Warm Weather

So last week we finally got rid of all that yucky cold weather (note the dead plants behind the kids in the first picture) and got back to our normal warm January weather!  No one was more excited than Mommy who could once again send the kids out to play to burn off their energy!

We celebrated with a picnic snack in the front yard.

Jill enjoyed her new power wheels toy (50% off on the clearance aisle at Academy!).  She still doesn't really get how to make it go, but she pushes the button, it jerks forward and she smiles.  Plus it was the perfect fit, she loves the boys school bus so now she has her own.

 

Josh shows off his ramp jumping skills.  Yes, it is as uncomfortable as it looks.  With the 2 back wheels so far apart and low to the ground the big wheels slams into the ramp every time.  But he loves it and keeps coming back for more.

 

Jake jumps his scooter.

And then shows off his balancing trick.

Just some more pics of Jill

My posts have been pretty monothematic of late, I realize that, but honestly, when you are home alone for 8 hours a day with a baby, well, I think you get where I am going...

Here is Jill playing with Mom's shoe.  Too bad for Jill that mom's feet are so big, that it is really hard to wear her shoes.  Hence the one at a time thing here.

Here is a cute pic of Jill's first ponytail! 

So, her hair in front is getting so long that it hangs in her eyes.  But she rips out barrettes faster than you can say 'Tomboy'.  This morning when I was getting out of the shower I took out my rubber band and set it on the bed.  She walked right over, picked it up and held it up to her hair while making some rubbing motions. 

I did not hesitate!  I grabbed the baby rubber bands I had bought specifically for this occasion, sat her on a stool in front of the full length mirror, and tossed up a ponytail.  She left it in for a while, but pulled it out on the long (5 whole minutes) car ride to Gymboree, but I whipped it back up and it stayed all day until bathtime!  We may have solved our problem! 

After bath, she went right back to our morning ponytail spot, grabbed another rubber band and insisted on another ponytail!  So she is sleeping in one tonight. 

And here is her penultimate resting place.  The boys like to hang out in my bed and watch an educational show while I put Jill down at night.  (Judge me, I am over it. Truly, they are educational, Mythbusters, MonsterQuest, Dirty Jobs, Man vs Wild, etc.  But I digress...) So tonight she rolled over against her brother and snuggled there asleep. He was so proud.  He told me, "Mom, look, she loves me!"  And she does.  She adores him.

My Little Sweetie

Look what I found Jill doing tonight!  What a little cutie!  Think we have had toilet problems lately?

Jill Cuteness

There is really no theme, but here are some cute things Jill has done in the last few days!

Ranger decided Jill needed some company last night.  Must be the extremely cold weather, he has never tried this before!

Jill "jumps" on the trampoline.  Just go ahead and turn down your volume before you watch because it will just be me baby-talking annoyingly in the camera!

Adorable Pics

So, Kiki got a new camera for Christmas.  One of those huge, honkin' nice ones and she took some pics with it.  They turned out super cute, so I am including some of my faves below for your enjoyment. 

BTW, we were all at the park to take a massive Moriarty family photo including grandmothers and grandkids so it worked out nicely that the kids were actually wearing something without stains!  And I hope to post a few shots from that shoot on here if I can soon.

I know I am partial, but I think these are some cute kids!

A Hyland Family Christmas

Oh, minus the family picture!  That kinda stinks.  But here are some cute pics from our Christmas morning.  This was a far cry from where we were last year.  Jill was still in bed asleep at 6 weeks old.  This year we had to wake her up because the boys were so excited to get in and see what Santa had left them.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care...

And then things got crazy!

Jake and his new iPod.  Thanks Santa!

Josh was thrilled to get an Indiana Jones Kyle Busch M&M's race car.  He is so easy...

Jill's new fold out couch.

Jake and Josh show off their new Hess Trucks from Poppy.  This year's are so cool!  But we say that every year.  Where do they keep getting such cool ideas?

Jill and Auntie Michelle in her new playhouse.

Jill checks out the doorbell.

Then the fountain.  It really works!

And peeks out the window!

Jill and the train

Jill loves the train that we have circling our island in the kitchen.  So everyday she climbs on the stool and stands and watches it.  For hours.  Well, at least for 30 minutes.  I kinda feel bad, but at least I have some time to cook dinner!

Jill watching the train

Jill and Dad watching the train. Sometimes she likes a better vantage point.

Dad and Jill. So cute!

