Addition Update 06Jan08

On Sunday, this is how things looked in our backyard.

And on the inside... paint! This is the family room. Pics of the bedroom and bathroom will follow soon - if I can get the colors to look accurate in the photos.

Cheddarhead

On New Year's Day in Atlanta, there is a tradition called Cheddarhead that celebrates all things Wisconsin. Can you guess which Wisconsin icon our family celebrates?

Here I am with Mommy and the 2008 Cheddarhead Men's Bowling Champion.
Go Packers!!!

Ending The Year Right

On Dec. 31st, our friends Barb and Allan gave us a tour of the firestation where Allan works. I got to see where the firefighters sleep, play and eat. We also got to see real firefighters sliding down the firepoles (note: they use them all the time instead of walking down the stairs, so you have to be careful not to walk too close to them while you are looking at the fire trucks).

Speaking of fire trucks, guess who got to drive...

Thanks Allan!!!

Christmas in Atlanta

A couple of days after we got back from Ohio, we headed south to Atlanta for Christmas and New Year's celebrations. I tell you, between my birthday, Christmas and New Year's, I think I really like this time of year.

We arrived in Atlanta on Saturday afternoon and Uncle Stephen, Aunt Dawn, Autumn and Max arrived soon afterwards. Here I am showing them my new Packers football.

After football in the front yard, it was time for Christmas again!
Grandma Jean helped me open lots of presents.

And Uncle Kev helped me play with all of them.

Christmas Continued

Santa had to unroll my stocking all the way in order to fit everything in it.

There's a new sheriff in town.

The new sheriff also serves as the local air traffic controller.
Sugar also enjoyed Christmas morning.

Christmas Morning

Coming downstairs on Christmas morning.

It was hard to know where to start.
Last year I didn't really know how to open presents, but this year I figured out how to rip 'em open as fast as possible.
Opening presents and playing with them occupied a good portion of the day. Here Addie and I provide a musical interlude.
We only had one night of snow flurries while we were in Ohio, but it still felt like football weather to me!

Birthday in Ohio

We went to Ohio this year for Christmas. Before we got to the Christmas celebrating, though, everyone was able to enjoy my birthday again. Here we are decorating really big cupcakes that Aunt Amanda made.

I let Mommy and Gammy help with mine.

I think Addie liked hers a lot.

Me and Thomas

Thomas is one of my new best friends.

Birthday Wrap-Up

Or maybe this post should be titled The Birthday Unwrapping. Here I am reminding Mommy that decorum dictates that we read the cards before tearing into the presents.

And here's some of my stuff:

Birthday #2 continues (continued)

When you turn 2, Mommy doesn't need to help you with your drink anymore.

Mommy can still play with you on the inflatable playground at Jumpin' Beans.

Now it's time for the real thing - bring on the Elmo cake!!!

Birthday #2 continues

All that playing can only lead to one thing - snack time.

When the mic opens up, however, a cowboy leaves his snack and starts a-croonin'

My renditions of Jingle Bells and Happy Birthday to Cooper left nary a dry eye in the house.
When it was Carter's turn to sing, I took over the mixing board so that his vocals would be crystal clear.
Time to head out for a birthday lunch.

Birthday #2

We started my second birthday with a visit to the new kids' museum in Raleigh called Marbles. I got to wear my cowboy hat and boots.

Which came in handy when I had to bring this rogue stallion back to the herd.
I then traded my cowboy hat for one a little more urbane. Riding the fire truck to the 2-alarm fire, I got there just in time.
Saving a baby from a burning building is a pretty good way to start your birthday.
Of course, dancing on a stage with Carter is pretty good, too...

That Christmas Spirit

Getting into that Christmas mood. And making last minute decisions...