Surprise!

     Yesterday, my big hunk of a man turned THIRTY FIVE years old!  When I was a teenager, I thought that was an OLD age, but now, I think...yeah, it's still old, but not THAT old. ;)  And have you ever seen a better looking thirty five year old?  I haven't...  Anyhow, since it's somewhat of a monumental birthday, I planned a special trip for our family to take to celebrate his birthday. 
     On Tuesday morning, Mark, the boys, and I all loaded a plane and took off for Florida for a couple of Spring Training games.  We watched the Braves play the Tigers in Lakeland and then in Lake Buena Vista, the Braves played the Miami Marlins yesterday. 
     It was a whirl-wind trip and we are already back home, but we had a great time.  Mark's parents are now in town and we look forward to spending a few days with them.

Our seats were in the bleachers and were INCREDIBLY crowded (but fairly close).

Titus didn't seem to mind.  He poked and played with the girl in front of us anyhow.

After just a few innings, we moved to the berm (aka-grass hill) and it was MUCH better.

It was nice for us all to spread out a bit.

*Love*

Love that happy little face.

Napping beside Daddy.

Ready to catch Jason Heyward's home run (unfortunately it went to right, not left).

Family photo!

The berm

Our view from the berm.

The bleachers (below is a small field where bases were in the grass).

Braves win big!

Sweet Braves fans ready for another day of baseball.

He wanted to bring his old-school Braves jacket that his Grandma B gave him, but at the last minute, he changed his mind.

Isn't this the cutest jacket ever!?!?

Look how close our seats were!!!

Freddie Freeman 1B

Marcus' favorite player, Jason Heyward, signing autographs.

I put this picture on facebook and people thought the bald guy in the middle was Mark.  Haha!

Marcus took this picture.  How cute is it?

Big swing for J-Hey.

After the game, the kids ran the bases.  Since he would've had to do it alone, Marcus chose not to.  Bummer. :(

Sweet sleepy fella (he slept the last half of the game)

It's hard to be a baby...

Marcus and Mickey are BOTH Braves fans!

After the game, we walked around the property, which was HUGE, but beautiful.

Showing off his new cap.

Playing catch - they both loved it.

R is for Rainbow

     Last week we studied the letter r, the sound it makes, and "R" words.  We also were able to go visit my sister Olivia, her husband TJ, and those PRECIOUS baby boys, Tyson and Hunter!  The boys and I went and stayed with them so I could give blood in their honor on Saturday.  While away, Mark made good use of his, "free time," and work on some tree cutting that needed done in Charlotte.  It was a full but fun week here in Schuurmanville.

Mixing red and blue paint to see what rainbow color he got.

Although he only had one color, Titus liked playing with his bag of paint.

Clean rainbow painting!

Once the colors were mixed, we practiced writing the letter R.

R is for race and race cars!

On Tuesday, it was in the 70's and we took full advantage of the warmth and clear skies.

My BIG boys, sitting on the steps.

Titus LOVED the basketball and wanted his turn while Marcus & I tossed it back & forth.

It felt like SPRING! (for a day...)

This is his new favorite activity - playing with dinosaurs.

Silly smiles in the car.

Two days later (Thursday) it SNOWED!?!  Only in the South...

On the 13th, our sweet Titus turned 9 months old.

On our way to see family, we stopped in briefly to see a future Schuurman, Madison Hauser (I say future Schuurman because I don't know which boy she'll choose to be her husband one day) 

Madison and Marcus playing in her tent. 

Pilot Mountain - close to where TJ and Olivia live.

Sweet, smiley Hunter.

Many people say they look more alike the older they get.  They definitely smile alike and have the same sparkly eyes.

Aunt Liv took special time to play and read with Marcus.

Bright-eyed Tyson enjoying his exersaucer.

Tyson's new trick!  He looks so proud.

Hunter showing off his new cap.

Tyson has one, too, ya know.

Marcus holding Tyson.  He was making his laugh out loud!

Tyson on top, Hunter on the bottom, just getting up.

Tyson, smiling on Granny's lap.

This was my view as I gave blood.  My sister had Hunter and my mom was holding Tyson.

TJ and Olivia, giving blood in honor of their twin babies, who had so many blood transfusions when they were in the hospital.

Marcus said, "take my picture, Mom!"

Titus loved Marcus pushing him on the swings JUST a little.

While Titus was asleep in the car, Marcus threw all the Easter Eggs from Grandma B, onto his brother.

How he entertained himself (and me) on the ride home.

Marcus slept in his new pool shirt and swimming shorts from Granddad and Granny.

Kids eat free at Firehouse Subs on Sunday!!!

Titus liked his hat, but not on his head.

He enjoyed his first (and second) pickle as well as some meat balls.  This kid is eating everything nowadays!!!

One final note:
     Titus has his 9 month check-up today.  He is 22 pounds and 10 ounces which puts him in the 90th percentile for his weight, but when put with his height, he's in the 35th percentile.  In other words, he's just a big boy, but not considered overweight at all.  He is 31.5 inches tall which is off the charts for height.  He has a big ol' noggin (head) and is a very healthy little boy.  I asked Dr. Love about Titus' appetite and how much he eats, whether it is healthy or not.  He said, yes, and to let him eat as much as he wants.  If this is the case, we might have to buy another salon to fund his appetite!