The Nicholson Family

The Cubs First Basketball Game

2012-01-22T22:11:00.000-06:00

A year after starting our first organized sport (soccer) someone thought it was a good idea to sign the boys up for basketball. We loved our soccer group so much that when asked if we wanted to play basketball with the same group of boys it was too hard to say no...I really didn't envision basketball starting at 4 years old, but after I watched this cuteness Saturday I'm totally hooked! The boys would be disappointed I'm not posting the clip where they scored their baskets, but honestly this is the best of all the clips, plus the lady sitting next to me did the best job narrating! I loved sitting next to her! Too bad she was a mom from the other team because I want to sit next to her at every game! Ok, so watch closely, Reid is #13 and is the one with the "goooood dribble" according to the sweet anonymous mom. I wish I had a video clip of Grant trying to play tag with 'his man' in the 4th quarter (long game for Grant), or going for his shot (no matter how many whistles) after he was called for traveling! Thank you boys for such a fun Saturday!

Imagination

2012-01-22T21:29:00.000-06:00

Tonight Grant asked me why he doesn't have an imagination, so I respond with "you do, we all do!" Before I had a chance to elaborate, he says (and demonstrates with his eyes) "but when I close my eyes, nothing comes" (insert hand motion, palms up, and head shake)....it was after that I was able to explain a little more about our imagination. Shortly after that he gives me this little bit of advice..."mommy if your pillow gets hot, just flip it over". I asked where he learned that, and same palms up and he says I just thought it. I told him he was so smart, and he responds, "yeah (with his southern drawl) I'm a genius"...whoahhhh no self esteem issues here! lol I LOVE these moments though, one of the best parts of being Grant's mommy! Here is a picture of this silly boy before school the other day....very interesting fashion choice this day.

A Family Tradition

2012-01-19T23:08:00.000-06:00

Finally getting around to posting our Christmas pictures, and warning there are quite a few! I think the look on Reid's face in this first picture just about sums up our month of December....a whirlwind of excitement and fun! We kicked off the season with a few traditions and a couple new fun adventures too....

Reid after finding our elf Buddy made his big arrival bringing with him a North Pole Breakfast (thank you pinterest for adding this breakfast to our Christmas traditions).

This was our 3rd year getting visits from Buddy, but this year has by far been the most fun we've had with him yet! The boys are always unsure of him at first...."hmmm not sure about this guy"

Buddy brought powdered donuts, and 'Cutie' oranges for breakfast, and even brought Christmas jammies and socks!

Payne got this cute little penguin ornament from Buddy

the boys quickly warmed up to Buddy, and started whispering their Christmas wishes to him.

Payne just being a cutie pie...

we wasted no time kicking off the holiday festivities the Saturday after Thanksgiving. We had breakfast at our favorite breakfast place in Fort Worth (Yogi's) and then off to the FWMSH to see Polar Express at the Omni...

We love our visits to the museum! Thank you Dave & Katie for our membership, still one of the best gifts we have ever received!

The boys really grew attached to Buddy this year...way more than in years past. They began arguing over who would sit next to Buddy at the table, and they wanted to make sure Buddy was as close to them as possible, and in this picture Reid wanted him to watch him color. They drew many pictures for Buddy and Santa, and frequently would talk to Buddy telling him all kinds of things! I walked in one morning to Reid holding up his latest piece of artwork to Buddy and asking him to take it to Santa....I wish I had a video it was beyond precious...he was so sincere!

Buddy had a few mishaps along the way, like when he made this snow angel...

Or got stuck in the mail drop, but the boys loved getting up every morning to race and find him in his latest hiding spot.

Of course we made our annual trip with Grammy, Pops, and the Speece's to the tree farm to pick out a tree for the boys to decorate. This year was extra special because Matt & Marta got to join us!

The boys have so much fun together at the tree farm...total silliness

The boys on "Christmas hat day" at school

Ready for their school play (Grant started doing model poses for me out of the clear blue...I'll spare you the next few in this series...pretty sure he thought he was Marky Mark the way he was posing...if he even knew who that was)

....and my Joseph (Reid) and Wise Man (Grant) with their friends Sydney and Bella after their school play. They were so cute, and so proud of their roles!

Capturing the glow...

Headed over to Nana & Papa's for Turman/Nicholson Christmas

Cute boys

Helping momma wrap presents

Uncle Dave and the boys playing in their new tent from Dave & Katie

O'Dwyer Christmas on 12/23/12

Nicholson Christmas on Christmas Eve morning

Cousins

My boys

A special visit from Pap & Nana Nik Nik on Christmas Eve

Payne getting Pap snuggles...

Getting Santa plenty of cookies

Busting through the streamers (thank you Buddy) on Christmas morning

Daddy tortured the boys a little making them wait until he was ready to open gifts

Charlie boy was loving his daddy this morning...

the Darth Vader mask was a hit

Payne and his Pups

Santa knows what boys like...

baby boy and his Santa surprises...

We hosted my family for Christmas this year....

sweet girl in her her pretty dress...

Payne talks to Dada on his phone

2012-01-19T21:11:00.000-06:00

As promised a little video of Payne talking to his Dada on his phone. He loves to talk to him on anything that remotely resembles a phone, and this day he heard the chime of a text message come through from him on my phone and he picked up his hand and started chatting it up with his Daddy. Needless to say Dada was his first word, and he has just added 'Ball' to his vocabulary too...he loves a ball as much as Reidy did/does!

Not giving up yet....

2012-01-13T00:13:00.002-06:00

Oh my poor blog how I keep trying to abandon you....I won't let you go yet though, I'm still holding out for a few more years. Even if I only find time to post once in a blue moon, or for each of the big holidays I'm going to try to keep you up for a while longer. It's been so fun to look back over the past 5 years (wow! can't believe it's been that long since we started this journey), so although I know I still have Christmas to post, here are a few random pictures that I wanted to share from the past few months.

Pumpkin boy

Jason took his Pearce Mustangs to State....again, funny I think this is the norm, but he likes to tell me that the majority of coaches will NEVER go to State...lol either way we're proud :)

Grant & Uncle Cody at the boys Thanksgiving Feast

We went to San Marcos to watch Jason coach his team in the State Championship

While we were there we ate at the Gristmill with the team in Gruene, TX....such a cute little town!

Birthday boy waking up...

and sleeping...not sure if it's creepy or not, but I have lots of these sleeping pictures...I love them!

Park Fun...Payne's first slide

The boys love their footy jammies this time of year! Payne's hair is very tame in this picture must have been a dry cold day because his hair is usually pretty wild and curly

Happy boy

and happy reindeer....

studying up on what his Reidy is doing...

with his girl Landry...what is better than 1 little round headed baby, but 2!! Love these babes!

Grant napping with his precious Duke. I know what you're thinking wth is all over Duke?? Grant stuck these little finger lights he got for Christmas all over Duke so he could see to perform Shark surgery on Duke's tail...love this smart little boy!

Happy First Birthday Charlie Payne

2012-01-12T23:30:00.000-06:00

Happy First Birthday my sweet Charlie Payne! You turned 1 on December 6th, and I'm just as crazy about you today as I was a year ago when you entered this world! Sound the sap alarm because I just ooze sappiness when I talk about you....you are such a charmer, and so incredibly good natured, I'm pretty sure you would have the same affect on anyone that met you :) well I'd like to think so at least. You love your brothers, and want to do everything they do! Other things you love are playing 'pat-a-cake', and especially the 'roll em up, roll em up' part...you could roll em up all day long! Few things get you as excited as the sound of the bathtub filling up with water, and your bottle of milk! Strangely enough you aren't the biggest eater which is unusual for my big Nicholson boys, but I know that will change with time...just noting this for later (teenage years) when you're eating me out of house and home. On the milestone front you started walking on 12/5 the day before your birthday, and haven't looked back since. You are starting to wave bye bye, and your most recent favorite is pretending to talk to 'dada' on just about anything shaped like a phone. I actually caught you on video chatting him up on your hand after hearing a text message come through on my phone. I"ll post that little snippet later, but needless to say you really are off the charts in cuteness...again just noting this for later (teenage years). So more about your birthday party! We celebrated with a Winter ONEderland theme, and invited the family over for cake and cocoa. The big kids decorated mini gingerbread houses which you tried to get in on. You share your parents love for cake, and made us proud by covering yourself with the red frosting (another fun one for the teenage years). You got the sweetest gift from Grammy which you loved instantly....mommy's old rocking chair recovered with the cutest little boy fabric. We are so lucky to have such a talented, crafty Grammy because the chair is just precious! You love that chair and will just climb right up in it and rock...so I think that about covers it for now...moral of the story you're super cute and I love you to pieces!! Always will!

