Bella - Day 3

Today we played Scottsdale in the morning. It was a bit of a rough morning of golf for most of us. Except Greg, he's always so consitent!

We were planning to go boating this afternoon, but the weather wasn't cooperating. Instead we hung out and watched a movie and then headed to the little Par 3 course. We decided to do a little gambling on the last three holes (7, 8,9). Guess what? I won hole #7.















And, then I won again on hole #8!

Bella Vista Day 2
The view from our deck






























It turns out that the Shockers were doing pretty well in the regional and were still playing today. Phyllis, Greg and Kevan decided that they would go to the game and the rest of us headed to Scottsdale Golf Course.






































































We came back and had a few snacks and a nap while we waited for the baseball crew to get home. Then we all headed to a fabulous dinner at James at the Mill.


















Mav with Mamaw and Papa Day 2
Mav had a big day at the farm today. I talked to him this morning and he had already driven a big tractor and driven the Semi Truck and got it stuck in the mud. He kept telling me over and over "tuck stuck in da mud mommy". They headed back to Wichita and then had an afternoon complete with Shrek 3, popcorn and milk duds. Later that evening they headed out for Chinese Food. I'll tell you...I think he's had a big day!

Day 1 - Bella Vista



We planned to leave at 3:00 today to head to Bella Vista. In our normal fashion we ended up leaving about 3:45. Oh well, it still worked out fine. Donnie, Kevan, Bryce and myself headed down from Wichita, Brent was coming from KC and Phyllis and Greg were coming from the Shocker game in Springfield and we were all trying to meet for an 8:00 dinner reservation. Brent was scheduled to arrive at our vacation house about 2 hours before everyone else. But, it was his first time to Bella Vista and Lola (his GPS) was confused so it took him and extra hour of driving around the winding roads of Bella Vista to find the house. We arrived shortly after changed clothes and headed to River something for dinner (none of us can seem to remember the name, but it was fantastic!). I have to say that this was one of the best meals I have ever had. I had pistachio encrusted Halibut and it was fabulous. I tried a little something from every plate on the table and it was all superb. Several bottle of wine were consumed and we headed home for a little wine and deck time.



Day 1 - Mav with Mamaw and Papa

Mav, Papa and Mamaw headed out to Kingman tonight. Dad played in the men's scramble and Cinda, Mav and Mamaw headed to the park. From what I understand, they had a great time swinging, playing in the sand and going down the big slide. They even treated him to McDonald's and the 1st of many Shrek toys to come! They stayed the night with Cinda and Steve tonight and they have a big morning of Tractor Driving in the morning. Mav is in heaven on the farm.

Dad's Birthday.

We celebrated Bryce's Birthday today. We had the boys over for dinner and made homemade ice cream!

I did it Mommy.

Maverick pottied in the big boy potty for the first time today! He actually went 4 times today. He looked up at me when he was done and said "I did it mommy"

(However, here's a quick update, as of 4/17 he has yet to do it again! He seems way too busy to take time to potty on the toilet.)



































Mav and Dad goofing around. (Video below)

Happy 2nd Birthday Maverick!!!


















Dear Maverick-

Oh Maverick, our sweet, sweet, crazy, little wild man, Maverick. It’s so hard to believe that you are two years old today! We still remember holding our screaming little baby for the first time and how beautiful you were and how scared we were at the time. The funny thing is that not much has changed. You’re still screaming, but yet the most beautiful and charming young man we’ve ever known. And from time to time we’re still scared if we’re doing the right things for you and being the best parents that we can be for you.

You have changed so much over the last two years. Here are a few of the things you’re doing and interested in right now.

2 YEARS OLD

SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Sweet and Shy
-You are such a sweet boy. You’ve learned to say “I sowwee” when you make someone sad or step on a toy, etc. Anytime someone trips, cries, etc you quickly ask them “ya ok?”

-You’ve really begun to show your shyness. When we’re in a group setting you quickly bury your head in one of our shoulders and hide, but eventually you warm up to just about anyone. Separation anxiety has definitely been at an all time high lately.

Social
-You’re really pretty good at sharing for your age. Sometimes it takes a little coaxing but you eventually give up the toy you’re playing with and wait until it’s your turn again.

You love to be around other kids. Your face lights up and you’re ready to go. You love your Grandma’s and your Papa’s. We’re still waiting to see what your word is going to be for Grandma. Right now it comes out “mama” but once in awhile we hear a “me ma”. And then there’s the boys… Wow, when Uncle Kevan, Donny and Luke come over it’s pure chaos. You start screaming and jumping up and down. You can’t remember all of their names so you just call them all “Luke”. Every time the phone rings, it’s “Luke” and every time you’re talking on your play phone it’s always “Luke”. Tammy, Ryan and Lilly came to visit and you took to them right away. You called Tammy “My mammy” and Lilly “my lilwee” Poor Ryan wasn’t really here long enough to get a name but we’ll work on that next time

We are continually amazed by the emotions and things that you understand. When someone cries you say “oh, no cry”. When Lilly was sick you kept saying to me “ Lilly Sick” “puh puh” (mimicking Lilly getting sick!).



Testing the boundaries and your temper
-Wow, you’re still testing every boundary that we make and you’ve begun asking “Why?” Maverick, come get dressed….”Why?” Maverick clean up your toys….”Why?” Maverick it’s time to eat….”why?” We try so hard not to but sometimes we answer “Because I said so”

Verbal
- You are saying new words everyday. I would say we can almost understand you 50% of the time. You’re starting to link words together into small sentences. You definitely use these words to show your independence!


PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

Busy, Busy, Busy
Not a day goes by that someone doesn’t say to to us “Boy, he sure runs a lot”. YOU RUN EVERYWHERE!!!! We are so amazed at how coordinated you are already. You run circles around other kids your age. Literally, you run in circles around them! You literally run from the time you get out of bed until the time we put you in bed at night. You can already catch and throw a ball. Hit a ball off of a tee. Steer your 4-wheeler just about anywhere you want to go. Jump, roll, almost somersault and I could go on and on and on.

You are so into Cars, Trucks, Tractors and Choo Choo’s right now. You’re definitely all boy.

We love you very much Maverick Mickael!

Happy Birthday!

Love,

Mom and Dad

December 22nd
Lilly had a rough night, but she seems to be doing better today. However, we got a call from Ryan and his flight has been cancelled. He can’t fly here for Christmas!! I think he’s upset but we’re working through it. He’s checking the roads to see if he can drive. We really want him here and he really doesn’t want to spend Christmas alone.

10:00am - Mav and I headed to his Christmas Party at New Song. We made little goody bags (little stockings) with toys and candy in them for all of the kids. We had a great time.




























































3:00pm Lilly is sick again. She had gone several hours without being sick and we thought we were in the clear. Man this virus really seems to be hanging on!

Mav and I headed outside to play for awhile. There's something about a stocking hat that gives you really wild hair!






























9:30pm We get the kids to bed and start making Devilled Eggs. I know this sounds like a crazy tradition, but we make Devilled Eggs every Christmas! We of course had to call my mom for the recipe because we can't ever remember everything that goes into the eggs!

2006 Christmas Program

Tonight was Maverick's first Christmas program. We had no idea what to expect. When we pulled into the parking lot you would have thought we were at a rock concert. There were cars and people everywhere! Both the East and West side schools were involved in the program, so there were approximately 400 kids, their parents and their grandparents! It was mad chaos!

Dad and me dropping Mav off in his dressing room before the show.
















The family anxiously awaiting the performance!





























Mav did really well for the first couple of songs.































Then, he caught a glimpse of us and there was no keeping him on the stage! He came running off the stage and everyone laughed. He was the star of the show. We have video of the performances but I'm having trouble getting them to upload. I will keep trying.

Getting Ready.

Mav has his first Christmas program tonight and we're so excited!!!

Here are a couple of pics of the little man all ready to go.

No Sleep.

We are still sick at our house. Mav had the flu and now he has a bad sinus cold. I am starting to feel the effects of 4 or 5 nights of very little sleep and I think I have a head cold coming on.

Mav and I trying to catch a little sleep before our cabinets get delivered this afternoon.

Stomach Flu

Poor little Mav is down and out with the stomach flu today, but he's hanging in there like a big boy.

Look Grandpa Mike. I like Cinamon Toast!

We have walls!
The sheetrockers finished hanging all of the drywall and they're starting to tape. Blake seems to think that they'll be completely done on Saturday!

As you can tell from the pics below, our house is soooo dusty. We draped the stairwell with plastic, but the dust is still getting through. We have to mop and dust every day. I'll be really happy when we're through this stage of construction.

Maverick in his play tunnel.

Thankful.

A few days ago a sister of a good friend of mine lost their home to fire. They have an 18 year old, a 13 year old and a 2 month old grandchild that were all living with them at the time and they lost absolutely everything. I immediately began thinking of anything that I could do to help. These poor people had lost everything. They were desperately in need of a car seat for the baby, so I headed right home to get mine so that my friend could take it to her sister. I felt so guilty because for one second I hesitated and thought what if I don't get it back, what if something happens to it, etc, etc. I had to stop myself and say "Stacy" don't be ridiculous. These people have lost everything, the least you can do is give then your carseat. I felt horrible that these thoughts even crossed my mind. So, I decided it's time that I take inventory and remember how lucky I am and how thankful I should be for everything that God and life has given to me and my family.

I am so THANKFUL to have a happy and healthy family.

I am so THANKFUL for the Guinn Family who love me and treat me as if I was their very own.

I am so THANKFUL for my parents. I'm so glad that we have such a good relationship that they can move out of the country and we're still as close as ever.

I am so THANKFUL for Tammy, Ryan and the new love of my life Lilly. Tammy and Ryan, thank you so much for bringing us Lilly. I never knew how much fun it would be to be an aunt.

I am so THANKFUL for all of our grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. We have a wonderful extended family.

I am so THANKFUL for the Armed Forces who are risking their lives to ensure our safety at home. I won't get into whether the war is right or wrong, I'm just THANKFUL that we have people that are strong enough to jump in and protect us when we need it. Justin, I am especially THANKFUL for you and the time you spent at war. I'm not always the best friend that I should be to you, but I hope you and your mom know how much I love you and how THANKFUL I am to have you in my life.

I am so THANKFUL for the men in my life. Maverick you are truly the light of my life. Once I knew I was going to be a mom I knew that I would love you, but I had no idea how deep that love would go. I never knew that you could pack so much love, joy, energy and yes, frustration into one little person. There are days when I think I might lose my cool, but there is never a day goes by that I'm not truly THANKFUL for my little Mav man. Bryce, I can't even begin to write down all of the reasons that I'm THANKFUL for you. I think about the different turns that my life would have taken if I hadn't met you. At this point, I just can't even fathom life without you. You're more than a husband to me, you're my confidant, the love of my life and most of all my best friend. I love you will all my heart and for that I am deeply Thankful.

I love Sundaes!

One Cool Dude!

No highchair for me!

Maverick is such a big boy now that he no longer wishes to use his high chair. Today, he didn't even want to use his booster. Only a big boy chair would do today.

The Boys

Carter and Easton came over to play tonight and we had a great time! They played trucks, drums, and just about anything you can imagine!

How do you settle down three boys under the age of Four? Bribe them with popcorn and a movie!

Video below.

The Maverick wine is here!


(We're drinking some tonight!)