Ride 'em cowboy!

On Sunday afternoon, we went to Hyleigh's 4th birthday party...and she had horse rides! I wasn't sure what Brody would think, but it didn't scare him one bit! He wanted on the horse as soon as they took her out of her trailor. Made me proud. We used to have horses growing up...and I would give anything for Brody (and me..hehe) to have a horse to saddle up and take for a ride. We used to have sooo much fun on ours. I can remember going on the trailrides. My Papa would always take his wagon, we would camp at night, forge the rivers...I felt just like Laura Ingalls! Okay, enough of that...here are the pics!

Brody on Grace


Brody and Brooke

Me and my Daddy!

Boys Boys Boys

Our friends, the Gilmore's, were in El Dorado this weekend from New Orleans. The were having Christmas with James' family, but were able to come visit with us on Saturday night. James' mom had their kids, and we left Brody with Amie and Eli, and the four of us went to a nice, peaceful dinner at ElChico's. After dinner, we came back to our house, where our kiddos joined us! James and Jessica have the two most precious little boys, Jackson and Charlie. They are so adorable...I could just squeeze them! Brody looooved having friends over to play. He was so excited to have boys to run around and be silly with!

This is Jackson. He is so handsome. And he is a bit shy and a little serious....just the opposite of Brody and Charlie!

This is Charlie. I just looove his shiny locks...I am a bit jealous, I might add.

All three boys playing Brody's "Shoot the Duck" game with James. Can you tell that we DESPERATELY need a playroom.....

Brody and Charlie playing basketball.

Mr. Cheese

I'm Baaaaaack!!

It has been waaay too long since I posted last! I always have such good intentions.....Anyway! We had a wonderful Christmas and happy new year, and I hope that all of you did too! It was crazy busy as always, trying to go to 10 different places in 2 days...but being around our wonderful family is worth it. And watching Brody's face this year was the best! I know that it is only going to get better...I just love this kid!

Seeing as how Christmas was like, a MONTH ago, I am just going to post a few pics from that week and give you a brief overview. And these pics are in no particular order....



Brody got a remote control boat from Amie and Eli. On Christas Eve we took it over to Dad's pond to try it out. Brody loved it!




PawPaw's boy!

Papaw Wesley with Brody and Gavin

Showing off his new cowboy boots!

Riding with Brooke in her new Jeep

His new Rocking Horse from Memaw and Poppy!

Santa brought him a play tent for his room....

It has fun tunnels too!

Better start saving now....

For flight lessons and aviation school!

Brody and I joined Ryan today on a flight to Tulsa and Oklahoma City. He had to do a few things for a guy that he flies for, and he asked us to tag along! I know how much Brody loooves airplanes, so we jumped at the opportunity. We met Ryan at the Camden airport this morning around 8:30. We waited in the lobby of the pilot's lounge while Ryan got the plane ready and buckled in Brody's carseat. Then, we boarded the plane! Brody was sooo cute sitting there with his little headphones on his ears. He wouldn't wear them long, but he did leave them on long enough for a few pictures. He liked that he could hear Ryan's voice over the speaker in them.

"This is 1-2-1, Charlie Foxtrot, Over"

"Help! I am being attacked be the headphones!" (Maybe this is why he didn't like them...)

The flight was about an hour and a half, and Brody loved every minute of it. He looked out the windows, played with the curtains, took off his shoes (and socks), and played with his trains. I let him suck on dum-dums during the takeoff and landing to help with his ears, but he never acted like they bothered him.

We arrived in Tulsa about 10:30, and one of my friends from my Mommy Board that I met in St. Louis in January is from Tulsa, so she met us at the airport with her little boy Ben! It was so great to see them again, and I couldn't believe how tall Ben was! He made Brody look like a shrimp. He and Aimee are just sooo sweet, and I am so glad that we got to visit with them, even if it was just for a few minutes. It is so much fun to have friends all over the country!

Aren't they cute? Like they are just so excited to finally see each other again!

Brody's turn on the horse....

Thanks so much for driving out to see us Aimee!!! We will be sure to try and tag along on another trip to Tulsa!

After we said our goodbyes, we loaded back up in the plane and flew to Oklahoma City. We had a little while to spare before we were supposed to meet whoever it was we were meeting, so we got a car and went to eat at Chilis. Yuuummm!!

Then, it was time to head home again.

I just love this picture of Ryan and Brody. Thank you, Ryan, for letting us tag along. We had so much fun today!

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree!

As per tradition, we got the ole' Christmas tree out the day after Thanksgiving! Mom and Brooke came over to visit Friday evening, so we thought it would be the perfect time. Brent helped me drag the box out of the storage room and into the living room.

While Brent was putting the tree together, Brooke and Brody played with the some of the decorations, then they discovered what great fun a big empty box could be!!

Brody enjoying his ride, along with his ball and glove...

How do you like the shorts, khaki socks, and dress shoes look???!!!

Decorating the tree!!

Brody kept saying, "Preeeeetty Lights, Preeeeetty Lights!!!" I know Christmas is going to be sooo much fun this year. I have been reading stories and telling Brody about baby Jesus in the Manger, and he loves to look at the Nativity Scene I have set up in our foyer.

One more thing - I have started letting Brody take part in his prayer time at night. Before I put him in bed, we sit in the rocker and sing a few songs, read a book, etc. Then, we say our prayers. I say, "Dear Lord, we want to thank you so much for..." And Brody will say, "Brooke!" And then I say, "And we want to thank you for.." And he says "Noni!" We continue to do this until he has gone through the whole list of family. And I always make sure we thank Him for Jesus. It is so sweet to hear him (sort-of) praying at one year old!!

Turkey Day 08

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family. I know we sure did! We had lunch with Brent's family at his parent's house, and then we hosted my family's Thanksgiving dinner at my house that evening. We were so busy, I didn't think to pull out the camera until after most everyone had already left, so I don't have much to share.

Me and Ryan - I can never really see a resemblance until I see a picture of us together, then it always surprises me how much we really do look alike!

My little man, for whom I am SOOO thankful! I thank God for every day that he gives us with him, and I pray that I always remember to do so.

Can't you tell how much Brent loves having his picture taken??

Pictures of Branson

We made it home from Branson on Monday evening, and we had a really great time. It sooo cold, but we bundled up good and braved the blustery conditions. I just love Branson all decorated for Christmas.

On our way up, we stopped to have lunch at Cracker Barrell in Conway. Brody always has so much fun in the toy section of the store.

Once we got into Branson, we got a quick bite to eat at Ruby Tuesday, then headed to our condo.
A little monkey fell asleep in our bed not long after we got there....

Then I moved him to his makeshift bed on the floor beside our bed...

The next morning he woke up bright-eyed and bushy-tailed!!

We did alot of shopping at the outlet malls that day and played indoor putput that evening.

This is what happens when I try to get Brent to take a picture of me and Brody...my head gets chopped off...

The next day Brody made his first visit to Silver Dollar City!!! It was sooo frigid out, we had Brody in about 5 layers.

On the train at SDC....

Brent had one of the craftsmen there to make Brody a bat with his name on it. It was a hit of course!!!

While shopping at The Landing, Brody had his first Build-A-Bear experiance. It was too much fun. I think I enjoyed it more than he did. Here he is kissing the little heart than they put in the bear (monkey, in our case) before stitching it up.

Giving his monkey a bath!

And the final result. We would like everyone to meet Albert, Brody's new monkey - all decked out in a STL Cardinals jacket!