Merry Christmas!

An Irish Visitor

Friday afternoon, we had some very special visitors at our house! Joanna, one of my best friends who moved to Ireland a few months ago, is in town for Christmas and she came by to see us! I was so excited to see her and talk in person. Joanna and I used to go to lunch at least once a week so I've been missing our chats. I'm so glad I was able to see her and hate that I won't be here to spend more time with her.

Also, Holden, Leanne's 2 week old, came by to visit, too! Probably a first visit of many! McCoy loves babies and wanted to pat Holden all the time. He does it to be sweet but sometimes he gets a little rough! We just have to keep a close eye on him. I know him and Holden will be big buddies one day!

Joanna loving on the boys!

Holden is such a sweetheart!

The next picture is an absolute miracle! For McCoy to be sitting still, facing the camera, and smiling with no red eye!!!!

Leanne, Joanna with Holden, me, Emily, and McCoy

We had so much fun visiting with everyone! Thanks for coming by girls...and boy!!!

Christmas Party at MDO

This past Friday McCoy had his Christmas party at MDO. Even Santa made an appearance!! Of course, McCoy is still not a fan but he will accept candy from him. Not sure if that's good or not...

"Don't let go of me Mrs. Marv!"

After a visit with Santa, the kids went back to their room and had some yummy gingerbread cookies. McCoy and Addison seemed to be the only two big eaters there, though! They were chowing down!

McCoy LOVES his teachers at MDO and I'm so glad! They are all such a fun group of women and I'm so thankful that he has such a good time! I know he's going to miss everyone while he's out on Christmas break!

Back Row: Mrs Gina, Mrs. Luann, Mrs. Marv

Front Row: McCoy and the two Addison's

Breakfast with Santa and Dinner with Friends

Saturday morning McCoy and I met Addison and her mommy for some yummy breakfast with Santa. McCoy and Addison are such buddies but McCoy and Santa are NOT! Santa came up to talk with Addison and she thought he was so cool. While this was going on, McCoy was leaning the other way! When it was his turn, McCoy started bawling and reached for me. He kept his eye on the big guy for a little while just to make sure he wasn't going to try anything again! I guess this means we won't have any cute, smiley pics of him and Santa.

However, he had a great time visiting with Addison and he even fed her a piece of toast....if you know McCoy, you know he DOES NOT share food! She must be pretty special! And even though I constantly have my camera out, I failed to get a picture of the sweet moment. I do have to admit that he stole some of her eggs, too... But I did get a a couple of sweet pics and then took a few off of Miss Addison's blog!

"Look, McCoy! He's harmless!"

"Who needs Santa? I've got Mommy!"

Saturday night Kirk, McCoy and I met Kasey and Jordan at Pesto Cafe for some wonderful pasta and then went down to the square to look at lights. We love hanging out with Kasey and Jordan and McCoy thinks they are so fun! We had a great time!

Our family!

Kasey (and her fabulous new hairdo) and Jordan

McCoy loved looking up at the lights!

***Side note: What is the deal with my pictures always having so much red eye?? I guess blue eyed people have it worse b/c McCoy's are always bad!

When Mommy turns her back....

On Monday I decided to make an oven stew that takes about 6 hours to cook. So that morning I needed to chop up the vegetables so I could put it all together. I figured I'd just let McCoy play in the kitchen while I chopped and worry about the mess later. Here's the mess he was able to make in about 10 minutes...

I can't really figure out why he's crying...maybe because there's no more cabinets to empty??

A different view

Grandkid's Tree

Monday afternoon McCoy and I went over to Dig and MeMe's to help put up the tree in their playroom. Not sure how much help we were, but we did have fun playing with the toys! And after lots of hard work, we finally got McCoy to hold his hand still for about 2 seconds (literally!!) to trace it out on construction paper and hang on the tree!

"Whew, that was hard work!!!"

Group hug!

A Birth Day and A Birthday

This past weekend we were busy with lots of celebrations! On Friday night, my best friend, Leanne, had her baby boy, Holden!! He was 8 lbs 12 oz and 20 1/4 inches long! He has a little bit of brown hair and is absolutely gorgeous! We were so excited for Leanne and Hunter and loved getting to visit with them on Saturday.

Saturday was also Dig's (Kirk's dad) 60th birthday!! We celebrated by having dinner with the family at Doe's that night. We had lots of fun and were totally stuffed.

Happy Birthday Dig!

McCoy is walking!!!

For the past month, McCoy has been taking a few steps but never more than 5 at a time. Tonight he completely surprised us and has started taking lots of steps! Even turning corners! He was so excited and just kept laughing.

I've uploaded 4 videos that are all pretty short, but I figured grandparents would want to see them all!!

During the second video, Kirk was standing on the barstool and McCoy thought this was so funny! He took a little break from walking to laugh...

(Please excuse the floor mats...our kitchen rugs are in the washer!!!)

The fourth one starts out dark but gets better.

