Goings on around here!

I don't really have a specific thing to write about this time, just what's been going on around here. Marshall started Mother's day out last month and it's been awesome for both of us.  He goes two days a week and sometimes is so excited to be there and other times not so much, but he always has fun and in a great mood when I pick him up.  It's been nice for me to do house work, rest, or have lunch with friends.  It will also be a good time for me and the new baby girl to have time together once she gets here.

Nick's dad came into town three weeks ago for a family visit.  He hadn't seen Marshall since Tom and Jess' wedding in June 2009 so I know he was excited to see him.  We had a few visits at Tom and Jess' house and at our house.  Marshall now sees pictures of him and says "Papa," and when he asks about grammy he always asks about papa now.  We were sad to see him leave and hopefully we will see him sooner rather than later.  Grammy is still here and is hoping to go back home this month.  Marshall has really taken to her and is stuck on her when she is here.  He always wants to know where she is and wants her to do everything with him.  It's going to be hard for all of us when she leaves, but she will hopefully be back in March when the baby is due.

Marshall is getting so big and starting to do and say more stuff.  He absolutely loves sandy and skippy and asks about them first thing in the morning before he even gets out of bed.  He is dancing all the time, especially to the fridge farm, certain commercials, jack's big music show, and a snowman that sings christmas songs.  He is ALL BOY and spends a lot of time pushing cars, toys, chairs, and anything that is pushable around the house.  Even though I say he is all boy, he is somewhat fascinated with my shoes and will wear them around the house.  It's really funny, but his daddy isn't too excited about it.  He still loves it outside and when the weather is nice we venture out to get into all sorts of trouble.

Last weekend Marshall and I went down to Friendswood to watch Tricia while my sister was partying it up in Vegas.  We went to a great part and had some fun times with Tricia and Paige.  That Saturday we went to the zoo for the members only preview of the new African Forest.  It was amazing and Marshall loved the chimpanzees and of course the giraffes.  Marshall and I went to see Santa Claus yesterday and he was super excited when he saw him, but once I put him in his lap he lost it and the picture is priceless.  enjoy!

Marshall showing his belly button

Marshall playing with Skippy

Grammy, Grandpa, Marshall and Leah

Marshall and Grandpa

family picture

Marshall wearing two of my heels and walking like a pro

A day at the park

Just went down a big boy slide!

Us at the zoo

Marshall and Santa

Washington DC trip

Marshall and I joined Allison a few weekends ago to see Meagan and Tatum in Warrenton, Virginia.  We left on Thursday afternoon and Marshall did really well on the plane.  I was so nervous that he would disturb everyone on the plane with his loud whining, but luckily he didn't.  He slept for a bit and then we just kept him entertained with books and movies and food.  We got to DC around 8:00 but didn't get to Meagan's house until almost 11:00 because we got stuck in traffic.  Meagan was a wonderful host with rooms all ready for both Allison and myself and Marshall.  We got up the next morning, got ready, and drove into DC for lunch at a great mexican restaurant.  Funny that we went to a mexican restaurant since we are from Texas, but it was really good.  Afterwards we headed over to the National Zoo.  It was a bit chilly but nothing a few layers of clothing couldn't solve.  The coolest thing at the zoo for me were the panda bears and the small mammal house.  The kids seemed to really enjoy themselves, especially since they both fell asleep on the way home.  The next day we headed back into DC to go to the Smithsonian American History Museum.  It was a great museum with awesome exhibits and I definitely can't wait to go back and visit other Smithsonian museums.  Brian, Meagan's husband, picked the kids up around 3:00 and took them home, played, fed them, bathed them, and put them to bed . . . what an awesome and brave thing he did and we really appreciated it.  We took advantage of the kid free time to visit some monuments and have a nice dinner with dessert and everything.  The next day we drove into Fairfax to visit the mall and get Meagan some maternity clothes and Tatum some birthday presents.  When we got back Tatum opened her dress up clothes we got her and I think Marshall liked them more but eventually both of them were running around the house in high heeled shoes.  We were very sad to leave but it was nice to get back home to some warm weather and see Nick and the puppies.

The Panda bear was the coolest thing!!

Tatum trying to hold Marshall's hand

Already getting kisses from girls!

Marshall with an old train

Marshall and me at the Smithsonian

Allison and me with the Lincoln memorial in the background

Me with the Washington monument

Meagan and me at the Lincoln memorial (the status is so much bigger in person)

Tatum and Marshall running in their heels

It looks like Marshall stole Tatum's red Snow White shoes and she is MAD!!