Last Big Outings

I may find that I have more energy than expected in the last few weeks, but just to be safe, I planned a few outings a month or 2 before the baby.  One place I've been wanting to go is Canton.  A group of us girls hopped in the car and went one Saturday morning.  It was really fun to just walk around and look at all of the little shops in nice weather.  If I were going to go again, I would make sure to have a specific list of things I wanted since it's all kind of overwhelming!  I was very happy with my one purchase though -- metal angel wings for baby girl's room.  Great deal and unique!

Our friend Jackie invited us to the Arboretum one Friday, and it was gorgeous.  We had lunch and walked around, but the majority of the time, the kids played in the stream.  Jackie and I were more than happy to relax on the grass with baby Jackson.  I even got lucky and had extra shorts for Grayson (because of potty training) and Hazel dressed herself in 2 pairs of shorts that morning!

The next Friday we went to the Dallas zoo with Jackie and Zara.  It's always a hit with the kids, and again, beautiful weather.  

They had amazing lego animal art displayed all around the zoo.

We had to pose in front of the cougar.  Go Cougs!

Here was our cute zoo group, although most aren't looking.

We had a sad moment when we just missed the pony rides for the day, but the goats cheered us up.

We've been having lots of fun!  Hopefully the kids remember these times because I'm about to be down for awhile.  We're also grateful James's schedule is already slowing down, so we'll get to see him more around this time of year than we did the last.

Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day/weekend was great to spend with each other.  For breakfast on Saturday, I made heart French toast and the kids loved it.  Later we took the kids out with us for dinner, and Aunt Nat is to thank for their cute shirts.  

At church on Sunday, Grayson surprised us with his incredible coloring page, and I seriously thought Hazel colored it.  The nursery leaders told us he did though!  He definitely learned it from Hazel, who colors for hours daily.  Her picture below doesn't show her coloring, but she wrote a sweet message on it for us after her wish list of items she wants to do.  

Our hearts burst daily for these sweet little angels, and we're so excited to meet our next little angel in 2 months!

Big Boy Grayson

Without really planning it, we started potty training Grayson one day after getting his "unda-wees" in the mail.  He had an accident or two at first, but I was surprised at how quickly he caught on, especially because he didn't seem to be interested at all!  He kind of turned out to be the kid who once he was done with diapers, he was done with them at day and at night.  I still put a diaper on him at night, but I pretty much use the same one over and over.  He's only been wet a few times.  Talk about happy mama over here!!  Going in public was the main challenge I'd say, but after a week or two, he was okay with it.  I still give him a little help in the aiming department, but he's been amazing.  Since Hazel was so easy to potty train, I wasn't expecting Grayson to be easy as well, but I'm so grateful it was easier than expected.  Now I just hope it sticks when the baby comes!

Big sisters are the best.

This guy was a champ.  We potty trained him and transitioned him to a big boy bed all at once!

January 2016!

James's Grandpa Brown passed away before Christmas just in time to be with his sweetheart for the holiday.  The family had the funeral after Christmas, so James and lots of other family members were able to make it.  I have many fond memories of Grandpa Brown, knowing him for less than 10 years.  He was so optimistic and had the BEST smile and sense of humor.  James obviously has many more memories of his grandparents and of their time together in St. George, so it was really great for him to be able to make the trip up there to say goodbye.  He also got to spend time with relatives he hardly sees.  I love this picture of the grandsons (although a little blurry).  I know Grandpa Brown is proud of his posterity!

Kids- Barbara, Susan, Sandy, Nancy, Chelta

We will miss you, Grandpa!  James and I now have no living grandparents, but we're so grateful to know we'll see them again one day.  We've both been blessed with the most amazing parents and grandparents.

A few weeks later we gathered with my side of the family for Bella's baptism.  It's great to be 8!  It's also great to be together for these important events.

There were a few other stops in Waco... one being Magnolia, a store made popular by the HGTV show Fixer Upper.  Unfortunately, the line to get into the small store was way out to the street (and it was cold), so we just drove by and took a picture.  James wasn't disappointed at all.  Plus, then he had time to stop by the gun store for a part he needed to build his AR.  One stop for her, one for him.

Otherwise, in January we just kept up our usual routine of preschool, library stops, and inside playdates!  One of the kids' favorites was playing at Golden Grip Gymnastics on open gym day.  

Best buds Hazel and Luke

All of our little monkeys.