Why We Love Guests

We have been very fortunate lately with the visit of parents and friends. But like usual, let's start with some nice pictures.

Here is bubba chubs with Amber (nice job on the self-portrait). Nothing says tired parents like a sewn on tie. 

Papa and Grandma Dickens stopped by last weekend to visit. They had not seen the boys since Christmas and made the most of their trip. The girls spent the morning combing garage sales. In the afternoon we went to Mellow Mushroom for some yummy pizza and hummus. And of course...we went to the Arboretum. Here is Brighton being quite the little chubby football.

Brighton learned to sit up recently and now enjoys reaching for everything. He particularly likes the tv remote, so taking this picture was quite easy.

Here we are last Saturday weekend in the morning taking the boys for walk. Greg loves his bike. He loves telling us, "Here comes another hill! I beat it."

This weekend Greg Creighton came to visit. That's right, the Greg - the one who our Greg is named after - came to ride the Horsey Hundred with us. Big Greg flew in Thursday evening. Friday we spent preparing for Saturday. Saturday morning and afternoon Greg and Noel, along with Jon bylund, participated in the Horsey Hundred's Century ride. The weather was perfect except that Greg's allergies went crazy. Poor Greg spent Saturday night recouping with Benadryl and Claritin. We did enjoy a nice meal at Masalas which was perfect after a long day of sugars and gatorade.

After church on Sunday and a delicious meal of homemade steak and chicken fajitas we went to Waveland. Lil Greg loved running around and telling Big Greg to follow him.

Here are some pictures from Waveland.

Love this picture. Lil Greg convinced Big Greg to go down the slide. Unfortunately for Big Greg, it was hot and the slide was unforgiving to sweaty legs.

Two peas in a pod. 

Where else but in Kentucky would they make Corn-hole part of a wedding party. Love it!

Great series of pictures of the Gregs

Brighton also loved being pushed in the stroller.

This morning Big Greg left for New York and little Greg was devastated. On the way home Greg kept telling us how Big Greg will come back tomorrow. Poor lil Greg, he had so much fun with Big Greg that are worried that he will be satisfied with just us :)

The End of an Era + Pics

A lot has happened in the last couple of weeks. Brighton has come into his own; he has started to sit by himself, roll all over the house (not that great during diaper changing), and eat solid foods (loves peas and hates beans). He is even starting to understand the concept of smiling for pictures.

Like usual..."people" like pics over words so here is a series of Brighton pictures.

Last weekend was also Dental school graduation and our good family friend Jeff Bird graduated. We were happy for the Birds and to celebrate we had a fun afternoon at Waveland taking pictures and of course playing games. We have lived near each other for six years and in two states and despite being sad about them leaving we wish them the best.

Jeff and Melea

Embree

Melea, Maddox, and Embree feeding ants.

The Birds

Embree

Embree and Melea

Maddox (far right) hanging with the cousins

Embree and cousin Amanda

The Boys...Matthew and Maddox

Spider man Maddox!

Hide and Go Seek Greggors

Early Mother's Day

We've been married almost 7 years and every year is so busy around Mother's Day that I am left scrambling for ideas and appreciation gifts. This year was just as busy, but low and behold, the Great Noholio stepped up and absolutely nailed Mother's Day! That's right folks, nailed it!

As a preview, I designed a 12" x 12" collage, printed it on special metallic paper and had it mounted on bamboo. I know you are thinking it, so let's just say it out loud...Awesome!

Stay tuned for some more awesome Mother's Day Noholioness!

We also had fun running around in the backyard like usual.

Easter Smiles Bring Candy Hangovers!

I know this is a little late, but better late than never.

Before we jump into a lively Easter photolog, I wanted to post two pictures that are every parents dream

...Sleeping children!

Now, onto Easter.

Since last Easter our family has grown and we were excited to introduce Brighton to the joy of Easter morning chocolate fest. It didn't take much introduction, however, as Brighton seemed to have some magic powers of candy discernment. We even caught him in the act of hounding Greg's Easter basket. 

After church we went over to the Bylund's house where we enjoyed a nice Easter ham dinner w/ fruit and lots of little kids. We are so grateful for their kindness and friendship. What would the world ever do without the Bylunds!? Thanks Pam and Bob! 

Here is Amber and Brighton in the hallway just prior to the start of the Easter egg hunt festivities.

Greg searching for eggs. We thought for sure that Greg would be an aggressive egg hunter, but we were surprised to see such a meek side of our little Greggors. He is, however, still our #1 Dude or as Grandma Dickens says, "Cool D...U...D...(whoops no 'E')"

Bylund nation starring Pam and Bob. For once Greg almost forgot that his picture was being taken.

Yahoo! Wait, where is the candy?

Eggs

More eggs

Yum!

Thanks Pam for the bucket. Greg still carries around his bucket from last year and loves telling us it is "Greggors"

Sun and Smiles

Everybody needs a break from potty-training...right? Today was nice and warm (we actually had to turn the air on), so for a break we turned on the sprinkler and let Greg go crazy. 

What a great afternoon outside!

And to finish it off...What a great face!

Sunday Adventures

Of course it rains all week and then Sunday is beautiful. When I was a child this used to bother me to no end; all I wanted to do was run around outside and soak up all the rays. This morning before church we took some pictures of the boys. Greg was his usual self and instead of staying still he decided to show off his amazing running skills!?

Brighton sat back and watched all of the excitement. Don't you just love the belly chub. His nickname of Bubba Chubs is well deserved...a 5 month old stuck in a 1 year old body.

Here comes the flying Greggors!

We Like Ice Cream, How Bout You?

A lot has happened, but when we think back to what happened, nothing really happened at all...just a couple of weeks, lots of tests, plenty of ice cream and dreaming about consistently warm weather.

We have recently discovered the joy of Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt. Lexington has two locations, one close to our house. Last week for FHE we took the boys for some dessert and Greg was in seven heaven. He loved grabbing the levers and watching the ice cream flow like sweet molasses on a hot summer day. Greg's favorite activity by far was asking for more sprinkles. That kid loves his sprinkles.

Brighton continues to grow into our little "Bubba chubs." He has entered the "once in sight I will get it" stage. We love watching his eyes lit up with excitement for new things.  

On Monday we will begin our "3-day" potty training program w/ Greg. We are excited and after opening his new underwear, Greg is excited. He was however disappointed that most of his Lightening McQueen undies only had McQueen's picture on the back and not the front; he kept insisting that the back was the front because "McQueen is on the front, Daddy!"

Just to note how rough the last couple of weeks have been, here is Noel asleep w/ Greg. He went in to tell stories at 7:30 and both of them were asleep by 7:45. 

Meet B-Ted