Cuteness Overload

 I absolutely LOVE this little cuddlebug. I love having her in the sling, I love how she falls asleep clutching my shirt (you can just barely see her little fist clenched beneath her binkie), and I love the sweet, sweet newborn smell. Ugh, I LOVE BABIES!

We call these two "The Twins" jokingly, but for good reason. They almost never smile at the same time, nor do they ever look at the same camera at the same time. But still, they are cuteness personified today. Especially Savanna in those adorable little pink cowgirl boots!

Bunkbeds for the Boys

It finally happened. The boys have a bunkbed! Mitchell heroically spent a big chunk of this gorgeous Saturday evening putting these beds together. The cousins were over, too, so we had to put a baby gate up in the doorway to let them watch from a safe distance, haha! Derek was thrilled to finally have a bunkbed "like Isaac, Mom!" and he immediately claimed the top bunk. Bryce was happy to claim the bottom bunk (once we boosted him up on it), so I think this will work out nicely. The two beds even come apart into individual twin beds, but I don't think the boys will be needing that for a while. I'm sure they'll be thrilled to find that out as teens, lol. For now, I can't wait to get their room decorated while I still can. I'm going with a red, blue and tan vintage airplane theme. I've even got a painting set I'm working on to hang in their room... probably above the top bunk.

 He gets the top bunk by default since Bryce can't climb any higher than that bottom step

Bryce taking his bottom bunk for a test snooze

Two very happy little boys!

Towing the Van and Birthday Presents from Grandpa and Grandma Bazemore

The van is dead. No idea what's wrong with it, but we found a place that will do the auto work for what we can afford! I'll get my wheels back in no time. One of the brothers in the ward was kind enough to offer his giant expedition to tow us to the auto shop. Derek and Bryce insisted on being outside to watch Daddy hook the two vehicles together, so we spent some time out on the sidewalk til they drove off.

Later, after Mitchell got home, we pulled out the presents Grandpa and Grandma Bazemore sent for Derek's birthday. Shipping had been difficult, so they didn't get here til recently but the boys thought it was awesome, especially since Grandpa had sent a little present just-for-fun for Bryce. Derek loved the giant truck and Bryce carried around the little tractor and pig. Thanks Grandpa and Grandma!

 Hooking up the van with spectators - not an easy job

 The boys loved be-bopping around on the sidewalk

 Having fun

 Off to the auto shop with Mitchell at the wheel. Yikes!

 Bryce got the big package started

 Derek jumped right in

 A package within a package! Package-ception!

 Derek and Bryce with their presents

Derek couldn't wait to get this truck, trailer and bobcat out of the packaging. 

 Bryce was so excited to be opening a present

 Yay! Tractors!

Aunt Mary and Aunt Nancy Come to Texas!

Aunt Mary, Aunt Nancy and their friends, Rhonda and Linda came out to Texas for fun! Woohoo, boy did we have fun. Between the park, watching a hockey game at Beth's house, and amazing pesto alfredo stuffed pastas, it was awesome! Last night, we all got together to watch a hockey game. The game was being played outdoors in the middle of a snowstorm, so they had to paused roughly every ten minutes so workers could clear big piles of snow off the rink. Crazy! 

We all met at a park today and I missed the pink shirt memo, lol. Pretty much everyone was wearing a shade of pink. Derek had a blast playing in the dirt with Declan - he didn't really do much else. Bryce was happy to dink around between the table with breakfast burritos and the slide. I tried to get him excited about the slide by going down it with him, but he was more content to watch everyone else go. Clara charmed everyone with smiles, of course. Mitchell and I thought we could stay and play the murder mystery game with the adults later but the kiddos decided they'd had enough fun for the day. It was cool to see everyone dressing up for their parts as we left though! 

Adorable!!

Sweet kisses

 John was the first to claim bottle time with Clara

 Bryce and I went down the slide together. Brave boy!

 Jilli shot down the slide!

 Declan and Derek digging in the dirt

 Aunt Mary discovers the best thing in the world - a sleeping baby on your chest. Perfection.

 Bryce cheesing

 Aunt Nancy and Clara trading cuddles

 She WILL cut you ;)

 Rhonda got in on the feed-the-baby gig, lol. Thanks Rhonda!

 Aunt Amy and Derek rock these green 'staches

Amy, Aunt Mary and Clara - Luck O' The Irish!

 

Aunt Mary and Clara - aren't they such cute leprechauns?

Aunt Amy and Bryce

 Declan, my favorite not-nephew! Lol.

 Aunt Mary, Aunt Nancy and me. I love you guys!

 Bryce, Aunt Nancy and Clara

 All dressed up for the murder mystery! Linda, Aunt Jenn, Aunt Mary and Amy

Clara's Baby Blessing

Clara was blessed today! Mitchell did a great job giving her the blessing (in front of the whole congregation, too!) even though Clara wasn't too pleased with the whole thing. :) It was a wonderful blessing. See this link for more information about baby blessings in the LDS church. I had some trouble hearing the blessing, but Mitchell helped me write down some of the things I missed a little later. Our sweet girl sure is lucky to have such an awesome daddy!

We were so happy to have family with us today, too! My dad, stepmom and Alex came up so Dad could stand in the blessing circle with Mitchell, Colton, Austin, John (Liz's brother) and our bishop. It was so hard not to see Jeff standing in the circle next to Mitchell, but we could feel his presence and I know he was so proud of Mitchell. Tammy, Liz and Jenna put together a yummy luncheon after church to celebrate and everything was just great that day.

I love Clara's dress. I found it at a kids' resale shop (Kid-to-Kid) and fell in love with the simple fabric and cute pink flower and ruffles. It came with a funky-looking, pioneer-ish cap but I opted to use the pretty white-rose-and-pearl headband that Nana got her for Christmas. I was a little worried the dress wouldn't fit because Clara is so petite, but she looked adorable! 

Back: Tammy, Bryce, Colton, Liz, Austin, Mom, Mitchell, Me, Clara, Dad, Alex

Colton, Mitchell, Clara, Dad, Austin. John and Bishop Woodrum weren't able to get in the picture. 

Clara and Nana

Such a precious girl!

Nana loves this picture. Clara looks unimpressed with our photo set up, haha!

Love this! 

She had so many admirers, she didn't know where to look

Snagged one of those sweet, sweet smiles. She is just so precious!

She's still working on tummy time, but she's getting better!

We are so glad you are forever a part of our family, Clara! We love you so much and can't wait to see you grow!

Sweet Brothers

These two boys are peas in a pod!

Cuddles with Grandma Wade

Derek and Bryce have loved having Grandma Wade here. She has been so kind to pause her sewing projects occasionally to shower hugs and kisses on them. Of course, they lap it up! Haha! We sure are going to miss her when she leaves. :( 

 Grandmas give the best cuddles!

 She is the only one who can get away with this, haha!

 Clara gives just as many cuddles as she gets

Who can resist that face?