The Polar Express 2011

 Such a Lady's Man

 Clayton with the Polar Express Kids

 Me and my lovebug

 Waiting for the "surprise guest"

 Gi Gi and Hollis

 My other little lady's man ;)

 Santa at the North Pole

 Admiring the lights with Uncle B

 Smiling at Uncle B

 Yum!

 Hot chocolate dancers

 Clayton getting his ticket punched

 Hollis getting his ticket punched

 Two of my favorite people

 Daddy and his boys getting ready for the ride!

 My other lovebug...getting so big!

We took our first trip on the Polar Express this year and it was awesome!!!  We had to get tickets a year in advance and it was worth it.  We went with the Stucki's, Gi Gi, and Uncle B, Amy, Landon, and Hannah.  When we first got there Clayton was excited about the trains, but I don't think he really understood we were actually going to ride on one!  We boarded the train and the conductor and elves were there to greet us.  The conductor even came around and punched our tickets, Clayton loved that.  He loves the movie and he is always pretending to have a "ticket".  The real disbelief came when the train took off.  He just sat there, mouth open, waving, eyes big, not saying a word.  It was priceless!  I had more fun watching his reactions than anything else.  After the train took off, the dancers came out and did the hot chocolate dance while handing out hot chocolate and cookies.  Then we sang, danced, and watching out the window.  I swear the child didn't say a word for the longest time, he was just soaking it all in...he was in heaven!  Hollis loved watching the dancers, and the dancers were pretty smitten with him as well.  He enjoyed all of the decorations too.  Pretty soon we arrived at the North Pole and Santa came out of his house to wave at us, but the real surprise was when he came aboard the train!!!!  Clayton LOVED it.  He was again in awe of everything, he gave Santa hug and took a picture with him.  Hollis on the other hand is NOT a fan of Santa!  Maybe next year.  Santa handed them each a bell to keep.  The kids from Polar Express also came aboard and took pictures with them.  It was a wonderful experience that I know I will never forget...because of the joy in my boys' eyes.  I am so very thankful and blessed that we are able to provide these opportunities for our boys.  It was a wonderful night!

Sweet Kisses!

Hollis has officially learned to give kisses, you know...the big, open mouthed, slobbery kind!?  It is so unbelievably cute, you don't mind the wet slobber left behind :)  His absolute favorite person to kiss is Clayton.  He will follow him around, mouth open and ready, trying to kiss him.  It is beyond adorable.  Everyone else pretty much has to ask for one to get it, but he adores his big brother Clayton, so he gives him unlimited kisses, whether he wants them or not! ;)

Thanksgiving, So Much To Be Thankful For!!!

 Getting ready for a ride with Gavin and Tyler

 Counting while the others hide

 Ready or not here we come!

Tanner coaching Hollis on walking :)

We had a great Thanksgiving with our family.  Clayton really enjoyed it this year because it is the first year he was really able to play with his older cousins.  They kept him highly entertained!!!  They took him for rides in an empty box, played hide and seek with him for hours, and they ran and ran outside.  Needless to say he was exhausted, he went to bed at 6:45 and didn't wake up until 7 this morning!!!  Hollis had a big time as well and got lots of kisses and loving from everyone.  He was passed around and kissed on all day.  Tanner, his oldest cousin, was determined to get him to learn to walk, so they walked lap after lap around the house, Tanner coaching him all the way.  He did manage to take a few steps on his own, I believe it will happen any day now.  It was a wonderful day and we couldn't be more thankful for our many, many blessings...most of all our two precious boys!

Family Pictures!!! 2011

What a Year...Sweet Hollis is 1!

Wow, this year has literally flown by!!!  Here is a look at what Hollis has benn up to the last month!

*Can take a few steps on his own, but not quite brave enough yet!

*Can stand completely on his own

*Can climb the stairs, this one I was not looking forward to ;)

*Says all kinds of words...mama, dada, nana, ba (ball), no no, and lots of other syllables

*Can walk very well just holding your fingers, he barely holds on, but he thinks he needs you so as soon as you let go he goes down!

*Working on his 6th tooth!

*Loves to wonder off and explore all the rooms of the house

*Loves any toy that makes music or noise, he especially loves to stick his hand in the box of legos and make all kinds of noise

*Still loves that thumb and is still a big time Mommy's boy

*Loves to eat and has tried all kinds of big boy food...peanut butter crackers, goldfish, peaches, mandarin oranges, chicken nuggets, green beans, corn, and the list goes on.  He is not fond of peaches and grapes!

*Can give kisses now, yes the open mouth slobbery, juicy kisses and I LOVE it!!!  His favorite person to give kisses to is Clayton!

*Can wave Bye Bye

*Loves to play hide and seek with Claytont

*Even more attached to his "lovey" which is a blue elephant blanky

*Can identify people by name, if you say where is Dada, he will find and look at that person

*Still somewhat shy and reserved...it takes him a minute to warm up.  He has to check everything and everyone out first

*Does not like grass, it is too funny.  If you sit him down in the grass he makes this horrible face and starts crying!

*If you are eating or drinking something he will get after you for a bite or a drink.  It is hilarious...he almost shrieks, letting you know he wants some too!!!

*He is drinking whole milk from a sippy with a straw, but is still nursing as well.  We are working on weaning to the sippy cup full time.

He did great at his 1 year check up.  He checked out perfect and healthy.  He weighed 19 lbs 3.5 ounces and his height was 29 inches.  Dr. C was very happy with his development and said he was right on target!