Another Food Coma

Yes, you know what I am talking about. You know that meal when you are suddenly hit with the mac truck of sleepiness? Ok, so maybe the truth is that they missed out on nap time, so therefore they were very tired going into dinnertime... Either way you look at it, it's adorable! :)

Helmet? A sign of what is to come?!

Ok, I am all about the ATV's and off roading.  I am in full support of motocross etc... Let's face it. Greg has had a great love for motorcycles for many many MANY years, obviously. When one learns how to stunt a motorcycle just because they are bored with it's regular -two wheels on the ground- purpose, it's a sure sign to be passed down.

This lovely blue ATV helmet purchased years ago along with the trailblazer and 2 mini 4 wheelers for my then 10 and 7 year old and myself was sitting HIGH up in the garage on a shelf that my husband and I installed together. (thought I would throw that needless information in so people know I am NOT challenged when it comes to manual labor! lol) Oh, yes, Kien was eye ballin' that baby. He even worked up the nerve enough to ask to try it on. OH NO HE DIDN'T! But- oh yes he did, and yes, we did. He loved it and not to mention how ADORABLE it looks on him. I can't wait. Oh, but yet I can, because I am NOT looking forward to the future bumps, bruises and PRAYING STARTING NOW of the possible breaks. Am I getting ahead of myself here?!

BWW

Buffalo Wild Wings is a common place we like to eat dinner at because of their tasty wings. Gabe and Kien like the Mac n cheese as well as mommy's potato wedges. :) 

Did I also mention that Gabe and Kien like the BWW hats? :)

This was fun also! :)



Jeremy is giving Kien a lift so he can also put his head through the poster board! :)



We also like to play the Buzztime playmaker game. Trivia mostly, and each of us have won a time or two! :)

 

Park Play

Before the weather becomes too hot for outside play, we love to take the kids to the park. Jeremy and Brandy usually go and do their own thing on the swings, and sometimes will get lucky and see a friend at the park. Our neighborhood has a few places with park equipment, and the main park we like to go to at the elementary school has three play areas to choose from.

Kien finds the slides as a thrill. Gabe... not so much.

This particular slide is a big FAIL in my book. First off, a slide should not be bumpy or jerk you

*very uncomfortably* side to side. Gabe didn't like this one either.

Kien goes front side down...

Gabriel, front side down..

Different Nights, Different Stories.

We love reading a variety of books before bedtime as well as in the daytime. Night time is a great time to wind down from the days events and just relax our minds. Kien loves reading his Bible Story book, and Gabe for a while, loves Goodnight Moon. We have ventured new stories, but those two are the favorite. Here is a collection of different nights with different stories.

We are searching for all the "Gah-Goo's" which translates to motorcycles.

In search for the mouse in Goodnight Moon!

And the Old Lady whispering hush...

It doesn't take long before one or both become restless and need a new story. Gabe is usually the one who needs to get up and move. Kien is pretty "chill" when it comes to listening with his ears and looking through his mind's eye of imagination!

Sometimes, Gabe likes to read solo. I know their teachers will be proud when they enter elementary school. Especially during reading time! :)

Puppies, Ah-who and BOOTS!

Gabriel is always loving on Daisy and Duke, sometimes a bit too strong, but the dogs love it. Gabe even shares his beloved "Ah-who" aka lovey, aka blankey. Yes, I have called him Linus! Ha!

 Brandy needed a new pair of shoes, of course! While she was browsing, Kien felt it necessary to try them on for her to see if they were the right style. He had fun, which was a WIN WIN situation because taking toddlers shopping for shoes is typically never fun because of screaming children or boxes toppled over from their curiosity of what is in them!

Needless to say, we did not choose these boots. :)

McDonalds Play Date

My sweet friend Katina and I decided that we were going to have to have a play date for the boys because time was on countdown before she and her two sons were to reunite with her husband who via Militarty, moved to Bahrain. Bahrain is an archipelago of 33 islands, the largest being Bahrain Island. You can read more at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bahrain

Upon our arrival, the boys felt it necessary to just hang back and let us mom's order for them. Too bad it doesn't last into the teenage years! (Ha!)

I am sure they had quite the conversation, and even Gabe chimed in!  

