Southbound 35

That's right...last weekend the Yeamans 3 headed southbound 35 to visit our family in San Antonio. This is the first time Mick's had ALL her kiddos and grand babies under one roof in quite some time. Needless to say...

She is all smiles this weekend!

Sweet JonParker {yep, that is milky goodness running off his chin! Just finished that bottle and is totally content!}

The Aunts with their little man

Caught on Camera: Coach is always sneaking Clay some sweets! ;)

Not sure what to think of those yummy frosted animal cookies! Although it might not look like it here, there were only crumbs left on the table! :)

Aunt Ash is always stealing kisses!

Coach & Mick with their grand babies



Take 2...Clay's got "pinchy" {yes, Mick keeps a pair of salad tongs for Clay!}

Clay took this book to PaD and asked ever so nicely to "read me a story, Pa D!"

Letting Pa D and Aunt T know the names of the trains.

You guessed correctly, if you thought Pa D was reading a Thomas the Train book! :)

Listening intently to Pa!

Nanaw with JonParker...looks like she might have done this once, or twice, or three, or FOUR times before!?! {and thats just counting her own boys...not her grandchildren or other great-grandchildren!}

Nanaw & Mick with the cousins.

Those are some handsome men!

Ya just gotta LOVE Clay's smile in all these pics...this is what he flashes when Mama says, "gimme a big smile for the camera!" LOVE IT!!

The Peel & Yeamans boys!

We had a wonderful fun-filled, family-filled, food-filled weekend! We can't wait until we can all be together again! We Love You!

It's A Boy Thing...

I love the other day when I went to pull a pen out of my purse, I first grabbed a matchbox car, a toy helicopter, a small cement truck, and an army man before finding my trusty Sharpie.


Nothing beats climbing into bed at night and realizing you are competing for space with a husband, a toddler, two Thomas trains, a stuffed turtle, and a small tow truck.

It absolutely melts my heart when we are finished reading books before nap or bed and Clay turns over and inches as close to me as possible and whispers, "Mama, snuggle closer to me!"

I think it's funny when we walk past the "girl" aisle at Target or stop on a "girl" page in a toy magazine Clay says, "Ick...girl stuff."


It puts a smile on my face anytime I'm cooking and bring out my salad tongs, Clay says, "Mama, I want Pinchy." {the name he has so lovingly given to my tongs since they remind him of Pinchy on Thomas the Train!}




{no, I don't dress my child in x-mas shirts in September...this pic was taken first thing in the morning in Clay's sleeping attire...a short sleeved shirt and diaper.}

Yep, it's my boy thing and I'm loving every minute!!

A Moment with Grandpa

• a day full of fun with Grandpa--check
  
  
• very sleepy eyes--check

• baba {Clay's word for his blanket}--check

• thomas on the tv--check

• snuggles with Grandpa--check

• asleep within 15 minutes of getting out of the tub--check
  

Thanks for a great weekend Grandpa! We love you and we'll see you soon!

Snakes and snails and puppy dog tails...

that's what little boys are made of. Isn't that how the saying goes?

The other day, Clay and I opened the front door and found this...

a snail! This is Clay's first encounter with one and he told me "Mama, that snail has a hard shell like a turtle!" Great observation!

Mama's not all about creepy crawlies, but my boy sure is, so I couldn't let this stop me from turning this experience into a total science lesson!

First, we broke out our magnifying glass to get a better look!

Clay figuring it out!

Clay showing me how big the snail is with his fingers!

Then, we talked about habitats {yes, I used the word "habitat" with my two year old...why not, right?} and what snails ate. Clay told me "lettuce and leaves." I expected him to say leaves and was impressed with the lettuce part, but nonetheless, we picked some leaves to see if we could entice this little guy to take a bite!

Clay was saying, "Come on little fella! Eat the leaf." Yes, he used the word "fella." True Texan!!


Next, Mama had the idea to build this snail his own habitat using Clay's bug catcher! I told Clay we needed dirt and he corrected me with, "No Mama, mulch!"



Here he is digging in the "mulch."

Love, love, love this grin!

Getting our habitat or "habits" {as Clay called it} ready!


adding the leaves...yes, Mama picked up the snail {okay, with a small garden shovel} but still!

Success...a nice cozy home for our friend, the snail. Complete with fresh mulch and leaves. :)

You'll be happy to know we check on him daily, sometimes adding fresh mulch and leaves, and yes, he is still alive! He sleeps in the garage and I'm working on convincing Clay to set him free in the backyard to be with all his other snail friends! :)

It Was Getting Pretty Lonely...

until AUNT ASH came for a visit!!! Daddy's out of town for work and one night is manageable, but two whole nights is well...lonely. We are sure missing our other half! And since mama doesn't has a hard time sleeping when Daddy's gone, she is pooped by the end of the night!

Tonight, when the doorbell rang, Clay and I felt like we won the Publisher's Clearing House Sweepstakes...seriously! We were hurtin' for some company! Thanks, Aunt Ash!!!!



