Empty

Our house seems a little empty these days.  I know 2 adults, 2 small children, a good dog, a not so good puppy and a cat doesn't seem like the definition of empty but it seems that way these days.  After a month-long visit from W's parents we said goodbye to them a few days ago.  I won't lie, I was ready to get back into a more normal routine but I do love that the boys get to spend so much time with them once a year and that they are willing to travel this direction to visit.

They left before the boys woke up and Matthew was thoroughly irritated that Nana took her flashlight with her.  The one she keeps by her bed at night.  Apparently he had his eye on it and was hoping she would leave it for him, like the kid doesn't have ANY flashlights?

Flashbacks

In an effort to curb my eating, I recently revisited gum chewing.  The little people are thoroughly enjoying my new endeavor.  They have been thrilled with popping bubbles...and just generally investigating what is happening in my mouth.

This is pretty funny to me because EVERY SINGLE TIME they pop a bubble I am taken back a few..okay...a lot of years.  See my dad used to drive us all over this country and we derived an insane amount of pleasure from popping his bubbles..while he was driving.  I know, not very safe but this was back in the day where kids ran amok in the car.  You remember those days right, sleeping in the back window, fighting over the hump, sitting on laps and driving, sticking ear plugs up your nose and scaring the bejeezus out of unsuspecting truckers.  Yeah, that was us. 

There is a part of me that thinks about the germs on the little hands popping my bubbles, you know..like when they are sitting in the "sanitized" grocery cart and popping my bubbles while we shop..EWWW.

Then there is this other part of me that wonders how my dad does not suffer from bubble popping PTSD.  There were three of us, popping his bubbles and I am pretty sure none of us had great aim and well, we were all a bit older than my 2 and 4 year old so a bit stronger...and with better aim...theoretically speaking of course.

Happy Father's Day - Daddy

I have, by far, the most amazing dad in the world. He has taught me so much, and most of it, unintentionally. You know the saying, DO AS I SAY, NOT AS I DO, well that is not true when it comes to my dad. My dad is a people watcher....and I got the gene as well but I am not sure he realizes that for many years, he is the person I watched the most, he is the person I aspire to be, he is the person in my life who has had the most positive influence on me. It is funny, periodically when Matthew is in an unfamiliar situation he will stand back and stand with his hands behind his back and simply observe. I always comment to Willie that he looks like my dad to me at these times. Willie looks at me and says, "he also looks just like you".

Things I learned from my dad:

* Never ever give up. If you want something, go after it. Don't let ANYONE or ANYTHING stand in your way.

* Always tell the people you love that you love them. Life is short and we never know when we won't be able to tell them again.

* You, and only you, are responsible for you. Your decisions are yours alone.

* Educate yourself. I do believe that my dad is one of the smartest people on this earth and he has made me a believer in constantly educating yourself and those you love.

My very first horse ride.....

Happy Father's Day to the best Dad a girl could ask for.

More Grands....

My parents....now referred to as Papaw & Nana, came to visit a few weeks ago. Matthew did an excellent job of introducing them to his little brother as well as his new home. We subjected them to the movie Madagascar, took them to see Santa, checked out the U.S. Space and Rocket Museum and built our very first Gingerbread House. A great time was had by all, we miss them and hope to see them again sooner rather than later.

Hanging with Papaw

Kimber meeting Nana

Showing Papaw the U.S. Space and Rocket Museum

Enjoying his gift to Nana & Papaw

Kimber supervising the construction of the Gingerbread House.

The construction crew...minus the cameraman.

Playmates needed....experience required!!!

We have been very blessed to have Nana & Gramps (Willie's parents) visiting us over the last several weeks. We have all had a good time and made some wonderful memories. They traveled here in their motorhome and have been staying at an RV Park near our home.

Matthew has grown quite accustomed to grabbing the hand of Nana or Gramps as soon as they walk in the door and dragging them, willing or not, into his playroom to PLAY. Usually it is trains or tractors but he really is not picky, as long as they are sitting on the floor interacting with him he is happy. They left this morning and I foresee an increasing amount of train-play in my future.

We are sad to see them go but are thankful that they were able to come spend some quality time with us and the boys!

Nana meeting Mr. Kimber.

Kimber getting some snuggles from Gramps.

Life is GRAND

Last week Matthew's GRANDS arrived to visit for the holidays.
They last saw Matthew when he was a few weeks old...and quite a little dude.

Of course now that little baby has become a rough and tumble little boy now who loves to give kisses. While the first few days he seemed surprised to see these new people at his breakfast table each morning, he has grown quite accustomed to having two new people so willing to dole out attention close at hand.

This morning he decided to take them to his favorite park.
I am not quite sure who had more fun?

Nana pushed him on the swing....

And supervised his sliding.....

Then they all took a little break together.

After coming home from the park, he decided to
take Gramps for a walk around the neighborhood.
One minute he was in the driveway, the next thing I knew
he and Gramps were halfway down the block...

He has had a great time and I am sure he will be heartbroken when they leave in a few weeks.