Zachary is 3!

I'm still having a hard time realizing that I have a three year old. I know he isn't heading off to college tomorrow, but time has flown. I am grateful he hasn't lost his cute baby cheeks. Although, he does occassionally wipe off a kiss or two when he's too grown up for Mommy kisses. Lance and I admire how much he observes the world around him. It's fun to carry on a conversation with him now. Only Zachary can get the belly laughs out of Madison. We love you!A very happy birthday boy!

Show me the money! Lollipops or chocolate?

Madison turns ONE!

Madison turned "1" today! I can't believe how busy she has become in the last month. I'm sure it helps to have a big brother around to shorten the learning curve. My favorite thing about her is her laugh and how she smiles with her whole face. I am sure that she will give me plenty of opportunities to laugh at her in the upcoming year.

Sorry about the angle of the video. If anyone knows how to rotate it, please let me know. Until then , just cock your head to the left and enjoy!

Grilling Heaven

Lance has officially graduated from our George Foreman counter top grill. He has already done a fabulous job grilling hamburgers and chicken this past week. Anyone grilled a turkey before? That might get interesting...

Birthday boy bliss!

The new addition to the Sweeney family!

The gift that keeps on giving! Madison and Zachary getting good use out of the grill box. Faster daddy, faster!

Halloween pics

So I am a little tardy posting the kids' Halloween pictures. We bought a new camera two weeks ago and it was holding my pictures hostage. I am very grateful for Lance and his "fixing" abilities.

Zachary, my handsome firefighter! He has been taking his boots to bed with him for the past few nights.

Zachary taking a drive through the petting zoo. =)

My cute bunch!

Cutest giraffe I've seen!

McKinney's Fall Festival

Lance was a super star last Saturday. We had planned to go to the city's Fall Festival after Zachary woke up from his afternoon nap. Therefore, this would also allow Lance to sleep from working Friday night. Well, one thing lead to another, and Lance never went to sleep. Lance helped Zachary get the hang of the bounce houses and then Zachary was off to explore!Zachary climbing the rope. He is growing up too fast!Love the excitment in his face! You can understand why he waited in line to go two more times.Crawling through the tunnels.Madison with a butterfly on her cheek. She was so good and sat in my lap while it was done.

Most adorable dog at the festival.

Pumpkin Patch

We had a great time at the pumkin patch this year. Madison was all smiles during the hay ride. Zachary liked feeding the animals, but was in love with riding 2 parked tractors.

Madison and cousin Liam (Michelle's 8 month old) tasting the local hay.

Zachary was in tractor heaven. He only got off when he saw another one to drive.

Daddy I like this one! Can we take it home?

My little pumpkin at her first Pumpkin Patch!

Had to Laugh

As I was changing Madison's diaper today, I was reciting a few words for her to repeat back to me (for example: mama, da da, bye bye). Zachary comes up to her and says in the sweetest little voice, "Say fire truck". =)

Any one want to guess what Zachary is going to be for Halloween? The one and only Zachary the Fireman!

Madison's 9 month pictures

Here are a few of my favorite pictures of Madison. She is a cutie!

Sweeney birthday celebration

It was a party in Hewitt, TX last weekend! October is a busy birthday month for Lance's family. His dad's is on the 10th and Lance and his sister Arla (4 years younger) are on the 13th. We all met at Grandpa and Nana's house for the birthday celebration. It was adorable to see all the cousins running around and playing.

Zachary with Jake, Gloria and Wyatt.

Lance and Rick getting in a chess game.

Uncle Waylon down for the count. Even Kernel wanted to join in.

Aunt Arla giving Madison her 1st taste of chocolate pie. Madison was a fan!

Madison loving personal time with Grandpa Sweeney.

Part 2: State Fair of Texas

Here is the last bit of favorite pictures from the State Fair. I can't wait till next year! Madison and Zachary petting the goat. He wants to know where the feeding cup is!
Zachary loved being able to feed and pet so many animals. The only family pic of us at the fair. Looking at the kids faces', they were ready to move on to the next thing.
A tradition for Lance: must eat a turkey leg at the Fair!
Zachary in the Auto Show building. He was excited to see so many trucks in one place. It was funny to see him hop into so many of them and to take them for a "drive".

State Fair of Texas

We had a blast at the State Fair of Texas on Wednesday. Lance and I were able to get into the fair for $1 each (reg. $14) by bringing a total of 8 cans of food. We have a favorite stop at the fair. All of the following pictures are at the Helping Hands farm. Zachary was ready to get to work.
Zachary collecting some eggs after putting some corn in the hens' feeding trough.
Madison harvesting some vegetables from the garden to take to the market.
Farmer Zachary and his cute helper Madison.
For Grandma Labrum: Zachary and Madison feeding the sheep.

Teething Troubles

Madison's top right tooth broke through on Monday! It brings the finally count to 4!!! I was loading the dishwasher and heard Zachary putting a toy on her tray. I turned around to see her chewing on his play saw. Uncle Kit, can I come work for you? I am very good. =)

Do you think I can?

Madison was all smiles at the breakfast table. For all the Cheerios she consumes, her cholesterol should go down by 4 points every 6 weeks.

Table for Two

Recently we got a toddler sized table and chairs for our kitchen. The original plan was to have it out when company came over or when we do playdoh or similar things. Well, the table has not been taken out of the kitchen for the past two weeks. Here, Lance and Zachary were having male bonding time with pizza over lunch. I am grateful that Zachary will come sit at the kitchen table for our meals, but all snacks are at his table. Funny kid!

What do I do with this boy?

Rick and Carolyn does this bring back any memories? Lawnmower, clock, any others?

I finally made myself clean the oven. It was way over do! (The next one will have a self clean option!) I was halfway through when Lance realized I didn't remove all the interior parts (lightbulb,etc.) according to the cleaner instructions. He proceeds to take out certain parts and a part breaks! I am thankful that he did get it all back together again.

Family Trip to the Dallas Zoo

The high for Monday was 81 degrees! So we packed up the double stroller and headed to the zoo. We decided to get a family pass, which we can get a guest in for free each time. Plus we can use it at other zoos for free or 50% off the entrance fee.

Have to have the official family picture by the name!
Zachary spotting the chimpanze.
Zachary reading the map.
Our most recent hatch!
Zachary loving the petting zoo. I did fear for the guinea pig.

You know it's been a bad week when.....

- your 2 year old son has put on makeup more often than you.

-your children are able to sleep longer during their nap than they do during the night.

I am praying for this week to pass quickly!

First Tooth

Our little girl is growing up! =) Last night we were able to see a little white tooth poking out on the bottom gum. Solid foods here we come!

Sibling Love

It has been wonderful to sit back and watch the developing relationship between Zachary and Madison. The padding of her highchair was in the washer, but I almost don't want to put it back on. From the video, the holes are serving many purposes: secret passages for food to be passed through and a spy hole to keep a close eye on Zachary.

Opps

So for any of you who might have checked out my blog earlier...I have changed my blog address. I am looking forward to attempting to post some of the exciting moments that fill our days. I am new at all of this so you will have to be patient! Here are some pictures from Memorial Day. It was Madison's first time in the water!