Backyards and Birthdays

We've been doing a lot of work in the yard lately and though it probably doesn't look like much to some, we've really made a dent. The backyard in particular was a wreck. Matt even conned some of our friends into coming over to help with the promise of something yummy off the grill. Here are a few before and after shots to get you acquainted with our yard. (Please note the fence is in desperate need of repair/replacing - we'll get to that just as soon as Uncle Sam sends our check.)

As always, Bryce has been a big help. He loves being outside ("Ow-tye!") On days we don't get to go outside, he just stands at the door staring at the yard.

Helping Daddy

I'm also going to try my hand at gardening. Matt built me a raised bed and after a million trips hauling dirt in the broken wheel barrow, it's full. He's also rigging me up a soaker hose somehow with the sprinkler system. We planted seeds for green beans, squash, and zucchini and plants for tomatoes, bell peppers, and jalapenos. I plan to add some herbs, too as soon as things start to sprout and I see how much room I've got.

This past weekend I celebrating my 29th (ouch!) birthday. Mind you, we started celebrating a week ago when Matt's mom came to visit and then again when my mom and Pa came to visit and then again with friends on the actual day. My mom (with some help from Bryce) made me a cake while she was here.

Bryce has also learned a million new tricks. He's just too fast for me to catch him on camera. Here's one where I got lucky.

Bryce enjoyed lots of wagon rides with Mamaw and Abby.

Working on the mower...

This is one I've been trying to catch on camera for forever. It's Bryce's sad face.

Snow Day!

First off, Monday was exactly one year from the day we landed on American soil with our little souvenir. Has it really been that long? To celebrate, Texas threw us a party. Except the confetti was snow which is awesome because life stops when it snows in Texas. Matt has been off work for the past two days due to all the school closings. Yay snow! Here are a few pictures and a video of Bryce's first steps in snow (he couldn't walk when we lived in snow-covered Prague).

He liked the crunch of the snow under his feet but not the bitter wind blowing in his face. We didn't last very long out there.

And just to give you a glimpse of Texas winter, here's a picture from Saturday, when it was in the mid-70s and Bryce was wearing short sleeves and trying to ride his bike inside.

And here's a random one of Bryce listening to the washer.

Oh My...

3 months? I'm so embarrassed. Well, the good news is, you haven't missed much. Life has been pretty routine, which is nice. Let's catch up...

Thanksgiving, we went to Houston, stopping in Hearne to visit. Bryce got to see some cows and play on a trailer (complete with cow poop).

After 3 hours in the car, he needed to run!

He also got to ride a 4wheeler with Grandpa.

For Thanksgiving, Bryce chewed on a turkey leg.

And got to visit the Children's Museum.

It must have been something really cool for both of those boys to stand still.

And then there was Christmas.

We went to see the big tree in downtown Fort Worth.

Bryce spent the evening showing Olivia around.

We made gingerbread cookies together.

We definitely have a future chef on our hands.

He read some books with Daddy and Abby. (He really enjoyed Daddy not having to study.)

He played pirates with Grammy.

And met his other great-grandfather.

He also got a new pair of boots. We got them a little big so he can grow into them.

Bryce on a very important call. No interruptions, please.

Somehow, Bryce managed to create a triangle on his forehead with black bean juice. I, for one, am very impressed.

I promise not to take such a long break next time. Thanks for sticking with us!

Leaving On a Jet Plane...

Can you believe I've waited 22 months to have a blog post with that title? I just had to. We have 5 days left in Prague. I feel like we're in the Twilight Zone lately. Some days seem to crawl by and others I barely get my feet on the ground before I'm putting Bryce down for the night. So that's my lame excuse for not posting in weeks. I do however, have some extremely cute pictures and some videos as my penance.

Bryce has been working out. Getting buff for the ladies.

His favorite lady is his Mama, though.

He is really starting to like baths. Even drying off is fun.

We borrowed our friends' Johnny Jump Up after Bryce started trying to bounce himself on the couch, on our laps - pretty much on anything. He's getting the hang of it when I actually put something with traction on his feet.

A couple of weeks ago we got a TON of snow. It's the most Prague has seen in 17 years - over a foot of snow! Since then, it's only warmed up above freezing for a short while. Just enough to melt a little and refreeze into slick ice. Bryce and I have only gotten out a few times. We've mainly tried to stay home where it's warm.

Our courtyard.

Our sidewalk.

Across the street from us.

Matt had to dig the car out so we could take Bryce to the doctor. Crazy!

These guys got the fun job of clearing off the roofs so people aren't crushed by falling snow and ice.

Matt's been telling me for weeks I need to lose more baby weight so he put me to work. Two pounds to go!

Here's a video of the 5th (or was it 6th?) day of snowfall. Sorry about the random mumbling.

Bryce has learned to enjoy fruit and sweet potatoes. At least he did until he quit pooping so we're taking a break from solid foods until we get back on track. (Sorry for talking about poop on the blog - it just happens when you're a Mommy.)

Bryce displaying the 'Grumpy Butt after a Nap' gene he got from his Mama.

I Lied.

I promised myself before Bryce was born that I wouldn't do "Look what my kid can do" posts. I was way too sophisticated a blogger for that.

I lied.

At least to myself. Because I'm the only one I made that promise to. And you know what? I forgive myself. Because who knew my kid would be so dang cute (yet another phrase I promised myself I wouldn't utter)? While my mom was here visiting, she taught Bryce a few tricks:

1. Sitting up is way more fun than laying on your back.

2. Cereal is yummy.

3. If I let Granny kiss my cheeks, she'll be putty in my hands.

4. The more I laugh at Granny, the less likely it is that I'll be put down for a nap.

5. Christmas is extra awesome when you're the only kid in the house.

6. If you can convince Granny to babysit while Mama and Daddy go out, you can stay up late to watch the fireworks.

This is a video our friend Greg took in the center of town where all the crazies go for New Year's Eve. Matt went with him last year but decided he couldn't move fast enough with his gimp knee to get out of the way of wayward fireworks.

And this is a video I took from our friends' rooftop at midnight. Needless to say, there are no city regulations on fireworks in Prague.

For more photos and videos visit our photo website here.