AN AFTER CHRISTMAS BONUS PRESENT! SNOW!!!

I mean, what a treat! Christmas and then a snow day... wow!! The boys had a blast. They liked riding double on the tube a lot! We had a snowball fight, made snow angels and halfway built a snowman. What a nice bonus after Christmas!

Christmas Day - Merry Christmas!

Christmas Day was very fun and exciting! The boys were super excited that Santa thought they were good enough to get presents!

They both got shave kits (they love to watch and help their Papa shave!) now they all three get to shave together. Branson looks like an ole pro already. They love their new cameras and have gotten the hang of riding their new scooters really well. Holden has his new bubble wand hanging from his scooter - the bigger bubbles are so much more fun! Toys galore and so much fun this year!! Merry Christmas

Ready for Santa!

Thanksgiving Day!

Spencer helping Holden on his bike

Branson enjoying some fresh lowcountry air!!
Holden is taking care of business... it's way more fun peeing off a dock into the water for some reason!? ;)

We went to Charleston to visit with Ashley's family on Wadmalaw Island. I cannot believe how warm and beautiful the weather was. It was sooooo nice! The boys brought their bikes to ride and played outside almost all day; we also went out on the neighborhood dock to see the water which was fun. Their cousin Spencer was very entertaining; the boys loved hanging out with such a 'big boy'! He's fun to play with and so good with them.

We had a really nice visit seeing everyone. It's hard to believe this year is almost over and Christmas will soon be here.

Halloween 2010

Well... so much for the dress-rehearsal at the Halloween Party the other day. We had some last minute changes about an hour before the trick-or-treating commenced... both boys wanted to be the policeman. Anyway, long story short - the Spiderman and Superman outfits got left behind; they both had built-in muscles too! Go figure?! I would have been all over that... but Branson ended up being a policeman and Holden a fireman. They had a good time and both looked cute. (Holden was sprinting from house to house... that boy loved it! But, he really likes candy and his brother is just not that crazy about it.)

This picture is funny. Picture them without the costume on...they could be about 13/14 years older and hanging out in the highschool parking lot. Holden is on his cell phone calling his 'posse' or his 'boyz' to come hang out. ;)

Getting Ready for Halloween!

We had a little test run today with our Halloween costumes. After school, there was a Halloween Party the boys were invited to. Branson is SpiderMan, Holden is a Policeman, and their friend Darby is a cute little Pooch! How adorable do these 3 pals look?!! They enjoyed dressing up. Happy Halloween!

We will miss our little Gracie Girl

Yesterday was a tough day (today might even be tougher?)... Gracie passed away peacefully in her favorite bed with her favorite Clemson blanket. She was a happy dog up until the end (14+ years old!) and oh so sweet. We will miss her terribly; she was a member of our family and it will be hard for us all. We loved that little dog very much. The boys understand her passing a little, I tried to explain to them that she was really old and is in Heaven now. We buried her on my dad and stepmother's farm which was a fun place for her back in the day... barking at cows, chasing tennis balls, digging for big rocks, etc. The boys got to oversee her funeral yesterday evening and hopefully it helped give them a better idea that she is gone and will be chasing tennis balls up in Heaven.

Gracie you had so much personality for such a little package. You were sweet and watchful over your boys. They loved you and you loved them. Thank you for some really great (and funny) memories. You will be dearly missed. We love you!

Bring On The Rain

Holden and the big inside-out umbrella! Branson of course had to 'borrow' it from him and check it out.

Branson's umbrella is BIGGER than he is!

Last week it rained a little bit (finally!) which was a good thing. We needed some! Branson and Holden had fun getting into their rain gear and finding the biggest umbrellas possible to play with.

Ready for preschool again!

Last year's preschool photo and the two new ones from Wednesday - their first day in the 3s class. I think they look taller! They love love love their new teacher, Mrs. Laura and have really had fun this week starting back to school. About half the class are children from their class last year, so it was great for them seeing familiar faces. No tears or whining at all the first day... they were Ready!

Computer Zapped by Lightening 2x!!

I have some cute pictures to share... But computer problems at the moment; sorry for delay!!

Branson & Holden are talking so much more and clearer too. Their new thing lately is
to point out the No Smoking sign to us when we go to a store or
restaurant. They especially like pointing out and telling on anyone who may be smoking.
LOUDLY saying "Look!! He's got a stinky stick Mommy!!" Very funny but very embarassing too.

Preschool starts next Wednesday! They keep asking me when they will get to go, so I think they
are ready. I know I am.

Chain Gang

My plan is working.... today the car, tomorrow who knows what. Ahhh, free labor - so nice!

Mom, Mom?

Thought the boys looked pretty neat with their faces painted! We went to a birthday party today and there was magic, cake & icecream and Face Painting! How cool! They had the best time, and a bonus - got to see a lot of their little classmates from school they have not seen in a while.

I know it has been a while since my last report.... so sorry. We had a really fun time over July 4th in Myrtle Beach with the 'Cone' side of the family. It was really nice getting out of town for a change and especially nice to visit with and play with all our relatives. Branson and Holden had a great time.

Last week they went to gymnastics camp for a couple hours each morning. Thumbs up on that - they love going to and doing gymnastics!

Lately, Branson has been calling me "Mom" - it caught me a little off guard; I thought that was what kids started calling you when they got to be teenagers!?! Now Holden has picked it up too! aaack!! It sounds really cute but also makes them sound so old! I'm torn, I like it and I don't like it. I think I should be "Mommy" just a little while longer.

