Clayton's 2 Year Check Up...

Today we went for Clayton's 2 year check up. He greeted Dr. Cochran with a big Hello when he walked into the room, and quickly showed him his new dinosaurs. Dr. Cochran even sang Happy Birthday to him!!! He was pleased with all the words and phrases Clayton could say. Clayton wasn't a big fan of all the poking and prodding, but he got through it. He even made it through shots without his pacifier!!! Dr. Cochran is happy with Clayton's progress, but wants to check his weight at one of Hollis' appointments because he is only in the 10th percentile. He weighed in at 24 lbs and is now 34 1/4 inches tall! Tall and skinny boy just like his Pops (my dad). So thankful for a happy, healthy 2 year old!

Clayton's Big Party!

Clayton in his new leather recliner Mommy and Daddy got him for his Birthday

To Infinity and Beyond!

Great Granny and Hollis

The Spread

Clayton and one of his many new dinosaurs...notice the cute birthday outfit :)

The Loot

Cousin Luke holding Hollis...look at Hollis smiling :)

And...more dinosaurs

Mommy helping Clayton blow out the candle

Everyone singing and celebrating with Clayton

Everyone playing with the new and old toys in Clayton and Hollis' toy room

The happy birthday boy!

Eating some chips at his new table and chairs with his dinosaur friends

Mommy and Daddy with the birthday boy

Uncle B and Hollis

January 15th we had Clayton's 2nd birthday party. The theme was of course Toy Story. We had family and a few close friends over to help us celebrate! We had snacks and Buzz and Woody cupcakes. Clayton was thrilled when he woke up from his nap and heard voices downstairs. I told him we had to get dressed because there was a party downstairs all for him. He giggled and smiled from ear to ear. I was probably just as excited as he was! He greeted everyone with a big "Hi!" when he came down the stairs. He went straight for the table with gifts on it. He had opened up his Toy Story table and chairs earlier in the day, so we used it to put the gifts on. He quickly opened his gifts and was thrilled with all of them, especially the dinosaurs. He is obsessed with dinosaurs right now and carries one or two with him at all times. He told everyone thank you as he opened his gifts and was so good. He was a little overwhelmed at Christmas, so I wasn't sure how this would go, but he was in the best mood and sooooo sweet! It warmed my heart to see him so excited and having all of our family and friends there to share our joy. I know I've said it time and time again, but he is just the light of our lives...along with our sweet little Hollis. When it was time to sing Happy Birthday to him he just looked at each person with a grin on his face and looked at them like..."yeah it's my birthday." It was a wonderful celebration, and he was of course spoiled (but not rotten). Thanks to all of our friends and family for a wonderful day and to Clayton for bringing us so much love and joy each and every day. We love you to the moon and back!

Clayton is 2!!!!!!!!!!

Today is Clayton's 2nd birthday, my how time flies. He has gone from baby to this adorable little person over night it seems. Since the day he was born, he has brought nothing but joy and love to our lives. He brightens our mornings with hugs, kisses, and a big "Hello Mama" or "Hello Dada" said with a giant grin that will melt your heart. He tells us stories about dinosaurs, cars, and Buzz and Woody. He sings the most beautiful songs, and dances the cutest dances I have ever seen. Needless to say we are head over heels for this little boy, and look forward to each and every day and all of the new experiences and milestones that they bring.

We began this day by going up to Clayton's room together this morning to sing Happy Birthday to him. We then set off for an early morning haircut. Our past haircuts have not been so pleasant, but there must be something magical about the number 2. He climbed right up into the chair all by himself, and sat still and did not shed a tear the entire haircut! Now our previous haircuts consisted of my holding his arms and legs and him screaming and crying in fear of the scissors. A little cup of M and M's goes a long way for a big boy haircut! After our haircut we headed to meet our friends at the Children's Museum. He played in the rice table and played and played with the dinosaur figurines as you will see from all the pictures. Every one of them include dinosaur figurines! We then spent the rest of the afternoon playing at home. It was a wonderful day of celebrating my sweet boy!

