I-Spy...

roses... ;)

I Ate A Marker

Holding Hands

Play Hard.

Sleep Hard.

Family Day

Some quality family time at a park :)

before Daddy leaves for two whole long weeks :(  

And some HOKIE GEAR from Aunt Katie, Uncle Grady and Cousin Graham!!

*thank you*

Foto Friday

My Little Man

Eating Habits

Whenever he goes in for a big bite, he closes his eyes.

Occasionally he shakes his head and makes this "mmmmm" noise too.

I think it's a sign he's enjoying his food :)

I Haven't REALLY Enjoyed Cartoons...

...in a long time.
But now, it's one of my favorite times of the day.

Waterskiers

When I was little - not positive on the age (Mom will let you know in comments)....I spent my summers camping.  Our campsite was right on the Potomac River, which meant we were in the water ALL the time.

And I loved to ski.  My parents wonderful friends offered to take us skiing almost every weekend, multiple runs. Perfect.

One early Saturday morning we attempted an 11 person ski run.  Pretty impressive behind one boat :)  That's me in the middle (7th from the left...not waving, very serious!).  I thought we were apart of a pretty exclusive group.

Until the Today Show showed THIS.  

154 skiers, one boat.  

Guilty

Yes, I did this.  But it's only because there were four girls and we were all dressing up and having a dance party.  He definitely looked left out.

So we did what we could to include him :)

When his Daddy came home, he was very disappointed and promised to never leave him alone with all these girls.

Perfect

It was gorgeous out, so we found a local park and had a blast!

A Family Day

Today we did some shoe shopping. Mason was wearing a 4.5 shoe...and got measured for 6.5  OOOPPSSS!!!  Thought those shoes were looking a little small.

And then we went to Target so Olivia and Mason could use their Valentine gift cards.  Those kiddos love to shop!

Ended the night with a delicious dinner and some movies :)

Foto Friday

We drove to San Antonio this afternoon to have a Mexican Dinner out with Grana and Grampa!

18 Months!!!

Happy Halfer Mason-Man!!!

Can't believe you are 18 months....but we LOVE it!

Tidbits:

*wears 24months/2T

*size 5 diapers

* interested in potty - sits on it just like his sister, don't know exactly what to think about this

*takes just one nap a day (usually 2.5-3 hours)

*sleep about 11 hours at night 8pm-7am
*sucks both thumbs and will use a pacifier

*says: shoes, trash truck, woah, wow, oooo, bus, up, and will attempt most words
*identifies body parts

*climbs on anything

*climbs on everything

*has had three ear infections in the past five months

*had only seven teeth until just two weeks ago...two more tops toofers are coming in with lots of swollen gums
*loves to play with his sister
*but also enjoys some alone time
*will watch tv programs and movies
*really enjoys climbing into laps to read books
*really likes to play with cars and trucks
*likes to play with outdoor toys
*will play in the bath for HOURS
*a so-so eater - definitely a little picky about things
* adventurous, sensitive, and shy upon first meeting people

I-Spy....

Mason....

Happy Valentine's Day

 LOVIN' these two very much.  

Olivia passed these out to her friends this year.   

13 Years

Thirteen years ago Tim traveled down to Virginia Tech from the Naval Academy to take me out on our first date.  He gave me this perfect handmade card along with purple roses.   Little did I know that this was the beginning of our forever.  

love love love you.

Oh and Olivia sang a song for someone today :)

TCBY

A little after dinner treat!

Growing!!!

I don't know if I've ever noticed Olivia going through a growth spurt like the one she currently is going through.

I'm talking MULTIPLE meals a day.  Large meals.  Lots of liquids.  Great sleep. 

(this lunch was a whole pb&j sandwich, some goldfish, an orange, an apple, and a yogurt) 

Thankfully it's happening right before a change in seasons...so in a couple of weeks we can start stocking up on bigger spring clothes :)

And Then It Hits Me...

Okay, let's start with some background.  It's Friday, our routine is go to the gym...I watch two episodes of House Hunters while tackling some machine and then do a body pump class.  Love the instructor of this class.  She will look at you dead in the eyes and say, "Don't put that weight down, you have three more reps."  And then watch you complete it.  I think she's also a health-ish instructor at a college.  There is often talks about students and gives pieces of healthy advice - I consider it like a free college credit along with the benefits of lifting weights for an hour.

ANYWAYS - today I decide the elliptical is my victim.  GREAT.  There is a row of four machines. I choose number three.  The elliptical are all full, so I have to use #3.  I usually prefer #1 because it's under the fans and closer to House Hunters.  But, everyone must have been motivated today and it was crowded...so #3 it was.

