happenings....

I haven't written in a while, and thought I'd give a few updates from our little world--

Brett started seminary the end of August, and is taking Greek, Old Testament, Spiritual Formation, and Hermeneutics (which is how to study the Bible). He is taking classes Monday and Tuesdays, and working Wed-Fridays (and studying in between!)

Joseph has started saying a few words lately- and oh so cute! He can now say Car, Dada, Mama (I think he's just said it once, but I'm counting it!), Uh-Oh!, and a few others I can't think of right now. All of his teeth (besides his 2-year molars) are in, or sprouting. He's walking great (almost running!), and loves talking on my cell phone (but he holds it on the top of his head, not against his ear- but really cute!)

Matthew is doing great-- it amazes me the words and sentences he's forming and how quickly he's learning (although he's learning some stuff I wouldn't like him to-- no more saying darn-it!) He is now old enough for the preschool choir at church, and absolutely loves it.

I've been keeping busy with the boys, and also trying to give Brett space so he can study. Brett and I did get to have a night out a couple weekends ago (thank you, Reagan!), and went to Uno's pizza and a real concert at the Bass Hall in Fort Worth. In my "spare" time, I'm also trying to start up a little side business designing Christmas cards, birth announcements, etc. More to come on that!

Hope you and yours have a wonderful week-

meeting Miss Abby

Last weekend, we made our way to Waco to meet the newest addition to the Maddox clan, Miss Abby. We had a great time visiting with Andrew and Kari, and of course, getting to meet Abby! I'm so excited that the cousins are so close in age =).

Abby, Matthew, and Joseph

ditto--

proud parents!

Miss Abby

Matthew's Birthday

Our Matthew is now the big 3! We had a great weekend back in July celebrating. On Friday, we had a few of his friends (and their mommies) over with lots of hot dogs to celebrate. Saturday, we went on a real choo-choo train in Fort Worth with Nana and Papa, and then topped off the weekend with donuts on his real birthday on Sunday, July 11th. Here are a few pics-


Matthew's party- with a kid sized table =)

on the choo-choo train

Nana, Papa and Joseph

opening presents

just fun =)

Matthew about to eat his cake (it's supposed to be a train!)

Joseph waiting on his ice cream

Matthew helping mommy make ice cream- yum!

kentucky....

Okay-- I'm a month late, but over July 4th weekend, we had a wonderful time visiting (and meeting) Brett's extended family at the High Family Reunion in Tompkinsville, KY. Since it was quite a drive, we made that our family vacation-- and had a wonderful time!

Joseph sleeping in his new "big-boy" carseat-- with Matthew's foot also gracing the picture =)

seeing the ducks march in at the peabody hotel in memphis, tn

Matthew and Joseph watching the ducks (they loved it!)

we drove through Erin, TN, just so I could get a picture (I know, cheesy, but it was fun to see other parts of KY and TN besides I-40!


The house that Brett's Grandma grew up in-- so neat!


The house that Brett's granddad grew up in (we seriously had to hike through a jungle to see it)

Erin, Joseph, Matthew, and Brett at Andrew Jackson's home, The Hermitage.

cruise!

Last week, Brett and I took a 4-day cruise to celebrate our 5th (can you believe it?!?) anniversary-- a couple months early. Many thanks to my mom and dad (aka Nana and Papa) for watching the boys-- we had a wonderful time just relaxing and getting some much needed sleep. Here are some pics from our trip =)


our cruise ship- ecstasy


waiting in a very long line to get on the cruise....


our pretty flowers waiting for us when we got to our room! (thanks mom and dad!)


our first day


formal night (of course we had to dress up!)


Brett on one of the pyramids (now in ruins)

mayan ruins-- the stones I'm on led to an 8 mile trail to the beach


the beach in cozumel


miniature golf-- hole in one!

our dinner table-- great fun getting to know 2 other couples- one from colorado the other from michigan (our waitress was in the middle)

Little Things

I thought I would just post a few fun things that have been happening lately--

Our family is going to be taking a trip to visit Brett's extended family in Kentucky in July. Matthew LOVES watching the "kitty-cat movie" (aka Shrek II). He got to watch it way too much when mommy and Matthew were sick a couple of weeks ago. Because of that, we are having kitty-cat movie detox right now, and I told Matthew he could watch it when we go to Kentucky (we got a really neat car-DVD player-- i'm so excited!). So now-- Matthew keeps asking when we are going to Kentucky!

We went to a wedding 2 weekends ago, and Matthew sat through the whole thing (and devoured 2 lollypops in the process)-- but he was quiet! Unfortunately, Joseph didn't even see the bride come in- so he and Brett watched from the back.

Tonight, we had a picnic- on our living room floor! I put down a tablecloth, and Matthew showed everyone where to sit (by plate color). Joseph kept trying to eat my plate (this is before Brett brought the pizza home, and Matthew did not appreciate it!) It was so much fun doing something different, and then we went to the park to play afterwards. I love nights like tonight.

That's all I can think of! Night night!

Joseph's first birthday

Well, I can't believe it's already been a year since we welcomed Joseph into the world. I'm amazed how much he's growing-- he's getting close to walking without help, says a really cute "uh-oh!" and last night he and Matthew were playing so cute together-- both of them just laughing-- it was so fun to watch them interact together! So, here are a few pictures of Joseph's b-day (he absolutely devoured that cupcake-- if I ever figure out how to post video, it will be of that!)


Happy Birthday Joseph! (Brett had to hold his arms so he wouldn't devour the cupcake to soon!)

Joseph loves his present!


before.....

after......I think he liked the cupcake!