Days of our Lives

I've never thought that I'm the kind of person who is affected by weather. Thinking back, I think that a big reason is because I grew up in Texas and I just don't remember having much of a winter or many rainy days (especially in Lubbock!) And not that Virginia and Georgia get slammed with cold weather, but these past few weeks have been beautiful, and it just feels so good to get outside!


Caroline has been struggling with ear infections ever since December; after having both ears infected twice in 2 weeks, the doctor decided on tubes. We still haven't finished paying for Aly's tubes, but I guess that's the way it goes! Our little baby will be getting those this coming Tuesday--"TUBESday" (ha, ha!) The upside is that flying to Texas in a couple weeks should be less painful for her without all that junk built up!



Our youth group at church held a 5K race to raise money for a mission trip to Argentina this summer; Chad, the girls and I ran together, which was really fun! Rome is a hilly place, and we had to run up a monster at the end of the race; as Chad was pushing 45 lbs. of little girl plus however much our Wal-Mart jog stroller weighs up a hill at the end of a 3 mile race, Aly yelled, "Run, Daddy, run!" Chad said, "I am!" Truth be told, it was me--with no stroller to push!--who was holding us back!

By the way...many of you have asked how our friend, Shana, is feeling (she was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma last month). She ran the 5K on Saturday and finished 2nd OVERALL woman! I had asked her a couple days before if she was going to do the run or the walk, and she said, "I think I'll do the run because I just really want to give Hodgkins the finger!" Well, mission accomplished, Shana!!

Sister Love

So, I know that things will completely change once they both get a little older. But for know, Caroline adores EVERYTHING that Aly does. And this is what I mean by e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g: I was shaking a basketball rattle in front of Caroline, and she was kind-of smiling. Aly took it and got Caroline to start cracking up, like a belly laugh! I took my camera out to video the laugh, and this is what I got:



I guess the things that would annoy a 30-year-old don't have the same effect on an 8-month-old.
This next video does not do justice to the way that Aly sings, but it's the best I can do--she doesn't so much get camera shy, but she gets too interested in seeing herself. This is her version of "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star". She usually starts out really slow and serious, then fast-forwards through the middle, to end on another slow, serious note.






Caroline has inherited Daddy's hat (along with his allergies--note the constant runny-nose!)

Aly wears this hat and pretends to be "Uncle Matt" (who is a fireman!)

Welcome, Ben!

Congratulations to my brother, Chris, and his wife, Cortney, who had their first baby yesterday! Benjamin Martin Bonner was born at 4:50 pm (Texas time!) and weighed 9lbs, 8ozs, and was 21 inches long. (and he came EARLY!!) He is just perfect, and I wish that I could be there to see him in all of his newborn-glory! We are so fortunate to be heading down to Dallas in a month to meet him, along with our sweet niece Ava (Matt's first baby who was born just a few days after Caroline!) What a blessing it is to have a healthy, growing family. We love y'all, and can't wait to meet you!

American Idol

Move over Kelly Clarkson, the new American Idol is in the house! One of the girls' favorite activities is playing the drums (Tupperware.) Actually, Aly plays and Caroline licks. Caroline watches her big sister as if she were a true rock star...someday she, too, will be able to wow a crowd with her incredible skills!




I've also included a few pictures of the girls at bath time. Caroline is now sitting up in the bath, much to both girls' utter delight!