"Snacks" on me...

So, Cale took it upon himself to help himself to some yogurt. He did surprisingly well. When it comes to food the majority does get in his mouth (and a "little" on his face)! FYI, we have yet to find anything the boy does NOT like...it's all good!!!

Having fun and getting your belly full...sounds like a winner to me!!!

Yeah, I see you blue eyes! And, when you look at me like that you can do pretty much whatever you want and I'll just take pictures...

When all else fails....

And, I most certainly couldn't let a post go by without mentioning this little princess...doing what she does best...

Our days are filled with tiaras and tractors!

A little taste of Spring...

Lately, we've been doing A LOT of this...But, Saturday was beautiful and we actually got to enjoy some of this...

I get by with a little help from my friends...OR, my "bossy" big sister!

My "baby" girl

I walk softly and carry a big stick...Actually, I DON'T walk softly at all!

Daddy, Cale and a little wind!

She is NOT camera shy...can you tell????

Getting a bit tired...

Loving on each other (cause I told them too!)

My happy boy!!

Chaos Cale!!!

Matt calls him "Chaos" for short. He says if you spend a couple minutes with him you'll know why! Here are a few reasons of mine...

Painting our face with Ella's lip gloss!

We built sand castles with the soot in the fire place!

There are two "No, No's" here: 1. Being the obvious climbing on the counter. Yes, this is how we ended up in the ER three months ago...clearly, we didn't learn anything. 2. Playing with daddy's work phone. Yes, clients and co-workers have been "cale dialed." SORRY!! AGAIN, climbing on the bar stool. And, Pepsi after 8 0'clock is NOT a good idea!!

We like to move stools, seats, etc. and stand on them so we can reach buttons and things we are NOT supposed to touch!

If this hair doesn't say trouble, I don't know what does!!

Then, we have moments such as this of sheer cuteness and innocence...and ALL is forgiven!

I once heard someone say the definition of a boy is, "noise with a little bit of dirt on it." In 18 months, I am finding that statement to be very true. You can always find him by following the clanking, banging, hammering and of course, grunting. Dirt seems to attract to him like a magnet and I'm not lying when I say we have a busted lip on a daily basis. Cale keeps me on my toes! I don't have time to blog, I barely have time to sit. I used to read with Ella. The only thing Cale really likes to do with books is dump them out. The ONLY time he's still is when he's sleeping! I used to put Ella to bed and get back up. That was when Matt and I could spend some time together or watch a "people show." When Cale goes to bed, I'm WIPED. Bedtime for Cale usually means bedtime for momma. The differences in boys and girls is immeasurable. But, he IS the sweetest thing ever and when he loves on me it melts my heart and he loves on me A LOT!!

How bout some ice!

Well, winter storm '11 didn't turn out to be as horrible as everyone thought, but there was a very nice amount of ice. Ella was slightly upset we couldn't build a snow man, but rebounded quickly when she found we could ice skate like "Beauty and the Beast!" Matt didn't have to go to work so we especially enjoyed having daddy home an extra day and lots of fun outside.

This is our pieced-together winter wear...she was NOT excited about this outfit, but she wore it well;)

Little man here fell on his "rump" numerous times, as you can tell, and managed to find the ONE and ONLY mud puddle that wasn't frozen!!

He loves being outside...no matter the conditions!

We had...

...a great day!

And, when all was said and done it was nice to go inside for some lunch and thawing out by the fire. Later, the kiddos took a 3-hour nap...so did mommy and daddy!!

Of course we watched the National Championship last night where Auburn brought it home!!!

War Eagle and Happy 2011!!!

Maybe later....

we'll grow to love Santa!!

OBVIOUSLY Cale was NOT a fan.

Santa and Ella, however, were fast friends!

Sadly, our second attempt was not any better...he literally tried to leap out of his lap! We won't make him do it again. Maybe one day we can look back on this and laugh, but for now it looks like torture!!

Congratulations, John!

