True Friendship!

We went on a playdate with one of Clayton's favorite friends...Brendon!  We were at the movies, and afterwards Brendon had brought quarters from his own piggy bank to play the games.  He made sure to bring enough for Clayton too, so sweet.  Clayton wanted to play the car game, but his little legs weren't quite long enough to reach the pedals, so Brendon got down underneath and held the pedal down the entire game so that Clayton could play.  Now that is a true friend!

Hollis...19 months old...Already!!!!

Hollis is developing quite the personality!  He is shy, but mischevious...once he warms up, he is quite the ham!  He is such a loving cuddly baby, but is stubborn and strong willed at the same time.  He is all around perfect and I love every inch of him and his personality!!!

*He has a mouth full of teeth now, unbelievable.  The poor baby gets them 4 at a time!!!  Even Dr. Cochran commented on it!

*Still quite the climber...he makes me a nervous wreck.  He has no fear in that category!!!

*He is talking up a storm and says new words all the time.  Funny his favorite is Dora...that boy loves him some Dora!

*He knows what he wants and he is not afraid to tell you.  He will stand at the fridge or the pantry and let you know all about it until you open them up and get what he wants.

*He is so smart.  The other day, I said let's go swimming and he went and grabbed a swim diaper and brought it to me.  If the show he likes isn't on TV he will bring the remote and let you know he wants it changed.

*Wants everything the same as his big brother, and wants to do everything his big brother does.

*The child is a wiz at the Iphone.  It is unbelievalbe!!!  He can unlock it and work the games and videos.  This is definitely the age of technology!

*Can feed himself with a spoon, and is quite good at it!

*Loves, loves, loves Dora yogurt and peanut butter.  His two favorite things along with a love for junk like every other child!  ;)

*He is no longer afraid of dogs and actually loves Gi Gi's dog Lily.  The other day Lily was gone to the groomers and he was looking everywhere for her with his hands turned up like "where is she?!"

*If he isn't ready to go to bed, he will throw his lovey out over and over and over again...little turkey!

 My baby is getting so big!

 I know this is blurry, but proof of the climber that he is.  He had just been standing on the table beside the couch!  :/

 My sweet little monkey

 Yummy Doughnut!

 Self portrait...found this on my phone :)

 My little snuggle bunny

Does it get any cuter?!

Holiday World Fun!!!!

Scott took the day off and we headed to Holiday World on a Wednesday so it wouldn't be as crowded.  It was perfect!!!!  We headed to the water park first and then to the rides after lunch and we didn't wait in a single line, in fact we could literally ride over and over without even getting off of the rides.  The water park was first up.  So much fun, because both of my boys love the water and aren't afraid of going under or getting water in their faces!  Both of them went on the water slides over and over and over again!!!!  After lunch we headed to the park.  Clayton was tall enough this year to ride the big rides!!!!  He is fearless, so again so much fun.  He rode the scrambler and the raging rapids with me over and over!  I didn't think about it, but he would have loved the big water slides...definitely going on those next time :)  Both boys loved every minute and both lasted from 9-4 with no nap!!!!  They did so great.  Hollis went to bed about 4:30 and slept through to the next morning!!!  We wore the poor little guy out!  Can't wait to go again, love making all these great memories with my family!

Happy Father's Day Daddy!!!

My boys and I are incredibly blessed to have Scott as a husband and Daddy!  I could not have chosen a better Daddy for my children.  He puts his family first because he wants to, not because he has to.  He has given up hobbies willingly because he would genuinely rather be with the boys and I.  That is so rare to find these days.  From the moment he walks in the door from work until they go to bed he is playing with the boys.  There are many Dad's who would rather unwind on the couch and watch a TV show after a long day of working, but not Scott, he would rather play with the boys and spend time with his family and I am so thankful for that.  He has taken on the sole responsibility of providing for our family so that I can stay at home and raise our children, and for that I will be forever thankful to him.  He could not have given us a better gift than that!!!!  We just want him to know how thankful we are to him for all he does and sacrifices for our family...we love you so much!!!  Happy Father's Day!

We also want to say Happy Father's Day to Pop Pop.  He came over to celebrate with us, and the boys gave him the cutest shirt that says, "Team Pop Pop" and has two little boys with my boys names underneath it.  I'm pretty sure Pop Pop loved it :)  Thank you for all you do for us Pop Pop, we love you!!!!

We spend Father's day going to church and then having a cookout with family that evening.  Believe it or not, I was so busy cleaning and cooking that I didn't take a single picture :/  I could literally kick myself!!!!!  We had a wonderful evening with good food and good company!

This day is always bittersweet for me.  While I love celebrating my husband and father-in-law, a huge part of my heart is missing.  The most important man in my life is no longer with me here on earth.  While I know he is always with me and have talked with Clayton about his Poppy...he knows that Poppy is his special angel.  I have told him how much his Poppy loves him and would have taught him how to fish and do so many things!  My Dad is my hero, and was such an amazing father.  He never missed a single thing I ever did, and most of all he was my biggest fan and cheerleader!  From the time I was born, all the way to when I was teaching and had my own classroom, he never missed a thing.  He would always help me set up my classroom at the beginning of the school year, and come to my classroom and eat lunch with me.  These are moments I will treasure always.  I am thankful and blessed to have had such an amazing Dad, I certainly couldn't have asked for a better one.  He was there for me his entire life, devoted to putting me and my happiness first.  I am thankful that I was able to be with him in his final moments holding his hand as he took his last breath here, and first breath into heaven.  That was the worst time in my entire life, but at the same time such a blessing to help him to let go and be forever pain free and living an eternal life with our Father in Heaven.  I know that we will all be together again one day.  Happy Father's Day to my Dad!

It's Official!!!!!!!

We are finally potty trained!!!  I had tried numerous times and I just don't think either of us were ready, or put enough effort into it, with the busy schedule we have.  He is so smart and was beyond ready, so I decided on a Friday that the next morning we were going underwear only, no turning back, no matter what!  The first few days were of course filled with lots of accidents and messes to clean up, we stayed home for an entire week to really get this down.  After two days, he really had it down pat!  He was even starting to tell me when he had to go!  I bought tons of new underwear with all of his favorite characters from Spiderman to Thomas the Train.  He got a jelly bean each time he went, and he has done fabulous!  I can't believe how grown up my little boy is getting.  If I call him my baby, he now corrects me and says, "No Mommy, Hollis is a baby, I'm a big boy!"  Hollis wears diapers, I don't wear diapers!  So exciting :)

Cracking Me Up

Clayton comes up with the funniest things to say, I wish I had time to document all of the funny things he says, I swear I could write a book!!!  Clayton was using the potty the other day, and as I am standing there he says, "Mommy, you know where my tinkle comes from?"  I ask, "Where?"  He points to his toes and moves his finger up his leg and down towards his "pee pee" and says, "Like that!"  I am cracking up, I had no idea that tinkle came from your toes and went up your leg and then out, it's amazing how their little minds work!  I am sure that makes total sense to him!

Mommy and Clayton Date!

Clayton went on a date with Mommy and Gi Gi to Rafferty's to eat and to see the movie Madagascar 3!  He is such a little person know with his own personality and can carry on conversations...he is just so much fun!  We had so much fun, and we even stopped afterwards for a snow cone because he stayed dry the entire night.  This was his first outing in underwear since being fully potty trained.  I am so proud of him!!!  I look forward to many more date nights with both of my boys :)