A couple of all time favorites.

My heart was so happy when I transferred my pictures from my camera to the computer.  Mixed in with the dozens of over and under exposed messes, were these two gems. 

First, this sweet full-body-eyes-closed-cousin-loving hug.  My word this boy loves his cousin, and holds him on such a pedestal.

And this one.  Yesterday we went to a surprise birthday party for Austin (Olivia's dad), at Ali's parent's house.  Honi (Ali's mom) put a toy headlamp on Hardin.  He was all about it!  He ran circles around her house like he was really something special.  He is.  And this face makes me smile.

I was just about to post this, when I received an email from Ali with the picture below.  What a stinking little touch-me-not.

The Greatest Show on Earth

Today we went to the MUCH anticipated circus.  I bought the tickets on January 18th, and told Hardin.  He had just seen the Bubble Guppies circus episode so he knew exactly what I was talking about.  I kid you not, he has asked if we are going to the circus at least 90% of the days since then.

And today was the day.  He was SOOOOOOO excited.  It's hard for me to put into words how excited he gets.  Think jumping up and down squealing excitement.  I wish I would have taken a video of him this morning when I said Yes baby, we are going to the circus TODAY!  Whoa the commotion that followed. 

We went an hour early for the pre-show and that was such a treat.  We were able to stand front row around the elephant ring while she dunked a basketball and painted a picture.  I think that stood out the most, because when I picked him up from his nap (at 5pm), he quickly asked Mommy, did you see that elephant shoot hoops?  Did you see her paint the picture?  She was SO BIG mommy, did you see her?

He also really liked the horses, lions, tigers, tiny puppy, and motorcycles.  He could not have cared less about the trapeze, strong man stuff, clowns or the crowd.  I loved the elephants. 

The show was about 30 minutes too long for a two year old but we all thoroughly enjoyed.  Well, except Lillian, who was terrified of the lions and tigers.  Sweet girl. 

I used the show to test the low light capabilities of my new camera.  I have an overwhelming amount to learn, but I'm loving it.  I've promised myself to shoot in manual as much as possible, try and post pictures straight out of the camera more, and to take pictures of things other than Hardin. 

Over the past two years I've been compiling a group of photographs taken at our favorite places to make a snapsfish book for H.  The game ranch, zoo, beaches, cows and horses in our old back yard, church festival petting zoos, etc.  I think with today and last weekend's dinosaur shots I have enough to make a really cool picture book for him.  He loves to re-live things.  That's a nice way of saying talk about things until they can't be talked about anymore, and then some, so I think he's going to love it!

Justin's crew came over afterwards to spend the night, and the boys made a quick stop by the kilt store on the way home.  Justin walked in modeling his costume for an upcoming golf outing. 

We cooked a yummy steak dinner, the kids ran 90 to nothing, and now we're all about to hit the sack.  Aside from finding every last one of Hardin's bath toys in the toilet, it was a great day!

Instagram Fam

My sweet boy is currently sleeping soundly at Justin & Cathy's house.  We went over there after nap time today, took dinner and stayed to put him down.  The spending the night out thing always sounds MUCH better in theory than in execution.  I am 100% sure it is getting harder on mommy.  He's so engaged in every single aspect of our life, it's just plain sad around here without him.  And don't even get me started on the empty little bed. 
That said, you know what they say about desperate times.  And we are beyond blessed to have such gracious family so close.  My mom left today for a week long trip to Arizona for her best friend's daughter's wedding.  We are very excited for Gigi to have a much needed week off with her dearest friend in some warm weather. 

It takes a village, and not a day goes by we are not extraordinary thankful for ours.  Cathy is keeping H tomorrow, and between the two of us and 1 1/2 days off each, we have the rest of the week covered. 

This weekend we went to the dinosaur Exhibit and Hardin LOVED it once he got past his slight fear of the dark/loud/full motion dinosaurs.  He shocked mom and I both when he asked to ride the dino.  He watched intently and waited patiently for his turn.  Held his little arms up to the stranger to load him in, and smiled a huge smile the entire time! 

Below are a ton of pictures from instagram lately, I've been browsing them tonight as I miss my boy.  I've become way too dependent on my phone to document our lives.  Looking back at these I'm making a March Resolution to drag the big camera back out more!