Monster truck rallies and playing in the swamp

Brenner has a new favorite game - monster truck rallies! This is totally a BHP and Daddy game. Brenner is also learning a lot at preschool. The other night in the tub Brenner had his hands cupped under the faucet and said "Oh no the words are washed away from my Bible!" It was pretty sweet. Nola is doing well - she turned 5 months this past week. Nola is a very determined little girl - she likes things her way.....who does that sounds like?! She is quick to give smiles and cries if you leave her line of vision.
Brenner with some of his monster trucks! When I check on Brenner before I go to bed, I usually find a line of monster trucks along the edge of the bed.

Nola sitting up on her own on the bed - what a strong girl!

Nola always seems to find the tags of toys (which is the white thing in her hand).

We got more snow this past week but it warmed up over the weekend so we have been able to spend some time outside burning some energy.

Nola loves to see where she is going! She enjoyed the walk - watching Emi and Brenner run!

With the warm up, our yard has turned into a swamp. If you look closely, you can see the tires of the jeep splashing the water. Brenner was a little concerned that his pants were wet - but he got over it quickly!

Wonderful personalities

Who knew these kiddos could have such distinctive personalities at such a young age. It is really wonderful to experience their reactions to the world we live in. However, I can't say that I would ever want to venture inside Brenner's mind.....it seems like a lively animated and perhaps a bit scary place! BHP had a few things this week that really cracked me up. He was studying his ankle bone intently when he looked up and asked me "Mom, is this my dew claw?" - oh this cracked me up! You might recall that Brenner loved "Where is thumbkin?" before bedtime for many months. Well, he calls his big toes "thumbkins" too. Brenner is also attending Children's church during our Sunday service. The teachers were impressed that he got the message about loving your enemies although he quizzed them with "even bad guys like the Joker?". Lastly, Nola spit up and Brenner informed me "Daddy calls it yak" - wonderful, dear, thank you. Nola continues to be a doll but is still the momma's girl. Once I get home from work, I seem to grow an extra appendage :) I don't mind because I know how fast this time will pass!
I thought this such a cute picture of Nola. She likes tummy time and will reach for toys and scootch herself around the blanket. Still not a big roller......

The weather was gorgeous this past week so we spent some time outside. Brenner's bike is almost too small. Yes - it is still the purple and pink one - but he does have on spiderman boots!

Nola and mommy! So - we were at the mall and I was trying to find jeans. Nola was in the stroller napping so the clerk at Gap (yes - I will mention the store because this story is a bit crazy) was getting me the styles/sizes. I was informed that I needed a size smaller than normal because they stretch out a size during the day (hello - why not just make them the correct size to begin with). Well I get the pair on and they were so tight but the clerk insisted that they looked great and not like a "mom jean". Yes - she actually said that...I didn't buy them and I am pretty sure I don't own any mom jeans.

Smiley girl. Nola has the cutest habit of swinging her right leg as she is people watching - especially Brenner. Always the right - never the left. And don't leave her out at mealtime. The bouncer or swing won't do any more - she has to be sitting on your lap!

Brenner the Chipmunk with grapes in his cheeks. No matter what the food, BHP will ask "Is this the biggest one?" Bigger isn't always better, buddy. Another food quirk with trail mix - almonds are his least favorite but he eats the cashews first...well right after the M&Ms.

This one is for Aunt Lynnie. We finally made the pom-pom birds! We have an oriole, bluebird, cardinal, and finch.

Nola the giraffe wrestler!

Nola also manages to get her socks off regularly!

Shopping tip #34 - if one of your grandchildren can fit in it, it is likely too big :) Nola had a lot of fun pushing the buttons for noise. Shopping tip #35 - mute buttons are nice!

Dinosaurs and Mickey Mouse

Okay - it is official - we now have every dinosaur toy on the planet....well until Aunt Theresa finds some more super cool ones! Some pictures below but first a couple of funny Brennerisms this week. First, he would like to wish everyone a "Happy Balentine's Day". When I asked if he would like to give Nola a kiss, BHP emphatically responded - "Noooo - she stinks." Of course she did not but he is an ornery brother! My favorite of the week happened in the middle of the night. I hear Brenner yelling from his room "Mom, mom help - I can't get out! Help me!" I grogily go into his room with my eyes trying to adjust to the darkness. While feeling around on his bed, I found it empty but still hear him shouting. I finally felt that the closet door was open and Brenner was frantically trying to get out of his room through the closet!!!! I finally got him calmed down and back to bed! We had another round of sickness with Nola and Papa. But Nola is much better and I highly recommend the "NoseFrieda" to get those boogies. Brenner does not like it and will run around the house say "No Frieda, No Frieda!!!".
Cool dinosaur puzzle and figures - mostly from Aunt Theresa and Uncle Chuck. Brenner LOVES them - he especially likes the dinosaur bingo game.

