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!

The Big First Birthday Bash!!!!

On Sunday the 20th, we had everyone over for Hollis' first birthday party!!!  We had a house full of family and friends here to celebrate with us.  Mom and I made 4 different soups, and we had PBandJ for the kiddos.  The theme for the cake was pumpkin, and Hollis had a smash cake in the shape of a number one with pumpkins on it.  We ate first and then opened presents.  We gave our gift to Hollis earlier that morning, we had to put it together.  We got him a house for the playroom!  He got lots and lots of gifts...everything from Thomas the Train, movies, and trucks.  He was spoiled rotten of course :)  After gifts I stripped him down for the big event...CAKE!  So far he has been my eater, so I knew he would have absolutely NO problem digging into that cake, and he didn't.  He was too cute, he used his hands at first, but then he said to heck with that and just went for it with his face.  It was a wonderful celebration for a very sweet and special little boy.  He couldn't be more loved.  I have to say I was so very proud of his big brother too, he sat back on Pop Pop's lap and let his brother have all the glory and gifts and never made a peep, and didn't complain about Hollis getting all the gifts.  For being 2 I think that is pretty great!  He is such a good big brother.  Hollis had a wonderful day, a little overwhelming I think, but wonderful all the same.  He is one loved little boy...by MANY :)