Happy 1st Birthday Raylee Joy!

This weekend was Lil Ray's first birthday party in Midland. Landon is best friends with Nathan and we wouldn't have missed her first party for anything...we even drove in hail and rain and made it just in time on Friday. Laney loves her friend Ray and was so happy to go to her birthday party (even though she thought the presents were all hers, lol). We really enjoyed this precious princess birthday party and can't wait to see her grow into a precious little girl!

Laney and the Birthday girl :)


Cousin Parker and Laney playing dress up




Birthday girl loving her first cake and ice cream :)



This weekend we stayed with Landon's brother and sis in law, Tanner and Jodi. The girls got to play and spend good time together.

Bath time!


The girls in their matching pajamas :)



The next few weekends will be spent in Midland also. We have a wedding of some dear friends next Saturday and the next weekend is Laney's big "2" year old Birthday party!!! I can't believe it!! Before we know it she will be starting kindergarden.. how sad. Slow down time.

Fun in the Sun!

Today was the perfect day to get out the little pool and let Laney swim away. She loved it!!

Graduation!!

What a fabulous weekend we had. We drove down to Tyler for my sister's graduation from UT. I am so very proud of her and her accomplishiments. It is not very likely for a girl to graduate with a degree in Mechanical Engineering like she did. She had to endure alot to get where she is at today. I pray that she adjusts well in the "real world" and that when the time is right she would land the "perfect" job. I love her so much and I couldn't be blessed with a better sister. I love you Chelsea Earlene!





Of course we had fun while we were down for the "big day". We found a "build a bear" in the mall and Laney would not let us take her out of the store.. so we let her build a bear. She picked out which bear she wanted, got to stuff it herself, give it a bath, brush it's hair, pick out clothes for it and even pick out it's name. She thought she was so special (and of course she is).







She named her "Belle". Somehow I didn't get a final picture of her bear.. but she picked out big girl panties for her bear, a dress , two bows and flip flops.


We had a great time with family.. I love our precious time together!

My cousins and babies


Laney with her 2nd cousins


I did miss Landon's Birthday while we were away but thanks to his great friend Nathan he had company all weekend long. He played several rounds of golf (his favorite thing), grilled yummy steaks and had plenty of guy time. We really missed him but I was happy to know that he was having a great time as well.

We hope that everyone had a great Mother's Day!

M&M's Galore!!

Laney did it! She is all potty trained. I will have to admit that we have attempted to potty train several times before with no such luck. I knew that with Laney only being 23 months it was a long shot but I just felt that this was the week.. and sure enough my mommy intuition was right. We started last Tuesday wearing panties and all. I cleaned up my fair share of pee but it didn't take but a few messes for her to realize that she should try the whole potty thing. By that evening she peed in the potty. Of course I was thinking that was just an accident or she is just teasing me. The next day she had a few messes but also went in the potty a few times. By Thursday she had it down. We still haven't overcome going #2 in the potty yet but that will come eventually I know it! All it took was princess and Elmo panties, a big jar of M&M's (which are almost gone) and a proud mommy and daddy! It is hilarious to watch her when she goes because she gets super excited!! I dreaded potty training but now that it is over and I see the excitement in Laney it makes me so happy! We for sure have a big girl on our hands and we couldn't be prouder ;)

Laney on her Elmo potty




Of course I had to get a picture of the undies... I could squeeze that lil booty all day....soooo cute :)


I

Happy 5 years ♥

Wow! What an incredible 5 years we have had! I have loved every year more and more and more. I have an amazing husband that loves me for who I am, he is the best example of Christ for our family that I could have ever asked for, he provides for us and will always be my best friend till the end!

Where it all began ~ 04/23/05~ Galveston, TX


Our journey to Parenthood: Laney Capri Hayes ~ 05/30/08



We celebrated our 5 year wedding anniversary this weekend in San Antonio.. just the two of us. It felt like we haven't been able to get away just the two of us in a very long time. We definitely enjoyed ourselves.. of course lots and lots of great food, comedy, spurs vs mavericks playoff game, relaxing by the riverwalk, shopping and just time by ourselves.

Brazilian Steakhouse ~ 04/23/10


At the Spurs game!



And of course Laney had a ball while we were gone staying with Nanny and Papa.

Her first braid this weekend!


And of course fun in the hot tub in her yellow bikini her dad picked out :)

New Pics

After rescheduling several times because of the rainy weather, we finally had an afternoon yesterday where the sun was out so we took advantage and had our pictures taken by Cassandra. Cassandra took Laney's pictures when she turned "one" and they turned out so cute, so who better to take her "two" year pics than her. We went to Tech and roamed the campus and found several great locations. I must say it was a bit windy but you can only tell by my hair... it was all over the place :)













We are packing up and heading out for our 5 year anniversary trip tonight. I couldn't be more excited to spend quality time with the love of my life!! I LOVE time alone and we just don't get enough of it!! I have truly been blest with a BEST FRIEND! He is so loving, gracious and patient with me!!!

Moms Birthday

We decided to surprise Nanny for her Birthday this Monday! We met the family at Shoguns in Midland and then headed back home right after. Lots of driving but it was well worth it!

Happy Birthday Nanny! OR Hoppy Birf Day (if you ask Laney) :)





Laney was a little scared of the fire and the chef throwing around utensils. It was quite hilarious.. she was jumping out of my mom's lap almost! This was her fourth time at a Japanese Steak House so she should have been used to it.

Ups and Downs

We had alot of ups and downs today but at the end of the day nobody can make you smile like this little girl!!!
We love her more than she will ever know!
Thank you Laney Capri for putting smiles on our faces :)

Easter Festivities

We had a fun filled Easter weekend. We drove to Midland so that we could visit with our family. We started the festivities Thursday night with some turkey burgers and family time. Friday we had an Easter egg hunt and cookout at the park . Laney really enjoyed hunting Easter eggs this year. As a matter of fact we came home with four baskets full of goodies. Just what we need.. lots of candy! Saturday we over to Nana's and had another Easter egg hunt and cookout. We enjoy hanging out and visiting with our family. We are very blessed to have such a great family. Sunday we went to church and hung out just us three. We cooked a yummy lunch and spent time relaxing. All in all we had a great and busy Easter!!

Laney with her Elmo Easter basket


Laney and her cousin Aiden riding all by themselves. Laney loved it so much she even drove it all by herself.


Laney getting the hang of the Easter egg hunting thing :)


Hot tubbin fun!


Cousin Parker and Laney at Nana's house


Second Easter egg hunt


This was Laney Easter Sunday


We hope that everyone enjoyed their Easter like we did!

Last Easter!

I thought I would post a few pics from Laney's first Easter. Our little girl was 11 months old and I cannot believe how much she has changed.





Last year it was too cold to go Easter egg hunting but it didn't really matter since Laney couldn't really hunt them anyways. She had an Easter egg hunt at her daycare last year and all the kids just sat there looking at the eggs... pretty funny actually. We are so excited about this year! Laney is starting to understand alot more and we are really excited to tell her what Easter is all about. I know that she will have fun attending the Easter egg hunts we have planned to go to but we will not lose sight of what the holiday is all about.

Through his death, burial and resurrection, Jesus paid the penalty for sin, thus purchasing for all who believe in him, eternal life in Christ Jesus.

We hope everyone has a wonderful Easter celebration!