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.

Teething

So a couple weeks ago I would have bet my little one would make it to his first birthday with no teeth. Well the week before his birthday his gums were swollen and he was pulling at his ears to the point I took him in the doctor to make sure he didn't have an ear infection. When the doctor looked in his mouth she counted 10 teeth moving down. Days before his birthday one of his top front teeth finally poked through. Then the next day the second came in. He is now working on the bottom two. Here is a picture of my upside down monkey with his two front teeth :D

and a close up.

My little Artist and My little Monkey

If you can't tell what this is, it is Aden's drawing of a monkey! I was so proud and couldn't believe my eyes when I saw it....... ....Unfortunately it was on my wall :( It was so hard to yell at him for drawing on the wall when I was so impressed with his skill.

You can not only tell it is a monkey but you can totally see his arms above his head and he is swinging from a tree.

Here is the artist smiling...we should call this the before picture because he was no longer smiling when I made him help me scrub it off the wall.

Speaking of monkeys....my other little man has acquired an interest in climbing. We bought the boys bunk beds earlier this year. So far the top bunk has remained empty....but has been a place for Aden to go and play and color away from his brother. This sanctuary is no more.....Raleigh, who has no interest in walking, has serious climbing skills!

This kid doesn't mind the climb or dangling off the side (which gives his parents heart attacks) and even falling from a few rungs up the ladder...so far we have prevented the falling from the top...but only because we are watching like hawks....we have tried blocking the ladder and doing everything we can think of to keep him off of there....but this is what we see more times than not when we go looking for him in the boys' room.

Alas I foresee this one being my baby that has to go to the doctor for x-rays because of his dare-devil stunts.

Halloween...finally

Raleigh went as a Monkey :D He is my little monkey he loved his costume. When I washed it and got it ready to put away he started snuggling and kissing it...which makes me especially happy since I made it for him. :)

Aden was Spiderman.....and Spiderman Ironman....and Spiderman Buzz Lightyear....if you are catching the theme, we had to say Spiderman before whatever costume he wore or we had a huge meltdown on our hands.

Can you tell who's pumpkin is who's?

Raleigh's New Toy

We gave Raleigh his birthday present early in hopes it would encourage him to learn to walk. Aden was such a good little helper. He even pushed him around a while...it was SO cute.

Costume Photo Shoot

What to do....what to do.

I have been doing a lot of blog surfing lately...I love seeing all the craft ideas and fun activities everyone is doing. So when the question of what we should do while the boys were out hunting deer came up I picked a few of my favorites and we LOVED every minute of it. First we did a Creepy Breakfast...an adaptation from the witches breakfast that I saw on the Bradford's blog. We dressed in costume made a huge breakfast where everything had a creepy name and color. This is our French Ghosties, with fried bat wings, brains, crispy fingertips and stomach bile.

Witches cooking breakfast.

Witches Eating Breakfast :DSo after breakfast we got everyone ready and did a little photo shoot...which requires it's own post. But after that we went and visited our grandparents in costume. By the time we finished visiting the little ones were ready for a nap so we pulled out a fun activity for the older kids.

SLIME!It is TONS of fun and Everyone got into it. Aden made Green and Tianna made purple. Aden loved it so much he has spent hours and hours since playing with the stuff....It is super fun and easy to make...and best of all it's cheap. If you want the instructions for slime click here. It will take you directly to the blog I got the idea from.

And this is Adelia when her mom broke the news that slime isn't edible. We finished the day with a Spaghetti and bone bread sticks dinner. It was a wonderful day and a great way to spend the deer hunt.