Running the point...

We're a basketball family. March is full of hoops hysteria and tournament madness. We love that both boys enjoy shooting on their hoop and watching basketball. It really warmed our hearts when Ryker decided to try and dribble like a big boy, outside, with a real basketball. What was even better was that he was so good at it! He's been doing it for 3 days and so far his tops is 61 dribbles in a row. Looks like we have a little point guard in the making!
For the boys, March has been nothing short of fantastic. Temps continued to climb, even into the 80s, and we wasted none of it. The boys cannot get enough of the outdoors. They love the parks, walks, and the newest adventure: taking their car out for a spin. We have been blessed with lots of time with friends, too. Lainie came to stay with us for St. Patrick's Day weekend. They've gotten to spend time with Brayden on a couple of occasions. We visited Aunt Mimi and baby Avery and got to see Zak, Elizabeth, and Taylor. We've been playing with Brendan and Hay-Hay on their basketball hoop (where the boys like to "shoot it now" and hang on the rim). They also got a surprise park day with Emerson and Sully...and DQ ice cream cones to follow. It really has been non-stop fun for our family!

Here are some pictures from the past week and a half. There will be more to come, too!

See this one in live action.

Spring Cleaning

I forgot my camera (as is becoming the norm) the other day and decided a photo from my cell phone was better than none at all. In doing so, I realized just how many photos I had on my camera from the last several months. So, I did a little spring cleaning of the camera. Below are all the pictures that have been trapped on my cell phone.
There have been so many nice days, lately, that we have been spending most days outside. We've hit up the parks, gone for countless walks, and visited with family and friends. Ryker has had some major successes on the potty training and he even got to do dinner with Emerson. There aren't pictures of everything (especially the potty training) but the ones we did get are below, too! Enjoy!

These pictures were taken when we went to the park with Grapes Grandma and Brandon. We had a great time with them!

Sliding down the fireman pole all by himself (it was very high and he had no problems)! He said, "Look, I'm like George!"

After a great day of using the big boy potty, we all went to the park. Daddy took us out for ice cream to celebrate.

Ryker at Cars 2 last summer.

State Fair 2011

Getting Flying Cupcakes...he loved the pirate next door.

Jolly Days 2011

Fun with Tyler and Savannah earlier this year.

The one day it stormed last week, the boys were stir crazy. I put glow sticks in the bath tub and they splashed for an hour.

Cheering on the Hoosiers! 

Easter outfit #1. Dad wasn't a huge fan, so we returned this and you will have to wait til April to see the final selection!

Visiting Grammy & Papaw. Grammy took the boys and Mom out for Sycamore. Yum!

Driving race cars with Papaw. Rilei's birthday party was so much fun!

Papaw teaching Ryker just like he taught Mommy. Form & follow through...

Mr. Determined!

"I am Buzz Lightyear!"

Ryker is a shy boy, most of the time. This is especially true when you get him in unfamiliar situations or around people he doesn't see all the time. My aunt and uncle are expecting their first baby together. New life is never anything short of a miracle, but this one comes after more than a decade of trying and was in every way a surprise for them. It was definitely an occasion to be celebrated, so we gathered with their friends and family for a baby shower in honor of Avery Henson. The shower was spectacular!
They had each table introduce itself. I went first and introduced our family. As I sat down and my brother stood up to go next, Ryker ran out to center stage, put his hands on his hips, and announced his introduction to the crowd: "And I am Buzz Lightyear!" The place was filled with laughter and no two people were more tickled than Jevon and I. For a brief moment, Ryker came out of his shell and it was hilarious!

Milkaholic Shower for Avery

We have been working on our letters the last two weeks. Ryker is trying to write them. He also memorizes a verse from scripture with each letter. We do one a week, so we have only begun to tackle the whole alphabet, but so far so good! He really liked the color pages and did a great job at writing his Bs. We've been doing this at nap time because Deklan is occupied with sweet dreams and Ryker has given up his daily nap. Rather than fighting it any longer, he is now going to bed earlier each night and he and I get some quality Mom and Ryker time during the day. The arrangement is working really nicely for all three of us.

Ryker is still working on his potty training. We had a major success one night. After going "both" on the big boy potty he received his long awaited reward: Cars 2 on DVD. He was so excited to be done with diapers and to watch his movie. For the next week he failed to replicate it and then started regressing. So, we are back in diapers once more. We have analyzed the situation from every angle and we think he is just timid. We know he'll get there soon, but we're hoping for one of those confidence filled, Buzz Lightyear sort of moments for him to conquer his fear of the toilet. 

My heartbreakers!

Basketball with Daddy. Ryker is dunking on the tallest level now!

Cars 2 for going on the big boy potty! He was thrilled!

We have had some beautiful weather lately, so we have made it out to the park and are taking walks several times a week (sometimes several times a day if it is really nice). The boys love to stop by the neighbor's house and ring the doorbell, hoping that Robert or Kim will answer. The boys love it when they get to see them!

Lunch after the park. The boys LOVE chocolate milk and apples right now.