Thanksgiving 2011

2012-01-12T22:32:00.004-06:00

We spent Thanksgiving at Jay & Jenny's this year joined by lots of family, great food, and even gorgeous weather....so many reasons to be thankful this year and those are just a few!

Such a cute idea Marta had using a picture frame and chalk board paint! I want to make one of these!!

Jenny out did herself with the beautiful and crafty decorations...

I love the leaf garland!

These boys always have endless amounts of fun...cousins are the best!

Sweet Layna enjoying her brother's chair...

I never get tired of pictures of Jason with his boys...

a boy and his truck....

Dump truck rides courtesy of Gwammy...

Charlie P's first Thanksgiving...sweet little turkey loved sitting at the big kid table...

as did Jason :)

We stopped by Nana and Papa's on our way home too

the boys had a lot of fun helping me pick out these pumpkins, and I told them how happy these pumpkins made me, so every day as we drove by the house on our way to or from school Grant would point them out..."look mommy your pumpkins...are you happy?" lol

This picture is fun to compare to these next 2 pictures from last year....

It's a Super Hero Halloween!

2011-11-02T20:53:00.001-05:00

It was another great Halloween! We are a family of traditions and as we've done in past years we went to Uncle Jay & Aunt Jenny's to trick or treat with Blake & Layna. It was the year of the super heros, and the strawberry. We had a fun hay ride around the neighborhood before the trick or treating, and followed up trick or treating with a little bobbin for apples. This was a first for the boys, and so cute to watch! Then a yummy dinner courtesy of Grammy, baths, jammies and CANDY! So much fun, and we were all exhausted from the whirlwind of activities! Love that the boys have sweet cousins to share in the fun with...lucky boys!

This was one other fun Halloween thing we did this year that started with the MECPTA group we're apart of. We got Booed! We actually were Booed twice, and one of them is still a mystery to me, but anyhow we had the best time creating our Boo baskets and passing on the fun to our friends in MECPTA, and to our cousins Maddie Cate & Peyton.

Creeping up on 11 months....

2011-11-02T20:24:00.000-05:00

Hard to believe we will be planning a first birthday party very soon! My sweet Payne is almost 11 months, and here are a few pictures from the day he discovered the boys red chairs...he thought he was so big!

This one reminds me of Jason...ugh love this boy!

My Little Pumpkin Head

2011-10-20T13:21:00.001-05:00

Fall was in the air the morning we took these pictures...we decided to put out a few wreaths and decorations out front. We could hear the church bells of St. Maria Goretti (my favorite sound in the whole world) as we were having our impromptu photo shoot.

Lindsay and Miss Laine came over for a play date, so out came the camera :) Payne loved her sweet little flower headband.

My sweet pumpkin, or bat boy

40 Years of Wedding Bliss

2011-10-20T12:43:00.003-05:00

On September 24th we celebrated my grandparents 40th wedding anniversary at the Ventana Grill at Tierra Verde Golf Club. It was a fun filled night complete with good friends and family, and some very interesting little known facts about them. Meet 'Ed & Ginger', 'Mom & Dad', 'Gram & GP', 'Gigi & Pa-pa', or as I learned at the party 'Fast Eddy & Jittirbug'?? Whatever you call them they are the glue of the Spalding family. Very fun, loving, and hip as grandparents come, but also very traditional. They have taught me so much and have given me so much to aspire to. Love you bunches Gram and Grandpa!

Mom toasting the happy couple...

:Pictures by Lindsay Pierson Photography

Back to School

2011-10-10T22:00:00.001-05:00

First day of PreK at Holy Cross! Hard to believe I will be posting Kindergarten pictures next year! :( The boys have a new teacher this year Miss Jessica, and they adore her. They had fun playing 'back to school' with Payne too. I found him crawling down the hallway with his back pack on and knew it could only be the work of these 2!

Aquarium

2011-10-10T21:47:00.000-05:00

Grant loves ocean animals these days so when our play group decided to go to the new aquarium in Grapevine there was no way we were missing out! He was hoping to see sharks and orca whales :) 1 of the 2 isn't bad.

Summer Fun!

2011-10-10T21:21:00.000-05:00

What a summer! This post is way over due, but better late than never. We had such a fun summer full of activities. We kicked off the summer with a visit to Great Wolfe Lodge with our cousins Peyton, Maddie Cate, and Beckham. We had lots of play dates....swimming at Howard Moore Park, fun at the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History with our friends Britton and Mauri. We took a road trip to Arkansas with Uncle Cody to see Pap and Nana Nik-Nik. Lots of swimming at Grammy and Pops', a fun July 4th Celebration with cousins Blake and Layna. A visit to the Beach with Grammy, Pops, Gigi, and Pa-Pa. A weekend stay at Barton Creek in the hill country, VBS with Blakey, the circus with Nana....needless to say there was no shortage of fun! Payne picked up a few new skills too. At 7 months he learned how to sit up all by himself and started crawling all in the same day. It's been a very long time since I've had a summer off I forgot how nice it is, and I couldn't have asked for better company to spend it with...now for some nice fall weather!

Summer snapshots...

A Letter to my Little Cub...

2011-06-25T09:25:00.001-05:00

Dear Charlie Payne,

My sweet Little Cub, Payne-e-poo, Payne-e-pie, Charlie P, Boo-boo bear...you have grabbed hold of my heart like no one else! Your grip is so tight, and our bond so special. You have brought so much joy to my life in such a short period of time, and it makes me smile to think of all the things I never thought I would do, but now because of you find myself doing....most notably I quit my job of 8 years because I missed your smiling face every day. Now I get to spend every waking minute with my boys, and just feel beyond blessed for this opportunity, and so thankful that you have help me to this place! This was a terrifying decision for me, but every time I looked at you it somehow seemed do-able and of course more than worth it. I'm so excited to have our special time together now to watch you grow and learn. You are watching every move your big brothers make, and it won't be long before you are off and running with them. They adore you and I'm pretty sure Reid would stick you in his pocket and take you everywhere with him if he could. He is always up in your face giving you kisses and snuggling with you. Grant finds constant entertainment in trying to make you laugh, and he is such a comedian that you are equally entertained by his goofiness. To say I am stupid over you would be an understatement...you are my little love affair, and it is such an honor to chaperone your little soul through this life. I look forward to the journey, and everything yet to come. I love you so much sweet boy!

Mommy

xoxo

Payne's Baptism

2011-04-24T18:04:00.001-05:00

Our sweet Charlie Payne was baptized April 10th, 2011 at Holy Cross Lutheran Church. We celebrated with family and friends afterwards with a brunch at Mac's. His sponsors are his Aunt Jenny, and Uncle Dave. We were so excited that Dave and Katie came all the way up from Houston for the occasion. It was truly a special day!

Spring Fun

2011-04-24T17:52:00.001-05:00

A March day in the country at Gigi & Pa-pa's

We walked across the street to Kay & Weldon's and got to collect chicken eggs...Reid was so proud of his chicken eggs!
One of Grant's favorite things to do....help Gigi fill up the bird bath, and the bird feeders

warmer weather called for a popsicle break

Happy 4th Birthday Sweet Cubs

2011-02-23T19:54:00.001-06:00

We celebrated the boys 4th birthday at home this year with a "small" family party...Robot themed! I think it was a success....

Crazy cousins

Birthday wishes...

The boys with their new golf game from Blakey

The robot cake pops I fought with (and will never make again!) I ended up making just enough for each child, and not 1 more...thank goodness for a small family party this year!

Grant's Koko the train

Reid loves presents!

Still best bubba's even after the golf accident...the band-aid makes for nice birthday pictures

Reid was in love with his new baseball bat he bought with his birthday money from Grandma & Grandpa Charlie

Charlie Payne's Sip & See

2011-02-22T20:51:00.000-06:00

Jenny, Linds and Mom hosted a perfect celebration for Charlie P at the end of January. They covered every last detail and really outdid themselves, from the gorgeous flowers, to the delicious food and cupcakes, and all the sweet decorations....well just take a look for yourself.

Payne was so sweet and charming greeting all his guests in his bassinett.

"I'm done being charming momma"

I just love this boyI love you Gwammy

Thank you to my best girls!!