I'm on the machine about 20 minutes when the person on elliptical #4 gets off - she goes on to do weights.  Yes, even though I'm watching House Hunters, I can also tell you what every other person is doing in the gym. Two minutes later #2 gets off, gets water and goes to the elliptical across from me.  Hhuumm, that's an interesting move...maybe something different is on the tvs.  A few minutes later #1 gets off and leaves.  Then someone gets on #4, does three or four pedals and moves across from me and next to the other person who moved but is STILL on the elliptical.  (are you following me??)  YES, another person comes and gets on #2, stays for about 5 minutes and then moves to the treadmills (maybe just not in the mood to elliptical).

AND THEN IT HITS ME

Or everyone is moving because I STINK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

$#!+

We've all been there.  At the gym and someone just smells.  Awful.  And although you've always known that it's best to breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth - you can't imagine taking another breath because you feel like gagging with every inhale.   So you switch - in through your mouth (can't smell anything) and out through your nose.  Try it.  Perfect, now I'm hyperventilating (plus it takes waaaay too much concentration).  What's the solution?!!?  Move.

Crap - what in the world do I do now?!?! I brushed my teeth and put on deodorant before I came to the gym.  I personally don't think I smell - I mean, besides the normal sweaty smell....but that's normal, right????  And maybe let's just congratulate me for a minute for getting sweaty on the elliptical...because it's really easy to not get sweaty and have your hair down and make-up on like the first lady on #4.  No wonder she thought I smell, she had a distinct smell of roses coming from her.  Humph!

I'm still going strong, but seriously debating this situation.  I've never had anyone tell me I smell before.....actually, I take that back.  Tim has told me, but I deserved it. But none of my other friends who I've worked out with before have told me.  And then I wonder, would I mention to a friend that they smell when they workout??? As I continue to over analyze this I realize that all my "workout" friends have left me:(  They've moved onto fancy Villa.  Fancy Villa that costs more money BUT probably has a "no smelly people" guarantee!!!  Knew that place wasn't meant for me.

Okay,  Andrea.  Get a grip.  You don't smell any worse than all the other "sweaty" people in the gym (this excludes the make-up, perfume ladies).

Enter Body Pump class.  It's crowded - again, everyone is motivated this Friday.  This lady sets up shop pretty close to me and I say something about how it's really crowded.  She nods.

THREE MINUTES INTO THE WARM-UP ROUTINE - SHE MOVES!!!!!!!!!!!

During the break, she comes over to say the speaker was bothering her.

What?  Did the speaker smell or something!?!??!

Now I've got a situation.  Was today just a smelly Andrea day?  Do I smell bad regularly?  Am I always abnormally smelly when I workout?  Was it just a bunch of coincidences?  Do I have to shower before I workout?  Should I bring a body spray to the gym with me?

I have no idea where to go from here.  I'm writing to document, not to get the "you smell pretty" comments. For now, if you workout near me, you might want to consider nose plugs or a clothespin.

Ear Infection

We literally just finished the 10 day course of antibiotics for Olivia last night.  This morning was supposed to be our first non-breakfast-antibiotic.

EXCEPT, Mason got his own cocktail.  

He's been working on a cold for quite awhile now.  But has been sleeping and eating pretty well, until two days ago.  So this morning I took him in....right ear infected.

Hello 10 more days of antibiotics. 

Hot Chocolate

Had her first cup of hot chocolate.

Think it's safe to say it was a success :)

Hungry?

love him

Reason 5,943 why my husband is awesome...

He runs outside to take a picture of the first time there are SIX cars in our driveway :)

Because that's kind-of a big deal in our family :)

Super Bowl Sunday

This time again :)  We hosted the Super Bowl party for the fantasy football league. 

2009, 2010, 2011

The Ladies

In our very cool league,  people have started designing their own t-shirts....some have even mentioned letter jackets?!?

The trophies - sadly neither Tim nor I will be awarded these :(

Chris won the Spear for highest single game score EVER and the Coach of the Year for highest overall points (WAY TO GO!)

Tommy won the championship and gets the coveted helmet trophy
(is it just me or does it look like tim is having a hard time letting it go??)

The kids and I watching Madonna 

The league watching the game

Things She's Said:

background:  Often we will ignore Olivia's requests if she doesn't use her manners or ask nicely.  So we are riding in the car and we already told Olivia she could watch Beauty and the Beast.  She asked us a question and we didn't respond quickly enough.

She says: "Mom listen to me! I said the right words. 'May I have yellow silky please?'"

*****Different Day, Different Time*****

background: just listening to some music riding in the car

She says: "Is this Rihanna or Katy Perry?"  

I reply:  "Adele"

Loving our conversations with her

Foto Friday

TGIF!

X-Box

Tonight to help get through our evening, we went to Best Buy.  Olivia and Mason found a video game they could play together.  Fast forward 20 minutes....still playing.

Considered buying this slightly violent game.
Didn't, but now researching games for little ones.

My HEB Helper