3rd CHRISTMAS, ROUND 3...
It was a busy day, but filled with lots of good times and lots of love. Wesley and I are finally at an age that we can play or at least attempt to share. I shared my tools with him just long enough for him to tuck them into his pockets...then I wanted them back. I about pulled him over to retreive my hammer. We did better with vechicals. I shared my new race car with him and he shared his new firetruck with me. We have something in common already; we both love to drive.
Papalo had just returned from Africa and he made sure that my ride was in tip top shape for me.
Thanks Papalo, Merry Christmas!

VROOOOOOOM!

3rd CHRISTMAS, ROUND 2...
I kept Uncle Dusty on his toes. From reading books to belly laughing at our images in the hallway mirror, we had a jolly 'ol time. I made sure that everyone got a new picture of me. I has happy to play Santa and pass out the gifts and even happier to play peek-a-boo behind the hallway door. I wanted to give everyone a little taste of my silly side. He-He.

We look silly like this!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!...
It's my third Christmas Day. Mom can't believe how fast time ticks by. We are so thankful for all the blessings we have. We are all healthy this year!
Christmas morning started off at 7:30 am. I slept in just a bit, but I was ready to hit the floor as soon as my eyes were open. This is not typical behavior for me. I usually call for mom, snuggle in and play with her hair for a few minutes before being carried off to breakfast. Not this morning. I remembered that today was Christmas and I was looking forward to opening my presents. Uncle Jeff, Dot and Maw Maws were coming to the door. Of course they were carrying more gifts and I was helping to receive them. I had so much fun tearing into the paper and pulling each thing out. Mom complained that I did not stop to smile for my pictures. She wanted my big cheese smile, but I was a busy boy. I had lots of gifts to open and lots of toys to play with. Yes grandparents, it is contageous. Mom has the genes that her parents apparently passed on. Mom and dad bought WAY TOO MANY PRESENTS! Dad blames mom, mom blames dad, but I'm not worried. I now have gifts to grow into.
After a morning of unwrapping we headed to the kitchen to make a big breakfast. I of course was a huge help. I cracked eggs, stirred and poured and warned everyone that the oven and stove were "hot, hot, hot." When it was time, I was the man with the hot pads. I made sure that mom and grandma had one too. Afterward, I helped keep Uncle Jeff in shape. He taught me how to get a qucik thrill ride out of my new trike. Up and down the driveway I went then down the sidewalk too.
It was a great morning and a great time with the fam.

WHEEEE! Uncle Jeff taught me how to "roll out" all the way down a drive way. Where's my helmet?

CHRISTMAS EVE GIFT!...
For all those who don't know the tradition...the first one to say "Christmas Eve Gift" is entitled to an extra present from each person they beat to the phrase. Only, we overdue the gift buying anyway so winning the 1st words is enough for us. Check your caller ID people. If you see our number...our words are ready and...WE LIKE TO WIN!




















It's just what I wanted. I love to clean. I love to follow mom from room to room and vacuum alongside her. I do it all, rugs, pillows, carpets and more.

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA...

Breakfast with the family at the Aquarium got us into mood of the holiday season. I received my first gift from the big guy; a fish. We nibbled and munched as we watched for Santa and his elf to appear in scuba gear. I've heard of santa and his sleigh, but this was a treat. I did not know what to make of it...to be honest I was a bit worried. I prefer the fish and sharks over the rossy cheeked chubby guy.

The gift giving did not stop there. I made sure I hit up the gift shop. Maw Maws found me a bright green lizzard that I carried around all day and La La got me a box of grow your own sea monkeys. (Side note-after 2 months...we have 2 sea monkeys still swimming.)

When we headed outside the weather was muggy and the ground was wet. Mom and dad wanted to take my picture infront of the GIANT Christmas tree and an even bigger Santa. They lifted me over the safety fence so I could stand on a bench beside him. I was doing my best to smile pretty when SPLAT! I fell off of the bench and hung like an ornament on the tree. Dad laughed as mom ran paranoid to peel me off the boughs of the tree. OUCH! Pine trees are not a soft bedding for a fall. That was it! No more pictures. Mom needed to make it up to me. We headed to the train to check out the sharks.

See ya next year Santa!

Look closely...I am hanging on the tree...the cutest ornament ever made!

YA, YA, YA, YA ELMO...
Mom and dad hear this song quite a bit these days. Too bad for them though...they have no idea where it is from. I did not know who Elmo was until I started school at LMS. They assume the song came then too.