Playtime With Cousin Macie

Hollis had a Dr. appointment and I knew that it would probably take forever, and Clayton would be miserable so I decided to call my cousin Abbie (who happened to be out for a snow day thank goodness) to see if Clayton could play with her cutie pie Macie! Luckily she was more than happy to watch him for me, and Macie and Clayton had a great time playing and getting into mischief! I know I so enjoyed playing with my cousins when I was little, so I want Clayton to have that as well. The icing on the cake...Clayton got a Thomas The Train toy from Macie and Gavin for his birthday. Let's just say he hasn't put it down since we left their house! Thanks for the great gift :)

If You Can't Go Out in the Snow, Bring the Snow Inside!

Last year Clayton was too little to go out into the snow, so I brought a bowl of snow inside for him to explore. Well, this year Clayton didn't have the appropriate clothes with it being so cold, and Hollis is too little to go out...so I brought the snow inside again. Clayton was more interested in it this year. He of course had to taste it and dump it on the floor. He played with it for a long time, and after it had melted and I sopped up the water with a towel...he cried, "Snow!" Needless to say it was a hit!

Snow Days...

This is what Hollis has been doing during these lovely snow days that we have had...

And this is what Clayton has been up to...

OOPS!

I realized after looking at old blogs that I forgot to blog about the boys ornaments for this Christmas. I decided after Clayton was born that I wanted to by them an ornament each Christmas that had something to do with what they were interested in or symbolized that year. This Christmas I had two ornaments to by with our precious Hollis coming before Thanksgiving. Hollis of course received a baby's first Christmas ornament for this year. Clayton got a Cars ornament with Lightning McQueen and Mater on it. He is in LOVE with Mater. It was a hard decision to make because he is also very in love with all things Choo Choo and Dinosaurs as well. I just decided to go with Cars. My plan is to write the year on the bottom of each and give my children their box of ornaments on their wedding day! Looking forward to admiring the collection over the years...

Brothers in Conversation

The other day Clayton went and sat right next to his brother as they watched Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. Clayton loves to hold his brother's hand and tickle him. In one of the pictures it even looks as though they are having a conversation with one another. Hopefully they aren't already planning any shenanigans together! Such sweet brothers, looking forward to watching their relationship over the years.

In deep conversation :)

Ringing in the New Year with Friends

Aunt Heil holding Hollis (and talking on the phone as usual)
Clayton taking inventory of his toys

Clayton and Owen love Toy Story, and I found these Buzz and Woody shirts for them...they are buds just like Buzz and Woody, too cute!

Just seconds before this they were playing on the laptop together, but of course by the time I grabbed the camera one was on the move :)

Everyone playing Family Fued DVD in our living room

The kids made a mess with popcorn, so Heil got out the vacuum and did a little dance while vacuuming...what a nut :)

The toy room spilling out into our entry way as the night went on

Can you tell they had fun in here!?

This year we decided to stay home with our boys and invite some friends and their little ones over to ring in the New Year! We had such a great time visiting, playing games, and wrangling the little ones. The kids had such a great time chasing each other in circles, eating popcorn, and playing in the toy room. The adults were probably louder than the kiddos playing games. Clayton stayed up until 10:00 and did so great. Hollis got passed around and slept most of the night. I so enjoyed watching Clayton have so much fun. There is absolutely no place else I would have rather been than ringing in the New Year with my husband and my babies with wonderful friends. 2010 was a blessed year with the arrival of Hollis, watching Clayton grow and learn, me getting to stay at home with my babies (thanks to my wonderful hubby), and being blessed with health. I thank God for all my blessings in 2010 and look forward to all the blessings 2011 will bring. Happy New Year!!!

Beautiful Baby Boys

One of my dearest friends has recently gotten into photography. I have been telling her for years she should do this for a living, and she has finally decided to try. She is super talented and I know that her talent will take her far. She came over to visit the other day and brought her camera with her. I am so glad she did because she got some beautiful pictures of my boys!!! I ended up using them for Hollis' birth announcements and Christmas presents. Thank you Julie Bray for capturing these beautiful moments for me, I will cherish them always!

Brothers!

What an amazing Christmas present we got this year!!!

Beautiful Baby Hollis

Wow...look at those amazing eyes!!!