My Big Boy Turns 2

It's hard to believe that my "baby" is 2! Eli turned 2, December 6th, and we have celebrated about 15 different times for Eli's birthday since we have had family and friends come in and out of town so much. It's been a blast-- but Eli is probably in a state of confusion. When I light a candle to make the house smell good, he will now go up to the candle and start singing, "Happy Birthday to me.....". Oh well, I guess we will keep the party rolling for now because come January--it's a whole different ballgame for our little guy :o). Here our a few pics from our birthday party with Eli and our dear friends here Lindsey, Nick, and Will Pritchard and Brooke, Patrick, and Walker Ransdell. Also are pictures from Eli's birthday breakfast where Daddy made turtle pancakes especially for Eli. Eli's not shy at opening presents we have learned. Christmas should be full of entertaining moments.


Brooke and Patrick
Scott and Baby Walker
Lindsey and Baby Will

His own "power tools." He thought the drill was a hairdryer...... well-- he takes after his dad :o).


2 year old pics...

A Thanksgiving of Firsts and Lasts

Pawley's Island at Sunset Thanksgiving Day

Firsts:
1) My grandparents first visit to see us in Myrtle Beach. It was wonderful to see them!

2) My first attempt at cooking a Thanksgiving meal-- including dressing. Thanks for the recipe Nana!

3) My first time to be without Scott for Thanksgiving since we have been together. (he was on a basketball road trip for several days)

4) Seeing a beautiful sunset over the marsh with my family.

Lasts:

1) The last time I will have just one child at Thanksgiving

2) Maybe the last time I will be 8-9 months preggo on Thanksgiving (Eli- Dec 6th, Caroline, Jan 20th). If we have a 3rd, I am going to shoot for a spring/fall baby :o).

3) Hopefully the last time I have to spend the holiday without my hubby.

4) The last time I wait until the week of Thanksgiving to shop at Walmart.

Below are a few pictures from our holiday. Mom, Dad, Emily, and my grandparents were all here to celebrate with Eli and me. I am very thankful for all of our family. We are very blessed.
Thanksgiving Day- a walk on the beach...
After Thanksgiving shopping trip with the girls Building a tower with new birthday blocks from GG and Grandad
Eli when seeing the train table that Meeps and Peeps got him for his birthday... Eli telling Emily's friend Scott that he would love to come visit him in the Virgin Islands and bring his parents..... :o) Eli helping Peeps on the ladder in his big boy room.

Don't Blink

Kenny Chesney was right-- Don't blink-- because life happens so fast. Eli is about to turn 2 in a few weeks. As much as I look forward to the next stage of his life, I have to remind myself to just pause and enjoy every moment with him now. So, I decided to post a few of my favorite pictures of the past and present....

Great Times with Grayson

My niece Grayson, Nana, Grandaddy, and Scott's sister, Christy came to Myrtle for a visit over the weekend. Grayson is 3 months older than Eli, and let's just say that we had 2 partner's in crime over the last few days. What one did, the other did, or what one had, the other had to have. Their favorite hang out place was on top of the changing table in Caroline's nursery. If there was ever a moment of silence and we didn't see the toddlers around, we knew right where they were. Grayson likes her paci's-- all 5 of them. Eli likes his blankets-- or bia bia's as he calls them. Yesterday, Eli was trying to figure out how to hold 3 bia bia's and 5 paci's with one hand. He never quite mastered it-- thank goodness. Everyone thinks that Eli and Grayson are twins b/c they play so well together and have so many similarities. Grayson couldn't figure out where baby "Carolina" as she calls her was. We told her she was in Aunt Am's tummy. She kept trying to press my belly button to see if she might pop out. We had a ton of laughs over the last few days and miss them already.
Pre-arrival of the fam

Grayson making Eli laugh...
Grayson doing her "monkey smile"
Eli just being a monkey
Eli thinking that wrestling Grayson is much more fun than wrestling daddy... especially on dirty clothes.
Aunt Christy to the rescue!!

"washing up"

Sharing toddler secrets. Just being loving---- and yes, we'll put a stop to this....

The shopping carts at the mall were much more fun to Eli and Grayson than getting pictures made with Santa-- or the "man who had a mean smile" according to Grayson.

Wanted: Giraffe on the Loose in Myrtle Beach

Get out of my way guys, I heard somebody had some CANDY.......................

Whew, I made it to CCU, now where did they say that candy was????

Hey Coach Ellis! Um, forget the tricks, I am just interested in the treats.

Hey guys----- I'm over here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That's perfect, now, just keep it coming..... Is all this picture taking really necessary-- can I at least have my M&Ms???
On to my new candy mission: the Ransdell's house.....
Hello? Brooke, Patrick, Walker and Ribbie??? I'm here......

Hey Mrs. Brooke, yeah, trick or treat.. now give me some CANDY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Do you mind if I eat while we take pictures??

I am getting kind of tired, yes, Daddy you can hold me...

Yes, I'm pretty cute....

The day before with all my church pals at trunk or treat...
Whoa!!!!!! Look, it's awesome, a Capri sun---- my favorite treat so far!! (seriously)
Now that this Halloween ruckus is over, I'm going to go in this corner and check out my stash....
Happy Halloween 2008!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hey, Mom, when did you say again that Santa would be here????