not much

i've been asked why i haven't blogged often, but there's just not much going on (besides the routine of my life). i mean, how many people really want to hear about my nursing/bottle feeding, diaper changing, tv watching, tutoring, cleaning, playing, coloring and sleeping? this stage of life is pretty mundane. don't get me wrong - the kids do new things everyday and they make me so happy! so, i guess i can just update you on those tid-bits.

* evie and ayla are both about to roll from back to tummy - they make it about 3/4 of the way over.

* the twins are both grasping toys that hang above them on their play mat.

* braxton talks more each day - his new sayings are: no problem, mommy. yes ma'am. i'm thirsty. i'm hungry. oh goodness. (and much more)

* he can and does count to 8 and really knows what the numbers mean...he will look at a picture and say for example, there are three ducks.

* he knows the following shapes: circle, triangle, diamond, star and we are working on square, rectangle, oval.

* he knows all of the colors of the rainbow.

* he has a huge appetite and eats properly with fork and spoon (for the most part...unless left unattended...not that i would ever do that...it's a safety risk by all means)

* we are still working on potty training (enough said)

i think that pretty much covers it.

:)

braxton makes me smile (most of the time)

the other day we were playing trains (surprise)

i suggested one of them take a nap in the shed

braxton decided that was a good idea

i asked him to sing a song to the train (like mommy does at night)

he started singing "jesus loves me"

he makes my heart smile

winter (part one)

so, the snow was falling...this was about 9am yesterday

comparing my footprint to braxton's my sweet babies...ayla is definitely not a fan of the cold!

braxton got to play in the winter, as requested

i tried building a snowman with him, but he kept knocking it over

so, i built this one while he napped

check out the size of some of the flakes

winter (part two)

it didn't stop snowing until about 1am...

approximately 21 hours and 11+ inches of snow fall later

i just love this tree!

view from the front door...our poor little live oak tree collapsed & notice the street and sidewalk can't even be seen

bumbo babesgrandmother shields...her late husband, joseph morgan shields, is who ayla was named after...

ayla morganmy aunt, angela shields bricker, with eviesweet sisters

am i biased?

i believe i am to some extent - but, man, my kids are BEAUTIFUL!

pops

my dad spent the day with us last thursday...it was wonderful!!! the kids were very happy to see him (as was i)

happy birthday, hayden

braxton really enjoyed this party at jump'n land...

he watched hayden and rylen play air hockey

he played skee ball with dadhe was enamored with the lights on this 'thing'and finally he got to jump! he spent most of his time in this bounce house jumping away by himself...until he mustered up the courage to - - climb up the ladder & ride down the big slide. thanks for the fun time, hayden!

time with grandma & grandpa

grandma and grandpa chaplin came to visit us at the end of january! here are a few photos from their stay!

...and this past weekend we went to killeen to visit them!

this first picture is for Aunt Bev and Uncle Mike. they bought braxton this sweatsuit a year ago and david said if the colts made it to the superbowl and dallas didn't - this would be the one and only time for braxton to wear it...so, here it is! it must have been bad luck :( sorry.

sweet boy