Birthday Boys!

We have taken some time out of the Christmas celebrations to celebrate the birth of 2 special little boys! We started off with my sweet Beckett. Beckett turned 1 on December 11 and to celebrate, we had Brad, Kiera, Mary, James and Ben over for pizza and cake. This was Beckett's first taste of cake, and it didn't take him long to figure out that it is delicious! I cannot believe that it has been a years since my sweet boy was born.  He gave us quite a surprise when he decided to enter into this world 7 weeks early, and he continues to surprise and amaze us daily.  As far as milestones, he isn't walking yet but is getting really good at walking by pushing just about anything! He is eating all regular foods and loves whole milk. He is saying mama, dada, and even heard a bye bye. His favorite things right now are anything that his brother has and anything involving any type of ball. He is still has a very easy going demeanor and loves to cuddle and get kisses!

Here he is after Jackson gave him his first taste of cake!

Delicious!

Just like every 1 year old...the box is much more entertaining than the toy!

We got Beckett his chair to match his brother's. It is very cute to see them sitting on them together!

All the cousins in their matching shirts made by Aunt Kiera. They were all so cute!

Next we had a combined birthday party for the boys at Champion kids. This was actually the first time Beckett has been there, and he had a lot of fun with the baby toys.

Jackson mastering the balance beam.

Beckett loves to slap his hands on top of things!

Jackson on the zip line!

Superstar!

Getting some pizza in his birthday chair!

Birthday boys awaiting their cake! This year's theme was Buzz Lightyear and Woody.

Beckett enjoying his second round of cake. He has this thing all figured out!

The next morning my big boy turned 4! We started the morning with 4 powdered sugar donuts lit by candles. Such a special little treat! Everytime we are in the grocery store, Jackson asks me to buy them!!

I decorated his door the night before and here he is with his huge Buzz Lightyear balloon! Jackson is getting to be such a big boy! He is a very good helper with his brother and loves to help him eat! He is always trying to make us laugh and full of energy! He loves school and has lots of friends. He is smart, kind, and of course, he has the best hair! Right now he is into building things and anything superhero. He loves to play good guys and bad guys and run around the house. He is always ready to try new things and usually the life of the party. Happy Birthday Jackson!We love you to the moon and back!

I like this picture because Beckett seems to be having just as much fun as Jackson opening up the presents! We ended the day with our 3rd cake at Jackson's favorite restaurant...Panera. This family is all caked out and can't wait for the next celebration....Christmas!

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

 Oh, December how I love you, but why do you have to be so busy? This really is my favorite time of the year, but I feel like each year it gets busier and busier. This year in the midst of all the Christmas parties and kids events and I also get to celebrate 2 birthdays! I cannot believe my little baby is 1 tomorrow and my big boy will be 4 the following week! We have already done so much this month and it is only the 10th! Our festivities began with the lighting of the square Christmas tree. This is the first year we have made it to this event and it honestly might be last for awhile. It was super crowded and a little bit of a downer. Maybe if the kids ever sing in the little concert beforehand, we will attempt the chaos again! I think next year we may go for the Kennestone hospital tree lighting because it seems to be a little more exciting with live reindeer etc.

Here we are getting a family pic after the tree was lit!

 Jackson admiring all the ornaments.

My sweet boy actually posing nicely for a picture! It seems these days I get nothing but silly faces and squinty eyes!

 Prior to the tree lighting, we had pizza with the McMurry's and then headed over. Here are the boys being silly.

After the tree lighting, we were off to home depot to pick out our 3 Christmas trees! Jackson was very excited to pick them out and couldn't wait to decorate them!

 Helping Daddy find a nice one!

 Beckett joining in the festivities!

 My boys loading up the trees!

 While they were loading up the trees, Jackson and I decided to head inside to look at the decorations. Jackson found this light up hat and some candy canes. Very festive!