Clay saying, "Aunt Ash, follow me to the playroom!"



Aunt Ash showed Clay how to line all of his toys up in a neat row...organization...I like it!!!



"Pinchy" {a name Clay has given to one of his toys} giving Aunt Ash a "haircut."

Does anyone see Aunt Ash?!?!

Getting some good snuggles!

loving her some Clay!

We LOVE you, Aunt Ash! Thank you so much for stopping by and making our night brighter!!! :) XOXO!

Even my 2 year old notices...

While snuggling next to me on the couch this morning watching the end of Sesame Street, I notice Clay keeps fidgeting and scratching his little leg.

Mama: Clay does your leg itch?

Clay: Yes, only this one {putting the leg closest to me in the air.}

Mama: Is it a mosquito bite?

Clay: No, mama has whiskers on her leg like Dada's face!


BUSTED by my 2 year old!!! I'm off to take a shower....and shave these "whiskers" off my legs! :)

Look Who's Coming to Town...

THOMAS!!!

If you're looking for us on October 1th, we'll be spending the day with Thomas the Train! He is coming to Austin {really Burnett} and we are gonna be there to greet him, meet him, and take a ride! Can't wait!!!!

"Imagination is the highest kite one can fly." ~ Lauren Bacall

Clay's imagination is off and running and I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE watching him in action! He is making so many connections and remembers so many details of his everyday world and is applying them to his imaginary play. For instance, the other morning I'm brushing my teeth in the bathroom and I over hear this sweet conversation:

Clay: Good morning, turtle. My make you a special snack. {This is what I tell him when he wakes up from his nap!} How 'bout peanut butter and graham sticks? You need water. Sit right here.

Then, I walk into the kitchen and find this....

Turtle seated and ready for his "special snack." Might I also point out how neatly everything is placed in front of him...yep, that's my boy! :)

Grandparents are parents with EXTRA frosting!!!

Today, on Grandparents Day, we are EXTREMELY lucky to have so many special people to celebrate! Thank you so very much for all you do; all you are! Thank you for your unconditional love and for touching our lives in so many wonderful ways!


Doug and I are the parents we are because of YOU! You set the foundation, ingrained the morals, taught the values, showered us with love, and gave us all the tools to be the parents you knew we would be! THANK YOU!


Here's a peek at what Clay sent his grandparents and great-grandparents...

{it's hard to see in the pic above...but the picture of Clay is a magnet of him licking beaters with frosting on his face and the caption reads..."Grandparents are parents with extra frosting!}

Clay adores each and every minute spent with you all. There is much truth to the saying above...you certainly add the "extra frosting" to his life {and ours!}.


Love and Hugs sent your way today and everyday!

Hey Mr. Postman!

Boy, oh boy, was Clay ever excited to go and check the mail the other day! I told him Grandpa had sent him a special package and we should be getting it soon. When Clay woke up from his nap, it was his first request..."Mama, let's go check mail, please! We're #4! {our mail box number}

Ready to see what's inside!

As he's fishing around, he's taking guesses out loud..."Could it be Henry?" So cute!

The suspense....

Thomas videos!!!

Thank you, Grandpa for our gift! Clay is enjoying getting to watch a new Thomas video and learning the names and number of new trains! XOXO!

Our Labor Day Weekend in Review...

Our Labor Day weekend kicked off with a visit from Nana, Paw Paw, Aunt Katie and Toto!! They came in for the first Texas game {GO HORNS!} and to also see big guy!


Word has spread about Clay's new love of Thomas as well as our endless search for Diesel 10...guess who found it in Corpus?! Thanks, Nana for Diesel 10 and Rusty! Thank you, Aunt Katie, for Percy and thank you, Grandma Flores, for Fearless Freddie! In case you lost count...

Clay's growing train collection!

Snuggles with Aunt Katie!

Stealin' kisses!

Reading my new Thomas book with Nana.

Clay saying, "Diesel 10...he's a bully!"

Clay and Paw Paw on the go! Clay gets down like he's running out of the blocks and says, "on mark, set, go!"

Making sure the competition is behind him!

Taking Paw Paw down...really!

It's no fun unless it involves falling on the ground!


On Saturday, Mama & Clay traveled down to San Antonio to host a baby shower for my cousin. Unfortunately, I didn't get any photos at the shower...I'm bummed...but trying to keep up with a toddler in a crowded restaurant was about all Mick, Coach & myself could handle! ;)

A new present from Mick and Coach...SUPER COOL new trash truck! It'a all trash trucks and Thomas in the Yeamans house these days!

Lessons from Coach! Never too early!!

Coach, do we have a receiver on our hands?!?


Then, on Sunday, we met Grandpa and Aunt Kathy {or as Clay says now, Aunt Kassie!} for lunch at our favorite spot...Schlotzskys!

Aunt Kathy, Clay & Grandpa

Mama, Clay & Grandpa!

Mama's sweet boy!

Wow!!! How lucky to see so much family in one weekend! We loved every minute of it and can't wait until our next visits! Love You All!!!