Zac brag

Sweet ZZ is so funny. Always cracking us up - whether it's with his jokes or his vast knowledge of song lyrics (seriously, it's crazy!). He leaves us little notes all the time that say things like "Zac loves Mom and Dad" on his easel and on the fridge whiteboard.


And he's so thoughtful - he took the time to read through the ingredients on his cereal this morning and said, "Mom! You can eat this - it doesn't have milk in it!"


He is so gentle with Selah Grace. His voice gets really high when he talks to her. I've caught him one too many times carrying her around. (scares me!) We pray with him before he leaves every other weekend, and he always includes something like, "God, please be with Selah Grace while I'm gone and don't let her cry in the backseat when I'm not there with her." He gets very concerned about her missing him when he's not around.


His reading is amazing. We were driving to Denton last week, and from the back seat we hear, "Oh, there's Lewisville Veterinary Hospital." He reads better and more fluently than some of my 2nd grade students back when I was teaching! When we are reading chapter books and it's my turn, I read fairly quickly - but he follows along well enough to correct me if I mess up a word. It surprises me every time.


Art isn't his forte, and I've tried to encourage it with an art box at our house. Still, he really isn't into it at all and rarely does anything artistic. But yesterday at Sunday School, he made a stick person and cut out tissue paper for its clothes. He said he needed help with the tissue paper, but I was still so proud of him! :)


We talked to Zac about making a Christmas list. He took the toys r us catalog and circled about 836 toys in there. Then he brought us the catalog and exclaimed,
"Mom! Dad! Look how many toys I'm getting!" (sadly we had to explain that's not how it works...haha)


This morning, we were wrapping up huge box to put in our clubhouse for Toys for Tots. I was pasting the sign on there and he says,
"Toys for Tots? ..... like tator tots?"


He loves people. He is an absolute people person. He loves any excuse to be with other kids. He loves co-op. He loves the mall play area, and makes a friend every time we go. He loves Mops and bible study. And he LOVES LOVES LOVES playdates!


He is 100% BOY. Last weekend at the Tech game, we found a kids play area at the stadium. He immediately went up to another boy his age, and the conversation went like this:
Zac: Hi
Boy: Hi. Want to fight?
Zac: Sure!
And they both threw down on the floor, rolling around, laughing, and wrestling. The other mom and I were cracking up - it was so random and so..... BOY.


At the same time, he is a total cuddler. He gives back massages and foot massages. Every morning, he wakes us up to cuddle and then he gives us neck massages. He still loves to be carried and he loves to snuggle on the couch.


I love to cook with him. It takes longer, but he truly enjoys the whole process. I love to drive with him and hear him singing in the backseat. His dancing is SO cute! I love when he signs "I love you" from across the room. I love watching him sleep when I check on him.... surrounded by so much junk in his bed that I'm shocked he was even able to fall asleep in the mess. I love our little games and inside jokes and the joy that he brings to our family. He is priceless. Mama loves you ZZ-baby!!

Thanksgiving 2009! (picture heavy)

We had a super time!!

Sorry about all the pictures... couldn't pick favorites! :)

Our holiday started out with our sweet friends. Seriously... I don't know how this mama does it. Two baby girl twins, a 5 year old, and you should have seen how much she cooked! AND decorated!!

Zac definitely approves :)



We even had little place cards in scented pinecones. She is Super Mom!!



Little Sadie doggie!




Michelle and I were camera dorks the whole time.





Their fire pit is so cool. We want one!




Smores. Serious Business.




Ack! One caught on fire!




Hmmmm... will the brown spots taste good?




.... still trying to decide if they will like it...



oh yes! They like it!!



We knew they would. ;)




Thanksgiving #2
Both our parents were able to get together for the 2nd year in a row. Yay! This year, we were at the ranch.

Gorgeous table by my mom!



Mama getting some Selah Grace time




A little smirk from Selah Grace




Always attempting a family picture...



Fighting bubbles outside...





Trying to get the boys to sit still for a posed picture....




Doesn't last for long!!





Gotta get some fishing in. (Zac caught a bass!)



Selah Grace... will you smile for mommy?




No - but she always smiles for Daddy!!




What a great end to the day. :)

Happy Thanksgiving!

We have so much to be thankful for this year! :)

Tonight, we are on our way to celebrate an early Thanksgiving with friends. Zac is thrilled because we are making smores in their fire pit and because Ethan is one of his best Star Wars buddies. Ethan just got the Millennium Falcon for his birthday. So fun. Also, Sadie the dog is there. But we do our best to hide her since Zac is so in love with her and Sadie is basically TERRIFIED of Zac.

Tomorrow we'll be with all our parents at my parent's house. Selah Grace and ZZ can't wait to see the people who spoil them best. ;)

Then on Friday, some of our best friends are having their baby girl! Exciting!!!

The rest of the weekend, I'll be photographing. I can't believe how busy I've gotten! (I need to remember to still shoot my own children.)

Hope everyone has a blessed holiday!

Oh Happy Day!!

I have earned enough money to buy a new lens! (I think Brian was hoping I'd make money to contribute to the household... and instead I just want more camera stuff.... heehee)

I love my 50mm so much.


It's taken lots of great pictures. :) And I'm definitely keeping it around.


But I am super excited about this 35mm!!



Plus, I have a new location that I really like. Looks like ZZ and SG get another photo shoot!

On a funny side note... I have resorted to paying Zac for these shoots. He just earned $2 last weekend. Why am I paying him to be able to take his picture... and other people pay me?

I'm going to pick it up on the way home from bible study today!! :)

Happenings

We are still here! Just busy. :)

I have been SOOO lucky to have some sweet families that I am getting to photograph. This is very exciting for me and I'm having way too much fun with it. :) :)

Brian has been busy with work - lots of traveling lately. But he is thrilled that he does get in one hunting trip this winter and is counting the days.

Selah Grace has been busy just being her sweet little self.

Zachariah has been busy with his new hobby - jokes. He is just starting to really *get* it, and he cracks us up.

Here are some of the ones we hear a lot: (if he tells you one, please laugh)

Knock Knock
Who's there
Boo
Boo who?
Boo well you don't have to cry about it!!!!

(yes, he starts that last line with "boo" for some strange reason)

Knock Knock
Who's there
Wares Mysh
Wares Mysh who?
I don't know where your shoe is!!!!

What kind of underwear do clouds wear?
Thunderwear!

And my personal favorite:

What did the grass say to the horse that was eating it?
Stop eating me, that hurts!

Sweet ZZ

Oh... I got SO many today! So hard to choose!!

Vintage Baby Selah Grace