Maya

Maya came to stay with us this week so she could spend time with Noah, and I could go back to work this week and work late, etc. and not have to worry about my little one. Noah had a blast playing with her, and Marco and I enjoyed her visit as well. Thanks Maya for taking care of my baby and everything else you did for us. We appreciate it! :)

Life Group

Craig and Brooke hosted our Life Group this past week. We all had a wonderful meal. The little kids and "big kids" all played while the adults (girls) visited with each other.

Here are our "big kids" playing their video game.

Maddie and Bella love to chase each other.

Noah finally joined in on all the fun.

Our kids play together so nicely.

Craig and Brooke were so sweet to gather books and toys for the kids to play with. Craig even built a tent for the kids, and he couldn't resist getting in himself. Noah is making Craig feel like part of the gang by climbing on him. What a way to welcome a new friend Noah. :)

Maddie and Noah watching the puppy dog outside

time to recharge so we can do it all again

Noah decided to wear Maddie's shoes for the evening.

One day he won't appreciate this picture very much, but he just looks so cute (even in girls' shoes).

Splish! Splash!

Last weekend, my parents called to say they had a big surprise for Noah. "Come on over and bring your swimsuits," they said. So, we thought they must have gotten some sort of pool. When we arrived, we found a huge water slide/pool taking up their entire backyard. Of course, Noah is elated and goes on to have an absolute ball playing with Granddaddy and Grandmommy. We eventually talked Marco into taking a trip down the slide as well. Marco couldn't take the slightly chilly water though and quickly hopped out. I couldn't step in because I had to capture all of the "Kodak" moments, of course. Yet, Noah had a great time with his grandparents. They said they bought the slide for Noah, but I really think that they are secretly playing in it each night after a long day at work. They have a privacy fence afterall. :)

I don't think Granddaddy was having any fun at all. Do you?

Noah and Granddaddy relaxing after their "big fun" in the backyard

You can't see it in the picture, but Noah is actually wearing a Dallas Cowboys shirt that Grandmommy and Granddaddy bought for him. If you know our family very well (or at least Marco) you know that Cowboys' attire, collectibles, etc. are not allowed in our home. It's Eagles all the way at our house. Granddaddy, of course, says though that the Cowboys are "God's Team," and his grandson has to cheer for "God's Team." We'll see how long the t-shirt makes it. It has to be washed at our house afterall. :)

Moving On

1. Here is Noah with his teacher Miss Cassie. Noah adores her and frequently talks about her at home. He has loved being in her class, but today was his last day. They had a pajama party with special activities today to celebrate their promotion to the next class.

Summer Fun

My amazing summer is quickly drawing to an end. I report to work Monday morning to begin a new year of kindergarten. It is always exciting and fun to begin a new year and start the mad rush of activities that we always have in the fall. Yet, I'm sad to say good-bye to our summer schedule. It's been so nice to spend all summer with my little guy and Marco. We've done lots of playing, traveling, visiting, and I've been very productive with several hobbies and projects. I'm done with my "stay-at-home-mom" time of the year (which I love) and off to my "working mom" time of the year (which I also love). I am very blessed to have a job that allows me to be both.

Nick and Reyna invited us to the pool for one last splash before school starts. Thanks guys!

Reyna and "Baby Wyatt"

Noah and Miss Maddie

I absolutely love this picture. They are so cute!

My Little Monkey

Gymnastics has started again.

Here are some pics and videos for you to enjoy.

group hug!

Noah, Maddie & Bella

MONKEY ON THE BARS

He first did this flip at Grandmommy and Granddaddy's house on their little trampoline (that has a bar). I had forgotten about it, until he ran over to the bar at our first night back at gymnastics, and he started doing them over and over again. Fortunately, I caught a few of them on video.

MONKEY ON THE SWING

Check out Noah doing flips on the swing.

*At the end of the video it slows down and messes up a bit, but I couldn't resist posting it.

Praise God!

