This time last year, my husband and I finally purchased our first home. It wasn't perfect, but it was exactly what we were looking for.

My grandparents originally owned this home. I might have spent just as much time here as my real home. Since their passing it has under gone some changes. When we first moved in here, I noticed how I arranged the furniture just as my Gammaw had it.

Hopefully in the next few years we will do some major renovations to our home to update it to this century. If you come for a tour, I'll enlighten you with my vision. =)

Daniel and I do not have a green thumb. However, we are doing our best with our yard one step at a time. I was just informed a couple of weeks ago that my husband is working up to 'Yard of the Season'. Hmm....I think I just need to get on one of those shows like "Yard Crashers" were they redo everything for you. Nominations please ;)

Here is Grant out playing in the yard with his bubbles. He had gotten a new bottle from one of his classmates for Easter.

Notice my attempt at decorating for Easter...

We have some great neighbors. One of them has an owl box with baby owls in it. We were playing in the yard one day and they came down to tell us one of the babies was poking its head out. How cute is this? (sorry you have to turn your head to the side..)
If you travel to Hutto, Texas you will see hippos in everyone's yard for the Hutto Hippos. We went there and I fell in love with all the cute hippos. MiMi and PawPaw picked one up for Grant the other day...ok for me too. He is now the protector of the yard.

Grant is at that stage now where he is pretending with his toys all the time. I love to just sit and listen to him pretend and have little conversations with his animals. While I was finishing up my master's work this afternoon, Grant had penguins playing with dinosaurs and meerkats sharing food with lions.

The best came later when Grant pulled his lawn chair into the play room and sat it down behind me as I was typing my paper on the computer. Grant then ran back and forth to his play kitchen gathering food, plates, and napkins. He plopped down on his chair and said, "Mommy, come watch the fireworks with me and eat the food."

Seriously? Masters degree...you will have to wait! I have a date with a cute red head!

Grapes, anyone?
Astonishing!
Kisses under the...uh...ceiling fan.
The fireworks died down, and I went back to work. But then Daddy got in on the action.

But doesn't he look like such a big boy?

Later that week, he made sure to buckle in penguin with him.
On that Saturday before his birthday, we had a Safari party. Or as Grant called it, "Fafari".

I was so excited about how the cake turned out!


The parachute time turned out to be a hit!

My nephew turned the big "5" earlier this month. I love him so much and love being part of his life. People who know me know why I am determined to be the best Aunt I can be.

Here my loving on little Fletcher when he was a few months old (looking like he's already sick of my kisses!)

And another of my and my little man...

And now...me and the 5 year old!
Grant had been talking about Fletcher's birthday party for several days. Here is Grant with his Aunt Laura.

My niece Vivian and I.
Uncle Greg and Vivian.
Grant, Fletcher and his friends spent most of party outside enjoying the pretty weather.
Uncle Daniel and Vivian. Seriously, she's this happy with just about everyone!

Fletcher's theme of the party was "Ben 10". Wasn't sure what that was exactly, but he loved it!
Of course, Grant had to check out everything Fletcher got.

This picture cracks me up! He was pretending this horse was bucking him and I caught this funny face.

After the party, Fletcher had a t-ball game. I was planning on making posters to tell him I much I loved him from the stands, but then I figured I may not be invited back again.

He looks so grown up!
Watch out...he's tough!
Taking a break in the dug out...
Fletcher's cheering section. Go #10!

Grant insisted on sitting next to "Gweg"




The next game Fletcher had, he was awarded the game ball. Ask him why and he'll say "I hustled!"