Happy Valentine's Day 2011

2011-02-22T19:12:00.001-06:00

My sweet Valentine Cubs

we had so much fun making Valentine crafts this year...we had a play date with Grammy and Blakey to make these fun Valentine boxes.

Mommy's Valentine craft

Reid loved making his very own heart shaped Valentines and was so proud to hand them out. The lucky recipients this year were Grammy, Aunt Laurie and Uncle Tony.

Reid's Valentine box

What says Happy Valentine's Day like fruit loops and strawberries for breakfast??

Snow Days February 2011

2011-02-16T10:26:00.000-06:00

This is how we spent our 5 snow days....

Payne-e-poo was content spending his first snow right here in mommy's arms

Zappa was trying to get as close to Payne as possible, and finally settled for a nice warm spot curled up at my feet.

the boys sizing up the situation

double snow angels

Grant my sweet snow cub

these moments brought to you courtesy of daddy...no way mommy was getting out in the cold this year to take pics, and sweet daddy went out a couple of times to make sure we had plenty of documentation

silly snow cubs

Random Winter Activities

2011-02-02T15:37:00.000-06:00

Photo opp with Daddy at Cowboys stadium as they get ready for SuperBowl XLV

Waiting for Nana to pick us up for our first day back to school after Christmas break

Our painting projects from Gigi & Pa-pa

Christmas 2010 Part 2

2011-02-02T14:37:00.000-06:00

Snow days are perfect for catching up on the blog, so as promised I finally bring you Christmas 2010 part 2. Christmas morning at home with my cubs, and a fabulous Christmas dinner hosted by Aunt Jenny & Uncle Jay.

Reid wished for Candy and a bike with 2 wheels, so Santa loaded his stocking with all kinds of candy....

Santa dropped off a new kitchen for the boys, so Daddy and Zappa put it together

Grant wished for a bike with 2 wheels and every kind of remote control toy imaginable...Santa wasn't sure where he would find a remote control digger, but Walmart came through for him.

Reid loved his new batting helmet...

Opening the surprises from Mommy & Daddy in the family room

...Blake knew what Grant was wishing for...more remote control!
this little princess watched all the festivities from the comfort of her swing

more surprises from Grammy.

...and the best gifts of all.

My Sweet Charlie Payne

2011-01-28T15:35:00.000-06:00

I'm pretty in love with this boy, and Alyssa Maisano did such a wonderful job of capturing all his sweetness! There are quite a few cute shots but here are some of my favorites.

Christmas 2010 Part 1

2011-01-18T22:10:00.001-06:00

I think it goes without saying that December was a busy month, but it was especially busy for us this year since we welcomed our sweet Charlie Payne into the world on December 6th. So I'm just catching up on some blogging and have 2 posts for December. We started the month with our traditional trip to the tree farm to pick out a tree. We go each year with Grammy, Pops, Jay and Jenny and their family, and afterwards we have lunch at Babes to celebrate Grammy's birthday.

I love this pic of the boys (thanks for this one Jenny!) These boys have so much fun together, they are so lucky to have each other.

Jason and his cubs

Grant enjoying his popcorn at the tree farm

My sweet Reidy T.

the next day we swung by AMH to pick up our baby Payne :) Grant and Reid stayed with Gigi & Pa-pa while we were at the hospital. This picture of Reid was taken the first morning after we came home from the hospital...I don't think he could be any more pleased with him. I can't think of anything more wonderful to wake up to after 4 nights away from home.

We took the boys to North Park to see the trains and do a little shopping

The boys had fun decorating gingerbread houses and trains. Reid was in heaven with all the candy...he's a little candy obsessed (hoping it's just a stage, but no signs of it dying off any time soon)

A little tree decorating...

...and cookie decorating...
Christmas Eve at Nana & Papa's

I think this is the first pic of all 6 of the Nicholson cousins together

Payne didn't know what to think of all the goofy outfits mommy needed to dress him up in...sorry Payne-e-poo that's what mommy's do :)

Payne's First Week

2010-12-20T22:09:00.000-06:00

Your first visitors...

Happy Birthday to Payne & Grammy!

brotherly love...

Your first bath...

Sweet Cousins

2010-12-20T22:02:00.000-06:00

My sweet boy

Born 6 days apart...

Charlie Payne and Beckham James loved snuggling at their very first play date 12/19/10

Payne 9.5 lbs, Becks 4.15 lbs

Charlie Payne Nicholson

2010-12-10T10:55:00.000-06:00

Born Monday December 6, 2010

8.7 pounds

19.5 inches

1:12 PM

Fall is in the Air!

2010-11-16T15:16:00.000-06:00

We've been enjoying the cooler weather lately. The boys had Logan over for a play date, and the weather was perfect for playing in the backyard!

Grant and Logan

Reid really wanted me to watch how he swings all by himself, but of course I haven't masterd my action photography yet so these pics will have to do.

First hot cocoa of the season....

We were getting ready for Daddy's volleyball game, and snapped this pic of Reid and his 'signature look'. I get this look every day when I drop him off for school...it's the final step to our morning 'goodbye' after about 20 "I love you's", kisses, eskimo's, and "Have a nice day's".

...and Daddy won the game yay!!

Jason won the Regional Championship his first year as head coach at JJ Pearce! Not a bad start!

Happy Halloween!!

2010-11-16T09:36:00.000-06:00

We had so much fun Trick or Treating with Blakey again this year! Transfomers and Darth Vader were the costumes of choice. The boys collected tons of candy, and had so much fun taking inventory in their spooky Halloween jammies! And this blog would not be complete if I failed to post the picture of Uncle Jay in his bumble bee costume, nothing like coordinating tutus for Daddy and daughter!

Adventures with Grammy & Pops

2010-11-16T09:12:00.000-06:00

The boys got a very special treat this year...a trip to the State Fair with Grammy and Pops! This has been on my list of things to do since I was the boys age, and one of these days I'll actually make it out to the fair! Anyhow, I think the pictures speak for themselves, but let's just say there was no shortage of excitement from the train ride to Fair Park, to seeing Big Tex, all the fun rides (they even rode the big scary ferris wheel!! Yikes!) to the cotton candy and corny dogs, and even a the sleep over with Grammy & Pops to top it all off! While the boys were enjoying themselves with G&P Jason and I had his 20 year High School reunion! lol I can't believe we're ( I mean Jason) is getting so old!! :)

Thank you for such a fun day Grammy & Pops!

Daddy Date at the Pumpkin Patch

2010-10-19T22:23:00.001-05:00

Jason and the boys had last Monday off for Columbus Day so they decided to brave the pumpkin patch...

Hard to believe these are my cubs!! Time flies!

Learning and Exploring at the Museum

2010-09-10T15:26:00.001-05:00

Jason was in Houston a few weeks ago so the boys and I decided to take a field trip to the Fort Worth Museum of Science & History. The boys are all about dinasaurs these days, so it was so much fun to get up close and personal with this T-Rex...or least Reid thought so, Grant was not quite as sure about it, but after a little convincing from Reidy he allowed me to take these photos.

They also loved the kids play area! There was so much fun to be had at the museum, we will have to make another trip back to visit the planetarium!

New School

2010-09-10T15:12:00.000-05:00

Getting ready for a new school means new lunchboxes, new backpacks, and new clothes! What could be better?! The boys loved picking out their lunchboxes and had to play "go to school" as soon as they arrived. The boys were so excited to start their new big boy school, although mommy was a little nervous about the change....why I'm not sure, they had the best first week at school and go to do so many fun things! They love their new teacher Miss Lin, and have already made a new friend- Isabella :)

To My Sweet Cubs

2010-08-19T20:02:00.000-05:00

To my sweet cubs,

As we prepare to welcome your baby brother to the family in the next few weeks I think back on the past 3.5 years and how it has been just the 3 of us for a while now. You have grown into such sweet boys, and I'm so proud of the considerate, fun loving big boys you have become. I still remember how naive I was the day you came into the world. You were so tiny, just little pumpkin seeds at 3.12oz and 4.6oz; as small as you were you managed to change my world immensley and I still remember how unprepared I was. Unprepared for your 2 month early arrival, for how much my world would change, for the overwhelming amount of love I had to share with you, for the perspective you would give me, and for the fun adventures we were about to experience together! It has been so fun watching you grow and explore this world while I attempted to figure out this mommy thing without causing you any permanent damage.

