The Great Outdoors

We had lots of fun family time in the backyard this weekend. Ok, well, most of it was fun. Several hours of it was spent working in the backyard, pulling weeds, etc. Even Isaac got his hands dirty helping Mama pick up the weeds Daddy had pulled and putting them into the lawn bag. Such a good little helper - anything to go outside! This afternoon was all play and no work - the best kind of outdoor time! Isaac had fun throwing the ball to Cooper and running around the yard while Daddy and I had fun taking pictures of our little man. He's getting to be such a big boy - and it's all happened so quickly. Where did my teeny, tiny little baby go? My baby is now running, jumping, talking and even going to the potty like a big boy! And did I mention that he's adorbale? Just thought I'd throw that in there. :) Here are a few pictures of our little - I mean, big - boy in action. Enjoy!

Ready to help Daddy with yard work

Looking for my receiver...

Jumping!

That smile just melts me...

Throwing the ball to Cooper

and to Mama.

Posing for the camera

Bird!

Mastering that big step

That's all for now, folks...

Dear Lord, thank you so much for our precious little boy. Thank you for the joy of each and every day you allow us to spend with him and to know him better. He is an immeasurably valuable gift from You - one that I promise to cherish always.

Potty humor

As Isaac sat on his potty yesterday (yes! really! potty training already!), he became anxious to get off and walk around. Not having finished his... um... "business".... yet, I began trying to distract him with other things. Our conversation was as follows:

"Isaac, where's your nose?". He pointed right to his nose.

"That's right, Isaac! Where is your ear?". Wiggles his ear.

"There's your ear! Now show me - where is your mouth?". Says mouth and puts his hand over his mouth.

"Good job, Isaac! Can you show Mommy where your hair is?". Isaac rubs his hand over his hair.

"You're such a smart boy, Isaac. Can you show Mommy your cheeks?". Isaac reaches behind his back, touches his tushy and says "boo-chis". (translation: booty cheeks)

Needless to say, roaring laughter ensued! :)

Kate Elizabeth Pruitt

Last weekend, the fam made the trek up to Oklahoma City for a very important meeting with our newest niece, Kate! I could hardly wait to get my hands on this precious baby girl. She is just gorgeous and such a sweetie pie. Very content. She even woke up long enough for us to get some pictures of her with her beautiful little eyes wide open. Stephanie is doing so well this time around - moving about like a champ, looking beautiful and glowing with pride over her new daughter. Congratulations, Mike and Stephanie!

Sweet, sweet smile.

Isaac loving on his baby cousin

And, in true Isaac fashion, has to give her a kiss, too!

Proud Daddy with his new baby girl.

Isn't she lovely?

Already working on those choir vowels

Looks so much like her Daddy!

Miss Kate

I love you, Miss Kate. I can't wait to get to know you better!!

Bo's Wedding

Two weekends ago, my cousin - whom we have always called Bo - got married. It was a simple ceremony and a beautiful reception in which we enjoyed good food, family, laughter and the celebration of the joining of Bo and Reyna's lives as husband and wife. The next day, it was also my Grandad's 72nd birthday, which made the weekend even more special! Brandon and I were lucky to have Grandad and my cousin, Jacob, stay the night with us Saturday after the wedding. Brandon made his famous pancakes, bacon and eggs for the birthday boy - another wonderful time with family. Check out the pictures!

Bo, the handsome groom

The happy couple, Bo and Reyna

Grandmother and the groom

Dinner by candlelight

Jacob and Lily

The fam... well, some of us!

One, two, three hunks, oh ladies! Jacob, TJ and Sam

Aunt Leah and Uncle Todd

Isaac just loves Jacob - and his phone! :)

Blump

Wow. I can't even remember the last time I blogged. I suppose I'm officially suffering from a blogging slump... aka blump. I don't have anything specific to blog about tonight, just thought that I would share a few updates on Isaac.

1. Isaac seriously plays up to the camera. It's sooo funny. You'll see what I mean shortly.

2. Isaac is talking... a lot. He seems to learn a new word just about every day. His newest word is bus (with more of a "sh" sound at the end than an "s"). He gets very excited every day to find a bus on the way to his sitter's house. We have fun spotting them together - and I have fun watching the huge smile come across his face, and hearing him say "buh-sh"! Makes me smile just thinking about it. And, my favorite of his new words is "Amen". He says it just about every night after we finish his bed-time prayer. Man am I lucky...

3. Isaac is running, climbing, and is beginning to ooze personality. He has quite the funny streak, too, and appreciates our humor. I always knew I was funny!

4. Isaac is - and I promise I'm not just speaking out of bias - the sweetest, most compassionate little boy ever. When I dropped him off on Wednesday morning, he promptly walked in and gave hugs to the two other kiddos that were already there. This was totally unprovoked. Anjie (his sitter) and I just looked at each other with that "Aw!" look. He just loves everyone and isn't afraid to show it. According to Anjie, he also hugs on the babies if they cry. And he LOVES his cousins, Mark and Karley, who also stay with Anjie during the day. They are always hugging each other, which is so special to me. I love that he's growing up knowing them and getting to spend so much time with them.

Ok, ok... here are the pictures! :)

Pose #1 (with my post-yogurt hair)

Pose #2

Laughing at my previous poses..

Like my new toy? Can you believe I found this gem in the garage?!

Whoa... I am SO tall.

A party for baby girl Pruitt to be

My precious little sister, Stephanie, is expecting her second child... and this time, it's a girl! I can hardly wait to meet baby girl Pruitt, whose name is still in the making. I look forward to the snuggles and cuddles, the kisses and hugs, the nail polishing sessions... you know, all the things that an aunt loves to do with her nieces! There's not been a baby girl in the Rhodes family in quite a while, so it'll be fun for us to have another little princess running around.

Several of Steph's closest friends were gracious enough to allow me to join in helping throw her baby shower last weekend. She got some of the most adorable little outfits in which to dress her little lady, and I look forward to having another baby girl to shop for. We'll have her closet crammed full in no time! What more could a girl want?

Here are some pictures of Stephanie's shower in Julia's gorgeous new home.

Love notes to baby girl Pruitt...

The spread

Beautiful decor for Mama and baby girl

Prepping the beverage station

My beautiful sister

I love this shot... reminds me of Steph as a little girl. All smiles and giggles... sans the crazy hair. :)

Adorable banner made by Julia

The honoree and hostesses

from left: Julia, Jessica, Susan (Grandmama), Stephanie, Christina & Lindsey
I love you so, so much, Stephanie. I can't wait to meet your daughter! If she's anything like her Mama, she can't help but be beautiful... inside and out.

"Winter" in Texas

As I cozy up on the couch, sipping a steamy mug of wassail in hopes of working the chill off of my nose, I can't help but chuckle about the weather we've been having around here lately. Here are a few pictures to chronicle the extremes in temperature over the last several weeks... and maybe a few others that were too cute not to share.

Enjoying the 80+ temps a few days before Christmas

Mid 60's on Saturday. So pretty outside!

Headed home with the promise of crackers...

Crackers and crazy hair.

Watching the snow fall

Bundled up for some fun in the snow!

Drying out our snow gear.

Peek-a-boo... I'll see you again soon!