We have been feeling sick at our house the last week.
NO FUN.
I think some of our summer fun was catching up to us and we needed time to just relax and just be.
We have watched a lot of movies.  Read even more books.  And slept in even longer!  Seriously the boys didn't wake up until 10 a few days.  Amazing!
We are also in the middle of deep cleaning and organizing our entire house.  Which means our house looks like a war zone at the moment.
Daniel is also preparing to go on his first official business trip.  Super exciting!
As for the hooligans and I we are going to enjoy the last days of summer lounging by the pool and hopefully sleeping in!

Love everything about these pictures.  They describe the boys perfectly.  The faces.  The hand movements.  The bellies.  The smiles.  The two boys are as PERFECT and as different as can be.  And I love it!

Boating shoes

Daniel just walked by me in his garments and new grey boating shoes.
It was hilarious and fabulous all at the same time.
All because he totally knew it would be!
The turn and smile that he did as he passed gave him away.
Sorry there wont be pictures.
I just loved the moment and wanted to remember it.
All because it reflected the little things about Daniel's personality that I love.
The fact that he planned it.  Remember I saw the smile.
His humor.
That he is ridiculously protective over new things.
But, loves them so much that he will wear them around even in his under clothing.
It shows that he sacrifices and is passionate all at the same time.
He was showing his cautious side, by wearing them around and "testing" them out.  
And I got to see his rear end!  What is not to love!

A Year

Dear Lewis Barnley Packer,

One year ago you entered my life at lightening speed, at 2:34 am, and you changed my life for the better.

One year ago I sat and held you in my arms while you laid sleeping.  Holding perfectly still.  So tiny.  So sweet.  So perfect.  

One year ago I would laugh every time your cried, because you will squeal.  It was so funny.  

One year ago everyone commented on how skinny your little legs were.

One year ago I buckled you in your car seat for the first time and brought you home.  I was so nervous and excited while daddy drove.  You are very precious cargo.  

One year ago you weighed 6 lbs 15 oz.  19 inches long.  

ONe year ago your brother and I made a birthday sign hoping it would encourage you to enter the world.  It did.  

One year ago you miraculously entered into my life and as I looked at you I imagined all the things you would do with your life.

Today you turned one.  

Today you enter into every room at lightening speed and every time you do you change my life for the better.

Today I rarely get to hold you in my arms while you sleep. 

Today you are walking/running everywhere you go.  

Today you have the best smile ever.  

Today you are my hunk of love.  Your creases have a tan line.  LOVE IT!

Today you swim like a mad man.  And think it is funny to drink the water.  Yuck!

Today you like to work with your hands.  You have to do up your buckle in your highchair or at the store.  

Today you like music and singing.  

Today you make us all laugh.  All day long.

Today you have two front teeth... and counting.

Today you love yogurt and raspberries but, still prefer mom.

Today you climb on everything.  Then hold your leg up and pose. You even flip onto the couch.  Wild Child.

Today you say Hi and wave.  Or Uh- Oh when you drop something.  

Today when we ride in the car you always take your shoes off and sing.  You are still precious cargo.

Today you look like your dad.  In almost every way.  Your tongue you got from me.  

Today you love your magic blanket.  

Today your brother and I made a birthday sign on the chalk board.  

Today you still don't sleep through the night.  You wake up and eat at least 2 times a night.  

TOday you throw balls and love to go to the church gym with dad and brother.  

TOday I am blessed to be your mom.   Today I love you more then I did one year ago.  Today you are one year older and wiser to.  Happy Birthday to you Lew!

a "Radio"

Last weekend we went to the Famous Preston Night Rodeo.
Or a radio as Thomas called it for weeks.
We had a bbq at Grandpa and Grandma Dunns.
Skipped the all horse parade.  (last year I am pretty sure that it was 100 degrees and I was 9 months pregnant and my memory of the parade isn't that great)

Then we let Thomas choose a few rides before we went to the rodeo.
The first one we saw was a little roller coaster that the man let us on for free.  It was a little fast and jerky for Thomas.... and his Wows were more like WHOAS.  It went on for ever and ever and by the end Thomas kept saying "just one more time mom, I am done."
Then he went on a motorcycle ride that he absolutely loved every minute of.
And of course the space ship ride that he loved.  He kept yelling in a really excited and nervous voice, "I'm getting higher dad"
So sweet and hilarious.
As for the "Radio" he loved it and whether he wants to muttin bust or not I don't think that his dad would let him ever do it.

Lewis screamed throughout the first 45 minutes of the rodeo and nothing I did would calm him.  We walked around a nearby block over and over again.  We swung on some swings.  We tried eating.  We tried singing.  A man asked if he was for sale.  I jokingly/unjokingly said yes do you want him.  Finally I just laid him down on the grass with his magic blanket and took off his socks and shoes and undid his pants and rubbed his little feet until he fell asleep.

As far as success stories at a rodeo this probably wasn't one of them.  But, it is still so much fun to go and try!  Daniel would probably agree if the seating was better!