McCoy's 1 Year Pictures

On the Saturday before Thanksgiving we had McCoy's 1 year pictures taken. I know, I know...they were a little late but better late than never! We had Lauren Leonard do them and we're thrilled with how they turned out! Lauren did a great job with McCoy and we LOVED working with her.
Here's a few samples that I took off Lauren's blog...

Helping Gigi Decorate

While we're in El Dorado, we're helping Gigi put up her Christmas decorations. I definitely owe her after all the times that she has helped me!!!

McCoy is doing a great job of decorating the tree! Apparently he thinks that you're supposed to throw them on....

"How many ornaments can I hold at one time???"

"These look good to for throwing..."

"Out of the way, please!!!"

"Yep, right where I wanted them."

Update from El Do

Off to Gigi and Pop's we go!

McCoy did a great job on our way down here!!! I was pretty nervous about him getting fussy and not having anybody to entertain him but he was PERFECT! He slept all the until Conway, then we pulled over and got him some lunch, and talked the rest of the way here. He had lots of fun! As soon as we arrived in El Dorado, he was rested up and ready to play! He was so excited that Gigi, Nanny, ReRe, and Aunt Sara all ran out to see him. He was definitely determined to put on a show for them the rest of the time! After throwing all of his toys out of his toy basket, he hopped in to see if he could find anything else...

He has been wired the entire time we've been here! He's turned into a giggle box! Everything is funny...throwing the ball, dancing, saying "Ouch", playing with Sebastian. You name it, and he's been laughing about it! We're having a ball!

Getting some lovin' from Nanny, ReRe, and Aunt Sara

Turkey Day Fun!

Thanksgiving 2008

We have had a wonderful Thanksgiving Day spending time with family and friends and eating some yummy food!
We started out the day by lunch with Kirk's family. We ate lots and then went outside to enjoy the perfect weather!!!! McCoy's favorite thing was riding on cousin Owen's mini 4-wheeler. Don't worry, Daddy stayed close by and held on!!!

And, not suprisingly, Daddy couldn't let the kids have all the fun, so he jumped on for a chance at the wheel! I think this thing might have a weight limit....

Don't want to leave anyone out!

When McCoy got sick of that, he resorted to his old favorites of pushing things around or crawling to things he shouldn't be getting into! These two activities never get old!

MeMe helping out!

Looking for something to put in his mouth!

Uncle Kyle and Aunt Jessica-helping supervise!

This next picture, I have to post because Kirk probably doesn't think I will!! Jessica and I were talking about taking pictures and posing like models...just for fun!! She might have a picture of me posing but that is neither here nor there... Kirk decided to get in on the action and showed us some of his best poses! Those of you who know him are probably not surprised at all! What do y'all think??? Should we start a portfolio??

Don't be jealous, ladies!!!! HA HA!!!

McCoy was worn out when we left and fell right to sleep in the car. However, once we got home, he was wired and ready to go!

For dinner, (that's right, we kept eating!) we went to my friend, Lauren's mom's house. They had a big group there so we had lots of fun visiting. Unfortunately, I was too busy chatting to grab the camera! I do have to brag on McCoy. Considering that he hadn't had much of a nap all day and we've been really busy, he did great! I think it also helped that he got lots of attention!

I hope everyone had a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Tomorrow's adventure involves me and McCoy (JUST US TWO!!!!!) driving to El Do! I'm pretty nervous considering this is the first time for me to take him by myself!! Stay tuned.....

Happy Thanksgiving!

From our little turkey!

We have so many things to be thankful for this year, especially our family and friends! But this little guy definitely tops the list! We are so thankful for all the joy and laughter that he brings us everyday!

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Too cute not to post...

Go Daddy Go!

McCoy's new favorite thing is to push his shopping cart and firetruck around the house. I'm not exaggerating when I say he does this ALLLLLLL day!!! Last night, he thought it was really fun to push Daddy around on the firetruck! He is so strong!!

Learning to Share

When McCoy is finished with breakfast, we always give Sophie whatever is left on his tray. Apparently, McCoy thought these cheerios looked better on the floor so he snuck back over for a little after breakfast snack! YUMMY!

Bad Hair Day???

McCoy woke up from his morning nap with some crazy hair! I tried to comb it down, but it refused. I think he looks absolutely adorable, but the check-out lady at the grocery store asked him if he was having a bad hair day! I think not! How could anyone this cute ever have a bad hair day???

Side view...ha, I love it!!

Extra! Extra! Read All About It!!

Spotted at the Miller House...A certain 13 month old taking 5 consecutive steps with no assistance!!!

NOT Spotted at the Miller House...A certain mommy and daddy getting it on video!!!

***Stay tuned! The abovementioned parents are officially on a mission to capture this HUGE milestone on video...

Yeah McCoy!! We're so proud of you!

Shower for Baby Holden

The hostesses: Lauren, Lindsey, me, Leanne and Holden, Mary, and Andrea

Saturday night we had a shower at our house for Baby Holden and his mama and daddy! We had lots of fun and Holden got so many cute things! He is due to arrive in about 3 weeks and we're all dying to meet him. We know that him and McCoy will be best buddies!

Holden's Mama and Daddy