Grant- You are my sweet lovey, and there is no one I would rather "snuggle tight" with than you! You are such a curious one, always looking for the next thing to "fix", and always so considerate of others, especially your mommy! You are so much like your daddy, and have a very happy, friendly, easy going nature that makes you such a joy to be around, and your laugh is so incredibly contagious it would make anyone smile!

Reid- My little perfectionist. You are such a talent in every sport, and that I'm certain you got from me! :) I love how you always want to help me in the kitchen...you're reportoire is quite extensive now, and pretty soon you won't need me to make your eggs anymore. This could be a good thing since you told me you like the way daddy's makes them. You are so complimentary and always telling me how pretty and most recently "beautiful" I look, and that you like my dress, or whatever I'm wearing....please don't ever stop these sweet compliments!

There are countless things I love about being Grant and Reid's mommy. I love our pretend play, how at only 3 you already want to play "pretend to go to college", but also "pretend to go to the beach" and many other places! I love your super hero, and robot voices, our picnics, the way you like to play scuba diver in the bath tub, our Friday trips to the donut shop before school to get donuts with "prinkles", your love for "Ruff" and "Kitty". I love your sweet shyness (although you're quickly outgrowing this), how much you adore your daddy, our trips to the park, our "special days", and the way you hold complete conversations just the two of you...and will tell me "No mommy I'm talking to bubba". The way we sing Taylor Swift's "Best Day" as loud as we can on the way to school every day, and the way you know almost every word by heart.

You have been so lucky to have each other from day 1, and truly seem to be the best of friends, always asking about the other when you're apart. As close as you two are Daddy and I wanted to give you more...we know you will both make such good big brothers and have already been such a help in preparing for Baby Payne. Helping pick names; Grant you wanted to name him Mac, and Reid you want to name him Kit, and while those are both wonderful names you agreed that Charlie Payne was the "bestest name". You're always helping pick out things for "our baby" when we go to the store, and already thinking of things you will teach him. Grant you want to teach Payne how to play racecars, and how to make a snowman. Reid you want to teach him A,B,C,D's, and baseball. You both like to sing "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" to him in my belly almost every night to see if he will kick, and funny how he always does! This baby is so lucky to have you both as big brothers! I can't wait for you to meet him, and I know he can't wait to meet you too!

I am so lucky to be your mommy, and never could have prepared for the joy you have brought me, and for that I am so thankful. Blessed was the day you came into my life, and I know we have so many more special times to share together just us, and many more to share with your Baby Payne.

I love you so much!

Always will...

Mommy

Happy Memorial Day

2010-06-03T17:15:00.000-05:00

My boys at "The Ranch" :)

Keeping cool at Grammy & Pops...

Tinkering

2010-06-03T17:07:00.000-05:00

Grant loves his tinker toys, and building the windmill is is fav!

Guess Who...

2010-04-12T08:50:00.000-05:00

Will be BIG BROTHERS...

I've had this post waiting for a while, it's hard to keep good news a secret for too long...so enough is enough...Grant & Reid are going to be big brothers! It's been a rough few weeks of morning sickness, but we couldn't be more excited. The boys are talking about all the things they will teach the new baby...Reid will teach A,B,C,D's and Grant will teach "racecars" and maybe a few manners (I won't hold my breath on that one). Jason and I are looking forward to experiencing everything 1 baby at a time has to offer. We have such a blessed life it's hard to think it can get any better than this, but I know this Baby Nich will be the perfect completion to our family. Baby is scheduled to arrive December 12, 2010.

Things I'm Good At and Things I Like...

2010-04-11T14:21:00.001-05:00

The boys love to help mommy these days, and mommy loves the help, so I have been trying to find new things for them to help me with all the time. It started one night when I was making salad and Reid thought tearing up the lettuce looked like fun! Perfect, because that's mommy's least favorite part! So by the time we were done tearing the lettuce and putting the salad together he was very proud of his accomplishment. Next it was iced tea...he would help me open the tea bags and put them in the iced tea maker, and then it progressed to many other areas. So the other night as we were making more tea (I'm addicted to tea!!) Reid decided to tell me all the things he's good at....it went something like this.

Reid: "Mama I'm good at salad, tea, blueberry muffins, cupcakes, cheese, and ants on a log"

Sunday morning we added one more to his repertoire...scrambled eggs...which he proceeded to explain every step we took as we sat down to enjoy our breakfast...I love teaching them new things...not sure who is having more fun with this stage!

On the Grant front...as Reid was telling me all the things he liked the other day, which of course were baskteball, baseball....etc. I decided to ask Grant what he liked. Reid is sometimes more vocal than Grant, so I wanted to see if I could get something out of Grant this time....It went like this...

Me: "Grant, bubba likes basketball and baseball, do you like basketball or baseball?"

Grant: "No"

Me: "What things do you like Grant?"

Grant" "Racecars"

Me: "Is there anything else you like?"

Grant: "Racecars"

So that's about it....a boy of few words, and 1 passion....racecars :)

Pony Rides and Easter Egg Hunts

2010-04-11T08:46:00.000-05:00

Happy Easter 2010

2010-04-09T13:45:00.000-05:00

This year we spent Easter without Daddy since he was in New Orleans for a tournament. This made church extra fun with two 3 year olds :) It was the boys first time to not go to the nursery. They decided to join me for "big boy church"...thank goodness Grammy & Pops were there to help, because as good as they were I still needed a little assistance. The boys recap of the service was perfect....Reid said "we go to big boy church and sing songs, and stand up sit down, and go to the front for a story (a.k.a. children's message). They were fascinated by the choir and the bells. Thank goodness there was lots of singning! The boys favorite Easter greeting was "He has risen indeed! Alleuia" and so much cuter when they say it!

After church we came home to find the Easter bunny had come and left the boys "bunny baskets". They were so excited of course, and could hardly sit for a picture before they were begging me to open their toys. We had a quick visit with Nana and Papa complete with our very own private Easter egg hunt. We wished we could have stayed longer, but we had more Easter fun to be had so we were off to Gigi and Pa-pa's. We had fun playing in the yard, and visiting with all the family. We had another Easter egg hunt with cousin Blakey and found lots of eggs. The day ended with Grant pulling the bird bath over on his leg, which gave him a nice big boo-boo. Good thing he's my tough boy! It was a long busy day, but tons of fun!

The best part of his Easter if you ask Grant...he got "Wingo", and managed to snag Reid's "DJ" too. He loves cars, and has been wanting these guys for a while. He doesn't leave the house without them now.

Trying to get a quick picture of them together..."hurry up mom"

Please mom, please open it...please!

These are just a couple of the treats Grammy made the boys. These were so cute (the pictures don't do them justice) white chocolate bunnies complete with edible grass.

Field Trip

2010-04-01T22:50:00.000-05:00

We took a field trip to Grammy's work to see the big helicopters. The boys had a blast and learned so so much...their favorites questions for Grammy..."what's that?", and more importantly "what's it do?" While Reid was hoping to see a pink helicopter he was more than satisfied with the American flag copter. The boys loved sitting in the helicopter and watching the big red one get pulled out of the hanger for delivery. Check out my future pilots below...oh yeah, and the safety goggles were pretty cool too!

It's Official...

2010-03-25T16:25:00.000-05:00

Jason is the Head Coach of the JJ Pearce Mustangs! Congratulations babe, we're so proud of you! We can wait to sport our red and blue to your first game as head coach! I need to get a picture to post....stay tuned :)

A Creative Moment

2010-03-21T22:05:00.000-05:00

The boys love the art easel Grammy & Pops gave them for their birthday.

Grant explaining his picture...(it's a "rainbow shark" in case you're wondering)

My little artists

Boy Fun

2010-03-21T21:52:00.000-05:00

These are a few more random pics from last weekend...

Grant enjoying his chocolate bunny from Pops

...the Fun Dip from Grammy...can we say sugar high?!

Diggin with Blakey

Playing boats in Gigi's bird bath

Picking Wishies at Gigi and Pa-pa's

2010-03-21T21:30:00.000-05:00

These are some pics from last weekend's fun at Gigi and Pa-pa's...as noted by the beautiful weather in these pictures :)

" Wishies"...one of life's many wonders. The boys had a blast picking them with Grammy in Gigi's front yard.

Love Cubs!

2010-03-06T12:28:00.000-06:00

Happy 3rd Birthday Grant & Reid!

2010-02-21T20:46:00.002-06:00

I can't believe I have 2 three year olds! This year was a "Cars" birthday party, complete with friends, presents, and their very own cakes! Evidently sharing birthday cakes isn't very popular with the twins :) We had so much fun, having our friends over for our party, the boys would list off everyone they wanted to invite, and it was important that "mommy's friends" were invited too...worked out well for me :) The boys were thrilled to have so many friends show up to help them celebrate turning "3 just like Britton"!

