Lazy Sunday

Sundays just might be our favorite family day of the week...morning at church, lunch at home with an afternoon of naps, football and errands. We love Sundays!! Hatcher is almost too big for his baby bathtub (his size is already a little too big!!) in the next week or two he will graduate to the big kid bathtub upstairs with Hayes, as soon as he is sitting unsupported, it won't be long! I snapped these pictures tonight and had to share. What a kissable little boy, I love this little man. My sweet Hatcher Man!

Even though he usually has a serious face for pictures this is more in tune with his personality. He smiles, laughs and talks a lot! Very social and very flirtatious. Sweetheart!

Just look at those big, beautiful eyes. Beware - they melt hearts!

Hatcher's favorite part of bath time just might be sucking his thumb through the washcloth. The boy does love his thumb. But he is all boy - if you don't give him a washcloth to play with he just might find something else to play with... :) I could probably use this tidbit of information for blackmail when he is older. I learned very early that boys and girls are different from day one! But I don't even remember how I ever survived without him. Thank God for little boys and little girls, we are so blessed!

Sea World Saturday

Daddy got back into town Friday afternoon and to celebrate we went to Sea World this morning. We took Hayes' swimsuit and swim shoes so she could play in the Shamu splash area. To our surprise the splash area was closed along with all of the kid areas. They are leveling that area and turning it into Sesame Street's Bay of Play. We can't wait to check it out this spring! We went to see Shamu which is always a hit, ate lunch and finished our adventure with the sea lions. We love living so close that we can go for a few hours and still make it home in time for an air conditioned nap...boy was it hot today!

Finishing off our day with brownie sundaes while we Skype Mingie.

Hayes had to show Mingie her new silly hat...our angel LOVES hats!!

We hope you all had a restful Saturday. We love you all!

Hatcher Landon

Our sweet Hatcher is truly amazing! He is so easy going and still only gets fussy when he is tired and down right mad if he is tired and over stimulated. He goes with the flow and is getting better about taking naps when we are out and about since we have been running errands like crazy with Hayes in school two days a week. Every two hours or so I offer a meal and there are times that he isn't hungry. He is growing up, fast!

Some other memorable milestones our handsome Hatcher has obtained:

• On August 26th, the first day Hayes was in school, Hatcher decided to roll from back to front making his rollability complete. He hasn't stopped rolling since!
• He is very good about getting up and staying up on all fours and is now rocking back and forth before ducking his head to try and get his silly left thumb in his mouth.
• We have been practicing sitting up and he can now sit for quite a long time before crashing.
• The last week of August Hatcher started eating solids and we are now up to two meals of solids a day, he isn't really up in time for breakfast! So far Hatcher is an excellent eater and he loves sitting at the table with us in his big boy high chair. We have officially retired the Bumbo. We are anxious to see how much he weighs at his six month visit!
• He absolutely loves to put his feet in his mouth. Maybe more so than his thumb. He much prefers tummy time but he will stay on his back if he puts his toes in his mouth. Too cute!
• Hatcher loves to make noises with his mouth and tongue and enjoys sticking his tongue out.
• He is very ticklish and bath time is always fun because he gets extra squirmy!
• The exersaucer is his favorite toy, he loves to jump up and down. He jumps more in the exersaucer than he does in the jumper!

Ready for his next meal.

All dressed up and ready to impress the ladies! We had a fun lunch date with Marla, my MOPS mentor mom from last year.

This was earlier this week. He is even stronger now!

What a super strong sweetheart!! We love our handsome Hatcher!!

Week of Firsts

A few weeks ago the kids and I joined a nearby gym that has a child care center. Hayes loves going to the gym, there are so many fun things for her to do. Hatcher has done very well. The longest I have left him is one hour and he goes more often than Hayes since we usually go while she is in school. This past week we had our first MOPS meeting of the year and our sweet little man had the ladies wrapped around his finger in the nursery. They all gushed over him and gave him kisses when I picked him up. He made it from 9:00 until 11:15 before he was hungry. Hatcher has done so well and I am so proud of him!

This past Thursday Hayes' school had an Open House and Tori came over to watch both kiddos for a few hours. They both did great and Craig and I have decided we will have to call on Tori again for an actual date night. What is date night? We have forgotten!

Saturday Samantha had a birthday party at Pump It Up. Hayes had an outstanding time, we will let the videos speak for themselves. We love our energetic, fearless little girl!

Wow!!

Don't you just love the dismount?!

All that exercise makes a girl thirsty!

And hungry for pizza, pepperoni her favorite!

Wild, Wild West

We've been a busy little family of four these past few weeks. On the 8th I hosted a coffee for our MOPS leadership and about 15 mommies and TONS of kiddos came over to play. Hayes had a ball sharing her toys. She loves to share with everyone except sweet Hatcher, she still isn't too keen on him using her toys. She will learn though, he is only ten pounds lighter than her at this point so she will be the little one before long!

Daddy also traveled to Houston that week and upon his return we loaded up Friday and headed out west to McCamey to visit Mingie, Greg and Sissy. Daddy played in a golf tournament with Lou Ann and Greg that weekend and so Craig drove his truck and the kids and I followed in my car. The four hour drive took only five hours since we only had to stop twice - the first time was for a nursing session and diaper changes and then we stopped for lunch. Ozona, Texas has the most amazing Sonic (an old Burger King) that has an exceptionally clean indoor playground. Perfect pit stop for an active 26 monther after four hours in the car!