I can spot Elmo faster than mom and dad. On balloons, clothes, on the toy aisle and more; Elmo is my friend.

SNOW DAY!...
This is great! Sunny with temps in the high 70's and snow. My favorite place, JV Park, was turned into a winter wonderland. We got to skate around on the ice and throw snowballs at eachother. It was great as long as mom or dad were there to help me dig up the icy stuff and stay standing. Mom and I built our first snowman together with dad's help. It was a real nature man with mud balls for the eyes and leaves for his nose and arms. We were stretching our resources a bit, but had fun all the while. Next time we will bring mittens. Our fingers were frozen! Mom hopes that someday we can get away for a real winter. I guess she likes to freeze!

We want frozen noses for Christmas!

POTTY TIME...
I am really getting the hang of this. I can tell mom when I need to use the "bobby." I know if I need to pee-pees or poo-poos. I get the toilet paper ready or ask for a wipe if I need one. I even know when I am finished. So long diapers...I think I am ready for some under-roos. Mom thought she would give me until summer to start, but a few more weeks like this and I might potty train myself. I stip off all wet diapers and say "ut oh-pee-pees" if it is wet. I think I can do this!




















I may have gotten a bit too much paper...recycling anyone?

PIANO MAN...
Mom says I am a music man. I have the beat! I can clap it, stomp it...I can even do the pony. I love all kinds of music, but my favorite these days is good 'ol Rock and Roll. I request it by name (basically music that has a beat that you can feel.) I am great at playing guitar hero too. I have memorized which songs go with each CD. I love to play "A MOON" (Bark at the Moon.)
I have also memorized Alicia Keys--No One. I sing this one more like Stevie Wonder though; eyes shut tight and head moving all around. Mom and dad think I am hystarical, but I am just enjoying the music. Who knows where it will lead me.

Playing the songs of my heart :)

SO HANDSOME, NERDY COWBOYS...
Julia and Landon had cowpoke hats as party favors. I decided that dad and I needed to be cowboys. We went to Starbucks and Kroger dressed just like this. We got lots of looks. I think there are a lot of people out there that would love to be a cowboy too. Bring on the hats and let your nerdy side be seen. It's fun to be me! (My chin is busted in this picture. I'm still healing from a Turkey day fall in Bellville. I slipped on a rug and met my match--the window sill. OUCH! Mom was terrified. She thought I was going to need another set of stitches. Thank goodness that was not the case. She said Bellville docs were not stitching my chin on a holiday weekend. NO WAY!)
















YEE-HAW...can someone order dad a bigger hat please?

YIKES...MY 1st CAR WRECK...

Thank GOD I was safe in my Britax and was doing just fine after the accident. I was crying from the stress that mom and dad displayed and Mom was worried of course and kept a close eye on me. Mom, Dot and Dad were feeling a bit soar, bruised up and stiff, but they walked away too. This is no way to spend the day before Thanksgiving, but we were all very thankful. Side note--6 weeks later we still do not have our car back from the repair shop. We are hoping to see the Baby Honda soon.

YIKES--it wasn't our fault!

WE MADE IT!...

From the Houston Zoo to the Oil Ranch...it was a busy day, but we couldn't miss Julia's 2nd birthday party. 3 parties in one day...I think all the mom's will plan better next year :) We were tired doggies by the end of the night.

We didn't let that spoil the fun though. I fed the cows (reluctantly) and enjoyed every minute of the hay ride. I pointed out all the babies. Those are the ones I wanted to feed...no big cows please. I climbed a fence, played basketball and ran all over the green grass wearing my hat all the while. A few rain sprinkles wouldn't slow me down. I enjoyed my second piece of cake for the day and hoped that I could eat a third when we got to Landon's petting zoo party. Mom made sure that didn't happen though. The sugar had to stop...at least for the day.

Where is my cowgirl? JULIA where are you?

SWING ON OVER TO THE HOUSTON ZOO...
Our little monkey Reagan is turning 2! We had a wonderfully busy day at the zoo. The weather cooperated and family and friends gathered to celebrate Reagan's big boy birthday! The animals in the children's zoo celebrated right along with us. It was a day our family will never forget. Great grandparents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, family friends and school friends together for Reagan's birthday. Here are a few of the pictures from the day. I will post more when I find the cd that JJ so kindly made for us of the moments he captured.

I pushed my truck all the way from the Children's zoo to the front gate when it was time to go. I did not need any help. I was loving my new toy. Thanks Aunt Pat and Uncle Dean. Great gift!