Summer Break: Week Three

Week Three Recap:

1.) I have noticed that it takes a long time to do just about anything with two kids.... Exhibit A: grocery shopping! (you can find my current set up below)

2.) We visit my grandparents a couple times a week at their apartment.

3.)  Zander likes playing in the "baby toys" including Maddox's jumperoo and swing (today he even climbed into Maddox's crib!)

4.) We went swimming at Aunt Kelly's pool where she works (daddy got to join us this time!)

5.) We had Maddox's baby dedication at church (see previous post here for pictures).

6.) Maddox continues to try new foods... like apple sauce, cucumbers (I cut off the cucumber peel after these pictures were taken to avoid a choking hazard), french fries and bread.

7.)  I got to have a girls' night with friends from work to watch the latest episode of the Bachelorette (yes.... I am hooked! and yes..... we are getting together to watch the finale in a few weeks!)

8.) We went to help clean out my grandparents' house.  Grannie watched Zander and Grandma Nancy held Maddox during his nap in between cleaning stuff out.  I was able to bring back an awesome bench seat (that I have loved for years) that opens to offer extra storage for toys etc.  It is going into Maddox's room!  

9.) Maddox loves standing (still with assistance) and is making some progress in the movement department by rolling around everywhere and scooting backwards.

10.) We went to grab ice cream with the Hardin family tonight! I forgot to take pictures but my boys had fun with Ben and Grace while the adults were able to catch up for a bit.

 Just for fun..... a picture of Maddox and Zander at about the same age using the blue ring from one of their toys (Maddox is first followed by Zander below him)

Maddox's Baby Dedication

Today we were able to dedicate Maddox Robert Houston to the Lord.  It is such an awesome opportunity to state in front of family and friends that we will strive to bring Maddox up in a Christian household and show him the love of God daily.  We believe we must show God's love to Maddox and point him to Christ so that one day he will make the decision on his own to follow the Lord.  We already pray for both our boys to grow in their understanding of God and come to know the ultimate sacrifice that was made when He sent His Son to die on the cross for our sins so we could spend eternity with Him.  This first step today shows the commitment we plan to make to our children with our church's support to teach them about God and His Son.  Enjoy the pictures from this special day.  (Thank you to Uncle Boomer and Uncle Grant for getting all these great shots of our little family.... we might not have been the most cooperative audience to photograph!)

 The family set up beforehand.... everyone drove very early for the 9:00 a.m. service!

 Worn out from all the excitement.....

Then, I thought it would be a "great" idea for some family photos... I even wanted Burke in some!  They turned out AWESOME!!  I wish you could have seen the craziness that ensued between my little family of 4.5 (It is hard to tell in the final product below... but.....did I mention Zander is THREE??  Maddox is still a BABY!  and Burke is a DOG!  Hard subjects to keep still and smiling for photos!)

"Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it."

-Proverbs 22:6, NKJV

Summer Break: Week Two

Recap of Week Two:

1.) Took Zander to see Finding Dory in the theater!

2.) Snuggled with Maddox during one of his naps!

3.) The boys continue to enjoy bath time together (which happens more often due to sunscreen and sweaty kids!)

4.) Celebrated the 4th at church (tried to dress the kids for the holiday).

5.) Maddox is becoming more adventuresome at what he eats (I even cut up strawberries one day this week and he loved it!)

6.) Celebrated the 4th at our house with a cookout with the Bakewells, Kennedys, Williams family and Kelly!  Then caught the fireworks!  Zander loved them this year and Maddox just sat in my arms with his eyes as big as they could be taking it all in.

7.) Our family was in the newspaper from the Liberty Celebration we attended last week!  Maddox is a local celebrity! ;)

8.) Maddox loves to stand!  He is starting to get up on all fours in an attempt to crawl but so far he just scoots backwards!

9.) We went to the pool with Olivia and Mollie (and Laura and Kristen of course)!  (I forgot to take pictures!)

10.) We went back to the science center.

11.) We had dinner with the Whites!