Some Other Fun Stuff

Lately, Nash thinks it is HILARIOUS to ask for a kiss, then lick you at the last second. Actually, it IS pretty funny, but we are trying not to encourage that behavior!

Meet Brannon grandchild #10: Eli Bundy

Nash loves his new cousin!

Crazy Train

After turning on this hand-me-down toy from Ty and Amy, I understand why it is a hand-me-down. It is truly psycho! It is the first toy I have ever seen Nash be afraid of!

Playing guitars with Daddy

2 YEARS OLD!!!

Dear Nash,

I am having a hard time coming to terms with the fact that you are 2 years old! The second year definitely went faster than the first. Looking back at myself, I'm not sure I would recognize the lady I was before you were born. You've changed me and my life in so many WONDERFUL ways! The main difference is this: you've increased my capacity to love. Not just you...everyone! And, most importantly, God! What a precious gift you are!

Let's see...at 2 years old, you are very active, quite precocious, pretty funny, but mostly sweet. You are into all things locomotive and automotive. I can't just say trains and cars b/c you will quickly correct me - you like to specify: pick-up truck, trash truck, school bus, trolley tractor, rumble tractor, Jeep, race car, etc... You even know the names of all your Thomas trains (and I have to look on the bottom to tell the difference). You still love the outdoors, so we spend alot of time in the back yard, at the park, and on walks. Today, you amazed me with your instructions: "I wanna go walk. Mama push Nash in jogging stroller. I go get your shoes." And you did! So, we did. You continue to be a little lover of music. You frequently make up your own silly songs and jam out on your guitar. You still make song requests at bedtime. The current faves are: "Jesus Loves Me", "Holy, Holy, Holy", "You are My Sunshine", and "Going to Bible Class" (a song Daddy made up). You also love books. Story time is one of my favorite times of the day b/c now you are starting to memorize what each page says and you read it back to me. You also love babies (esp Baby Jack)! Daddy says this means its time for a sister. I don't know about that just yet - you keep me on my toes! I am most proud of how kind you are - you really care about others' feelings. I look forward to watching you continue to grow and mature. I'm blessed to be your Mommy.

Here are some pics from your birthday festivities:

Enjoying the new train table

Helping me set up for the party - he wasn't too sure about sharing his trains for the table decorations!

Bounce House! We thought we borrowed this from Aunt Mo - turns out, she gave it to us! Yay - lots more fun to come!

Nash holding his favorite person - Baby Jack

Some Daddies and kiddos

Pawpaw, Aunt Mo, Aunt Jana, and Grandma

The original Spankey's boys - Cade, Will, and Nash

Mark cutting up the brisket - it was delicious!

Sweet cousins playing with Nash at the train table

Tio and Tia

The birthday crowd watching Nash open presents

PRESENTS!

Nash's cake - thanks to my friend, Natalie, for doing such an awesome job!

"Happy birthday, Dear Nash, happy birthday to you!"

Skyping with the Arizona family - Isn't technology cool?!

Pinata time! Whack it, Chloe!

Christopher saves the day by getting the escapee baloon out of the fan

The Smith girls - this is who Nash stays with when I'm at work

Nash and Pawpaw had some private play time

This is Nash's reaction when he woke up on his birthday morning and saw his train table for the first time. I think we did good!

Pops B-Day Weekend

My dad turned 70 this past weekend, so we went to East Texas to throw him a birthday bash. It turned out to be a great celebration, despite all of the crazy weather! We woke up to 4 inches of snow Friday. THEN, it all melted and was a beautiful 50-something degrees for the party on Saturday.
The weekend was so busy, Nash had several mini-meltdowns by the time Saturday rolled around...and I HATE that b/c it always seems to happen at family stuff...and I feel like people don't realize what a sweet, kind, joyful, and well-mannered kiddo he is 98% of the time. Oh well - I know it! My wise sister-in-law, Jill, reminded me, "You can't control what other people think. You can only control your own thoughts." (I need that reminder quite frequently...ya'll pray about that, please.) Despite my diatribe there, it TRULY was a fun weekend!
The older I get, the more I appreciate my family - I really do have a good one. This weekend was all about Pops! If you don't know him, I don't really know how to explain him. God broke the mold. He is obsessed with all manly things like hunting and fishing and grilling - yet "Unchained Melody" is his favorite song. He is a retired teacher - but he is still trying to teach anyone who'll listen how to make something or fix something up (usually relating to hunting, fishing, or grilling). He'll make you work like a dog - but he'll give you the shirt off his back if you need it. He sounds all rough and gruff when he talks - but he tells you he loves you every chance he gets. If you've just met him - you'll probably be over for dinner tonight. He doesn't complain (much), doesn't make excuses, just thanks the Lord for his good fortune. That's my dad! We love you, Pops!

"Wow! This wasn't here last night!"

"See, Mama! Snow!"

Helping Pops put corn out for the deer

Straight to the water!

On the dock with Mommy

Mark raking the snow so we can start setting up the tables

The sons making a plan

The sons - post raking and planning

Eric cooking the pig

Mark and Jose stocking the ice chests

Pops and Mark

(Doesn't Pops look sharp!? This is the same man who changed into a Wranglers and a t-shirt at our wedding reception b/c he couldn't stand the tux any longer. Looking back, I shouldn't have made him wear a tux. Some things just don't matter!)

My beautiful sisers-in-law: Jill and Jolie

Elsie Jane and Casey blowing bubbles on the dock

This is the same day as the picture of me and Nash on the dock.

Donna (my step-mom) and Raquenel (Jose's mom)

Ty and Pops

Nash and Elsie Jane

Poor Elsie Jane got three stitches in her lip the night before.

Ty starting up the slide show

It had all the necessary elements: humor, tears, embarrassment!

Some of the party crowd watching the slide show

Mark and Eric pulling the pork

Pops about to blow out the candles

Casey and Jason

Hudding up round the fire

Pops wrestling with Elsie Jane and Nash

This boy ate his weight in snow! He LOVED it! His fingers were blue, his face was red and chapped, but he just couln't stop! Can't wait to do snow cones this summer.

SNOW DAY!!!

We woke up last night to the sound of hail pelting our windows. Apparently, the worst winter storm in 15 years was to blame. Mark had the option of working from home and I briefly debated going to a couple of appointments that were close by b/c, afterall, it really was beautiful outside...however, the roads were covered in an inch of ice, so we all stayed home. It was a good decision!

Daddy and Nash working from home

He had SOOO much fun running around the yard!

Helping Daddy cover the faucets

An "outyet"

Nash was acting REALLY silly at dinner, and I asked him, "What's up with you? Do you need a creative outlet?" He said, "Yeah, Mom. I need outyet." Hence: finger painting!