The Duck Puddle

We used to live down the street from a pond.  But 300+ days without significant rainfall has left it looking more like a giant puddle.

Remember the time it turned into a lake?

These were taken in May 2010 ...

 For about a month now, every time we drove past the duck pond I would remark how bad it had gotten and that I really needed to go take pictures of it.  This morning Hudson said, "Let's go take duck pictures" and he wanted to bring his own camera.  I love it! :)

Here he is getting some shots of the duck pond!  

And making sure he got a good one ...

Poor Tooper

Poor "Tooper" - bonked his "torehead" on the "coppee table"

The boys love to watch the show Wipe Out and after they finish watching it, they like to play it.  They pull all the couch cushions off and bounce around making different obstacle courses.  This time it ended badly.  Cooper jumped and landed with his forehead on the coffee table.  It could've been much worse considering all the sharp edges in our living room.  Thankfully it was the table with no corners.  There was still lots of blood and lots of crying.  It was after hours (of course) and it wasn't bad enough to warrant a trip to the ER.  So we did our best with butterfly bandages and a Toy Story bandaid.  He's all better now and his forehead looks fine.  So far we've been 2 for 2 on 2 year olds gashing their heads.  When Hudson was two he needed stitches on a gash near his eyebrow.  I think Garrett might need to wear a helmet while he's 2! ;)

4 Months

Garrett is 4 months old already!  I can't believe how fast it is flying by!  He's such a good little baby, content to just go along with whatever we're doing.  He's smiling and laughing and enjoying all of the attention he receives from his older brothers.  He's rolling over both ways and he got his first tooth this week!  He hates a pacifier, but instead loves to suck on his fingers.  He's still taste testing all of them to figure out which ones are the best.  Really, he likes as many as possible crammed into his mouth and will often add a few toes in too!  I think he's going to settle for his two middle fingers.  I really need to get a picture of it.  It's the cutest thing!  Here's some of the latest pictures of him ...

lounging by the pool

This isn't the best picture but I just had to show those eyebrows - always so expressive!

Playing Don't Break the Ice with his brothers

Going to sleep - It's always this pose.  One hand up by his head, the other in his mouth.

It looks like he's got his thumb but it's actually his pointer finger.  He doesn't seem to care about his thumb.

Sweet little boy

The big boys asked to be in the picture! Love their cheesy grins and closed eyes! :)

Garrett loves playing in the exersaucer!  I think he likes being able to stand and see everyone!

practicing sitting

"Look what I can do!"

Such a good big brother!  Hudson is always quick to attend to Garrett if he's crying.  He loves to talk to him and sing to him.  Garrett recognizes him and will usually smile when Hudson comes around. :)

He's a good baby but we do see this face at times!  He hates being left alone, especially flat on his back!

The Beards Go to Wimberly

Last month the whole Beard clan met up in Wimberly, Texas for a fun trip!  Tom and Dana rented a house that amazingly held all of us.  It had a great pool so the kids spent most of their time swimming.  It was so great to hang out with everyone.  We ate good food, played games, did puzzles, swam, and did a little shopping in San Marcos.  Thanks for a fun trip, Tom and Dana!

Luau Night

The Beard Women

The Beard Men - being goofs!

Half My Life

On July 1st I turned 28.  This was a big year for me because it means that I've now known Jeff for half of my life.  On July 1st fourteen years ago Jeff brought me a single red rose.  Fourteen years later he came home from work with a single red rose and a beautiful new watch for me.  He said it was to celebrate our time together.  

I love this man ...

I'm so thankful for the family we have together.  And I'm so excited that from now on, every day that I spend with him is one day more than I spent without him.