What a difference a year makes

Two of my favorite pictures taken about one year a part.  Obviously the most changes are noticed in Bennett but Ella sure is growing into quite a beautiful girl.  Bennett has definitely grown and filled in that wrinkley skin but is now slimming down as he is walking all over and doesn't sit still for long.  He is just the cutest little toddler boy.

Happy First Birthday Bennett!

Tuesday was Bennett's first birthday!  I can not believe how fast this year has gone by.  It really does go by faster the second time around.  I suppose with juggling a three year old and infant days are filled with more to-dos, feedings, diapers, car rides, trips to the bathroom (potty training), naps or lack of in Ella's case and the list goes on all to shorthen the day.  Bennett has been such a wonderful addition to our family.  He's such a sweet good-nutured baby.  I feel truly blessed to have had such an easy baby the second time around.  He makes us laugh every day whether it be from stumbling over his feet while learning to walk, clapping when he hears cheering in the background, eating, eating & more eating, dropping down on Sadie's beds for a break, taking everything out of the kids' cup drawer and the list goes on.  Now that he's one (I think I just choked) I have to refer to him as a toddler.  I don't really like the sound of that.  He's still my little baby; I mean I feel like I just came home from the hospital with him...minus the hunched over grandma feeling from the c-section.  He has grown into a toddler though and a quite adorable one if I do say so myself.  He is walking all over and into EVERYTHING!  It's very different this time.  Not only are we in a new house that is bigger so it comes with more drawers, stairs, a fireplace and just more stuff but it comes with a three year old!  She has a LOT of stuff and little stuff...Polly Pockets in particular.  Bennett is very fond of them because they are the perfect size to chew on while teething and mommy can't see.  Although Ella loves her brother she doesn't love him near her things!  We're working on that. :)  There are times when I wish we could skip this phase and jump to two but then there's the whole issue with terrible two's.  I think we'll cherish this moment while we are here!

I love him so much and hope he had a wonderful first birthday!!

Birthday boy!

Birthday boy and his loving sister

Here is a slideshow from the weekend.  We had a little get together at our house to celebrate his birthday.  He loved the bounce house and the new outdoor toys!!  Many thanks to everyone!

Playgroup photos

Last night my playgroup hired Jennifer Zindler to take pictures of our kids together at a park.  Jennifer took pictures of our family last fall and she also took pictures of my book club's kids last fall.  She is so sweet and patient.  I don't know how she does it but she is able to capture all the kids together and individually.  Here is a sneak peak of some of the pictures she took last night and a cute blog entry with a funny ending about Ella.  I can't wait to see the rest of them!

Slumber Party!

This past weekend I had a girls weekend with some of my good friends, Brooke (BB), Stacey (P), Nicole (Co Co) & Naelyn (Nae Nae).  We kicked off the weekend with a slumber party at my house.  Chris was sent away for the night to Scott's and all the girls including Lola spent the night here.  Ella and Lola had so much fun and wanted to party all night.  They were singing and dancing and eating Co Co's sugar!  We tried putting them to sleep together in Ella's room but that didn't work so Lola slept...well let's just say she didn't sleep in Ella's room. :)  Lola copied everything Ella did except sleep!  On Saturday we went to the Fairmont in Dallas and hung out at the pool all day and then went out for dinner and then to a fun place, Sangria, for well, sangria, and then back to the hotel for the night.  We had one last brunch on Sunday and then all went home.  It was so fun we are already planning the next one in Austin after the first of the year.

Sweet girls!

ballet by Nae Nae

Rockin' out

PIZZA