Sam, Kacee, Hayes + Gator

Sundays {January 4, 2015}

Our church time changed and now we have what feels like more time on Sundays. We decided to take full advantage of that and enjoyed some good quality time at the park. Hayes and Gator both loved every second of it. The lighting was awesome and I got some great pics of Hayes.

The sky was pretty crazy too and this crazy cloud showed up, only to be followed by the most amazing sunset. I am hoping that our 2015 is full of Sundays that look just like this one.

Always watching {January 2, 2015}

These two besties have found a new favorite past time- watching out the window. Gator has done this for as long as I can remember. Gator loves to watch the neighbor cats and cars that go by. Hayes has recently discovered why Gator likes it so much and joins him on the daily. I LOVE to watch them together. Gator takes his watching very seriously and Hayes sits next to him and talks his ear off. See what I mean, my child for sure.

Ketchup

Sometimes I look at Hayes and just see so much Sam. But when it comes to his personality, I think he's all me. He spunky and loud and curious. He's silly and funny and so much like me. Now, we know his taste buds came from me too because he discovered eating plain ketchup and couldn't get enough. It was absolutely hilarious to watch him start with a french fry, then move to his fingers, then to his whole hand, then basically licking it out of the container.

I was slightly embarrassed, a little shocked, but mostly proud.

Christmas {December 25, 2014}

Christmas with kids makes Christmas so much more magical. Hayes didn't fully understand Christmas and wasn't at all interested in opening presents, but he was thrilled with the wrapping paper, his vacuum, and his tootsie roll bank. He was so excited and really didn't even know why, its almost just the energy of Christmas makes people excited.

Hayes got a lot of fun presents. Our little neighbor girls, The Porters (Kaleigh and Polly) brought Hayes a present. He calls them his "Girls", so that's what they wrote on the wrapping paper. It was so sweet. They gave him an Olaf toy and an Olaf blanket. He is OBSESSED with his Olaf blanket.

My favorite part of Christmas was sitting by the tree with Hayes and watching him play with his new toys. The excitement and the wonder that I feel from him trumps any other feeling in the world.

We tried to keep his presents simple.

Something you want

Something you need

Something to wear

and Something to read

I went a little crazy and he got quite a few things to read and wear, but overall, I feel happy with the bar we set for Christmas. It was nice and fun, but not too overwhelming. It was simple. Plus, after Grandmas, Great Grandmas, aunts, and neighbors Hayes got A LOT! I always underestimate what others will do for him. Its really sweet and really touches me when people love my child and do nice things for him. The gratitude I feel is hard to explain.

I'm kind of a grinch in the fact that I really like to take Christmas down either Christmas day or the day after. I like to get rid of the clutter and immediately get my house back in order. Hayes was THRILLED to help and use his new vacuum. Even though part of me feels bad, I kind of like the tradition of cleaning things up on Christmas. It's like it gives you a chance to enjoy what you got instead of feel bogged down with decorations and clutter.

The tree

I wish I had more pictures of what Hayes thought and did with the Christmas tree. He loved it so much. He would play around it, take all the ornaments off it, run around it, sit by it, and literally just tear it to pieces every day. Anyone that would come over he would run into the front room and point out the tree to them. I am sure he was very confused at why we had a real tree inside our house and why it was covered in lights and sparkly things and balls. I am sure it was confusing and amazing all at the same time.

This year I was pretty insistent that we have a real tree. I think every little kid should have at least one real tree in their life. Next year, its fake though. It was so fun and smelled so good, but may was it messy.

I am fairly positive Hayes's favorite part of Christmas was a tie between the lights and the tree.