Happy First Birthday Connor!

One year ago, Stan, Landon and I welcomed this precious baby boy into our family. Connor came into the world not knowing how much he would bless our lives. It has been an amazing year learning and growing together with this little bundle of joy. My cup runneth over with thanksgiving for the precious gift Connor is to me.

We started the day with some playtime and peek-a-boo with mommy in his room. Connor loves to crawl behind his rocking chair and peek at me around the other side as well as underneath. He thinks it is hilarious! I have to admit, I do to. I love grabbing him up really tight and tickling him as we play.

Connor had a lot of fun opening his first birthday gift from my parents. They couldn't be here the weekend of his birthday so they came the weekend before and gave him a new little rocking chair. I tell you, the tissue paper was the hit! He did love his little rocking chair as well and has been practicing climbing in it since!

We had a big birthday party for Connor and Landon must have thought the party was for him. I think 10 of his friends came, he got to put on tattoos and play in a bounce house. He was quickly asking me when his birthday was following this partay!

Connor got a new airplane from his Nanny. He has already figured out how to push the little button over and over and over again as he dances to the music the little plane plays. Nanny has a way of knowing just what to get these little fellas!

True to form, Connor was NOT into his cake. Anna made the cutest little puppy cake (his head featured here) and was so excited for Connor to just dig in. Connor is my neat child who I am not sure has a sweet tooth...so, we got him to play a little bit by giving him the fork to stab the cake with! So sorry for the anticlimactical cake experience Aunt moo!

It is always fun trying to get a family picture these days...

I think the highlight of Connor's day was opening a card from his friend Ryan. Ryan made this card which had lots of painted colors on the inside. Connor just grinned from ear to ear, kept looking at the card and even tried to taste it! It was so sweet to see him enjoy this homemade gift. It made my heart gush...as you can tell.

Thanks Aunt Moomoo for the delicious cake (that everyone else enjoyed!).

Uncle Marc had a moment at Connor's party. Connor has been a little shy around his uncle Marc. But...on his birthday, he went right up to Uncle Marc and sat on his lap. Marc was smiling so big and asked me to please take his picture- he was one proud uncle!

Connor got to jump in his first bounce house. My friend, Stacey, called just before the party would start and offered to bring her little girl, Baylie's, bounce house. I said, "SURE"! I looked outside as they were blowing it up...to see a huge princess castle! The things a mother of boys does not think about. :) I laughed so hard and welcomed the princess bounce house to my little boy's first birthday party!

As you can see, a fun time was had by all. Connor-bug, we love you. Happy 1st Birthday!

Pickin' Pumpkins...and a Little Cotton

This weekend we made memories. It was so surreal, sitting back, watching the memories being made and thinking...this is what life is all about. Thinking about Landon, Connor and Zaiya looking back at pictures, seeing the love that we all have for them in the time spent sharing life with them. Thinking about times yet to come sharing life with my boys and my little nephew. They are going to have such a wonderful time being so close, growing up together!

We went to a pumpkin patch up the road in Durham. It will be a family tradition from now on. The kids absolutely had a blast and so did we. The crisp fall air with the sun poking through warming our backs made for the perfect day to pick pumpkins, go on a hayride, play in corn, learn to milk cows, see little bunnies and chicks, see bees in a real bee hive, have a picnic lunch and pick a little cotton too! Thank you Ganyard Farm!

Landon posing near the corn and pumpkins are we prepared for our wonderful day! I love this smile!

Landon milking the cow. He was quite good at it! His farmer blood really came through...

But not as much as this guy's!!! Connor milked this cow like it was his job! A lady came up to me and said, "I can see he was not a bottle fed baby!" Heehee.

Look at these cousins. Trying to get these two for a picture was challenging to say the least!

Pop took Landon out to pick his pumpkin. See what I mean about memories? :)

Landon also got a chance to pick cotton. I found a whole wad of cotton stuffed in his pocket when I was doing laundry!

I also found a lot of corn! :)

Pop taking Connor out for a walk to find his own little pumpkin. Ahh...what a beautiful picture.

My little pumpkin.

Mom-mom, Pop and my little munchkins. Can you tell we all had a great day?

Starting to Fall

The weather is cooler, the leaves are changing color, my house is beginning to smell of gingerbread and pumpkin. Fall is here. We decorated the house today. We made a gingerbread Halloween House. Landon helped me put out all of my little fall decor. Fall is a wonderful time of year. I am excited to welcome it. It makes me think of all the things that are "falling" in my life as the chill of winter and dreams of warm hot chocolate, comfy slippers and warm pajamas by the fire begin.

