Summer Time!

We headed to Illinois the weekend after the 4th to have some fun on the lake! Below Slade experiences the lake for the first time and HATES it, only because of the straight jacket, life vest, that didn't last long. He pleads with me (right) to save him from his misery. Needless to say, he was much happier and LOVED the boat ride once he could move. Just enjoying the ride with Grandma below!

Uncle Brian delivered on multiple tube rides with Nicole and Jake! They all had a great time! Love the pic below of the kids with Brian skiing in the background.

We had a great trip and as always, Slade was tickled to have a permanent playmate and endless hours of entertainment with his cousin Nicole. Although I didn't capture it with photos, Uncle Brian and Jake had their first experience camping (on the deck) one night. It was a memorable experience for them both and I know Brian was SO excited to be Jake's very FIRST camping partner! It won't be long before Slade will be right in the middle of all the fishing, camping, hunting, etc. ...looking forward to it all!

Fishing for Independence

We celebrated Slade's second Fourth of July at home this year and experienced the aquarium for the first time! We had a great time watching Slade take it all in. He was mesmerized with the huge tanks and loved watching the fish swim by. He REALLY enjoyed it!

We had a nice weekend just hanging out and watching Slade as he finds himself walking more and more. I included some pics of us playing on the deck, Slade sporting one of my favorite big boy outfits!

Although he was fast asleep, Brian and I enjoyed the neighborhood fireworks from both the deck and front porch. We are thankful for our freedom and independence...and these blessed times we share together as a family!

Silly Walking Grami

Well, it's been one month since we celebrated Slade's first birthday! He celebrated his 13th month by taking his VERY first steps! Like everything else for him, he started walking when he was good and ready. Brian was leaving town the next day, for almost a week, so he was SO excited he was there to see Slade take his first steps! Check out the video below!



Speaking of his Dad, Slade just never knows what he is going to do next! One night as we were putting Slade down and Brian thought he would funny to get in Slade's bed with him. He chuckled at first realzing his Dad was being silly, but it was soon evident that he wanted him OUT!













Grami also came down for a long visit! We were SO glad to see her and enjoyed all the good eats while she was in town. Slade helps her eat lunch on the front porch, after he had eaten of course. No way is anybody going to have food around this kid and him not eat! It his absolute favorite thing to do...if you can't tell. He would eat 24-7 if we let him. I won't complain because he eats EVERYTHING...but he sure does love it!

Grami also brought a car load FULL of toys for Slade! Her favorite retirement past time is hitting all the yard sales in town. I must say she was able to find some great toys for Slade and saved some serious cash! He LOVES them all and now has an entire playroom FULL of toys! Thank you Grami! You're the best!

We also took a ride down to Thomaston one afternoon where Slade was able to see his cousin McKenzie for the second time. It was great to see everyone and watch the kids play together! She is just a doll and like most kids...Slade could eat her!

Stay tuned...every day is more and more fun with our little monster...who is the sweetest thing ever! We are so blessed!

Happy Father's Day Daddy!

Although it was Brian's second Father's Day, I imagine this year was very different from his first Father's Day when Slade was only a couple of days old. Slade wanted to give his Daddy his present before we left for church on Father's Day...a special gift that he helped me with. He gave his Dad a photo book that captured their first year together as father and son! The hard work definitely paid off because the book turned out to be really amazing, capturing an entire year of memories of Slade and his Daddy! A gift that will be cherished forever by both Brian and Slade!

Slade also received a gift for Father's Day and had SO much fun walking with the cart! He loved feeling like such a big boy. It won't be long before he is on the move! It was a memorable day and moment as we reflected back on the first year with this amazing gift of a little boy...who is truly turning into a big boy!

Summer Fun!

It's FINALLY summer and Slade is loving the outdoors! After his birthday he was all set for some pool fun, so off we went. Although the weather wasn't great and the water was really COLD, it was an adventure and he had a good time. He really enjoyed his Dad throwing him up in the air!

With a one year old, (WOW how strange does that sound:), you quickly realize that going to the pool for 20 minutes, requires a LOT of work and a LOT of stuff! A quick trip to Target and Slade had a new whale pool in the back yard! Although we still frequent the pool often, it's much easier for Robyn and Slade to play in his pool at the house during the week.

