The Morley's Visit

Not too long ago we had the pleasure of my cousin Syra and her family visiting us for a weekend.  It was a wonderful time of meeting eachothers kids for the first time and hanging out!  Benjamin and Gracie were obsessed with "Baby Maddie" and loved having a baby in their home.  :)  All weekend long Grace continued to repeat her favorite phrase of, "Hi baby!" over and over again - it was so cute!  Madison is such a sweet and happy little girl and I'm so glad I got to meet her and spend time with some of my favorite Coloradoans!  Thanks for stopping by Syra and Jay, you are a precious family and we hope to see you soon (perhaps next time in Colorado)!  Check out a few photos from their visit below:
https://picasaweb.google.com/109422547282724009386/TheMorleySVisit?authkey=Gv1sRgCJna477Vpuf8dw#

Smile!

For your enjoyment!   :)

Ho Hey

Another great song that I can't get enough of lately.  I'm so glad it gets playtime on CMT so that I get to watch it during my workouts at the Y.   :)

Blue Like Jazz

I've just got to recommend this movie to everyone!  After Steve and I watched it this past weekend we both were just blown away with how good it was.  The ending is especially powerful, and will touch the hearts of both Christians and non-christians alike, as anyone can resonate with the message this story tells. 

Toronto Trip!

Gracie and I drove to Toronto with my dear friend Tina, in her new ride, to stay with another dear friend, Bec, for a girl's only weekend!  It was really great to be with my girls and have some girl time together.  :)  It was my first time in Toronto, so that was a lot of fun!  I love the city and Toronto is one beautiful city - so much fun!  Thanks girls for a memorable weekend.  And thanks Gracie for being such a doll!  Click on the link below for some photos...

https://picasaweb.google.com/109422547282724009386/TorontoTrip?authkey=Gv1sRgCLTL4Meuv5SYFA#

Some good music

Last years American Idol winner, Phillip Phillips has made a fan out of me.  I love his style and his sound.  I just love his new song "Home".  Maybe you will too!

Chugga, Chugga, Choo-choo!!!

Benjamin turned three this week and I can hardly believe it.  This year I let him choose between a tractor/truck cake and a train cake, and as you can see he opted for the train.  Oh, and chocolate cake was a definite must as well!  We started the day off with some birthday cake for breakfast (hey, there's nothing wrong with having cake for breakfast one day out of the year, right?) and since he spotted it hiding in the oven first thing that morning I couldn't make my little boy wait after hearing and seeing his excitement at the cake he'd been waiting days to finally see!  Then one of his favorite buddies came over to play with him for the morning.  More cake was eaten after lunch and then the day continued as normal with lots of presents given throughout, the best was saved for last - the coolest Thomas the train toy ever seen.  It was a special day for a very special little boy!  Since we celebrated his birthday with Steve's family on our trip, having a big party with two of his cousins, there was no need really to give him another party at home. 

 Benjamin continues to melt my heart multiple times a day with his sweet affection, innocent smiles, and deep, all-knowing eyes.  He's an old soul with a tender heart.  Unlike his sister, he's reserved in his affections for others, shy at first, however once he's opened up, you discover the most animated and expressive, goofy little boy ever!  Oh, and he's incredibly smart too (and no I am not being biased at all)!  Warning however: Brag Alert about to begin.  :)  My little boy can sing his ABC's nearly perfectly, count from 1-20, and is an absolute genius at puzzles.  Seriously it is amazing what this kid can do when you hand him a 24 piece jig-saw puzzle that he's never seen before and after 5-10 minutes he has mastered it on his own.  I think the word I'm looking for right now is..... BRILLIANT!  His favorite things at the moment are trains (obviously), play-doh, legos and Curious George.

Benjamin looks out for his little sister Gracie and instead of tattling on her, he has now taken it into his own hands to simply tell her "no" on my behalf.  It is so funny and so cute to watch the love/hate relationship between them go back and forth.  Lately however it has been more love than hate, which is always good for this mommas heart.  Lot's of hugs and kisses.  Even more giggles and sqeals of joy.  And let's not forget the screaming matches they like to have with eachother just for fun!  My oh my, I am so very blessed to have a sweetheart like Benjamin as my little guy - I love you buddy!