Family Pics :)

We had so much fun getting our family pictures done! We went to Wheeler Farm and Holdyn was off and running from the minute he got out of the car. We got to have a family outing and get family pictures done all in one shot :) Holdyn loved chasing the birds, playing in the water, and petting the goats, and watching the roosters fight! He couldn't have been more thrilled to be at the park running around and getting his picture taken. He's a natural in front of the camera :)

We love how the pictures turned out... Thanks Julie!

Elmo Extravaganza!!!

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One Happy 2 Year Old!!

Holdyn's 2nd birthday party was so much fun! It was nice to be able to sit back and relax. His 1st bday party was a little chaotic and I realized pretty quickly that the most important thing is that Holdyn has fun and that we have our loved ones and friends around to celebrate our little man! So many people came to party with us and it made us realize how many people love Holdyn! So many of our friends have fallen in love with Holdyn and it's pretty hilarious to watch a bunch of tattooed, beer drinking guys show up to a 2 year old birthday party :) Thank you to all of you who partied with us! We appreciate our friends and family taking the time to help us celebrate this little boy who is our entire world! We love you!!

Holdyn loved his bouncy house and we went to the park early just so he would have time to bounce all by himself :) Thanks Grandma and Grandpa Sahleen!

Thank you to Grandma Monty for supplying all of the Elmo decorations! We were able to make it so fun for Holdyn and he loved every last detail!

Holdyn wasn't very interested in opening presents. He wanted to bounce, swing, slide, and run around! So I'm sorry to those of you whose present was not opened at the park. We eventually got them all opened by 10:00 Sunday night! Thanks everyone!

Holdyn wasn't very interested in eating cake either! He had a few bites and then he was "All done!" Thanks Grandma Banks for the cutest Elmo cake ever!

Bubbles are Holdyn's favorite thing. He cannot get enough! He got an Elmo Bubble Blower from Grandma and Grandpa Monty and he carries that thing EVERYWHERE!

On Sunday, Holdyn's actual birthday, we woke up bright and early and went off to the zoo! Grandma and Grandpa Banks came, as well as Maddy, Jordan, Grace, BreAnne, Grandma Sahleen, and Bryce and his 2 daughters.

It was so much fun to have a group of kids for Holdyn to run around with. He's usually just stuck with boring mom and dad :) Holdyn loved the animals, but I think his favorite part was the carousel...

Penguin dance!

After a LONG nap, we headed to Chili's with Grace and BreAnne to have a special birthday dinner...

Holdyn was such a good boy considering his late nights and busy days. He is my angel and I couldn't ask for a better little boy! Happy Birthday 2 year old!!

24 Months (i.e. I HAVE A 2 YEAR OLD!)

6/28/2007...

Holdyn -

I have had such mixed emotions about you turning 2. On one hand, I am so excited to see you grow and learn new things. You are soooo smart and it's such a thrill everytime you learn something new. Sometimes I can't believe you are as smart as you are. Some of the things that come out of your mouth stop me in my tracks! But then there's that part of me that misses you being so tiny and cuddley. You've always been an easy baby, so I can't say that it's harder now, but it was definately easier to cuddle you! Now you tell me "No, no, nooo!" when I try to love you when you don't want to be loved! I guess I can't complain... you are constantly giving me kisses and hugs. But I'm sure it will never be enough for your mama :) You are turning into a little boy and you only have a few baby features left. Everyday you act older and older, more independant, and so much smarter! You love to be outside and it makes me wonder if you have some sort of special connection to nature. You have always loved being outside, even from the beginning. If you were fussy, all we had to do was walk outside and you would immediately stop crying. So we try to be outside as much as possible :) You love to hang out with daddy and his friends. Just this last week I came home to you and Uncle Carter and one of daddy's friends, all with your shirts off hanging out in the backyard. It was so funny so see you standing there acting like one of the big boys! Here are some of the things you are doing now:

You LOVE Littlest Pet Shops. You play with Grace and Madison's Pet Shops anytime you can and you get so excited about it!

Everytime we drive past Grandma Sahleen's house, you say "I wanna go to Gammas!!" It is so funny to me that you know where she lives. You're only 2!

You ask to see the goats by Grandma Sahleen's house everytime we pass them. If they are not outside, you tell me they are "na-night!"

We are working on your ABCs and you can get to H with no problem. Then you mumble your way to the end throwing in the correct letters here and there!

You know all the words to Amazing Grace, Twinkle Twinkle, The Peacock "Cock Cock" Song, and Rock A Bye Baby.

You still let me cuddle you while we read stories and sing before bed. After stories, I tell you to turn off the lamp and you tell me, "I will kiss you!!!" And then you kiss me a million times! Then I rock you and kiss you and lova you right before you go down for bed. It's my favorite time of the day :)

You love doing Itsy Bitsy spider.

Everynight before bed, you climb under your crib and get all your binkys you dropped the night before. Then you put them in a box and we rock with them. It's too funny!

You and daddy have invented a million different kinds of hugs but you give Monster and Dolphin hugs the most.

I guess I say "Oh my gosh" a lot because anytime I say "Oh my..." you finish my sentence by saying "Goshhhh!"

You are the best remedy for a bad day, a sick day, or an ornery mood. I love your personality. You are by far one of the coolest people I know. You are always cool and calm, no matter where you are. I love everything about you. There is still not one thing I would change about you. I love you little 2 year old.