Chris's Shoulder Surgery

Before...still smiley but hungry...nothing makes you hungry like someone telling you that you can't eat. Back home with his shoulder padded like he was going to play football.

But still able to slap on a smile...gotta love the drugs :D

So Thursday before the sun even came up we headed over to the hospital for Chris's shoulder surgery. For those who don't know, he damaged his shoulder on his mission and has dealt with pain and dislocations since. This last year has been particularly hard so we decided to get it fixed. Chris really likes his doctor and things went really smoothly. The doctor said that he could have the pictures of the actual surgery next week when he goes in for his check up. So when he brings those home I will scan them and add them to this post. The doctor went in arthroscopically and was very optimistic about the whole thing and said Chris should be in much less pain...once he heals up from the surgery of course.

The Rest of The Party

Here is Aden on his new bike! :D

So while I was taking and editing pictures the guests played games and decorated their hero capes. Presents and cake and ice cream followed. All in all a great party thanks to everyone who came. Aden LOVED the hero theme and ran around in his cape and loved showing off his Spiderman cake.

Boom! Smack! POW!

This is Aden's Birthday comic book....It was so fun to see all the kids get excited about posing and getting into character. Even the reluctent kids got into it eventually. It was so fun and I love how it turned out!

Aden the Photographer

One of the things Santa brought to Aden was a kid tough camera. He is SO cute with it. He loves taking pictures and playing with his camera. Here are some of his best pictures of his favorite people and things.

Raleigh Close up :DBuzz Lightyear....there were a lot of this guy.Mommy and DaddySelf Portrait

Auntie Courtney

There were a lot of bunny pictures tooanother self portrait...in the mirrorTook a picture of his eyesGrandpa

and Grandma. He had more and some with Tianna but unfortunately Aden found the delete button...he didn't really know he was deleting but there you are.

Random Cuteness and Raleigh Update

It has been a while since I have just done a status update on this little prince. He is now walking...which as predicted by Grandpa, happened just before Christmas. He had his one year check up in late November where we found out he is average in height and weight but has an exceptionally large head. He is super smart...which may explain the large head....and he loves shape sorting and feeding himself. He is now learning animal sounds and can imitate a horse, cow, sheep, and of course a monkey :D.
So what could be better than a great Binki in the morning..... ...two Binkis at once of course!

This little man is a vacuum fiend....he wants a turn every time I vacuum....although he isn't so good at waiting his turn. He sure is cute though :D

Christmas 2010

So as usual the Christmas morning post is very much full of pictures! And also as usual my kids were beyond spoiled. Aden started off grumpy but as soon as he saw all the stuff for him he forgot why he was so upset in the first place...which was mommy wasn't the one walking him in...I had gone to the other end of the room to take pictures....but anyways....most the pictures speak for themselves....check the faces of these boys....they sure did love their stuff. Thanks Santa :D

I Can't Beleive My Baby is One

To mark the occasion we had a monkey themed party (of course). It was so much fun to see Raleigh interact with all the kids and have such a good time. We played a few games with the kids then had ice cream and cake....Raleigh got his own cake to tear into because, well its tradition.

Blowing out the candle!

Here is Raleigh's Cake This was the cake that I cut up for everybody else.

He didn't tear into his cake with the enthusiasm I expected. I think everyone watching, his sore mouth, and the fact it was the WHOLE cake threw him off.

Got in to it eventually....now how to take the cake away?

We then opened presents, here he is clapping. He loved all his toys and clothes...

..but he loved his little monkey best...this is a few seconds before he kissed it...sorry I missed that picture.

Here is Raleigh with a few of his new gifts. :D

Now I have a favor to ask. At Aden's first birthday party I passed out note cards and had everyone write something about Aden's first year that he would like to know when he gets older that we may not remember. I fully intended on doing the same for Raleigh but with all the party craziness I forgot. So if you could leave a comment on this post for Raleigh I would really appreciate it. As for me, I have loved watching this little boy grow and develop. He is my little dare-devil. He is fearless and loves to climb and hang like a monkey, LOVES being on a horse, and prefers his Grandpa, after whom he was named, over pretty much anyone else (including me). He is resistant to change, he was an early scooter, but didn't crawl for a long time, not because he couldn't...but because he didn't want to...same with walking...he still isn't walking...he has the balance and skills he just doesn't do it. He is super loving and affectionate. He loves his big brother and Aden can make him laugh harder and longer than anyone else. I never imagined I could love someone as much and as completely as I love Aden. But when Raleigh came along I not only loved him just as much, I loved them both more.