Pumpkin pick'n and carv'n fun!!!

There's nothing like picking your pumpkin on a super fall day... then getting to carve it the next morning in your PJs!!! Hayden thought it was super cool to walk around in the pine straw (which he is quite used to here in GA in our backyard)... but to look at and touch all of the pretty pumkins was over the top!
We carved them the next morning in our PJS... too fun. Then, put them on the front porch, which we had to go inspect later in the day. Fun!!!

What a Weekend!

SuSu comes to visit and Hayden goes to his first Football game of the season and we WIN... what a weekend!!! Our great friends Kris and Celeste were able to join us for the game on Sunday, but not before we could grab our "boys" for a picture moment... we joke that they better get to liking each other, but my how cute they are!!! I am LOVING our Red and Black!!!
And Zoom Zoom... we had Family Friends in from Jacksonville as well and H LOVED having Bob around to push him on Tow Mater... and H can always explore Auntie Julie's backyard!

My Little Explorer...

I know many authors (bc yes I read way too many parenting books) say that the "Explorer" stage of development doesn't start until age 2... tell that to my little dude, who can hear the back door open from any room in the house! I'm not kidding, Hayden knows that sound (as does Milby) and knows that means we get to go outside! From "walking" to bear crawling (so our knees are spared) mode of transportation doesn't matter for us, because getting to go outside and explore is when Hayden lights up!!! And he of course has to "show" you everything he finds! He still loves our morning runs, our afternoon hikes in the backpack and our occasional ride in the wagon, but nothing beats getting down and dirty and trying to catch Milby! But, when we are inside, these days it's all about dumping things out yes... but actually putting them in is much fun too! Whether it's his whole body in the basket of scarves and beanies, picking up items and putting them in Tomater as we cruise the house, or even when we push our MegaBloks cart around, we are on the go, "cleaning" along the way! We are also quite mesmerized by the lights on our tree, I'm just really beginning to wonder if our Christmas tree will make it this year!
And we LLLOOOOOOOVE our Bananas!!!!

Logan Stays the Weekend!!!

With Boo's Birthday extended celebration the "big girls" (I say that because the daughters had to stay home for this one)... Boo, my mom, Kim and Julie headed for South Carolina for a girls trip! And Logan came to stay for the weekend, Hayden LOVED having someone else around, he especially enjoyed knocking over all of her beautiful creations. Although we didn't get to everything I had planned (the teacher/entertainer coming out in me) we managed to make it downtown to cheer on the Breast Cancer Walkers with the Falcons Wives Association, make a "leaf man" and decorate the front yard and play just a little! Even the neighborhood kids wanted in on the fun, posing for pictures out front!

My Super Trooper Again...

Hayden started a little PreSchool/Mommy's Day Out at our church today and he was my Super Trooper once again! He teared up only a few times while I was there (we were allowed to stay the first hour to watch/observe/help out and I only stayed about 45 minutes-proud of myself too). And, as I left although he was preceding to eat a crayon (yes he was being redirected) we waved at each other, blew kisses and smiled big- NO tears!!! I was so proud of him and myself too- it did make me feel a little better to know I was just heading upstairs to Bible Study for the next two hours, so I was close by if needed, but he did FANTASTIC. He only cried a little right before I picked him up, but bless his heart he was pooped... and was asleep in the car before we even arrived home!
P.S. Notice his TOO COOL sweatshirt! I have literally waited 12 months to put it on him!

What a difference a YEAR can make!!!

A few of our FAVORITE things....

These days it's all about ROAMING anywhere and everywhere... if it slides or has wheels, it gets pushed- ALL over the house! If it is snacks, it gets SHOVED in the mouth- not one at a time, but hand-fulls all ago! If it's a door (or screen) it gets opened and shut, opened and shut, open and shut! and if something can go in it, then anything is fair game (even the washer and dryer). You want to talk about on the move... we are there and were not even walking alone yet! Look out world, here we come!
H loves to be outside, so now that he has figured out the back door screen (which took two mornings) we LOVE to see if mommy is watching and if he can sneak out with Milby, and if the door is closed you can see him standing at the door enticing Milby all the while!
What a year! And what a little Boy, hard to say, but he is truly becoming my little Man and I LOVE everyday with him!

Eat CAKE First!!!

All I can say is THANK YOU!!! This year has been the most amazing experience and we have all of you to thank for being there by our side...

Although we had Hayden's First Birthday Party a few weeks early (Daddy's got to go to work) our afternoon was FANTASTIC!!! It was spent with family and friends who have watched our little guy grow into a handsome Little Lad! And there are so many more of you who have been there by our side through this AMAZING year and when I thank you I feel the words alone cannot come close to being enough! From Colic to Funny Faces and Laugh out Loud moments, from sleepless nights (and days) to "falling in your dinner" tiring good days, from "is this guy going to crawl or roll forever" to "Oh my gosh Glenn, he's running through the house behind Tow Mater", and now from only eating blueberries, ground turkey, and PEAS to EATING CAKE FIRST (his daddy is so happy)... I can honestly say that this little bundle of joy has blessed our lives in ways I never thought were imaginable. From right here in Georgia to Texas, Oklahoma, Florida and even Baltimore and Ohio I send my deepest gratitude for the love and support you have shown and continue to show and send our way... may the coming years be even more spectacular!!! WE LOVE YOU ALL!