Milestones

Lane will be three in a few weeks.

Favorites: Red, Chicken Pot Pie, Chocolate Donuts, Tractors, and Curious George (though Caillou is a close second)

 Accomplishments: POTTY TRAINED!! (he has had a few accidents every now and then, but overall is great. we use a pull up at night, because i am not that brave)
The other thing we have been working on is dressing himself. I have mixed feelings about this as he never has been opinionated about what I choose for him to wear. The more he dresses himself, the more this changes. Last night, I picked out his Christmas pjs and told him to put them on. He said "Momma I not wear Chrimas pjs, Chrimas is over." Great. Some battles are not worth fighting.
I asked him what he wanted for his birthday, and he told me "Choc Choc Cake". He said "that make me   SO HAPPY!" I wish I could bottle his cute expressions. except for WHY? that has started on repeat, not my favorite. I told him last week, because "Momma is the BOSS." He said, "No momma not the Boss, DADDY is the BOSS." He got me there :)

This little parrot is 18 months old. Also one of my favorite stages.

Favorites: "Bwue" (blue), Pizza, "Fwish" (goldfish), blueberries, Mickey Mouse, and cows

Accomplishments: counts to ten, is trying to also potty train (he tells me poo poo and tee tee on potty and sure enough, I put him on there and he goes. he also tells me to "move!" when he is in the act as he likes his privacy :) He still is in a diaper because honestly, getting Lane potty trained has been enough for the time being. I think we will continue to let Holden lead us until he is more consistent)

We call him bruiser as he is tough as nails. I guess that is just how God makes second children so close in age to their big brothers. He is very opinionated about everything. He tells me "No Way" if he does not want to do something.  

Ford came to visit last weekend, and these three are thick as thieves. 

They play so well together. They have their own language, and it is precious! 

"Fordy" as Holden calls him

A Look Back...

This past year we were very blessed...When I think back to some of the highs, I am thankful for a overall health, joyful year for our family. When I think back to some of the lows, I am thankful for learning trust and faith in the Lord in deeper ways.

I enjoyed not being pregnant or breast feeding for the first time and really getting healthy.

The boys grew leaps and bounds and both hit large milestones...Holden walking, talking, and finally giving up the bottle!! (only 6 months late!) Lane talking more clearly (he stuttered a bit the first part of the year as he was talking more and more and was not getting his words out as fast as he was thinking them), almost potty trained (which is good considering he is almost three), and really coming into his own little personality (aka James Junior).

We lost loved ones. We grieved and felt God's peace in a new way. 

We traveled near and far and met fellow Christ followers that made eternal impact. 

Lane developed into a little boy. He is cautious, but adventurous at the same time. He is not a morning person and wakes up very slowly just like his father. He loves all things mechanical. I can almost see his brain thinking SO hard when he is moving dirt in the yard with his tractor. He is enthusiastic about most everything, especially showing Holden "how to do it". He is a good big brother most moment. Yesterday, he told me, " Hold-bear not take turns." "I share wid him, but he not share." :)

We saw Holden's personality develop...he will definitely keep us on our toes. He is funny, defiant, sweet, stubborn, and VERY verbal. This morning he screamed from his crib at 6:19 am, "Momma OUT." Pease Momma, OUT". "Milk Momma". over and over...you get the point :)

We enjoyed several adults only vacations where we had time to talk, laugh, and remember.  

We spent time with family and enjoyed fellowship with friends. I feel like God has provided nurturing especially in this area.  We plugged into small groups and have both grown in being Spirit led. 

I am looking forward to see what this year brings! 

This Christmas Season

Please hang in there with me as I dump my Iphone and remember all of the fun things December held for us:

trip to Bass Pro, Holden is at the perfect age to fear sitting in Santa's lap.

Lane is at the perfect age to love it, makes for a great picture

thanks to Pie and Aunt Elon for tagging along

had a great wine tasting and dinner in Montgomery with this great group of friends

baking day with Kate Wood

This lady is seriously talented, I wanted her to show me the secret to Royal Icing.

Well the secret is...It is HARD. We had a fun Sunday afternoon, and I have a renewed appreciation for beautifully done cookies!

loved having extra snuggle time with these buddies

Lane had the opportunity to model clothes for the Beaux and Belles line of precious clothes that our friends, Beth and Kea sell

shockingly he did great and really cheesed it up

had a fun "pig out" day in the office and dirty Santa

Lane had his Christmas program at Little Friends. The two year old class were the sheep. We had talked about it prior and worked on a couple of his songs, but I wondered how he would react taking the stage for the first time....

walked out apprehensive

checking out everyone

spotting Momma...

then meltdown

not so much, he didn't recover because as soon as he started to, he saw his daddy and then it was OVER. His teacher grabbed him and took him off stage, poor buddy. 

After I said, "Lane you did so good!" He said, "NO Momma, I NOT like it". Maybe next year :)

Tennis Christmas Party....gotta love Katie's Santa style

The Saturday before Christmas we had the Russell Christmas party.

This is one of my favorite times as we got to spend time with our Mobile cousins and baby Annie.

you can't tell in this picture but Holden is obsessed with Annie

after she left, he found her Christmas card picture and carried it around, kissing her :)

The Cooks

Ann Marie, Shannon, and me

Caroline Buster admiring Ed Williams

sooo sweet

Fourth Generation (hard to believe but we were missing a bunch!)

Third Generation

First cousins celebrating at the Roost

cookies for Santa and reindeer food

going...

gone....typical 

my brother gave us a Chemex coffee system for Christmas, it makes the most delicious coffee ever

receiving their "trac tracs" 

love my Holdey bug

fam shot Christmas Eve

Hope Everyone is staying WARM this week.

AND

WAR EAGLE!!

Christmas In Moulton

Christmas Eve we headed North to spend Christmas with the Osborns.  The boys love going to Moulton, especially when Aunt Betsy and Uncle Michael are there. They get lots of attention and are spoiled rotten :) We cooked dinner in and sang Christmas carols on Christmas Eve.

It was the first year Lane sort of got excited about the whole "Santa is coming concept". We really didn't talk about it much at home, but at school they colored pictures and sang songs etc. I tried to be intentional on not playing up Santa, and talking about celebrating Jesus's birthday. Lane knew it was baby Jesus in the manger, and his parents are "Mamie and Joef". Close enough :) He understood we give each other presents to celebrate Jesus's birthday like you receive on your birthday. I really want to emphasize the true meaning of Christmas but also allow for the fun and make believe of Santa. Is this possible? I am not sure. I know when I was growing up it was. These days I feel like there is so much commercialism of Christmas..elves, trips to the North Pole, etc. that it can get overwhelming. I am just praying that we are obedient as Jesus shows us what is right for our family. 

Santa (aka Dee and She She) did come in Moulton, and they LOVED every second. 

Holden showing off his "choo choo twain"

Lane loved the work bench and tools, "just like daddy"

tractors are ALWAYS a hit

as are guns and ammo

Can you tell we are surrounded by all things BOY!!

We took a break from killing things and went to Papaw's for lunch.

Happy Birthday to Jesus!

We had a very blessed Christmas and Christmas season. 

More to come!