He had a big time playing it in for the first time with Miss Robyn! He LOVED the sprinkler and just laughed as it splashed him in the face. I can't believe how big he looks standing in the picture below!

Slade and I made it up to the lake one evening to feed the geese! I LOVED doing this as a child and was anxious to see what he would think about it. As you can see below, after he offered the bread to the geese...he thought he'd try it himself! He had fun seeing the geese fight over the bread, but really just wanted to eat the bread!

Although he is still a little young to fully enjoy it, we had a great time and it was fun to experience it with him! It won't be long and he'll be asking to feed the geese every day! He is just growing up SO fast...some days I wish I could just stop time and keep him this age forever! I know I will enjoy every age, but he is just SO MUCH FUN and I LOVE every day second I have with him!


We FINALLY made it up to Will and Meredith's for dinner one evening! Graham, who is 2 months younger than Slade, is just adorable! We had a great evening visiting with friends, enjoying great food and watching the boys play. Below, Graham shows Slade how he can clap! Although Slade was extra sensitive to EVERYTHING that evening, Graham was the sweetest little boy and played so well with him.

FIRST Birthday Bash!

WOW! I can't believe that I am posting this entry already! It's truly so hard to believe that our little boy is ONE year old!

Slade's birthday week started with a long car ride as he and I made our way to Kentucky! He did great on the ride up and was excited for some extra time at Grami's! Everyone came out on Friday evening, Slade's actual birthday, to celebrate! Grami made Slade's birthday extra special by making his adorable hat, his super cute AND super yummy birthday cake!

How adorable is this cake! Mom did such a great job on Slade's first birthday cake. It was truly made especially for her grandson with lot's of love! Below, Slade just before his party, happy as can be to have a balloon! All of Slade's cousins were there to celebrate, Lauren, Cole, McKayla, Allison, and Reed! My cousins, Cassie and Alex were there to celebrate as well!

Daddy helps Slade really tear into his cake by plunging his hand into it below! Slade thought it was funny, but did not waste any time shoveling down bites! He LOVED his cake and nearly ate half of it! It was so funny to watch him shovel in bite and bite oblivious to everyone around him! He was just gobbling it down!

Slade with his Grami below! A special thanks to my Mom for making his birthday party everything that it was! She truly put so much time into every aspect and I sincerely thank her for that! It was a special time for our sweet little boy! Something we'll never experience again, the first birthday, for our first son/child, and I owe all the thanks to Mom for making it memorable and great! Slade...well he just wants more cake!


Of course we brought home lot's of birthday presents. Mom and Sylvester got him the car above along with lot's of clothes, toys for the pool, DVD's for the ride home, and best of all, another contribution to his college fund!

Sami and Tim set Slade up for the pool with a beach towel and float...and of course a "Sam I Am book!"

Leigh gave Slade a special gift...a scrapbook highlighting his first year! It was such a thoughtful gift, certainly my favorite, and brought tears to my eyes! Hardly a day goes by where I don't look at it! Although I thank God every day for this amazing little boy, when you look back at the ultra sound pictures adorned on the first page, when he wasn't even here yet, it's truly a blessing to reflect on all the joy he has brought to my life! I honestly can't imagine life with out him and I just try to soak up each and every moment I have...they go by so fast!

Slade shares some cake with his favorite Kentucky aunts below! He and Reed have some fun playing together!

Slade's first birthday celebration was a HUGE success and he's already looking forward to another birthday cake next year! Thanks to everyone for joining in the celebration and, of course, for Slade's gifts! It was just a great time celebrating with family! I'm sincerely thankful for all God's gifts and give him the glory for it all!

My First Mother's Day

We celebrated my First Mother's Day with the best gift possible... Slade was dedicated at church! It was an awesome day to celebrate being a Mom to this amazing little boy God has blessed us with and acknowledge God's sovereignty over him!

Before we made our way to church we spent some time playing outside! Ken our pastor dedicates Slade below! It was truly an awesome event! Along with some sweet kisses, Slade gave me a much needed massage! Brian gave me some much needed new clothes for work! It was a great first Mother's Day for me...but I am thankful and give God praise EACH and EVERY day for blessing me with the sweetest little boy who brings tremendous joy to my life!