Valentine Fun

2010-02-21T20:46:00.001-06:00

A little behind on my blogging, but still wanted to post our February fun.

Valentine treats I made for the boys class

This was from our phot shoot with Miss Alyssa

Winter Snow 2010

2010-02-13T16:28:00.000-06:00

It's hard to believe this is the Texas I grew up in...this kind of snow is definitely new to us here in Arlington, but the boys are starting to think this is the norm. It's been a long wet, and snowy winter this year. Just when I thought I couldn't take any more winter this blanket of snow dropped from the heavens. It was absolutley gorgeous...just like living in a snowglobe, and the boys thought it was pretty fun too! Ever since our white Christmas they have been talking about it snowing again, and Santa coming...well no Santa this time, but all the fun they had making snow angels, snowmen, sledding, and having snowball fights more than made up for no Santa. We even got to have a slumber party with our cousins Peyton and Maddie Cate since they lost their power. There were many trees lost in our neighborhood due to all the snow. This also meant many people without electricity...which is no way to live if you're asking my sister-in-law Melissa. We had so much fun hosting the slumber party...Meliss gave me a crash course in photo-shop while Jason took the kids sledding. We made yummy food, and wasted the day away playing.

Before snow was even in the forecast the boys were wanting to make snow angels. They must have learned about them at school, because we definitely had not discussed them. After school one day I asked them to show me what a snow angel was to see if they really knew and sure enough they would lie down on the floor and move their arms and legs to show me...so finally at long last their chance to make the real deal!

Watch out Grant!!!

Excitement was in the air...

...the carrot nose was very important!

This one cracks me up...check out Grants hat, and Peyton's face! Ha! They had so much fun sledding with Jason.

A very snowy Lynda Lane!

Weekend Fun

2010-01-23T21:52:00.000-06:00

Daddy was in San Antonio this weekend winning another volleyball tournament. Congrats again Daddy! This winning business is getting a little predictable! :) Meanwhile the boys and I enjoyed a rainy Saturday of puzzles, and crafts. A quick trip to Michael's to buy 'all that glittered' to make the cutest Valentine's ever! Pink heart cards+Glitter+Cousins=FUN! We finished out the weekend with a fun play date with Blakey on Sunday. I didn't get any pictures, but we had so much fun riding scooters and bikes with Blake. Blakey is so cute on his scooter I wish I had pics...that boy can scoot!! These are the times we are so thankful to have family so close!

Big Boy Haircuts

2010-01-19T19:40:00.000-06:00

Well, we have a theme around here and it's everything "Big Boy"...so next on the list was big boy haircuts courtesy of Miss Debbie...we lost the rugrat look and now mommy is adjusting to these big boys styles...almost 3 and looking every bit of it!!

Grant looking slick, and Reid about to lose his mop :)

I love how much you can see their little faces now!

A Monday Night With the Boys

2010-01-12T21:36:00.000-06:00

Monday night was such a fun night with the boys. They gave me so many laughs I thought I needed to write them down. Lately the boys have been trying to dress themselves...I suppose it's that independence thing, which is somewhat bitter sweet...so when Reid managed to put his undies on all by himself the other night I told him he was getting to be "such a big boy", and it made me sad because I wanted him to stay a bitty baby...he put his arms around my neck, patted my back and said "don't cry mama, don't cry". I mean so sweet because it was so sincere too...lol.

Next Grant notice my nice big red zit in the middle of my forehead...not hard to miss really, but here's how that went down:

Grant: "mama, someone hit you??"

Me: "No baby no one hit me"

Grant: "mama, you hit your head on the wall??"

Me: "No baby, mommy just has a booboo"

Grant: "mama, need a bandaid??"

Ha! So sweet all the concern they have for me these days...

Shortly after that I noticed Reid had been M.I.A. for at least 5 or 10 minutes, coincidently I had just told him that he had to either put up the lollypop he had been carrying around, or he needed to put it in his pink heart purse to save it for later. So as I walk down the hall to his room I notice little pieces of candy wrapper on the floor. I find him hiding under the blankets in his bed with a half eaten lollypop! I wish I had a picture of the look on his face when I caught him...absolutely priceless! It took everything I had to not bust out laughing. Poor baby had to go a whole day without any "pwizes" for going potty :( It was really hard not to give in, but we made it through the day, and today he's getting lots of prizes!

I can't wait to see what they come up with tonight!

Big Boy Beds

2010-01-09T09:13:00.000-06:00

The big boy beds were delivered yesterday morning, and I couldn't wait for Jason to get home, so I put them together over my lunch break since I was working from home. They turned out to be just the perfect size...any bigger they would be too big for their room, and any smaller they wouldn't have been big boy beds. The boys love them, and especially love jumping on them...we will need some bumper pads I'm afraid. Now I need to figure out what to do with the rest of the decor in their room. I've been waiting to get their beds to really decorate, so now I guess I need to get busy!

Old Friends/Good Times

2010-01-09T08:22:00.001-06:00

We had some old friends over for dinner last Saturday, and had so much fun. Linds, you're right there is just something about old friends...Lucas and Lindsay brought baby Logan who was so cute and soooo sweet and lovey! Blake and Nicole brought Miss Elizabeth, who was a total doll, and played so well with all the boys! We need to get together way more often with our friends! Now if I could just get my husband to stop bringing up his "hot dog stand" idea to Lucas...I mean...I love hotdogs and all, but don't think I need to be married to the hotdog man, nor do I need him trying to get our friends to partner with him in his hotdog stand venture....and why didn't I take any pictures of the grownups?? Next time...

Logan loved Handy Manny...does someone else watch as much Disney as we do??

Cowboy Logan riding the range

This one cracks me up...Grant and Elizabeth

Logan loved giving kissies :)

Making Spirits Bright- Christmas 2009

2010-01-07T18:23:00.000-06:00

Christmas this year was better than ever with my sweet cubs! We kicked off the month by going to the Christmas Tree farm with Grammy, Pops, Jay, Jenny, and Blake to pick out a real Christmas tree. We found the perfect tree and brought it home for the boys to decorate. This year we had 2 big trees (a mommy tree, and the fun tree) plus the boys very own little tree for their room. The boys loved helping decorate all the trees and helped make paper chains for the fun tree. We made cookies, and sang Christmas carols ("Oh Christmas Tree" was a favorite this year...next year we'll learn all the words to it). The boys helped daddy put up our usual red and white lights outside while mommy decked the halls inside. The boys got a new snow globe from Grammy and Pops which they loved shaking (yikes!) and winding up. Another favorite was their new nativity scene with the light up star that sang "Away in a Manger"...the boys would press the button and sing "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star"...another Christmas Carol to learn for next year. Oh, and I can't forget to mention our friend Buddy that showed up after Thanksgiving...Buddy is our "Elf on a Shelf" that showed up to keep an eye on Grant and Reid. The boys grew to love Buddy; although when he first showed up I wasn't so sure how it would go over since Reid kept kicking Buddy and knocking him off the rocking horse. Every night after their prayers the boys would whisper to Buddy what they wished Santa would bring them, and they would try to convince Buddy that they had been good little boys :) Well turned out they must have made the "nice list" because Santa brought Grant his "Big Mack Truck" and Reid's "Pink heart purse" that they wished for.

This year was a White Christmas, which was absolutely gorgeous! I never managed to get the boys out to play in the snow before it melted, but I did get a few quick snapshots. They loved the snow and keep telling me it's going to snow again and that it will be Christmas again...so I guess "snow" = Christmas :) Another big hit this year was the Vandergriffs "Present Christmas Tree". Reid caught a glimpse of this wonderful, festive piece of yard art at the Vandergriff house, and was obsessed with it the rest of the month. Every day on the way to or from school he wanted to know if the "Present Christmas Tree out my window mommy?" It became a game...whose window would the Present Christmas Tree be out...we would have to turn around and do another drive by so it could be out Grants window too....the joys they bring!

I know there is so much I'm forgetting to mention, and as I typed I know there are pictures I'm leaving out, but I guess this is why you need to blog every day...right Erin?! :)

My Snow Cubs

Drinking Hot Cocoa....a new obsession after our visit to Britton and Miss Mauri's house

Mommy's tree

The snow globe from Grammy and Pops...you can almost see all the finger prints on it

"Twinkle twinkle little star...."

