Weekend in Oklahoma

The boys and I jumped in the car one morning and made the 4 hour drive up to Oklahoma to see Nana & Pawpaw. We had a good, but rather windy visit. I couldn't believe the wind while we were up there! It was crazy!

Jonathan found a home in the little rocking chair Nana had gotten out for the boys. I believe he was enjoying a little Backyardigans while Matt finished up his nap.

The weekend before our visit was Nana's birthday and since Matt loves a birthday celebration, balloons, cupcakes and all, we celebrated while we were there. We got her a crown and everything. She was a great sport.

Matt's getting the smile down, but now we have to work on where to look!

Enjoying a little cupcake!

Matt relocated the rocking chair, but Jonathan spied it and settled in for a little reading time.

Matt & I played outside one morning while Jonathan took a much needed morning nap. It was the beginning of the wind.

He found a push broom in the garage and it was game on!

Wind, trucks, driveways, push broom... what more could a boy want?

Nana got in a bit of spoiling while we were in town, of course. She introduced the boys to Nilla Wafers. She taught Jonathan all about dipping cookies in milk.

He was digging the dipping!

He looks a bit guilty, as if he knows how much fun it is to see how many cookies he can get Nana to give him.

On the windiest day of our visit we got out and went to the playground.

Jonathan was at home on the swing.

The look I love! There's a familiar one in December with a Santa hat on.

The boys were mesmerized by a battery operated fan that Pawpaw had.

Matt wanted to figure out what that "triangle thing" was for in "Jonathan's room".

He figured it out, but I didn't dare show him how to use the pool cue.

The boys got a couple of dinners and some play time with their cousins while we were there. Matt spent a lot of time with Dom and I think he was showing him how to draw something in this picture. I should have gotten a picture of the look on Dom's face after the "drawing" was finished. It was priceless!

We had a good visit up in Oklahoma, but headed back to Dallas for a bit more time with my dad and stepmother before we headed down to our new house!

Dallas for a Week

We left our house in San Clemente and headed to Dallas for a couple of weeks to stay with my dad and stepmother while Nick got some things settled at the new house in Seabrook. Mind you, this was 2 weeks of torture since the three of us hadn't seen the house except for pictures online. Nick kept telling me where he was in the house and where we should put things. It just didn't make sense since I hadn't seen the house in person! I was riding on faith at this point as to the house he had picked out for us.

So, back to our visit. We got to spend some much appreciated time with grandparents during this visit, while having comfortable beds to sleep in and home-cooked meals.

My dad played ball with Jonathan one day after nap so I could have a bit of rest myself. I caught them having some fun when I woke up from my nap.

Jonathan was cracking me up with the cats. He chased them around the house and took the opposite approach of quiet and slow. Grandpa had to hold Bo so that Jonathan could pat him on the head. He love the cats, but just didn't understand not to use quick, loud babbling to talk to him. It was something that sounded like "sass" every time.

We stopped off at Uncle Steve's house for a mid morning visit with the cousins. Gracie and Uncle Steve played with Jonathan while the big boys were upstairs.

Jonathan amused himself by putting things in and out of containers while Chase tried to attract his attention with another toy.

More play with the box!

Matt was telling Blake some story and all eyes were on him.

Blake & Ethan were in some deep discussion while Jonathan ran off toward the stairs.

Matt had another deep discussion with Chase.

Jonathan didn't want the dog inside until he was outside.

The vent became a washboard of sorts. He made some great music that morning.

Ethan thumbed through some books with Jonathan, learning all about the Backyardigans along the way.

Blake's room is always a hit with Matt. It's full of very cool Legos!

Gracie couldn't be far away from Matt for long, so she joined the boys for some Lego time.

Back at Granny & Grandpa's place for some baseball!

We tried a bit of soccer after baseball.

He had a great time until Jonathan tried to get involved.

A walk to the playground proved to be a good decision one morning. Jonathan is so happy on the swings!

Matt had a blast exploring the playground. He is getting more skilled and a bit more daring on playgrounds. It's good to see, but there are a bit more times when he screams that he needs help.

Jonathan went for a guarded walk with Granny. He had only been walking for bit at this point, so add concrete and tennis shoes and everyone was a bit leery.

I tried to recapture the moment from last year on the playground in San Clemente. Jonathan was not quite as amused about Matt sliding down next to him. They did have fun though.

I finally got Jonathan settled into an activity so Matt could freely run around and Granny & I could take shifts playing with the boys. I got to sit with Jonathan a bit while he filled up the dump truck and drooled! 4 teeth at once is a bit much for anyone! We was definitely a trooper through those 4.

Matt got some much needed outdoor play time!

He joined in and helped full the dump truck. All in all, I'd say they did fairly well sharing the task.

Room to run AND a ball... heaven for Matt!

Grandpa read a story before bedtime.

Jonathan and I went for a walk one morning while Matt & Granny planted flowers and dug in the dirt.

There was so much to look at, birds, water fountain, geese...

Reflecting on the morning.

When we finished out walk, it was time to help out with the newly potted plants.

Matt had a love affair with sticks during our visit. He just couldn't get enough.

Jonathan tried on my sunglasses while Matt & Granny went on a walk of their own.

Back they came from Matt's wagon ride. Jonathan was next!

We had a great first week with Granny & Grandpa. Since we were 4 hours from Nick's parents, we took a ride up to Oklahoma City for the weekend. Hopefully it gave Granny & Grandpa a bit of recovery time, getting us out of the house for a few days.