Phantom Post - Parnell's Invade Home Depot

Merritt is working today, so the remaining Parnells invaded Home Depot. For those of you who, like us, did not know that Home Depot is kid friendly, here is proof. A few weeks ago Griffin and I stumbled upon a kid's workshop they do from 9-12 on Saturdays. Griffin built a little Nascar display shelf and had a blast. Sissy needed an apron (or a Home Depot cape as she called it). Last week we got snowed out. So today, sissy got her apron and showed that all of her working with Daddy over the years has paid off.

Griffin had many near misses with the hammer; fingers, toes, faces beware when the Gman has a real hammer.
We were the first ones there and camped out under the heater.
Let me tell you, Avery was intense.
These guys were great, he had eyes like a hawk. Apparently, he used to eat tacks as a child so was wary of Griffin with nails. . . very smart man.

Overall, a successful trip to Home Depot. Avery is ready to go back and get a few more pins. Griffin has done this project twice, so hopefully a new project is in the works! Signing off, Daddy.

The "almost" final product

Here are a few pictures of the "almost final" product. I still need to relocate some of Griffin's toys and all of his clothes...and then we plan on moving him in the first of March. I'm also looking for a creative and cheap way to display some of their artwork on the walls - any ideas??

Avery and Griffin's Room

Brent has spent several hours over the last 2 weekends getting Avery's room ready to become Avery AND Griffin's room...the walls were a light cream color so they were already very marked up and dirty - so we decided to go ahead and paint. We painted it a khaki color, very neutral and good for resell!

Brent let the kids put on the first few strokes of paint....they thought it was ultra-cool to get to paint the walls! I just hope they don't try that without our supervision one day!

(note the tongue sticking out...someone else I know does that...)

Brent also changed out all of the electrical outlets and light switches and covers. (they were old-school beige and had been painted the old room color.) We took out the pink rug, pink lamp, and pink chair in hopes of making Griffin feel a little more welcome!!

Happy Valentines!

We've been celebrating Valentine's Day for several days now. We spent Wednesday afternoon making Valentine's cards for our cousins, grandparents, and great grandmothers. The kids painted pictures, got to use the glue themselves, and decorated with markers/crayons, and stickers. They (especially avery) really enjoy getting to do projects. I wish I was better at coming up with ideas for them!

Both kids celebrated Valentines at school on Thursday with parties and cards for everyone. They have been carrying around their bags of valentines for several days now - pulling them out one at a time and wanting me to read them! I've also had to ration out avery's chocolate!

Brent brought 2 dozen roses home - 1 for avery and 1 for mommy! They are beautiful and we are enjoying them!


I worked yesterday - and our babysitter Lauren (who is wonderful and much appreciated!) did some Valentine crafts with the kids. They were really excited when we got home from work to show off what they had made - Valentine's cards and flowers made out of tissue paper and pipe cleaner.

Belly Shots

Okay, so I have had several requests for some pictures of my growing belly...here are a few...please don't use them to blackmail me in the future! Its hard to believe that I am almost 29 weeks pregnant - Graham will be here before we know it! Which reminds me, will you start praying NOW that I can get an epidural this go around? I am so dreading this whole labor thing!

McBrayer Family Photo

Here is a picture of the entire McBrayer clan. It was taken during Christmas by our wonderful photographer sister-in-law. Its hard to imagine that come April there will be 2 more babies thrown in the mix!

Our Snowman

Well, by the time kids woke up from naps yesterday afternoon, the sun has softened the snow and made it "sticky." So Brent and Avery went to town to build their snowman. Avery really got into patting the snow. He's shaped a little like Jabba the Hut but it got the job done!

Griffin helped a little with the snowman but preferred to do his usual - play with sticks!

Avery decided to name the snowman "Frost" - maybe he's kin to Frosty...She was very proud of the final product.

Griffin, Frost, and Avery