God is so good! Little Carson Murphy is happy and healthy. His test results came back ok, and Mommy and Daddy are now holding and loving on their baby.

the new mommy

Noah admiring little baby Carson

Prayer

I am making a special post today and asking for your help. My sweet friend Kristi just gave birth to a little boy named Carson. Unfortunately, he is having trouble regulating his own body temperature, and when he was born, the umbilical cord was wrapped around his neck twice. The doctor has ordered a sonogram to rule out any complications. Kristi and Webb have not been able to hold him yet.

So, for all my friends and family that know God, PLEASE stop what you are doing at this moment and pray for Carson, Kristi & Webb. Those of you that have friends who are prayer warriors, I ask you for their help also. Webb & Kristi are beautiful children of God, will be amazing parents, and right now they need our prayers of healing for Carson.

Bowling Babies

Our Life Group went bowling this week. The bowling alley had a great little contraption for little ones as you can see in the picture. Noah was able to bowl completely by himself. As if you couldn't guess, he loved it. He especially liked that he could do it all my himself. He didn't even have to proclaim "I do it!" in frustration once during the evening. Noah bowling all by himself

Miss Maddie was enjoying herself too

Bella & her mommy

I'm such a stud muffin!

bowling buddies Noah & Bella

Reyna with little Wyatt who just can't wait to go bowling too

Rosalynn, Brooke, Kristi, Reyna, Rebekah & Everly

Can you spot the real deal? My sweet friend Kristi headed to the hospital later Sunday evening b/c her water broke. At 5:12 Monday evening, little Carson Murphy was born.

Congratulations Kristi & Webb!

So Silly!

Bravo Marco!

He actually squeezed into Noah's pint-size tunnel, and Noah would crawl back and forth over him inside of it. Marco is so good at being silly and playing with Noah.

Men are just big boys afterall.

My Big Boy

Last weekend we moved Noah into his big boy room & bed. We switched his room with the guest bedroom, so he now has a much bigger room. Although, we moved Noah into the room last weekend, we've still been working on it all week. We decided to paint the walls afterall, so Noah is sleeping in the guest bedroom tonight while his room airs out. His room is decorated with a transportation theme, so Marco is painting a road all the way around the room for the car decals I purchased, and he's painting a mural on one wall. I'll take pictures as soon as it's all finished for everyone to see.

It's amazing that my little boy is getting to be such a big boy! He is talking so much and speaking in complete sentences almost all of the time. We are blown away everyday by the things he says. He talks around other people some, but when he's with just me and Marco, he talks non-stop! I actually love it! He's to the point now where he says he loves us, misses us, etc. without being prompted. He is such a little lover always giving us hugs and kisses. It's so sweet to see all the love we've given him being given back to us now. Everynight, just as I'm walking away after tucking him in, he gets up quickly and has to give me one last kiss and hug. Then as I shut the door, he calls out "I LOVE YOU MOMMY!" It makes my heart swell up with so much pride to be "Noah's mommy." I love my little boy so much! He is the most beautiful, sweet, loving, fun & adorable little boy. I am just blown away that God chose me to be his mommy. I am so thankful and honored, and I love to hear Noah say "my mommy" over and over again as he hugs me.

Noah says good-bye to his baby bed

and hello to his big boy bed!

My baby's first night in his big boy bed

Zoo Day

This morning, Noah, my parents and I all went to the Abilene Zoo for "Zoo Day." There were several inflatables set up as well as booths & games. We visited the animals, fed the fish & Noah played all the games. Of course, his favorite thing was the water slides. He would have done those all day long. Water activities are always his favorite.

Noah enjoyed feeding the fish with Grandmommy and Granddaddy

cooling off with some Dippin' Dots

(Yes. I know. My child needs a haircut.)

Grandparents will do Anything!

Noah convinced his grandparents (well, not really convinced, he just said "come on" in his sweet little voice) to get under our kitchen table with him. At one point, he had managed to get Grandmommy, Granddaddy, Romeo & Lucy all under the table with him. I must say that I've never been invited to get under the table with him (a favorite "hiding" place of his). I've just had to go in and haul him out when he's decided to hide from me (say, when it's time for a nap or a diaper change).