 Sweet Beckett! I cannot believe he will be 1 tomorrow. It came into this world surprising us with his early arrival and continues to surprise and amaze us each day. Despite his almost 2 month early arrival, he is doing beautifully. He is really starting to walk with walkers, says "mama" to me, and is on all regular food. Developmentally we are right on track, but I think we still have a little catching up to do in size. He is just the sweetest boy and we all love him so much!

Jackson really got into decorating the tree this year. He was so excited to look at every ornament. He would unwrap the ornament, squeal, and then show it to us. He would then find a perfect spot on the tree. And when I say spot, I mean spot. He tended to cluster them in one area :)

 Picking his favorite spot.

 Like I said about the silly faces. I really wanted to get a picture of him in front of the tree, but this was the best we could get.

 Beckett checking out the tree for the first time. He has actually been great and hasn't really tried to pull on it much. I think he is also going to be my rule follower because if I tell him "No", he will cry but stops doing it. We shall see!

 No, No Beckett!

Jackson got a snow globe and Beckett absolutely loves it! He really likes music and whenever he hears a song playing, he will stop and start rocking back and forth like he is dancing. It is too funny!

 We had Greg's office Christmas party this week and the boys were invited! Here are they are posing together. It's hard to see but Jackson is wearing his first tie! He was very excited to wear a tie like his daddy!

My adorable big boy squinty eyes and all :)

Thanksgiving 2012

This Thanksgiving we spent the holiday at Kiawah and had the most amazing weekend! There were so many fun filled activities for the kids and of course there was the beach! It was a beautiful weekend with Noni, Granddaddy, and Gigi. We have so much to be thankful for this year that I just don't know where to begin! We are so thankful and blessed to be the parents of 2 beautiful, healthy, happy little boys. We are so thankful for our all of our family and friends, our health, and having careers that we love. This first picture was our first day at the beach. Jackson was very upset that he had to stop playing to take a photo!

Getting water for the sand castle!

My sweet almost 4 year old!

 Happy Thanksgiving! We had a wonderful lunch prepared by Noni and Grandaddy. Family shot before the delicous meal!

 Silly boys with Noni and Granddaddy!

 My two turkeys!

 Looking at this picture I can see the bond that they are already developing. Jackson loves Beckett and Beckett always lights up when Jackson walks into the room. I hope that this bond will continue throughout the years and they will be the best of friends!

 We were so happy to get to spend this Thanksgiving with Gigi!

 After dinner, we headed to the park. The weather couldn't have been more beautiful!

 We didn't realize when we headed out that the park was going to have all sort of things for kids. They had a train ride, jumpies, crafts, and smores. Here we are riding the choo choo.

 Craft time! Since Jackson has been going to holiday crafts as part of his lunch bunch, his spark for art has reignited! Here he is painting a turkey magnet. He was very proud!

 Post Thanksgiving tradition is to go through the magazines and make the list for Santa Clause. I couldn't believe that Jackson remembered from last year that he got to pick out 5 things!

 The next mission was the holiday photo shot! Here was the first shot, which ended up being the winner.

 Shot number 2.

 Shot number 3.

Shot number 4. Thanks Noni and Granddady for getting the kids to smile and being so patient!

 Guess who arrived at Kiawah! Jackson was very excited to give Santa his list!

And the meeting.....I cannot believe that Beckett sat on Santa's lap with a big smile on his face! I thought for sure I was going to have a screaming child but true to Beckett's sweet disposition, he sat on his lap without a tear shed.

 My eating machine! Beckett is no longer eating any baby food and couldn't be happier!! So far whatever I give him, he eats it up! Such a difference from his older brother!!

 Face painting! Another activity they had for the kiddos.

Jackson sat very still as they painted holiday lights around his face.

The finished product! So cute!!

Beckett joined in on the phone and had a little present painted on his arm :)

 Hanging out :)

Tractor time!

 Jackson was kind enough to scoot over so his brother could have a ride with him.

There is a cute toy store at Freshfields and Jackson found this bubble gun. It really made a lot of bubbles and kept Beckett entertained!

My silly boy catching all the bubbles. Thank you Noni and Granddaddy for a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend. We really had the best time!