Friday afternoon Craig went to the golf course so the kids and I got a chance to spend some quality time with Mingie. Saturday everyone left right after lunch for a long day of golf so the kids and I made a trip to Dollar General and the city park. Sissy also made it to town that day so we enjoyed spending time with her while everyone else golfed the day away.

Our sweet Hatcher, not a big fan of car seats but he will sleep on his belly anywhere!

Goose getting in some snuggle time with Uncle Bub.

Hatcher was wishing he could join Hayes on the playground, it won't be long!

Our sweet angel still has her silly "cheese" face for pictures.

All smiles while we stretch our legs at the park.

Getting a little sleepy on the swing, it was almost dinner time.

Thank you Lord! Look at our sweet angels.

Hayes Lauren 26 months and 26.2 pounds.

Hatcher Landon 5 months and 16.2 pounds.

They really do love each other!

Hayes telling "Mimi" that she has a boo-boo.

All better!

Hatch and his million dollar smile. Such a happy baby boy!

Watching Mary Poppins (for the umteenth time!) on her nap mat.

Hayes rocking in Pop's rocking chair that he used when he was her age. So sweet.

"Cheese"
Ay yi yi!

Around 11:30 when Hatcher was getting ready for a morning nap on Sunday the kiddos and I hit the road for the solo drive back home. Daddy didn't get in until after midnight so it was a wise decision to take two vehicles. We made excellent time on the way home...only 4 1/2 hours! And, of course, I drove the speed limit!

Thanks for a great visit! We love you all!

Family Fun Day

We are spending the long weekend at home as a family. Yesterday we left the house at 9:30 to spend the morning at Sea World. Hayes and I were excited to show daddy and Hatcher the Lil' Gator area at Lost Lagoon water park. It was a hit! We spent time at the water park and fed the dolphins. Hayes enjoyed feeding and petting the dolphins and the dolphins loved Hayes, she fed them all of her fish at once!

While waiting in line to feed the dolphins Hatcher started his morning siesta, it lasted until we were almost ready to go home. Sweet boy!

Our little fish loves water!

Up the slide....

And down the slide!

Up the slide....

And down the slide!

What a fun morning, it sure is nice living within twenty miles of Sea World!

Happy Girl

This was on Tuesday, August 31 on our way to our second day of school.

On her second day I had to beg for a kiss goodbye. I did get a half kiss, Hayes ran over and kissed me quickly while she was looking at where she was going to play next. Love this girl!!

First Day of School!

On Thursday, August 26th our little angel started school at University Methodist Day School. Hayes is in the Tuesday/Thursday Pre-K2 class with Miss Annette. She loves it! Hayes is still the only one not napping, she is saving that until we get home at 3:00 and then napping until 5:00. I really miss her on those two days a week since I drop her off at 8:30 and pick her up at 2:30. The first day Craig and I barely got kisses and a 'bye'...our little angel was ready to explore the classroom. Our sweet girl is growing up a little two fast for us. This allows me to spend a little one-on-one time with Hatcher, but boy is it quiet at home!

All smiles on the way to school. Hayes loves her pink backpack and matching lunchbox. Of course they have her favorite word on them...Hayes!

Daddy walking his angel to school on her first day. Hayes is wearing the dress mommy made for her, it matches her nap mat that I made. I need a picture of that too. (only maybe we shouldn't call it a nap mat, ha!)

Hayes is checking out the classroom.

Miss Annette making Hayes feel welcome.

Hayes loves to color and create, she felt right at home!

Our little go getter who is fearless and part tomboy is still a little princess who loves to wear pink, sandals, dresses, bows and HATES to get her hands dirty. She got paint on her hands and was a little distressed until she got to wash them, one of her favorite activities!

Bye mommy, daddy and Hatcher...I need to get busy!

Notice the tears on day one, this was on the way home. Hayes cried because she had to leave school. We have raised a very independent little girl whom we love dearly!!

Little Lexi Dog

On August 17th I had to say goodbye to my sweet Lexi. My little Lexi love bug who once licked away my tears during a sad time in my life was a wonderful dog. We went through quite a lot together since my last year in college. I love that little dog with all my heart. Craig met my mom and dad near Waco so that Lexi could have a home burial on our family's land.

Cool Down

To cool off a little Saturday afternoon after Gentry's graduation daddy took Hayes swimming while Hatcher and I stayed inside so Hatcher could have a cool afternoon nap.

I love these two!
Sweet Baby Hayes "washing" her feet in the fountain!

Handsome Hatcher

We love this little guy!!

What a blessed life we have!

Congrats Gentry!

Long time no blog!! On Friday the 13th of August we loaded up and hit the road north to spend the weekend with Craig's family for Gentry's graduation from the University of North Texas. The Atlanta crew made the drive over as well so we not only got to see Mingie, Greg, Sissy, Tyler, Gentry, Cindy, Darell, Michelle and Andrea but also Mama Mae, Linda, Leslie, Betty and Earl Wayne. It was a short weekend but it was good to see everyone and celebrate Gentry's big day.

Beautiful cake for a beautiful graduate!

Congratulations Gentry, we love you and are so proud of you!!

Hayes still showing off her cheese face, we are still wondering when this phase will end?!!

Two gorgeous Watson girls!

Mingie snuggling with sweet Hatcher during the pledge. Hatch was nice and comfy and snoozing hard!

Hayes and "Tattoo". To say that Hayes loves Tyler is an understatement!

Our sweet angel having "surprise snacks" at Gentry's.

Cooling off from the north Texas heat at the Olive Garden after graduation.

A rare family photo at Gentry's house on Sunday before heading southbound 35.