Cousin playtime

We had a pretty rough time starting last Friday (January 16) that was filled with lots of sadness, and glimmers of really beautiful and fun moments. We cried and laughed and spent time together. It was both very sad and very heart warming at the same time. 

The kids on the other hand, the little ones at least, didn't fully understand what was going on and were in HEAVEN together playing. Hayes being probably the happiest of them all. Having all of Meg and Kelsey's kids playing on cars on DeAnn's new patio was just about as awesome as it gets in Hayes's book. He instantly was drawn to Elsey and did not want to let her out of his sight. He also thought anywhere she sat, he was welcome to sit too. He loved on her and she was so sweet to him too. He was one sad boy when it was time to go, but not to anyone's surprise, he was asleep within minutes. He literally played until he dropped. I am so happy that even in moments of such great sadness, we have these beautiful kids to remind us that life goes on and is full of so many great things too. 

Kids are so healing that way. 

Play time at Golden Hour

Sometimes when we go to the park I feel like the paparazzi, just snapping hundreds of pictures of Hayes. I just following him around snapping pictures from different angles. I just can not get enough of him and I feel like I need to hold onto these moments as long as possible, because let me tell you they are over before you know it. 

It scares me a little bit how much I try to hold onto moments and time. It makes me nervous that I feel such a need to have all these pictures. Part of me really hopes that one day I look back and say, geez, Kacee, you took way too many pictures. The one thing I have to give myself credit for though is that even though it scares me that I want to document everything little thing, I do it. I don't stop taking pictures and trying to hang onto every second. I keep going even though it scares me. 

These pictures are some of my favorites so far. The lighting is perfect and Hayes is the happiest. They are such fun memories and the photos turned out beautiful, if I do say so myself.  

        

    

Push ups!

Hayes is so funny and loves when people lay on the ground. He thinks its an open invitation to climb up on top of you. If I lay down to do crunches he sits on my stomach, if Sam gets down and does push ups, he hops right on and thinks is it the best thing ever. Even Gator can't escape it, Hayes will get on him for a ride too. Its pretty funny and all of can't help but laugh. 

       

Park play day {January 13, 2015}

I am so glad it's finally warm enough to go back to the park, we have all missed being outside and playing. We had a few days we tried to go, but nothing like when it warms up. Hayes is pretty obsessed with trees lately and will go up to them whenever he sees them. He has also gotten really brave about playing on the toys be himself. He does really good in the little kid section and is pretty happy to stay there. 

Lounging {January 13, 2015}

Hayes found this little rocking chair we bought for him as a baby. He loves to lounge it in and watch his favorite show, Curious George. Sometimes he will find a bowl and bring it to me and say "Snack!" It cracks me up.

Rub a dub dub

Hayes is so silly in the tub and is constantly splashing and kicking his legs. This little "hat trick" is his new favorite. I die laughing every time I give him a bath. He's also started laying on his tummy and blowing bubbles with his mouth, its hilarious. 

The big hair cut {January, 2015}

BEFORE

AFTER

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.