One of Grant's favorite gifts from the O'Dwyers..."to infinity and beyond"

Christmas at the Nicholsons...playing peekaboo with Papa

Grant and Cousin Colin on their scooters from Grammy and Pops

All the cousins...I love this one

The famous "Pink heart purse"

Merry Christmas! (try to ignore the wood panelling)

Making cookies for Santa

The Good Things

2009-11-14T07:42:00.001-06:00

As I sit here and watch a Mickey Mouse Clubhouse marathon with the boys I'm reminded of all the sweet joys my cubs have brought me lately. They have been learning so much, and it's been so long since I've really blogged about these things and how much fun we've been having.

This parenting thing just keeps getting more fun. The boys are both into playing pretend, which all started with a little Neiman's shopping bag I brought home filled with new makeup...the boys were so fascinated by the cute little shopping bag (I know what you're thinking...who wouldn't be fascinated by a cute little Neiman's bag) so I took everything out and gave them each a bag to play "shopping" with. Well they went around their playroom collecting all kinds of toys to put in their bags, and next thing I knew they were telling me "bye mama, I go to the beach, have a good day", and they would sit in their little red chairs, which was their pretend car....their imaginations are wild...they would put their shopping bags in the "way back" of their pretend car, and play like they were driving to the beach. Now they are obsessed with any kind of bag, backpack, or anything they can pack things in. The other thing they have enjoyed doing is calling Mickey Mouse on their play cell phone. Reid has lengthy conversations (for a 2 year old) with Mickey and asks him all kinds of questions like..."wanna come trick or treating with us" or "Hi Mickey Mouse, wanna come eat supper with us", or sometimes it is "Hi Mickey Mouse, what you gonna be for Halloween Mickey Mouse, oh a cowboy?". Lot's of pretend play in this house lately!

We're also learning a lot at school...the boys can sing their "A,B,C,D's" better than ever, and will usually tell me "No help mama". I've heard them count to 30...between the 2 of them (they sometimes help each other), and on their own they can make it at least to 20 or so. I learned on the way to school one morning they are very familiar with all their shapes...."Oh look mama it's a Octogan"...and next thing I knew they were pointing out diamonds, triangles and all kinds of shapes along our drives. The octogan is still their favorite, but they love to play "I spye colors" which turns into "I spye shapes, or Mac trucks" or anything they find interesting. Our art skills are also coming along nicely. The boys always have a nice new piece of art they're bringing home, but my favorite so far was Reid's Tractor he drew me the other night....he very intently drew some scribbly picture on the paper and told me "Look mama, I draw a tractor, it says dig, dig, dig (showing me the hand motions)..."and these tracks" he said. I didn't notice right away, but at second glance it actually resembled a digger, complete with mud tracks and all....coincidence maybe, the next Picaso...I'll let you be the judge :) ha, j/k but maybe he will get the Speece artistist abilities, something I never seemed to pick up.

My sweet Grant on the other hand is quite the song bird. Always wants me to "Sing mama sing" (not sure how much longer this will last, but it still melts my heart every time I have a request for "Mary had a little lamb"). He doesn't even need me to sing because as soon as I start a song he belts out every last word on his own. Grant is definitely my lovey bear, always giving the sweetest kisses and hugs, and telling me out of the clear blue "I wuv you mama", or "I missed you mama", and always wants to say a special prayer for daddy at dinner...sounds pretty much perfect right :) this blog is titled the "good things". I mean I'm sure I'm just like every other mom out there, but I truly feel like the luckiest, most blessed girl in the whole world to have 2 happy, healthy, and especially fun loving boys! These are definitely the good things!!

Tha master piece!

Future Payne Stewart??

2009-11-07T16:07:00.000-06:00

These were just a couple of random pics I snapped. We were trying on clothes deciding what to wear for our real photo shoot with Miss Corri, and I thought these were kind of sweet of my Reidy Bean...not sure why the pics have the white space around them :(

Happy Halloween!!

2009-11-01T11:44:00.000-06:00

Halloween was so much fun for the boys this year! They decided to be pirates, and sported these little master pieces that Grammy made! They loved the costumes, and Reid enjoyed playing dress up and 'trick or treating' even before the big night. Trick or treating was at cousin Blakey's this year, and you can see from the pics he was the cutest little native american indian ever...even without his feather which he refused to wear :) The boys had a great time going house to house, but were definitely exhausted by the end of it all. Reid also insisted that Ruff needed a pirate costume too, which explains his eye patch and bandana.

Fall Festivities

2009-09-29T20:52:00.000-05:00

We had a good weekend full of full of fun fall activities...we started off at the Pecan Festival with cousin Blake, and Baby Logan on Saturday morning. Mommy managed to get about 2 pictures from that adventure since she was busy chasing crazy 2 year olds around the park. Then we decided to bake "leaf" cookies that of course resembled nothing close to leaves, but they sure were fun to decorate. Then we decorated the front porch with pumpkins, and Grant just wanted to eat his while Reid was determined to prove he was strong enough to carry his...our little 'Bam-bam'!

Love this one...comon mom can I eat it yet already??

Can you tell which one Reid decorated...heavy on the 'prinkles pease'

These pictures scream Jason...Reid's mannerism's are all his daddy....right down to that smile!

Not my little angel...

2009-09-14T20:26:00.000-05:00

Well it's official we had our first bad word....from my sweet little Grant! How 'G.D.' could come out of the mouth of this sweet little thing...well you'll have to ask Jason how that happened, but Aunt Jenny you will appreciate this part...last night after Reid accidentally knocked over Jason's drink with the volleyball Grant uttered those words...and I didn't quite catch it until Jason pointed it out, so I asked him..."Grant what did you say?" ...."I said G.D. mamma, I said G.D." lol made me think of your little girl story! haha I mean seriously....from this sweet little lovey?!?!

Beach Time

2009-07-29T20:51:00.000-05:00

Beach Bums

The boys had the best time on their first trip to the beach. Nana and Pappa took us all to Port Aransas for a little beach time. The boys were so excited...we talked for weeks before about what we would see at the beach...seashells, sand castles, fishies, and crabs..."snap-snap" (as Grant would say) I think their first beach experience far surpassed their expectations!

In the "big scary shark" with daddy...check out the look on Grant's face...it took a little convincing to get him in the picture

Reidy learning to hang ten...

I don't think this one needs a caption...ugh I want to squeeze him

My surfer dudes

Cousins

Beach Babe

You're a Grand Ole Flag...

2009-07-09T21:00:00.000-05:00

I flew back from a few relaxing days in Miami on the 4th of July, and was greeted at the airport by these adorable little patriotic cubs....they were decked out in their red, white, and blue and of course coulen't get enough of the flags Grammy bought them. We spent the day swimming at Grammy and Pop's with cousin Blake while Daddy was still in Miami winning the National Championship! One of the first Gold Place finishes in the Open Division for his club! Way to go babe...we are so proud!

Take Me Out to the Balllll Game...

2009-07-09T20:15:00.000-05:00

The boys had been dying to go to a baseball game for months...it's all Reid could talk about since Miss Debbie was supposed to take him a few months ago and he got sick; so the boys gave Jason tickets to the Ranger game for Father's Day...what could be better than the gift that gives back :) Anyhow to say the boys loved it would be a gross understatement. From the big loud fireworks "high in the sky" to the "big ones" that the baseball players hit, to the peanuts and hot dogs, and of course the kids zone where they got to hit "big ones" themselves they loved every minute of it. By the end of the night they were exhausted, but they couldn't wait to go back for more. This experience was one of the best so far...just to re-live the excitement of your first ball game through their eyes...priceless!

Prinkler Fun

2009-06-30T22:06:00.000-05:00

Cousin Blake came over for some fun in the sun a few weeks ago, and the boys had the best time running through the "prinkler" chasing each other, and pushing the water down, and letting it go. I think these pictures (although not award winning) really capture the action and excitement.