Brenner loved the triceratops so much he turned into one in the bath tub!

Look at this beautiful girl. Nola is getting so big and enjoys sitting in her bumbo. She also loves the cute knit hat from Aunt Theresa.

I love this picture - so beautiful of Grammy and Nola. Watch your earrings, Grammy - she will grab them!

Grammy makes me laugh too!

We went to the Mickey Mouse Magic Show with Grammy. It was really cool. Brenner's favorites were Goofy (of course) and Donald Duck. Matt and I were trying to figure out the magic tricks - is the curtain moving, is there a hole in the floor, how do they do these?! Nola people watched for half the show and then fell asleep. Brenner wanted a sword and sheath so Grammy was happy to oblige :) He hasn't gotten it taken away too many times but really loved playing "Slay the Dragon" with Knight Aunt Lynnie. No pictures of that but they were very entertaining to watch with sword battles, collapsing on the floor, and protecting Princess Nola. That Aunt Lynnie sure is fun!

Papa and his sweet petite. Nice smile, dear. How you doin'?

The Blizzard of 2011

We actually had a blizzard this past week that dumped 18-20 inches of snow at our house. Grandma Val came early before the storm hit so we had extra company! The ice and snow started Monday night and we could finally get out of our driveway late Wednesday afternoon. School was closed for Matt all week...I think he is ready to go back!
The whole crew. Not sure what Brenner was doing but he certainly didn't want Grandma to talk!

Papa being silly in the 3 foot snow drift on our back deck.

Luckily on Wednesday the sun was out and there was little wind which gave us some time to shovel the sidewalks and sled down the driveway........

....and make some snow angels! Grandma snapped this picture in mid-fall! Note Matt has a bad back so he wasn't so into plopping down like Brenner and Mommy!

The "Angels"!

Being house bound gave me some time to sort and thin out the toys. Can't hardly see Nola in the picture, can you?!

Nola is getting too big for her swing because it sits too far back and this little lady wants to see the world! Well, at least her frog at this moment!

Brenner insisted on wearing these socks all the way up....I only encouraged him with my laughing! All for this week - let's pray for NO MORE SNOW!!!!!

Nola's 4 month checkup

Nola had her 4 month check up which included some immunizations....and Brenner needed to get one shot as well. Brenner got his first and started crying. Nola got her shots, cried, got picked up, and then stopped crying.....Brenner was still crying at this point. As Grammy Vo said, boys (small and big) don't handle pain very well! Nola weighed 13 lbs 14 oz (50th %) and was 24.5 in long (75th %). Brenner (at 3 years 3 months) was 32 lbs and 38 inches (both 50th %). I will cut Brenner a little bit of slack - he was sick before his checkup. He came upstairs right before dinner one night and said "Ugh - something stinks!". Of course, I defended my cooking (it was a nice turkey and bean soup with cornbread) and in the midst of that Brenner got sick and continued to get sick in almost every room of the house, the poor guy! That night he asked me to sleep on his bedroom floor with him. It certainly wasn't comfortable but I was glad that the bug was gone by the next morning! Brenner continues to help with Nola. A couple funny Brennerisms this week.....I handed BHP his milk and was told "Thank you, sir!" Grandma Val and Brenner were talking and he said "Well, I don't know what to think about that I always say." Funny, funny boy!
Nola is a cute sweater dress from Aunt Theresa (thank you!) - she loves her mobile......

....and when big brother plays with her too!

Nola has worn a bald spot on the back of her from all the moving and shaking she has been doing! She also has these long hairs from when she was first born. They are long enough to do a combover :)

Brenner and Papa made a playdoh seafood pizza complete with sharks, sea horses, and seaweed! To be honest, Matt and I were more into making the pizza than Brenner - he just wanted to destroy it! BHP did help me make some granola. As it was sitting on the counter, he kept sneaking pieces and told me "Yum, coconut!". That was a new one as he usually doesn't like coconut....guess it tastes different if you are "sneaking" it!