you!!!

In addition, thanks to a very loving aunt for watching my kiddos while I did one of my long runs!

Just out of the finish - official time of 2:28!!

Of course, the kids celebrated by playing in the kidzone afterward!!
Cooper knows who's number one!!!
My favorite cheerleaders!!!

So, here are some other fun pictures of our new car: Roxy Heart Sparkles. In case you are wondering, a). Rachel named the car and b). we do not let the kids ride in the front!

Cooper, checking out Roxy...

Some more fun pictures of Cooper who was seven months earlier this month!!

Love this boy!!! He is our happy little man!!

Easter 2010

What a great Easter we had last weekend. We spent the day at the park with the McMullan's and enjoyed some beautiful weather and some awesome egg-hunting!! Then we went to church on Sunday and topped off the afternoon with coloring some eggs. What a great Easter!! He is Risen...we are SOOOO blessed!!

Happy Third Birthday, Eric!!

Happy THIRD birthday, Eric!! Last week we celebrated Eric's third birthday at a park on a VERY cold day. "They" said a cold front would move in around 1pm. Well, it did!! We managed to stay out there long enough to have some play time and then quickly proceeded to gifts and cake before his friends headed for warmth!! It was fun, nonetheless!

Where has three years gone? How is it that this little man is already three? Eric loves cars, trains, trash trucks, airplanes, balls and any animal who roars!! He runs and jumps and laughs and is just as ornery as they come! He is also a sweet-heart with a thoughtfulness that runs deep in his tender little heart. He has a type of kindness that can't be taught. He is also strong-willed and will someday be an amazing man! We are so proud of our sweet Eric! Happy Birthday, Buddy!!

Our beautiful life...

We color beautiful pictures!

The boys love to be together!!

We listen to Rachel's stories...

We have blow-outs that put us in the tub...

...and then we have a clean baby again!

We eat french toast breakfasts...

...and we get hurt when we don't sit on our bottoms...

...but, a kiss always makes it better!!

The boys love to cook with Daddy!!

And Rachel loves to play her Leapster from Gran and Grandon!

Our days are simple...but beautiful!!

A Month in a Nutshell!!

What a month!! We have been busy and sick!! Rachel had a fever for a few days and we had to call in back-up from Nana to watch Rachel while she stayed home from school for three days! Below is a picture of Rachel as she was finally recovering...notice her ribbon barrettes. Aunt Gloria made those for me when I was Rachel's age and now Rachel LOVES to wear them!!
Rachel and Cooper. Rachel is such a good big sister and Cooper loves his sissy SO much!

Cooper just turned 6 months old on the 9th. It's amazing how quickly half a year can just fly by. Cooper has changed so much this month. He is still incredibly verbal, constantly babbling with the family. As you can see, he has started holding his bottle (yay!) and he is almost sitting. He still doesn't roll over consistently, but he can. He pushes up a lot and although he is not trying to crawl, he does ending up scooting around!

Cooper's six month smile!!! Million dollar smile, don't you think?

This is our Cooper-man...SOOOOO happy!

Eric at Rachel's school in the caboose that sits in the library. Eric is so ready to go to school...two more years, Buddy!

This was Eric at the end of Rachel's PreK program...he was waiting for "his friends" to come on the stage so he could have a turn singing. Like I said, he is so ready!!

Rachel's self portrait - age 5!! Love it!

Last night was the PreK program at Rachel's school. Unfortunately, my scanner is not working. But, Rachel's artwork was the COVER of the program! She was by far the most beautiful little girl there and we must admit, she was the best speaker!! Her class sang a fun arrangement of "The Wheels on the Bus," "If You're Happy and You Know It," "Itsy, Bitsy Spider," and more!! It was lots of fun and so cute!!

Rachel's line, "We learned about a spider who wanted to be friends with Ms. Muffet."

She did SOOOO well!!!

Here is Rachel in the middle of her classmates! Aren't they so tiny!!!

What a fun month! Hopefully, we can keep up better this next month!

Cooper is already FIVE months old!!!

Check out this cutie!!!

So, Cooper is already five months old!! He loves to play, coo and laugh. He still hates tummy time. But, he is really the sweetest little guy. He talks to his daddy every night after his feeding. The two of them converse back and forth for a good ten minutes every night. It's sweet and Cooper is LOUD!!! He plays in his saucer now for longer periods of time and is learning to like his jumper too. His favorite thing is still the swing!!

This past month he has found his hands and feet. So, he sucks on his fingers a lot and grabs his feet when he's laying on his back! He is still a great eater and has started on cereal and fruit now. He's definitely a fan!!

Enjoy these great pictures...and thanks to Aunt G for the handsome shirt!!

Daddy-Daughter Dance

Today was the Daddy-Daughter Dance. Rachel and Brooks had the BEST time ever! Rachel has been looking forward to this for MONTHS. Literally...this has been a huge deal in our house. We even made Rachel her own calendar so she could cross off the days until the dance. Rachel and Daddy danced the day away!! Here are some pictures to highlight the afternoon!

Rachel before Daddy got to see her all dressed up!!

She is so beautiful!

Rachel wore some of mommy's jewelry and painted her nails red to match her dress, which made her feel even more special! She even picked out Daddy's red tie! Mommy thought they made a great little couple! I think she is the only girl I would let Daddy go on a date with!!!Rachel at the dance!

Rachel and Daddy at the dance. SOOOOO cute!!!

During the last dance (which was a slow dance), Brooks was holding Rachel in his arms swaying her around. Only to finish the song to the sound of snores!! Yes, the poor girl wore herself out!! I think all the anticipation of the big day finally got to her and she just fell sound asleep on his shoulder and then again in the car on the way home. Here she is at the end of her first dance! Sweet girl...