BBQ

Grilling out on the weekends is one of our favorite things to do. This particular night was gorgeous so we decided to grill before Samuel went to bed. We pulled the high chair outside and he munched on goldfish while Thad grilled dinner. We had so much fun!!

New Toy

About a month ago, I went to a Consignment Sale in Dallas. It's one of the big sales that comes to town every year. Samuel LOADED up on toys and this is by far his favorite. This is the Radio Flyer Rocket and it retails for about $60. I paid $15 and it works just as well. These pictures are the morning after I got them. I went to the sale after he was in bed so the next morning was like Christmas morning for him!

Happy First Birthday, little one!

I can't believe my baby boy is 1!! This time last year I felt awful..but was so in love. I have a few pictures to post and all of Samuel's 12 month stats but as of tonight, Thad and I both have strep throat and feel pretty miserable. So I will leave you with a video from this morning. Please ignore the crazy woman singing in the background..

Happy Mother's Day

To all of the women who have shaped and molded Thad and I into who we are today..thank you! We hope to make all of you proud! To my sweet Samuel, thanks for giving me the title "mommy." I love you more than words!

Mother's Day 2009..I went in to labor that night!

Grandma Becky

Nana Karen



Mimi Dana

Samuel's First Birthday Party!

Samuel won't be 1 until May 12th, but we decided to have his party in Arkansas so we had it a little early. We had a Sock Monkey Extravaganza! It was so much fun and the birthday boy had a blast. The day was supposed to be rainy and yucky, but at 12:00 the clouds parted and sun was shining for the entire party. This is exactly how we wanted it to be. The party was at my mother's house and she has the perfect setting for outdoor fun..tree swing, big front porch and a large yard for wagon rides! Here are some of my favorite pictures from the wonderful day!

This is his birthday banner that I made. We have been taking his monthly pictures by a sock monkey since he was 1 month old ( minus the 5 and 7 month pic.) I bordered all of the pictures with sock monkey card stock and strung it with ribbon..it was adorable and now I can put it in a scrap book!

The table turned out so great and colorful!

Family picture to remember this special day

We have been working with Samuel on walking for a while now. He has decided that he wants crawling to be his mode of transportation for a little bit longer.

Samuel decided to wipe his face on Daddy's sweater...and daddy was ok with that! Anything for the birthday boy!

Loving all of the attention! He clapped his hands during "Happy Birthday."

Yes..it was nap time..poor kid!

Bath time quickly followed the smash cake!

Present time! Samuel received so many wonderful things and has really enjoyed playing with all of his new toys. Here he is looking at his new book "That's not my Monkey."

Trying to drink out of his new "Samuel" sippy cup even though it had nothing in it!

Here he is getting excited about all of the fishing he can do one day with his new fishing pole from Aunt Linda and Uncle Terry!

My dearest friend Holly drove up from Little Rock to help us celebrate! How I love her!!!

Happy Birthday to my sweet boy! We will celebrate more on the actual day but the party was everything we hoped it would be. Thanks to all of our family and friends who made it out! We love you!

11 months

Our little rug rat turned 11 months old on Monday! Time is flying by and he is becoming more and more independent as the days go on. He is in to EVERYTHING that isn't a toy..such as the outlets, lamp cords, magazines and dog food. He is busy, busy, busy...and I LOVE it!!
Posing with Mr. Monkey..this is the monthly pic!

Showin' off his huge teeth..

Can't decide what to chew on..his egg or Mr. Monkey's arm. I guess they both taste good!

Just being a Copy Cat!

Here are a few things I want to remember about our 11 month old :

• drinks 3 bottles per day and in no huge hurry to move to a sippy cup
• favorite foods are YoBaby, cereal bars, cheese, pasta, jelly sandwiches, carrots, green beans, and any fruit if it is pureed, goldfish, vanilla wafers and animal crackers
• dislikes: chicken nuggets any fruit that is not pureed
• we go to breakfast every Saturday and he eats "babycakes" or small pancakes and attacks them like he's never eaten before
• wears 12-18 month clothes and size 3 diapers
• has 7 teeth with more on the way
• crawls everywhere but prefers to cruise along anything that he can..including the wall, curtains or anything else that makes it easy for him to fall. Has stood up by himself one time and now thinks that I am always going to let go..so he sits down
• favorite toys are his shopping cart, the lion walker, any ball, and the dunk and cheer basketball goal. Other than that, he prefers anything that is not a toy
• very interested in the fireplace and the stairs. Awesome.
• smiles and blabs all day long. Favorite sounds are da-da-da and s-s-s. No ma-ma yet:(
• sleeps with 5-6 pacis in his crib, Pup Pup, another lovie at the foot of the crib, and a blanket that Thad used as a baby
• unfortunately, he is starting to drop a nap so the days are interesting ranging from zero naps to 2 short naps
• loves to be outside doing anything. We walk to the park often and swing or look at the leaves
• loves to ride his tricycle through the entire back yard..with assistance of course
• leans over while standing to pick up anything and is very good at adjusting his position so that he can reach whatever is on the floor
• waves by by and hello but it looks more like you are pointing to the person....or thing
• claps his hand all of the time now when someone says "yay" or if he's excited about what you have given him to eat
• has started crying at the gym when I leave him but settles down soon after
• still trying to bite but looks up and grins when he is told "no"
• likes to turn off the lights
• hates to have his teeth brushed

We love you Buster Brown..only 1 more month till the Big 1!!

Here comes Peter Cottontail..

We have had a wonderful Easter today! I do believe Samuel's first Easter was a huge success. We started off the morning bright and early at 5am. For some reason, Samuel was UP! We went downstairs to see what the Easter bunny brought. Samuel was a bit confused..but excited. He had the most fun with the fake green grass and the plastic eggs. The ball became a huge hit later in the day.

Holding the plastic egg and touching his new book! To be completely honest, I actually am not a fan of the fake grass and plastic eggs..but I thought, it's his first Easter! He's gotta have it!

Samuel and mommy ready for church

Samuel, daddy and mommy. Hand in the mouth..again..

Grandma Becky and Samuel. Doesn't she look beautiful?

Later on in the day we made Easter bunny cookies and let Samuel try one out. Crazy child..he spit it out! These are quite possibly the most delicious little things ever created..and he hated it!

Family Pic. This is right before we decided to dye some Easter eggs

Easter egg fun..and one confused baby!

Then we decided to get Samuel's new chair out of the box that was delivered on Friday. This is actually one of his birthday presents from us, but I don't think he cares that it's a little early!

Mimi giving Samuel his Easter bunny and card. My dad and Dana, aka Grandad and Mimi came over for an early dinner. We had Honey Baked Ham, mashed potatoes, roasted asparagus, Sister Schubert rolls, salad and a homemade Chocolate tart. We really enjoyed their visit!Mimi, Grandad and Samuel

I absolutely love Easter. It is such a meaningful holiday. It seems like we have a lot of holidays that are just made up..or just another reason to buy a gift. But Easter has such importance. I am so thankful that Jesus is alive and I'm thankful that he died for us so that we may live. I hope everyone had a wonderful day with family and remembering the true meaning of THIS day!