• This holiday season will be different...but it doesn't have to be bad. My fears are falling.
• It's ok to feel sad sometimes, it's ok to want to be alone. Tears are falling.
• I've started listening to Christmas music already because it makes me happy. Meaningless traditions are falling.
• I've started Christmas shopping already. Dollars are falling. :) Stan loves this one!
• We had a family gathering over the weekend where I really missed LD, but we still had a great time and I felt very refreshed afterwards. Fears of not being able to have fun and laugh are falling.
• I have started to really believe my mom. "You can count your true friends on one hand". Superficial relationships are falling, for more meaningful ones.
• I am late everywhere I go. Perfectionism is falling away. YES!
• I am taking the time to watch my baby sleep in my arms. Peace is falling.
• I am having intentional play time with just Landon. Joy is falling.
• I am talking with Stan on a regular basis and we have had the opportunity to have several date nights!! Love is falling.

I am elated about fall, about the change it brings from this past summer. I hope you are all finding the change welcoming as well. Happy Fall!

Landon is quite proud of his Halloween House! He wants to eat it all, of course! What 3 year old wouldn't?

He was actually really concentrating! He loves a good project, esp. if he gets to lick his fingers!

We went to the pumpkin patch with Karen and Zaiya. Wow. Getting these boys to smile for a picture...well, even look for a picture was nearly impossible! But, we had fun!

I am jealous of this picture of Karen and Zaiya! How photogenic these two are!

Oh, my. It is only beginning the shenanigans all these boys will be getting into!

Landon was so proud of his pumpkin and he actually looked at me and smiled! AMAZING!

I am not sure how Connor felt about this photo. But, it was sweet, none the less. :)

Probably the cutest of all the pictures we tried to get of the three boys. Aren't they just adorable?

Hope you enjoyed the update!

Carolina Beach 2010

Hard to believe we have been back over a week since going to Carolina Beach with Mike, Allison and Caroline. Life sure does get moving these days.

We had a wonderful trip at the beach. It was very healing for me in many ways. As I mentioned in my previous post, the beach is very healing for me, a place where I can sense God's amazing presence much more readily than here in Durham. :)

One of my dear friends reminded me that the beach is not reality. How true! I have been thinking of how very much I long to be able to sit still like I do in front of the ocean and exist in God's presence...more on a daily basis. I think to myself, "It is kinda hard to do that with an almost 1 year old attached to my hip and a 3 year old who needs my constant direction in navigating this life." But...then I realize how very present God is in what I just wrote! My connection with God is so very real in the beautiful faces of my children. God is looking at me, present with me and in my every interaction with these precious gifts he has given to me! Though it is not the same kind of quiet time of reflection as sitting in front of the ocean is, being content and thankful in every moment is a very peaceful thing...especially when it concerns two very healthy, adorable, loving children. My kids need me to be present, peaceful and their "ocean" right now. My kids need to me live in this reality and teach them how to see God in our daily interactions. God- you are amazing, thank you for this insight!

Here Connor is celebrating his first trip to the NC Aquarium. They all had a blast. Caroline and Landon got to choose a souvenier each. Landon got a sea turtle he named "Crush" and Caroline got a Seahorse named, "Hannah Montana." How very boy and girl!!

Connor loved this crocodile! I thought this picture was just hilarious! Connor was a joy to watch as he explored sea creatures he had never seen before. Watching children discover is an absolute marvel. What a gift!

Stan was his usual silly self! The kids loved it of course.

Mike and Caroline stopped for a Daddy/Daughter picture. So sweet!

We had a great time on the beach. I can't believe we managed to get a picture of just Stan and I that is actually decent. We spent time together as a family, Stan went golfing with Mike and I went shopping with Allison. It's so nice being at the beach with friends and being able to get out a little bit and have playmates for the kids. Fun for everyone!

Here Allison and I are- enjoying the beautiful weather. I think it was in the high 80's the whole trip. We sat in chairs in front of the ocean, watched the kids play and were able to catch up. It was food for my soul. What a gift to be able to have four days in a row with my BFF from college!

Connor even got some naptime in...can't think of a better place!

Landon and I had a great time playing in the ocean, splashing and just being together. He is so funny! He has been telling me lately that he loves me all the time. It has been a nice change to screaming, "I don't like you!" :)

Connor had a blast walking around the sand and writing in it with his little fingers. He loved the water and had NO fear! He is saying, "Mamamama" , "dada", "bye-bye", "uh-oh" and I think "kitty". He is so funny too. He loves his mama and is never far away from my hip if I am home! He has recently started to cry when I leave. :(

The best of friends...wonder where they got that idea? :)

Basically, this picture says it all. We had a blast. We can't wait until next year and in the meantime, I hold this picture in my mind, thinking about the peace the ocean brings to me and the peace I can bring to my family through my example of living in contentment and thanksgiving to God.