Look Who's Talking...

Ok...So not quite...but he is working on it!!!

When Tenley was a baby I felt bad that I was staying home with her and Goose was out working...I decided to work with her on saying Dada!!! And she did...at just 5months!!! THEN...I found out that it is easier for babies to say Dada!!! Can you believe that??? I was working with her and she was going to say it first anyways!!!

I had to wait until she was 9months old to hear the "Mama" that I had been anticipating!!! That should have been my first clue that she was going to be stubborn!!!

So...I decided that on the next baby...Goose could fend for himself and I would be working on Mama from the get go!!! As you can see...I may still have to wait until 9 months!!!

What's a mother to do???

Two Cute Stories...

Story #1

With all of Miles' new teeth coming in...I decided that he was ready for "Biter Biscuits" They are little snacks that babies can teethe on!!!

Miles took to them...like Goose...to candy!!! Though I will say it is a toss up whether he got more in his mouth or on his face!!!

As you can tell...he needs a bath....so off we go!!!! Of course Tenley doesn't want to be left out so she started taking off her clothes. At this point I was ready to have them both bathed and in bed so I didn't objected.

I soon found out that it wasn't the bathing together part that took all the work...it was after the bath...they both needed lotion...diapers...and jamies...AT THE SAME TIME!!! Don't worry...we figured it all out!!!

Story #2

The other night we were spending some time with Grampa & Grandnanna. While we were all talking Tenley wondered off. Apparently...she was snooping through Grandnanna's things!!! While snooping...she discover this nifty toboggan!!!
Once she had our attention...she proceeded to show off!!! Since she knew that I was trying to get her picture...she did her best not to let me!!!
This seemed to be her best tactic...keep her head completely covered!!!
Daddy being the genius that he is thought of playing Peek a Boo!!!

It was working!!! It was working!!! Now to get her to look at me!!!
That did it...Mommy said Peek a Boo!!! There she is...just as proud as she can be!!!

Check Out These Pearly Whites...

When Miles does something he does it all the way!!! He is well on his way to eight teeth. That's right I said...EIGHT!!! Four on top and four on bottom. They have all made there appearance...though they are not completely out yet...they are well on their way!!! I know you can only see four of the teeth in this picture...but believe me...they are there!!!

He has been handling it like a pro!!! He hardly fusses at all...if ever!!! He doesn't like for you to touch his gums...but he will let you look all day!!!

I am afraid to blink for fear I might miss his next trick!!!

Playing Catch Up!!!

I am sure that I don't have to tell you that life moves fast!!! Most weekends it feels like we don't even stop for a breath. I don't know about you but when I have those weekends...it doesn't really feel like much of a weekend. This has been the story of ours life lately...

I am starting this post with Baby Kate's birthday party!!! She is a BIG girl...she turned 1!!!! Yea Kate!! While the big kids were playing with the water slide Cara and I decided to let the boys(the babies that is) go for a little swim of their own.

As you can tell from this first picture...Cara and I decided to man the cameras and let the Dad's do the actual baby holding...You see at this age there isn't much swimming!!! There really wasn't very much sitting either!! So the Dad's stepped in and held the boys up!! They are so selfless when it comes to their boys!!! This is where we started to notice that there might be a flaw in our little plan. Much to my surprise Miles seemed to really be enjoying this...however Ian didn't want any part of it!!!
Is it just me or does it look like Miles just went potty in his little swimmer??? See...Ian likes it much better out of the water...I guess he figures without the toys and bubble bath there really isn't much point!!!
Such a sweet face!!! I think Daddy is getting tired...I took over not to long after this picture!!! My little man is growing way to fast!!! Someone PLEASE slow down time!!!!
I have been desperately trying to get a GOOD picture of my kids since I had Miles. One where the are both looking at the camera...both smiling...both happy...And I finally did!!!! Now it might have surprised you that it happened when they were both in their undies...but not me!!! It just figures!!! It is still a great picture...just not one for the office!!!
I took this while Miles was taking his first BIG BOY BATH!!! He liked it as long as I didn't lay him back...he isn't sure about the water in his ears!!! Other than that he really enjoyed splashing the water!!!
Oh so sad!!! Here is a funny story for you!!! Tenley came to me just before we were leaving to go to Kate's party and she had the saddest face...she said "Mommy it's stuck!!!" At first I didn't know what she meant...but as I got closer I noticed what she was talking about!!!
Wait for it...Wait for it...
She had managed to get the sticker that she had gotten the last time we are at the doctors office stuck to the top of her head...at first this seemed really funny...you may even be laughing now...but I assure you if you had been there to help me pull the stick off of the 100 or so hairs the it was stuck to...you wouldn't think it was quite so funny...or maybe you would!!!

The Mom's thought after Kate's party would be a great time to snap a picture of all the kids...They were a little less willing!!! But we aren't the sort to give up...


We tried again...
And again!!!

Then...we realized that we were out mastered and out numbered...so...we gave up!!!The other day Tenley found her Daddy's new tires for his truck...she discovered all the many uses for tires...they don't only go on your vehicles...they will entertain a 2 yrs for at least half and hour!!!