My Favorite Age

2009-06-17T20:26:00.000-05:00

The boys have been so much fun lately. They are learning new things every day and just growing up so fast it's hard to keep up with it all. They are talking so much, and doing the funniest things. Reid is into every sport known to man, and I think the only ones he doesn't play on a regular basis are rugby, and lacrosse. He is very proud of his skills and always wants us to watch him, or play him. "Play me golf Mama" he will say, or whatever the sport of the moment is. I came into the family room the other day and our kitty (or litty) Zappa was sitting on the fire place and Reid was up in her face saying "big one Zappa, big one...watch Zappa, I hit a big one" (everything is a BIG ONE these days), and then he turned around and hit the base ball, and then stared at Zappa waiting for her reaction. I'm not sure if he was expecting her to get up and clap, or cheer or what, but of course she just stared at him like...'seriously kid...beat it'. This is the same boy that would say "catch litty" and throw the basketball straight at the kitty's head...so who knows.
They love telling me to slow down when I drive, and we have to be very careful with our words these days since we have two little parrots in the house. I made the mistake of telling Grant during one of his melt downs to "Dude knock it off", and funniest thing happened...I had an echo coming from who else but Reid.
Another one of their favorite things is to call each other by their first and middle name. Reid calls his brother "Gant Eward", and Grant calls Reid...."Rei-D" or "Reidy-T".

We have been talking a lot about going to a baseball game lately, and also about our beach vacation we will be taking with Nana and Pappa in a few weeks. Every time I would bring up either of those topics Reid would say "I wike it, bubba wike it, dada wike it", and he would get more and more excited with each person who would like it, and I'm pretty sure he thought we were going right then....just a few more weeks Reid!

Ok, well that's all I have for now....I know there are so many more stories to tell, but these are the ones that come to mind....here are some random pics of just hanging out.

This was one of those "watch me" moments...look at the tough guy trying to play it cool :)

Grant found this baby in an old box of stuff my mom gave me from when I was liittle...he named the baby 'Nana'???? lol

This was a picture of silly hair day at school...they wanted "rooster do's"

Summer 2009 Kick Off

2009-06-12T16:33:00.000-05:00

Grant kicks it in the chase lounge
Joe Cool

While Reid takes a dip in the pool

We discovered the water wings this year and we love them!!!

Maddie Cate's Birthday Party

2009-06-12T16:21:00.000-05:00

Maddie Cate turned 5 on May 21st, and of course in true Nicholson style there was a big celebration complete with face painting, bounce house and of course delicious cake...why we want to celebrate my sweet girl growing up I haven't figured out because I want them all to stay little forever! Anyhow you can see the boys had a great time having their faces painted. Grant got a puppy (or a tiger depending on who you ask), and Reid didn't care what he got as long as it had pink! So he got a monkey face...what could be better :)

The Best Mother's Day

2009-05-17T20:32:00.000-05:00

This was one of the best Mother's Day's so far...it started the Friday before when I joined the boys a school for "Muffins with Mom". We had a great breakfast together, and the boys gave me the sweetest little tote bag that they painted themselves complete with hand prints. Sunday Jason took the boys to see Nana while I slept in, and I woke up to the prettiest pink and white tulips. We joined Ben, Meliss, Peyton, and Maddie for brunch at Mac's...one of our all time favorties! Then we went to Grammy & Pops for dinner where we got in a little splash time. It was such a nice dinner and I even got a little girl time with Jenny and Mom...nothing fancy, but just what I needed. The best Mother's Day with the sweetest boys.

Can we say swim lessons?!?!

Grant is on a mission...look at that face!

Closer...
just a little closer...

These boys love a good splash!

Happy Birthday Daddy

2009-05-17T19:55:00.000-05:00

The boys took Daddy to Top Golf for his birthday, and although Jason and I didn't get much practice in we had so much fun watching the boys...next time we will go after nap time and maybe we'll get a few more pics of Grant.

Reid warming up

Grant gets a few pointers from Dad...I think this one was "after you hit one ball we get a new one...we don't re-hit the same ball"

The boys were fascinated with dropping the balls throught the hole to register the ball...

and here goes...

that was practice :)

and...."BIG ONE" Reidy!

Blessed Easter!

2009-04-14T20:49:00.000-05:00

I think it's safe to say Easter was a hit this year. We loved spending the holiday with our family. It's times like these that we're so thankful we have our families so close. The cubs loved hunting Easter eggs with cousins Blake, and Colin at Gigi and Papa's, and then again with Peyton, Maddie Cate, and Evan at Nana and Pappa's.

Super model pout

Cousins

I think Blake had enough of the paparazzi :)

Grant modeling his new apron

Reid loves his yum-yum's...especially the 'beans' a.k.a jelly beans

Grant too :)

Being silly with daddy after church

Counting the Easter Eggs we colored

Playing on the Front Porch at 1216 Marydale

2009-03-13T22:20:00.000-05:00

We said goodbye to our little 2 bedroom 1 bath house at 1216 Marydale a little over a month ago now, and since this blog has been in draft mode now since March I figured it's about time to catch up on my posts. Who knew moving could be such a long involved process?!?! As much as I will always love that little house, I really have no idea why I waited so long to move into something a little bigger...at least something with 2 bathrooms :) The boys have adjusted well to the "new house", and love having a play room. Jason and I love having our own closets, and I can't wait to host my first dinner party! There is still so much work to do, but at least now we have some space....I feel so grown up :)

A Boy and His Ruff

2009-03-02T15:45:00.000-06:00

Reid has one true love right now and his name is Ruff. He loves Ruff with his whole heart and takes him everywhere he goes. We began to worry when we accidently left left Ruff at school one day and Reid began to cry and ask for Ruff. I told him we left him at school and he would curl his lip out and make this horrible sad face...then I told him "but daddy will go get him" and he would say "K"...and he was ok for a minute...30 seconds later he would being to whimper again, and say "Ruff go??" I told him again that "we left him at school"...and he immediately turned down the lip and poured on the tears again....we did this over and over until daddy came back from school with Ruff. It was that night I began the search for my first ebay purchase...."Porter the Puppy". I think I paid at least double what I paid for him originally when Babystyle was still open and a girl could get a fair deal on a ruff, but I thought it would be worth it in the tragic event something horrible happened to Reid's dear 'Ruff'.

So we got him in the mail last week, and silly me thought it would be a good idea to see Reid's reaction. I showed him 'Ruff #2' and as you can see below it was love at first sight...afterall what could be better than 1 Ruff, but 2?!? The only problem was that after he saw him he didn't want to give up either one...not a smart move on my part i know...but we all have days where we're not thinking straight. The next few days were spent trying to sneak the 'backup Ruff' away so we could save him...just in case we really need him some day.

Ruff #1 and #2

Brotherly Love

2009-03-02T15:32:00.000-06:00

I thought I should document as many of these moments as possible...

Birthday Party

2009-02-24T19:56:00.001-06:00

The boys had a fire truck birthday party last Sunday, and Daddy invited his friend Fireman Curtis to bring by his big Fire Truck. This was such a treat for Grant and Reid (and a few of the grown ups too)...not sure how we'll top this one. It was supposed to be a low key 'no fuss' birthday....but who can pass up a fire truck?!?! They got to climb and explore the truck, and even go for a ride and sound the alarm! To top it all off they got to spray the water hose! Not too bad when you throw in a few friends, presents and birthday cake :) Who ever said 2 wasn't a big deal!?

Reid, Grant, Peyton, Maddie Cate

Big Wheels!

Grant loved driving the fire truck...

Fire Chief Blake

We even got to spray the water hose!!!

Fire Chief Grant

Reid loves to swing with Papa

More Pwesents!!!

We love the tee ball from Logan...

Sweet baby Logan!

Grant & Reid Turn 2!!

2009-02-18T19:31:00.000-06:00

Grant opens pwesents!! "Melmo Boon"

Birthday Boy

Reid's Birthday Review

Playing Peekaboo

Where has the time gone...

2009-02-14T09:58:00.001-06:00

It seems like it was the other day that my sweet baby cubs joined this world, and just yesterday that they were turning one and learning to walk, and it will be next week that they turn 2!! Where has the time gone??

So hard to believe that these little preemie outfits were too big...at one point.

I still get these looks from Grant...and they still get him anything he wants :)

My Sweet Valentines

2009-02-10T10:19:00.000-06:00

As you can see we're very good at saying cheese :)

The finer things...

2009-02-07T15:36:00.000-06:00

Reid seems to have a thing for the finer things in life: mama's pearl bwacelets...that he would wear to school if Daddy would let him :)

And her "pweety" pink shower cap...what could be better??

And as I sit here and blog Reid is busy getting into my jewelry box...

He told me..."pweety-bwacelets-me"

I have assured Jason it's just a phase :)

2009-02-07T15:28:00.000-06:00

The weather has been perfect for playing in the yard...here are a few pics of the boys playing with the tunnels Nana & Papa gave them for Christmas.

