He's Five

Five Year Stats:
Height: 43.5 inches
Weight: 38 lbs
Favorite Color: Blue
Favorite Movie: Bolt
Favorite Food: Chicken nuggets and corndogs
Favorite Place: Aquatica and SeaWorld
Favorite Book: Shark Sticker Book
Favorite Song: Santa Claus is Coming to Town (I guess when your bday is right after Christmas, you're favorite songs tend to be Christmas ones bc they are fresh in your head?)
What do you want to be when you grow-up: A fossil-digger


Birthday party at the park...

Monster Jam

We decided to surprise Bryce for his 5th Birthday, a big one indeed, and take him to the Monster Truck Jam in Orlando. Such fun!

Opening his "clue" about where we were headed...

Monster Jam in all its glory...

Bryce and Hailey enjoying the show.

Love

You would never guess by these adorable shots depicting utter sibling love that most afternoon car rides are spent like this:

Scenario #1

Bryce: makes some tongue-sticking-out-face to Hailey in the seat next to him

Hailey: "Don't lookat me gain buggy (aka Bryce)"

Bryce: "I can look at you if I want to (as he shoots her another tongue-face)."

Hailey: ...standing her ground..."No you can't buggy, I not play with you evr gain."

Bryce: ...sly..."Yes you will."

Scenario #2 (again...in the car on the ride home)

Bryce: showing Hailey some ridiculous treasure-box-toy he just got from school

Hailey: "I wan one too buggy!"

Bryce: "Nope...you can't...I got this from school and you're too little for school."

Hailey: "No I not too little buggy, I big...I this tall."

Bryce: "No you're not, you're littler than me."

Scenario #3

Hailey: "You can't go in dat car fust (aka "first") buggy (as they're racing to the car door)."

Bryce: "Yes I can...I'm the fastest."

Hailey: ...reduced to tears already and they're not even in the car yet..."Mommy...I wan to go fust."

Then all of a sudden, something happens and they're best friends again...

Scenario #4 (right when we enter the house from the car)

Hailey: "Wan to play wit me buggy?"

Bryce: "Sure...let's play chase each other."

Hailey: "Okay buggy...you go fust."

Congratulations!

Congratulations to Robby and Emily on their Engagement! The wedding is set and plans are being made for September 5, 2009! Can you believe my little brother is getting married?

At the Cabin...

Our trip to the cabin this year was very peaceful and relaxing! Due to my unfaithfullness to my blog...I've done a blog no-no...I've updated pics in mass quanties...enjoy anyway

While visiting the nature center in NC, Bryce had to have his picture taken in EVERY one of these stands...I'lll spare you by just posting my favorite one!

Bryce and the cougar! His favorite.

A family pic...check out Hailey's face...not in a good mood that day, to say the least.

Bryce after 4 wheeling with the boys.

Building a "fort" with Daddy outside the cabin. Brian doesn't mess around when he says he's going to build something.

Cute pic in front of a waterfall.

The fam

Uncle Robby and Hailey ready for some fun!

Love this one of Hailey and Uncle Robby.

This is what happened to Bryce after the leave jumping experience provided by Daddy! (Check out Bryce's face...he's covering his busted open lip with a scarf)

Get ready to jump!

Wheewww!

Don't feel too sorry for her while she couldn't ski...apparently she was having some naked fun of her own in the lodge.

Bryce skiing all by himself...that is, until he runs off the path.

Waiting in line for the ski lift.

Yes, those are thousands of Christmas trees. On our way up to the cabin.

Why I love the mountains.

Hanging out on the back porch with Aunt Emily.

Pop pop and Bryce

My angel



Of course the trip couldn't be complete without one minor flaw on our way home...a fatal accident that completely stopped traffic on I-95 for more than an hour.


In the traffic some more...yes that is a man playing the guitar while passing time.

A BIG Day

About a week before Christmas, Bryce learned how to ride a bike without training wheels. Brian decided it was time, took off the training wheels, gave him a push, and he took off just like that. He was ready, I suppose. Although, he did have a couple of falls, it was smooth sailing...or should I say biking!
If my reaction to riding his bike is any indication of my reactions to future T-Ball games, look out! Don't sit next to this mom in the stands! I was literally screaming and jumping up and down in the street...all while trying to hold my extremely heavy camera that I just "had to have." I do believe at one point there were tears shed. Seriously. Maybe going back to work will help with that!

Every picture I have from this day, and believe me there are plenty, he has this same expression. Now is my jumping up and down and screaming justified? I thought so too.

Santa has upgraded Bryce's little boy bike to a big boy one! Hailey now has Bryce's old one...with the training wheels back on of course. Her time will come!

I love this...

One of my favorite things about watching Hailey grow is that she wants to be just like me...in more ways than I'll discuss here! You just never realize how much they watch you until you come around the corner and find this. Here is the conversation that took place next:
Me: Hailey what are you doing?
Hailey: What Mommy? (without even turning around)
Me: What are you doing up there?
Hailey: I'm just doing dishes Mom like you (I've just been reduced to "Mom"). I'm fine, go back in the shower.
Me: How did you get up there? (as if I can't tell by the picture)
Hailey: My stool mom (referring to the cupcake holder she's standing on). I got it Mom.

Christmas ... in January

Yes... apparently working, being a mom, a wife, and an accountant for a bar has taken priority over my blog. Where I used to write "update blog" on my handy dandy to-do list, I now replace that with "play with kids." Sad, I know. Working with little ones is definitely a feat...one of which I'm not sure if I'm equipped to take on...emotionally. Needless to say, this lifestyle change has now forced me to truly experience the meaning of "making the most of your moments." Here are some moments I enjoyed over Winter Break!

Bryce on Christmas morning excited about his long awaited Spaceship set with aliens...all of which I've seen him play with one time...go figure.

Hailey on Christmas morning dressed to impress...this is her at her best and in all her glory!

My two babies on Christmas Eve.

The Miss

Bryce

Our annual Christmas gathering with friends. This year it was at Nikki's house...again...thanks!

Our family made Gingerbread House...not bad eh?

Christmas lights hayride with the Meiningers. Thanks guys, for inviting us to all this stuff! Miss you's!

While Brian is trying to sleep on Saturday mornings (from a long night at Sheer), this is what we find the kids doing. Yes, in our bedroom where Brian is trying to snooze. Sorry babe!