Little Rascal

This little guy has all of us wrapped around his finger. I could just eat him up, he is so cute. I feel like I am raising a mini version of my husband. He is so mischevious with his coy little grins and wicked laugh. I love you little man!

Daddy Daughter Date Night 2011

I have always known what a wonderful daddy Allyn is, but he proved it tonight. He has been under the weather most of the week, with his worst day being today. Despite it all, he managed to pull it together enough to take the girls to their most favorite event of the entire year...truly! They have been so excited that they even coreographed a "special" dance to perform at tonight's festivities. They picked out what Allyn was going to wear and had it laid out neatly at the foot of our bed when he got home from work. The squealing began the moment he set foot in the back door and did not stop until they were buckled in their car seats about 20 min. later. After I got a sick (and pooped) daddy tucked into bed, I had a hard time bringing the girls down from the TCBY sugar high enough to coral them into bed as well. All are now sleeping soundly. Now the countdown can begin for next year!

Christmas 2010

Here are some highlight photos from Christmas. The holiday began with a precious Christmas program at the girls' school where they both played angels. We then made the trips to both Birmingham and Montgomery to celebrate with both sets of grandparents and cousins. We were back at home in Auburn on the 23rd to stay. Some of the girls' favorite presents included the following: everything they got that had anything to do with princesses, the hello kitty karyoke machine from Aunt Lynlee, and their pillow pets from Santa. Other Christmas favorite activities included making/decorating our cookies for Santa, helping mommy unwrap and hang the tree ornaments (pretty much being little "helpers" as much as I would let them), sprinkling reindeer food in our driveway on Christmas Eve, staying in pajamas as much as possible. This was little Allyn's first Christmas. Although he was oblivious to what was heppening, he was fully entertained with the all the festivities. As you can tell from the pictures, he is now sitting on his own and ready to crawl...he can pivot in circles while on his stomach but can't quite coordinate the crawling just yet (so very nice for mommy that he was stationary this year). He is still a very happy boy and loves to eat. As you can tell by the orange tint to his nose, he eats lots of squash, sweet potatoes, and carrots. Puffs are also a favorite, though he gets as many stuck to his face as he actually gets into his mouth. Also note the RED color of his hair! He and his cousin, Rutland, look so much alike! I am scared to see what this little rascal is going to get into once he starts moving. The Red Rider gun from Papa was a favorite gift (of daddy's...he can't wait for his little boy to be old enough to go hunting with him). Oh, and we got snow on Christmas Day...so crazy! Enjoy the pics:)

Fall Fun

So much has been going on this fall, so I put together a slide show of some of the highlights. Ella and Gray are both loving school and have each had a turn to carry the cross down the aisle in chapel (a very big deal when you are 5)! We got to spend a day in Birmingham for their cousin, Baylor's, 1st birthday. Next was the pumpkin patch, a school Halloween parade/party, and our anual neighborhood trick-or-treat bash. Little Allyn is almost 7 months now! He isn't on the move yet, but he is starting to get that mischevious look in his eyes. I think our days are numbered until he is getting into EVERYTHING! Even still, he is such a joy to be around and has his mommy (really all of us) wrapped around his little finger:)

Little man

Since I have totally neglected blogging, I feel that little man deserves a post. He went for his 6 month check up today, and here are the stats: 16 lbs, 10oz. 26 in. long. He is in 25th percentile for both weight and height. He is rolling, starting to sit up some, and LOVES to squeal and anybody and anything. He is an absulute joy and perfect addition to our family. Here are a few recent pics:)

A star is born

O.k, so most of you know that both of the girls have been TERRIFIED of swimming without their floaties. We have been finishing up swim lessons this week, and I guess something finally clicked with Ella. Yesterday she asked Mrs. Amber if she could jump off the diving board. What? Yes, you read that correctly. She was loving it! I think she actually did it about 5-6 times and was sad when the lesson was over. As for Gray, she's still not so sure about the whole "head under water" thing. I can say she comes by it naturally since I hear from my mom that I wasn't real into the swimming thing when I was little either. Sorry Gray! Here are some snapshots of the little fish in all of her glory:)

Allyn IV baby dedication

We had Allyn IV's baby dedication this Sunday. It really is a special time as a parent to commit to raise your child in a Godly home. What an awesome responsibility and privelage. Thanks to all of our family for coming to share this meaningful day with us!!