Grant

Reid

Merry Christmas

2009-01-03T14:54:00.000-06:00

So Christmas was absolutley perfect this year! Busy put perfect. The boys were so much fun, and it just amazes me the amount of joy a candy cane, a "yum-yum" (M&M's), and especially "pwesents" can bring! The boys loved opening presents (of coures it didn't matter what was inside), although when I asked them what they wanted Santa (or "HoHo" as they so affectionately call him) to bring, Reid said he wanted a ball....I mean really!?!? So simple...good thing Santa over nighted that TeePee from The Land of Nod when all he really needed was a ball he could pick up at the local drug store! Oh well we are enjoying our teepee too. So our Christmas celebrations started early with the "Turman Christmas" at The Ranch on the 20th and the boys had so much fun opening presents and visiting with Santa who happened to drop by on his four-wheeler?!?! Don't ask :) Then we went to cousin "Bake's" house for more fun. We had fun exchanging gifts with Blake, and cousin Colin. Jay made the boys the most adorable old fashioned rocking horses just like our great grandfather made for Jay when he was little. Probably the coolest gift we received this year. Then there was more...Christmas Eve at Grammie and Pop's with more cool presents, lolly pop cookies with yum-yum's and lot's of egg nog :) Reid loved Grammie's Egg Nog! After that we went home and put out cookies and "melk" for Santa, sprinkled some reindeer food on the front lawn, read the Christmas story, and surprisingly the boys went straight to bed. The excitement on the their faces when they woke up to all the pwesents...ugh there are no words. We went to Nana and Papa's for a late night present marathon, visited with Pap and Nana Nik-Nik the next day, and the celebrations continued Saturday, and Sunday too!! I'm pretty sure Grant and Reid think you get presents every day now...good thing they have a birthday coming up :) I mean honestly 8 Christmas celebrations in one season??? Who says that too much?!?

Too Much Egg Nog!

We love Grammie and Pops

Reid Feeding Grammie his Candy Cane

What could be better! Cookies and Yum-Yum's!

"I'll tell you what bro..."

Grant, Blake, and Colin riding the new horsey's

Cousins

Early Christmas Fun

2008-12-30T22:05:00.000-06:00

December was another busy month. We started the month off with a little decorating, I put up the tree while Jason put up the red and white Christmas lights on the house. We got out Thomas the Train for the boys which they loved so much we decided to take them to North Park to see the huge "choo-choo" exhibit! What could be better?! We met Santa Clause for the first time...he's a pretty cool guy; he gave us candy canes. We spent a lot of time playing at Grammie and Pop's house...they have lots of very cool Christmas toys! We loved the Brio train, and couldn't stop kissing the Santa and Snowman yard art :)...the second half of the month will have to be another post!

Making out with Santa and the "noman"

Grant and Mommy in choo-choo heaven!

Jason and the cubs with the giant ornaments!

Our first Santa visit...their faces crack me up...check out Reid's face...he's like "is this dude for real??" meanwhile all Grant needed was a candy cane to get over his fear of Santa.

Gigi and Pa-pa gave us this Thomas the Train last Christmas so we put it together for the first time this year...I think the faces say it all :) The boys played with this train for hours, and it was all they could talk about for the last 3 weeks. "Choo-choo, choo-choo"

Reid kicks it in the laundry basket while mom decorates the tree.

Practicing our Cheeeeese!!!!

Where do I start!

2008-12-28T20:55:00.001-06:00

I haven't posted in almost 2 months, which completely overwhelms me and leaves me not knowing where to start so let's see...Thanksgiving...we celebrated with the Nicholson's at Nana and Papa's house in Stephenville. We played football, went on hay rides, and played with our cousins. Then we celebrated with the Spalding's in Trophey Club. It was a holiday filled with blessings!

Hay Ride with Peyton, Maddie Cate, and Evan.

Jason and Reid Playing Football

Grant Trying to Decide which Way to Run.

Uncle Ben and "the cubs" on the hay ride.

Peyton, Evan, & Maddie Cate

Fall Fun

2008-11-02T20:09:00.000-06:00

We've had a busy October, so busy in fact that I don't think I've blogged for at least a month! We started the month with some backyard fun with 'Misa Bailey'...she gives great pony rides, and even better kisses. We decided on Halloween costumes about mid month, which we of course had to try on to make sure we were ready for Aunt Nanny's Halloween Party. We had a ton of fun playing with all our cousins at the party. We did the Light the Night walk on October 19th in honor of Daddy. We celebrated Mimi's 87th birthday on the 26th! How lucky are we to have a Great-Great Mimi!! We love you Mimi, and will be coming over again soon to ride our big wheels. Reid got his first black eye when he slipped at school and hit his eye on the table...good thing it went with the halloween costume :) Of course we topped off the month with some good ole fashioned trick or treating...3 whole houses, and 2 of them were grandparents.

Play Date with Blake

2008-09-26T14:38:00.000-05:00

Reid had a play date at Grammy & Pops' with cousin Blake. It was fun for the boys to spend some one on one time together. The boys totally enjoyed playing and Blake especially liked feeding Reid bread :) Sweet boys...

School Boys

2008-09-26T11:12:00.000-05:00

The boys started Bowen Road Day School 3 weeks ago...the first week we shed many tears...mostly Reid and mommy, but no worries, because by the second week we were trotting to the door anxious to see Miss Michelle and Miss Tracy. The boys absolutely love it now, and love going to play with their friends, and make arts and crafts. Tuesday when we got to school I told the boys to hold hands in the parking lot. Reid grabbed Grant's hand tucked it under his arm and they bolted to the door...my heart melted and it made all the tears the first week totally worth it :) Grant goes to school

Reid insists on taking at least 2 babies to school this day. (we always take monkey with us)

Nana bought us cool nap mats to take to school, and mommy bought us rain boots! We love them both :)

Now I lay me down to sleep...

2008-09-26T11:04:00.000-05:00

The boys have been learning to say their prayers before bedtime...I'm pretty sure Grant thinks he's playing 'hide and go seek' and he's the counter... Reid is getting pretty good at it, although we only make it about halfway through the prayer and then he's done :)

2008-09-26T10:56:00.000-05:00

This has been a battle for a very long time, but Grant just can't keep his hands off the radio...you can see it all over his face in this picture...he wants to touch it soooo bad :)The boys are getting so big (in case you can't tell) but the other day I came in the kitchen and Reid had helped himself up on the stool and starting reading the mail...

We still love to play 'fix it fix it'....Reid working on his truck.

Packing for Chicago

2008-09-26T10:45:00.000-05:00

I recently went to Chicago for our friends Ashely & Ben's wedding. The boys wanted to make sure I had everything I needed for the short trip so they packed me a suitcase full of Daddy's clothes :)

Handy Granty

2008-09-10T15:28:00.000-05:00

Grant is nothing like his daddy when it comes to being able to 'fix it fix it'...he loves his new Home Depot tools, and immediately knew how to work the screw driver...I think we owe this thanks to his Pap!

Reid on the other hand might have gotten his skills from his Daddy...since he thinks a screw driver is a grooming utensil...hehe j/k Jason :)

Pecan Collector

2008-09-10T15:24:00.000-05:00

Reid's favorite thing in the world these days is to go outside and hunt for pecan's...or "ball ball's" as he so affectionately likes to call them :)

Big boy beds

2008-09-10T15:14:00.000-05:00

We recently changed the boys cribs into "toddler beds" since they were climbing out all the time. They thought it was the coolest, and way better for jumping on the bed...

...and not too bad for sleeping

Practicing our wrastling moves....

2008-09-06T11:51:00.000-05:00

2008-08-10T21:33:00.001-05:00

The boys have been climbing out of their beds for a few weeks now; however this weekend we had a first...I heard their little feet hit the floor and the pitter pat of them running across the floor. I went in to put them back in bed, and here is where I found them...hiding behind Grant's crib. "Reid follow me...she'll never find us back here"...it's just the beginning!

And I wonder who the master-mind was :)

2008-08-07T22:06:00.000-05:00

MMmmmmmmmm good!

2008-08-06T22:13:00.000-05:00

Swimming???

2008-08-06T22:10:00.000-05:00

Too much lunch!

2008-08-06T22:08:00.000-05:00

Did someone say 'soos'?? We loooove shoes!!

2008-08-06T22:02:00.000-05:00

The boys love their new 'ba-pack'

2008-08-06T21:59:00.001-05:00

Hot summer days at Nan and Pappa's Ranch...