The boys with their Great Grandpa

Kiss and Hug Goodbye

Notice Branson blowing spit bubbles

Thanks to Aunt Rita and Uncle Chris (http://www.hamphoto.com/) we got some cute shots of the boys and their great grandfather at our Father's Day Celebration dinner. My grandfather does not make many appearances these days, staying at his homebase, so we were really happy he decided to come out and visit with us! The boys enjoyed tickling him and showing off for him; it was really cute to watch. I think he liked messing with them too (I heard he told Branson and Holden that he liked to eat little boys)... they just smiled.

Happy Father's Day Papa, Grandpa and Great-Grandpa!

Yesterday was Father's Day - and bless Ashley for all the extra duties he has been having to do since I broke my ankle!! Eventhough I'm sure it has been a labor of love it has been hard work just the same. Branson and Holden haven't been baking lately due to my injury, but since yesterday was a special day, we got out our spoons and mixing bowls (much to their delight!) to make something special for Father's Day. The boys helped me make a homemade coffee cake that turned out really yummy and we served breakfast in bed to Ashley for "Happy Papa's Day"; that's what they called it. They also made him homemade cards the night before and were very excited to show those to him as well.

Later that evening they got to eat dinner with my Papa and my Papa's Papa! They got some cute pictures made with their great-grandfather and hopefully I can post some soon. They thought it was a big party and had a good time. On the way home they wanted to know why no candles? I think they wanted to assist in blowing out some candles. I mean HELLO... what's a party without candles?

Swimming

I was afraid with me having a broken ankle that my little guys would not get a lot of pool time this summer. Well, thankfully that has not been the case! They love to swim ~ especially my little fish-boy Holden! If you mention swimming he will grin ear to ear. He has no fear and loves to swim, jump, go under the water, jump off the diving board, get thrown high up in the air and land in the pool, etc. The wilder the better!! Branson enjoys it too, he is just a little bit more cautious. He likes the one-on-one attention and wants to make sure someone has a hand on him; and he doesn't go all the way under with the enthusiasm his brother has. They both wear little swim vests; but apparently, according to their Aunt Lisa, Holden can swim and float on his back unassisted! Wow! I'll have to see this for myself (I believe her though, he blows bubbles and kicks really well). They left yesterday for Myrtle Beach and will be home on Thursday. I feel sure they will get a lot of water time between the beach, water park and pool there!! Fun fun!

Stormy Weather

We don't get many thunderstorms, but when we do they always have bad timing - bedtime, of course. Well, last night Ashley is upstairs getting tag-teamed by the little boogers (I am the cripple with the broken ankle, tortured for 8 long weeks with a cast ~ stuck downstairs for another 3 weeks at least) and right when he says "night night" all craziness breaks out in the skies above. Lightening crackling, and thunder booming! Both boys got a little freaked; Holden didn't cry but Branson screamed and cried for the both of them. Part of the screaming and crying was the fact that he had to go to bed too, I'm sure. Well, finally Ashley comes downstairs a lot later and tells me that both little guys are tucked snugly together in the guest room bed spooning with each other. How sweet. It's nice to have a twin to comfort you when you get scared.

Rollin' With My Posse

Replacement wheels for my broken wheel! Branson and Holden both love my new 'scooter' (knee walker). They keep asking for rides.

a couple of birthday pictures

The boys's cakes; Branson blowing out his "3" candle! Holden is trying hard to hold up three fingers.

What's Been Going On...

Our boys turned 3 years old April 24th! We had a fun party with a bunch of little people at Bouncerific on Saturday, their actual birthday. It was really fun,with cupcakes and icecream. Branson had a cupcake cake with emergency vehicles decorating it and Holden had one with construction vehicles - they each got their own cake, which I thought was important. They have to share most everything else... so I thought it would be nice to have their very own birthday cake?! ya know. We sang Happy Birthday two times for each boy too - to help make them feel extra special. I have pictures, not many but a few, I just need to download them soon.

I unfortunately broke my ankle last week and had to have surgery on it. So, at the moment I'm a cripple stuck in the bed for a while. I hope to keep up with the blog but be patient if I get behind on it. ;)

Pictures coming soon!

Twin Monkey Boys

We were at the Toys R Us and couldn't resist a ride on Dumbo and Tigger. Both of which are in their favorite movies. You should hear them belly laughing so hard when they watch those movies. (They especially love it when Dumbo and his little mouse friend accidently get drunk... great, just great.)

At the Zoo. Look in the background... see those monkies?

Hmmm, notice any similarities here?

Holden and Branson on their Skuut bikes - no pedals, just feet for power and balance. Branson is really really good at riding his tricycle, which Holden is not so good at. But, Holden is a master Skuut bike rider, which Branson is not so good at. It's fun to see the many differences in their personalities and skills; appreciating their individualism!

Decadent Duo

Yes folks, that is Holden crossing his eyes. His new favorite trick, which he is really proud of. Of course it creeps me out and now I understand all the times as a kid people would tell you not to do that and how your eyes will get stuck like that. I tell him all of those things...but it doesn't matter. We went out for icecream cones (something we never do) and they had so much fun running around and being silly!

Lately...

This picture cracked me up... Branson's hair reminded me a little of the front guy from Flock of Seagulls.

They call this the "Big Park"; it used to make me nervous because it is so high off the ground and had stuff too advanced for them. They love it though and are getting better at the harder-to-do-stuff too. Still makes me a little nervous.

They can't be sweet and fun ALL the time! Here Branson is being a teaser and NOT sharing... hogging both swings. Holden is not taking it too well.

Most of the time they get along great and lately like to race around the house together. They are really into the racecars again.

Here are Branson and Holden looking so handsome all dressed up! They are getting ready to sing at their Spring Bash Preschool Program. They are looking so grown up aren't they?!?