Jake Update

Jake went back to the doc and got his long-awaited cast this morning.  He was very excited that they had the camouflage color he wanted.  Even though he won't be back at school for 2 more weeks, he has tons of signatures already!

We found out from this doc that he has buckle fracture.  The bone is not broken through and not displaced so they want him in a cast for 3 weeks.  We then go back for another x-ray to check on his progress and if it looks good, then he has 1 week in a splint.  That is pretty quick!

And I guess in keeping with the camo theme, this was the letter he wrote to send to Mark (my cousin Kelli's husband who is serving in Afghanistan).  He has been watching everything on the Military channel lately and loves learning about all the weapons.  He is so proud that his "cousin" (as he says) is serving our country and that he flies an Apache helicopter.

It Finally Happened...

Well, honestly, I have to admit I am SHOCKED it took 8 1/2 years, but Jake finally did it. 

Yep, he broke his wrist this afternoon. 

Yes, it involves his new bunk bed, but probably would have happened on the old one.  No, it doesn't involve crazy, irresponsible behavior, shockingly.  It was just an unlucky accident.

Jake was leaning over the side to look at our neighbor MaryAnn below and lost his balance and slid forward off the bed. I guess I should say a prayer of thanks that it was just a wrist and nothing more serious.  The urgent care doc said it is the most common injury they see at this age and is pretty minor.  We are going to the orthopedist as soon as one will see us.  We'll see about the upcoming basketball season and Tae Kwon Do.  We may have to take a little time off.

Jake shows off his splint.  Trust me, it took us 2 full hours to get to this point.  He collapsed into bed exhausted at 8:30 tonight.  It was a tough afternoon.

Cute Jill Video from Alabama!

So, due to the snowfall, this video never made it on the blog.  But I wanted to go ahead and put it up because it is so adorable. 

It makes me think she really is a princess because she looks like she is waving to her people while she rides on her horse.  And she doesn't do the typical wave up and down, but turns her wrist so it looks even cuter!

Snow in Houston?!?

I know, you must be thinking this is a joke, but no jokes here!  It really did snow.  A lot! 

Okay, so not a lot, a lot, but enough to make snowballs, a small fort and make it really feel like winter!  It even stuck around for the whole day.  Then the sun came out and it started melting, but refroze overnight into ice as the temps dipped to the mid to low 20's. 

As usual, the city was paralyzed and schools got out early, Justin's office closed down for the day.  You know, the general, "We have never seen this before what do we do?????" panic.  We can handle hurricanes and torrential rainstorms, but not *SNOW*!  Okay, enough mocking... for now.

Here is our winter wonderland as the snow really starts coming down.

More shots.

Jill and I went to see what it was all about.  Apparently her.  (see shirt)

The boys with the neighborhood fort.  Yes, there was only enough for one group effort.  This was the day after when everything had slightly melted and it was really crunchy!

THANKSGIVING IN ALABAMA! Part 3

Here are Thanksgiving meal pics.  The family sat in the garage and feasted together. 

Also included are pics of the kids shooting BBs.  We saved all our cans and bottles and set them up for a shooting good time!  Later we brought out some pieces of cardboard for bigger targets.

And then, for the kids at least, the best part of the trip, the campfires.  We played games, sang songs, roasted marshmallows and told "ghost" stories.  What a fun time!

The Family Thanksgiving

Cousins Betty and Jimmy Blankenship, Chuck and Joann Reynolds, Harriet Harmon and Bill and Richey Queen.  Bill, Joann, Harriet and Jimmy are the last 4 remaining cousins in the Radford family line.  It was great for them to be able to get together again.

The big group picture.  The only ones missing are Julie and her family.

Uncle Aaron helps Josh line up a shot.  Josh actually eventually learned how to sight himself.  He is getting good.

Aaron helps Owen line up a shot.

Jake the marksman.  He is pretty darn good.

Me, Jill, Courtney and GranDeb at the fire.  Jill has learned how to smile at the camera!  How cute and cheesy!

The group getting ready for s'mores.

Kiki, the s'mores lady.

Scott Parten and Mary Carlton at the campfire.  MANY thanks to Scott who loaned us all his fishing gear, his 4 wheeler and his time the whole trip.  It wouldn't have been nearly as fun without him!

Michelle and Scott at the campfire.

Courtney and Anthony at the campfire.

Justin and Jill

Jake and Michelle

Josh and GranDeb

PawPaw and Owen

Tomorrow I am going to put some more random pics up.  Just cute ones for fun!