 Still waiting. :)

 Since this was going to be the last time for a play date before they were to head on with their journey to another land, we just let the kids -play -eat -play -eat. No rules were set, it was a free for all. Gabe of course went straight for the car. :)

It is always sad to see any friends leave, especially as far as the Lackey's were moving to. Thanking God for places online such as facebook where, although their physical presence isn't here, we can still "see" them through photo's, posts and updates. :) :)

Enjoying Lunch at Chili's

Greg was with a friend for lunch, so we decided to go to Chili's. Well, I just opened a checking account for each of the kids and Jeremy was eager to use his debit card for the first time. It was actually a very nice time with all four kids. 

 Kien enjoying his food! 

 Gabe also enjoying his food, macaroni and cheese. 

 Note here that even Woody (his 2nd lovey) had to have his hat involved with dinner. (lol)

Home Team Date Night!

We are active in our home team which consists of a few precious people that attend our church's campus in Fort Worth. We typically meet twice a month for going over the last couple of messages taught by our Pastor, and the second is for Date Night. Now, we have a choice, we can either take some much needed one on one time with our spouse and do our own thing, or we can go as a group. Greg and I have opportunities to go on date nights more often because Brandy is our babysitter. (As she is for our home team as well). So, we choose to go as a group for the MUCH NEEDED adult interaction time. (Did I mention MUCH NEEDED? LOL)

Here are some of our awesome team members. 

Now, I know, it's suppose to be a "date" night, so you may be wondering how we can do this with a child with us! Well, Gabe is still too young to be left with the group because he requires a bit more attention one on one or with a small group. Brandy can have up to 10 children, so when there are that many children, or close to that number we just take Gabe with us. Of course, we can't seem to get it through to him that those are the nights he is NOT the center of attention. Does he listen?! LOL! 

Jumps Before Bed

Kien and Gabe have started a tradition of "jumps" before bed. They both stand on Kien's toddler bed and count to three. Then, they jump to the floor! For a while Kien would want to hold Gabe's hand, however, that was very short lived as Gabe was not a great "lander" from these said jumps. It was a recipe for disaster, so the -no hand holding- jumps are sufficient enough! Oh, and not to mention that our photo's are not great with the "action" shots, but you get the point! :) 

Gabe jumping! 

 Kien's turn! 

 Oh, and yes, sometimes there IS cushion at the bottom of their jump. Pillows, blankets, stuffed animals, whichever they feel necessary. :) 

 Kien was becoming bored with just the simple mattress to floor jumps, so he tried to spice things up a bit and  jump from the footboard. The first time was a disaster because he was still wearing his socks. So, instead of jumping to the rescue, the natural consequence lesson was learned so fast that the very NEXT jump he performed with NO SOCKS! Smart boy! 

Reading upside down, all around and not at all...

Gabe and Kien enjoy story time right before bed. Sometimes we will read before or after nap time depending on our schedule. Kien is open to read a variety of books. He does have his favorites, but doesn't stick to just one. Gabe on the other hand, his absolute favorite is "Goodnight Moon" -which is cute to listen to him speak some of the words. I have noted that both Kien and Gabe, on separate accounts, both enjoy finding the mouse that is on each of the colored pages. I wonder if that is common with other Goodnight Moon readers?!

For Gabe, it doesn't matter if the book is upside down or not, he still loves it!  

 Here is the miniature version of the big "Goodnight Moon" book. He also likes to skip the black and white pages for some strange reason. *shrug*

 Kien has a short attention span sometimes. Other times he can sit and contently study the details of every page in a book he is interested in. He gave Gabe his "Things That Go" book to hold on to so he could release some physical energy that was bound up, I suppose. He is our little monkey man and very graceful with his jumps.

 I don't like to, but at times it's a must to get on the floor with the boys. I used to love sitting on the floor, but since the hip surgeries it is more difficult for me to just get right up with no aches or popping of the knees even. I do it anyway because my boys like for me to. Old in body, young in spirit? Ha!

 Here we are again with "Goodnight Moon" -this time I was the one animating the "old lady, whispering hush" which Gabriel will do himself from time to time. Kien is reading a mother goose book. Which, I must say, I remember hearing the same stories growing up, but as an adult, some of those nursery rhymes are barbaric and crude! So, we say the cute ones and the book now stays in the closet. *sigh*

 Oh, oh... I ALMOST have Gabe's attention with another book!

 Oh, yes! Finally a glance!

 Then I lost him to his favorite book!

 Gabe even had to sit away from me, I guess I was reading too loudly. (LOL)