My little brother graduated from Auburn yesterday! So, we all headed to the plains for the ceremony. So much has changed since Matt and I were there, but it was so nice to be back..except for the fact that it was literally freezing!! I'm such a proud big sister, it was a very special day!!!

The proud moment. I don't know what it is, but when it comes to John I'm pretty sentimental. I cry at everything he does. When he was in middle and high school I cried at his wrestling matches, when I got married I balled like a baby when he read the poem he had written at the reception and I teared up here as well. I'm pretty sure I'll be a basket case when he gets married. But, everyone needs a hysterical, snotty bridesmaid, right??

I don't think it's ever been so cold in Auburn.

On our way home. The future of Auburn...I guess this is what graduation will do to you...

We're SUPER proud of you, John! War Eagle!!!!!

A few of my favorite things...

about Matt!!

December is always a big month for us. On the 4th Matt and I celebrated our 6th anniversary and on the 9th we celebrated his 33rd birthday! So, in honor of those occasions I thought I would list my 33 favorite things about my husband (in no particular order):

1. I love how he loves me. I love how he loves his kids...with his WHOLE heart!

2. I love how he leads and teaches us spiritually.

3. I love how after working all day he comes home and helps with dinner or plays with the kids instead of plopping down on the couch and assuming I'll do it all.

4. I love how he doesn't complain when he has to stop by the store or pharmacy on his way home from work.

5. I love to watch him play with his kids and even more so I love seeing him love and kiss on them.

6. I love how when he gets up in the morning the hair on the right side of his head sticks straight out (only on that side, always that side.) I love even more that he passed that onto his son.

7. I love how he "sniffs" on me. Yes, smells me like a dog!

8. I love his work ethic.

9. His loyalty and dedication.

10. I love that he thinks and draws like an artist, but looks like an athlete.

11. He has great hair.

12. He lets me shop for and pick out his clothes...and likes that I do it. I like that he likes clothes, but won't admit it:)

13. He calls me every morning to see how I'm feeling.

14. He kisses me first thing when he walks through the door in the afternoon. When we first got married he said he would always do that...he still does!

15. I love how he loves the Lord. He prays first thing every morning, in the shower, so he won't fall asleep while doing it.

16. When he gets dressed he always says one of three things: "Does this look ok?" OR "Should I tuck in my shirt?" OR "Does this need to be ironed?" The answer is ALWAYS yes, to all.

17. I love when he prays he says "Lord" about every 3rd word.

18. I love when he laughs at me, I love when he laughs period.

19. He has a great smile. But, he has a hard time smiling in pictures because "it feels awkward and forced," so sometimes I have to grab his fanny to get him to do so. Is that too much information??

2o. I love that he loves cupcakes without icing, Ella only eats the icing. He doesn't like noodles, who doesn't like noodles? I think that's funny.

21. I love that before we got married he said he wasn't big into football!!! I love that I believed him:)

22. I love that after every time he goes hunting he says it's the last time....it never is!

23. I love how he always forgets to take his hat off when we're going to church and right before we walk in the door he panics and gives it to me to put in the diaper bag. What are we gonna do when I don't have to carry a diaper bag anymore??

24. He's thoughtful and unselfish.

25. He's sensitive...you would never guess it.

26. He won't let me go to bed mad...sometimes this irritates me though I know it's for the best!

27. He's good with money. This is good, since I'm not. Well, I'm good at spending it!

28. He loves outside, so do both his kids.

29. He actively tries to say things in a way that aren't hurtful or offensive, sometimes he fails, but he always tries!

30. He can read my face like a book.

31. He can have a conversation with me and sometimes I don't have to participate at all.

32. He's affectionate and not afraid or embarrassed about it.

33. He says, "I love you" all the time. To me and the kids. He is a shining example of what a Godly father should be!

I love you, Matt. Thank you for 6 wonderful years and 2 precious children. And, Happy Birthday to our daddy!!