She did however draw the line when I offered to roll her down our driveway!!! She still had a blast though!!!
I am ending this post with one of my favorite pictures of Miles. He is truly one of the happiest kids I know and have known!!! He always has smiles on his face for those he loves!!! So I am sending this smile to you!!!!

You say...Chore...

I say...Pleasure!!!

Giving my babies their baths is one of my favorite parts of the day. It gives me at least one chance to have some one-on-one time with each of them. They currently take separate baths...which is about to change...Miles has outgrown the sink and is ready for the bath tub. Since their baths usually come in the evening it is a great way to get them worn out and ready for bed.

I will admit...the kids have there moments. From Miles' being upset because he is already tired and ready for his bottle and bed. To Tenley who doesn't feel that she should have to wash her hair. Bath time has its rough moments just like every other part of life!! But I wouldn't trade it!!! I sometimes feel that Goose is getting the short end of the stick, because he only gets to bath them every so often.

I am scrubbing circles on Miles' head to help rid him of his cradle cap!!! I think it is making him go cross eyed!!! He hardly fits on the mesh bath I use to prop him up. I am just spoiled...It is so nice not to have to get on my knees to bath him...I am about to make the switch though!!!
Don't you know he is thinking..."yeah...right there!!! That's the spot!!!" He really likes playing with the water and having his head scrubbed!!!
Is that an ornery face or what??? She didn't want me to wash out the shampoo...what am I saying...she didn't want me to put the shampoo in...period!!! Of course Mommy prevailed in the end!!! Tenley is just about as ornery...if not more so...when it comes to putting on her lotion!!! She doesn't care that she has eczema...she doesn't want "woetion"!!! My favorite thing to tell her is "People pay for massages everyday...and I give you yours for free!!" Even though she doesn't quiet understand...I laugh a little to myself.
He just doesn't have a care in the world...I am amazed every day at how content he is!! I always think...oh, Tenley is going to upset him!! Nope...I think there are only 3 things that upset this little guy!!! An empty stomach...a wet diaper...or aching gums(he is working on four teeth!!)!!!

See...no more shampoo!!! Yea!!! Now...it's time for lotion...

I think she looks like she is trying to swim!!

At least one of my babes loves bath time as much as I do!!! So happy to be clean!!! Babies sure do smell good after baths!! Just another reason I enjoy bath time so much!!!

Beyond Tired!!!

What do you do when your will to eat is stronger than your will to sleep???

Poor Tenley!!! Every now and then Goose and I catch her trying to eat & sleep at the same time!! It is both cute and sad all rolled into one!!!

In the end...the will to sleep prevails!!!

My 2nd Favorite holiday!!!

Next to Christmas...the 4th of July is my favorite Holiday!!! We do the same thing every year...but I always look forward to it!!

It has always been my families tradition to go to Colorado City's Fly-In. They serve you breakfast and you walk around and visit with old friends. I grew up in C-city so on the 4th I can go and visit with people I only see once a year. Sadly I skipped this year, but my Dad and brother Dwayne went. I will definitely be putting the Fly-In back on the docket for next year.

This year we started our day with the parade. Tenley enjoyed it with her Pop!!! Needless to say Tenley gathered enough candy for herself...Pop...and her Daddy's volleyball team.

Most of our day is spent with Goose's volleyball tournament. This was his 8th year to play!!! The tournament is put on by one of the local churches here. They play on the sand courts in the park. It starts at 9:ooam and is double eliminations. Goose has had several different teammates over the years but he is always out there ready to play!!!

His team name is "Burnt Chicken Down Town"...don't ask!!! The team was Goose, Ross(my younger brother), Rick(friend), Courtney(friend), Sarah(my cousin),& "Toes"(Sarah...friend). I am the team Mom...Tenley is the mascot...Miles is the #1fan!!! What can I say...we all like to be involved. Since Goose wont let us play...something about us not having any volleyball skills...we contribute in other ways!!!
"Be Careful!!! Don't touch the net!!!!"
"What a block...Go Big Ross!!!"

"I got it!!!"

Sadly there team didn't get 1st...but don't worry we will be back there next year...to give it another go!!!!

The volleyball tournament winds down just in time for us to go grab a quick bite at Aunt Shirley's!!! We enjoyed Hotdogs...Hamburgers...and all the trimmings!!! Most importantly the HOMEMADE ice cream!!!

Then it is back to the park for a quick walk through...then to the perfect spot to watch the fireworks!!!

Miles tried to sleep through his first firework show!!! I didn't blame him...it had been a long day!!! After the first few he woke up to see the rest!!!
As you can see Miles got a little sun!!! I still am amazed at how...he was under the shade all day!! He has his Daddy's fair skin I guess!!!

Tenley really enjoyed watching the fireworks with her cousins!!! She sure does love "Wuke"...that is how she says it with a "w" sound instead of a "l"!!!
She just gave Luke a kiss!!! She was pretty proud of herself!!! I think he is even smiling a little!!! I am sure one day all their hugs and kisses will stop...but for now they are Oh So Sweet!!!

Another great 4th for the books!!!!