Random Pictures and another Milestone

Got ice cream?
Helping his Daddy decide what they need to get from HEB
Downtown with Daddy checking out the demolition of the YMCA
Looking cute wearing his Daddy's safety glasses
Enjoying some chicken with Alyssa on a play date
Having fun with the mowers at Home Depot

The milestone? Well, it's actually a milestone for Byron and I. Elijah was left with a babysitter for the first time on Tuesday. Yes, I know those of you reading this are saying, "Are you kidding me? First time?" We hear that a lot, but... :) We have left with family member's before but never someone outside of the family. I was lucky enough to have a friend's college daughter keep him. He loved her and they had a great time! We were so proud of how we did. And yes, she will be keeping him again some this summer.

Have You Ever... Part 2

The fun continues...


Byron getting ready to pull the rib cord. We both were surprised that he got to do this. Too neat!
Coming in for the landing



Elijah on the way home wearing the crown he got at Burger King that morning. He was SO great the whole time we were there (which was several hours) and had a lot of fun too. Such a big boy.

We are excited that we ended up with so many great pictures (this is just very few of them) and the video we got made rocks! In fact, Elijah loves watching it over and over.

Have You Ever... Part 1

...jumped out of a perfectly good airplane? Well, that is what Byron did Saturday. This was my gift to him for his 50th birthday. Since this was a special birthday, I wanted to do something he would always remember. Mission accomplished! It was a wonderful time for all three of us but an experience that Byron will never forget!!
Suiting up
Elijah helping his Daddy out
Waiting for the plane
Getting ready to board
No turning back now
Byron and Rob (his instructor)
Getting ready to jump

Here we go!

Growing Up

In the last month, a lot of big changes have happened with Elijah. The changes are exciting, but sad too because it means our baby is growing up. :(

Our first big change is Elijah is now potty trained. I was not ready for it and had planned on waiting closer to him turning 3. But he was ready, so we went with it. He has done better than we could ever have hoped for and because we did it when he was ready, I truly believe it made all the difference in the world. I just kept it laid back and positive and that worked great for him. Realistically though, we know that until he gets older, that we will have to stay on top of this every day. :)
We do have him in a pull-up only at nighttime, because we can tell he still needs it at this point. Yes, the pull-up will be going away soon. All other times though, he is in "big boy" underwear. Yippee!

The second big change that has occurred is that Elijah now sleeps in a big boy bed. He still loved his crib but we decided to move him because he had started sleeping with his legs through the slats because he wouldn't give up his favorite corner to improve the situation. He would wake up and have major marks on his legs and we just couldn't see him that way. We also knew with traveling this summer it would make the trips a lot easier. He seems to really like his "big boy" bed and has been doing wonderful with his naps and bedtime in it. I think the biggest shocker, to both of us, as of this posting,is he has never gotten out of his bed or has even tried. But then again, he never got out of this crib either. :) We are still looking for bedding and are in the process of redecorating his room to look more like a boy's room instead of a nursery.


Think he likes his new bed?

Mommy and Daddy are SO proud of you Elijah!

Oklahoma Trip Final Post - Mim's Birthday Dinner

Saturday night, about 25 of us gathered for a dinner to celebrate Mim turning 90. Mim seemed to enjoy the evening. Byron and I think she looks amazing and does well to be 90. It was a very special time for all of us.
Elijah giving Mim a birthday hug - so sweet!

Love that smile :)

Mim with her daughters, Barbara (left) and Evelyn. Barb is Byron's aunt and Mrs. Evelyn is Byron's mom.

The two birthday girls

Oklahoma Trip Part 3 - Chisholm Trail Museum

Saturday, May 28th, we went to the Chisholm Trail Museum. Byron and I had already been to this museum before but wanted to take Elijah this time. I think it is fair to say that the pictures show he had a great time.


Uncle Blake helping Elijah rope a Longhorn and being sill at the same time :)
Mim, Elijah, and Aunt Brenda


Mim on her 90th birthday with her grandchildren - Brenda, Byron, and Blake
Trying his hand at branding.

Oklahoma Trip Part 2 - Kiddieland Park

On Friday evening, all fourteen of us headed to a local Mexican restaurant for dinner. The food was good (not Texas good, but good) and so was the company.

Brenda (Byron's sister) and Mim (Byron's grandmother) both share the same birthday, May 28th.

Oh course, Elijah had to get in on the fun

Kiddieland Park
After dinner, we headed to Kiddieland Park with Uncle Blake and his family. This was a very special time for Byron and Blake (Byron's brother) because when they were younger and visited Duncan, they would go to this park as well. It was wonderful to know that Elijah was able to experience the same fun that both his Daddy and Uncle Blake did growing up. Not sure who smiled more while we were there...Byron, Blake, or Elijah? :)

Enjoying riding the train



Elijah had the best time riding the airplanes. It was one of those moments that as we watched him he seemed so grown up and was so happy! It really was a special moment for us. When I later told Elijah's Pawpaw about this, he loved it because he too loves planes and spent his military career around them.
Pre-flight check
Ready to go



Hot and tired, but we had SO much fun!