Running

Grayson missed the memo that you are supposed to learn to walk before you learn to run. He started walking January 1 at 10 months old, and he didn't start in the typical way. Most babies take 2 or 3 steps their first time and it takes a few weeks before they get pretty good at it. Not Grayson. His first steps were 6 at a time and by the time 10 days went by he was a pro. He runs all over the place now. He will even walk in circles to make himself dizzy. We love our little Grayson!

Especially For Adrienne

I've heard that this blog has been missed. So I'm back by popular demand! I'm sure it is just pictures of my gorgeous children people have been missing instead of my witty musings. Here is a peek at some of the things that have happened since I last wrote.

Mackenzie turned 4! She is getting smarter every day. I didn't realize she could recognize numbers, but she can (at least a few of them). She loves coloring and painting and Strawberry Shortcake at the moment. She is usually a good big sister (with the exception of this morning when she hit Grayson in the head with a Lego) and wants to be just like her big brother.

Bailey turned the big 1-0. He got his beloved i-touch for his birthday, much to the displeasure of his older cousins who do not have one. He is doing great in school, getting all A's and one B on his first report card. He has been preparing for his big piano concert coming up on Friday and the Pinewood derby which is also on Friday. He adores Grayson and some days barely tolerates Mackenzie.

Grayson is just growing up too fast! He has been crawling since 6 months (on all 4's since 7 months), pulling up on everything and getting into everything! He seems to sense when someone has left the bathroom door open by accident because he is there within seconds! He is a busy little boy who wants to be where the action is. He loves to eat anything he can get his hands on (this includes many pieces of Strawberry Shortcake clothing that I've had to fish out of his mouth). I'm surprised he isn't 25 lbs with all the food he eats! On January 1 he took his first steps, and since last week he has been walking all over the place. I can't believe my little 10 month old can walk! It is so fun to watch him grow and learn. He is just about the most pleasant baby ever. Although he is getting a little temper on him when he doesn't get what he wants, but for the most part he is the perfect baby. He still wakes up in the night, but it is a work in progress.

Look at me!

I leave him for just a few minutes and this is what I find.....

He is growing up too fast. Someone please stop him!

The Beginnings of a 4th Grade Something

Another school year has begun! The summer went by incredibly fast, but I am glad for Bailey to go back to school. He and Mackenzie fought horribly for most of the summer. Unfortunately it continues when he gets home, but at least there are a few more hours of peace during the day.

We returned home from our vacation Sunday night and school started Tuesday morning. Bailey handled the change very well. His teacher this year is Mrs Duncan and his best friend Ryan is in his class again. I'm not sure he is exactly thrilled with some of the other kids in his class, but I think it will be a good growing experience for him.

Vacation!!

This year we took off for NJ just two weeks before school started. It was a great way to end a summer that has gone by way too quickly. I flew out with the 3 kids to spend some R & R time at the farm. All three of them did great on the plane. Then Jared drove out to enjoy a week at the shore. It was just what we all needed! Now we are back to the real world but have a wonderful vacation to look back on.

Good ol' life on the farm!

See my new tricks!! Will be really crawling any day now!

Decked out for the beach!

This is how we took a few walks.

The kids and I with one of our favorite aunts, Aunt Jo Anne.

Chilling at the beach!

Enjoying the water!

This kid LOVED the beach. He loved the sand and the water. He is just a natural beach bum!

An attempt at some cute beach pictures.

PopPop and Mackenzie playing in the sand together. My dad never went to the beach when I was a kid, so I was glad to see him enjoying his time with Mackenzie.

Grandmom and Aunt June. Great picture, don't you think?

Bailey and his favorite Aunt Adrienne. Everyone should have an aunt like her!

I love these pictures of him enjoying the sand.

Lifeguards in training!

Our first family picture since Grayson was born. If only it wasn't so windy on the beach that evening, my hair wouldn't look so dumb!

5 Months!

This has by far been the fastest 5 months of my life. Just thinking that a little more than 5 months ago we didn't even know Grayson was a boy, and now we are loving the little person he is turning into! Still a crummy sleeper at night, he is usually a happy, content little guy. Bailey and Mackenzie love him so so much. He is just such a special part of our lives.

Big Stuff!

The other day I got out a bunch of old home movies from when Bailey was a baby. Grayson looks a whole lot like him, minus the blue eyes and plus dimples. I also think Grayson is longer than Bailey was at 4 months. In one of the videos Bailey was sitting up at 4 1/2 months old! I figured Grayson needed some practice to catch up:

Not too shabby for a first timer, and with a little bit of help!

Last week the "big kids" got out the slip and slide. I didn't think they would last long on it, but they surprised me. Although I left in in the grass through the night and killed the grass underneath. Oops.

And here are two pictures of Grayson just being cute. I just love that little guy!