And here is what Jack has been up to!

This precious little boy is 19 months old!!!

His smile (and dimples) melts my heart every time!

He loves his la-la (lovey)

He will sometimes stop mid-play and take a rest, even on the hard floors!

Beautiful boy!

Jack is so busy, he doesn't stop moving, climbing, or making a mess. He carries this stool anywhere to get to what he wants.

But he is still such a doll!

He LOVES being outside!

And HATES being told he can't go out! He is just waiting me out I guess!

One of his new favorite places to have a snack... so random!

In case you couldn't tell this little boy has me completely wrapped! He brings new meaning to the phrase, "it's a good thing you're so cute!" Because he is into everything and goes non-stop. He won't even sit still for his show these days. What's a mom to do! But he just flashes that smile and he's got me right where he wants me!

Jack is talking more and more and has some cute words and phrases. My personal favs are...

"hi", still so cute for some reason

"uh-oh", he uses it anytime he throws something down... on purpose

"otay" - okay

"shoes", quickly followed by "socks"

"tin tu" (thank you)

"belk" and sometimes appropriately "milk"

"cacko" - cracker

"otch show" (watch show)

"bye-bye Elmo" (when we turn off his show)

"Oyeeya" (Olivia) - he also LOVES his big sis

"cock" - cook

"all gun gow" (all done now)

"hee - is" (here it is/there is is)

"I poop" - yes, he tells me when he poops!

"bye, bye mama/dada/Oyeeya/book/whatever"

bye, bye graf (goodnight giraffe) - from his most favorite book, Goodnight Gorilla

And he loves, loves, loves to scream Mama... for no good reason other than to get my attention

At 18 mo. Jack was 24.4 lbs - 40th % and 33.5" tall - 85th %.

I could go on and on, but I will try not to bore you... as if I haven't already!

What Olivia's Been Up to...

I know it's been eons since you last heard from us! So I will take a few posts to catch you up on what we've been up to... if there is anyone still out there who even checks our blog! ;)

I'll start with Olivia. She has just become this sweet, friendly, well-mannered little girl. Not that she hasn't always been all those things, nor is she ALWAYS those things, but within the last couple of months I am amazed at some of the changes she has made. She just seems to be growing up faster and faster and I do NOT like it one bit! But I am very proud of her and the little lady she is quickly becoming. We seem to be connecting alot more and I feel like we have this special bond, I absolutely love it! And I plan to enjoy it while it lasts, I know the teen years will be here before I know it!

Way back in February Olivia's school celebrated their 100th day. They were asked to bring in 100 of their favorite things and display it creatively.

And for the special occassion Olivia got her ears pierced! She was so great... not one tear (thanks to some lidocaine!)!

A few weeks later we got her hair cut, and it's so cute, especially from the back, it's got little layers!

Olivia is really into reading, spelling words out loud (I don't know where she would have picked that up), and writing. Here is something she had written me one morning before school. It literally brought tears to my eyes! She came up with it all on her own.

I love when you have a smile on your face but I mostly like it when you be with me!


And just tonight she offered to fold the towels! I think she may do a better job than her daddy! ;)

Next up, an update on our little terror, uh, I mean man... Jack!

Dallas Children's Theatre and Camp Carter

Two Fridays ago Olivia had one busy day! She started out with a field trip to the Dallas Children's Theatre in Dallas. The kids saw, "How I Became a Pirate". It was cute and the kids had a blast and were pretty good for a production that was over an hour long from start to finish! Even I was getting antsy!

Olivia and 2 good friends from school, Lauren and Peyton

Then, as soon as Olivia came home from school we were hustling to get she and Denny loaded up for their camping trip at Camp Carter in Ft. Worth. I can't even explain how excited she was for this camping trip since her first one was cut so short!

On the way to the campsite they all stopped for dinner at Rainforest Cafe!

Their cabin
The girls were overjoyed to have bunkbeds! Olivia was just asking for some the other day!

The next morning the girls got all bundled up for a fun day in some frigid temperatures! It's really a good thing this is a daddy/daughter event! I don't think the moms would have lasted a minute out there! Last Saturday the high was in the upper 30s! Brrr!

Notice Olivia glammed up her walking stick by painting it pink and purple!

They did some rock climbing

And rode horses!

A lot of activities were canceled because of the cold temps. But the girls were still able to do quite a bit and have alot of fun!

Dinner on the floor of the cabin... yuck! :)

They finished the evening with an initiation bonfire.

Denny can't remember what each of these marks represented, but he said that they had to do a good deed to get the paint removed.

Our sweet Friends of a Feather!

I know the girls had a great time, but I am sure they (as well as the dads) are ready for a campout without rain or freezing temperatures! We will pray for good weather for the spring campout! :)

National Championship Game

I know this is way late, but I am just now uploading pictures from this particular camera! And I wanted to share Denny's trip with everyone!

As most of you know, Denny made the trip to CA for the Rose Bowl. Unfortunately things did not end the way we had hoped, but Denny had so much fun and it was an experience of a lifetime!

Denny, Ryan, Bumpa and Gigi

Graney boys outside the stadium... how cool!

Denny and Nad (good friend from college)

Denny said most of the time this was his view... He was the lone Longhorn in a sea of Alabama fans... and pompoms!

But he was super close to the field, so occassionally he saw this...

and yes, the streaker was on his end of the field, and no it was not Denny like some of you thought! ;)

Sadly, this was the last time he saw this at the end of a quarter... a Texas lead!

Like I said, it was sad to see Texas lose, but it was a great game with many memories! Denny is already looking forward to the next football season!

A New Fashion Trend?

So there is not much that keeps Jack in one place these days. He will still cuddle to "otch show" (aka watch show, being either Baby Einstein or Elmo), for a few minutes at a time but other than that he is on the run! Especially when it comes time to get dressed. He thinks it is great fun to run around, completely naked (per the Christmas Eve pic), half naked, whatever. Sometimes I am lucky enough to have him still long enough to change his diaper and get his pants on, then it is this.....

A sweet ensemble of pj's and clothes

Maybe he thinks he is a superhero and this is his cape?

Silly, silly bubba!

Snow Day

A few weeks ago school was canceled here for ice, or lack there of really! But oh well, the kids and I had a good day (read: we all survived)! I mean we had just had 2 weeks of vacation and were just getting back in the swing of our routine. And did I mention Denny was gone?! Honestly, it wasn't bad! Olivia wanted to make a tent and I being the not so creative parent came up with this... But hey, it has a fronto door, coach light, doorbell and all! Olivia had a lot of fun in it and Jack did too!

Ding, dong... Can I come in?

Did I mention that I LOVE it when they play together!

Hey... Jack decided to raise the roof for a game of peek-a-boo!

How I love these two!

I think later in the afternoon Jack had grown weary of the camera what do you think?

Such a doll!

And soooo into his book!

I have a few other random moments from January to post about, but nothing too spectacular! It has been a pretty dull month here punctuated by illnesses and cold, gloomy weather... YUCK! Spring cannot get here fast enough, I am done with winter and all the yuckiness that goes along with it! I pray spring will bring some renewed energy to this household! :)