14 Months Old!

Cole is 14 months old today, and time definitely isn't slowing down! Murray and I are trying to soak up every minute because Cole is growing up before our eyes!

Physically, all his clothes are getting a little tighter, his shoes a little shorter, and his hair a lot longer! Haha. He is also able to do more and more that he wasn't able to before. Stepping up and down are not problems for him anymore. He puts his arms and legs through the holes in his clothes basically on his own and can pretty much pull his shirt off his head when undressing. Yesterday he went down the slide all by himself... climbed up, sat down, scooted his bottom forward, and slid down. It's just little things, but it's still unbelievable to us!



Mentally, he is amazing us all the time because his comprehension is going crazy! For example, yesterday I asked him to go to the kitchen and bring me my brush (he had been playing with it and taken it in there earlier)... off he runs, right to the kitchen, and brings me my brush. Another time he was wanting to go outside, and I told him we couldn't because he didn't have shoes and socks on. Pretty smart I thought until he ran into his bedroom, opened his cabinet, and brought me socks and shoes. Today he had a dirty diaper so I asked him if we could go to his room to change his stinky pants... again off he runs to his room, pulls a diaper out, and hands it to me. He knows a bunch of animal noises (see video posted earlier), parts of the face, and can point to about any animal you ask him. He is also starting to try to say more which is really fun!

He is still such a sweetie! He loves running up to give me and Murray hugs. He always has his hand in our hair. He can't wait to be asked to give a high five or to "pound it." He has started giving eskimo kisses if you ask him for noses. So sweet! He loves being around his friends and is pretty good most the time about taking turns and sharing toys. He has a smile for everyone and loves to wave.

He is definitely getting more and more curious and into even more which I really didn't think was possible. Here is a picture of how I found him the other day. He had gotten the bowl, the letters, and his spoon (aka... george foreman grease catcher) all on his own. Alphabet Soup anyone???

And another... he was so proud to be wearing Daddy's shoes!

As much as he is growing up, there are times that I look at him and still see my sweet little baby! It is really crazy how much love you can have for someone! Murray and I couldn't have been blessed with a cuter, sweeter, happier little boy!

Weekend Travels...

So we didn't think that 2 weekends in a row of traveling was enough so we headed to the Blue Ridge, Georgia this weekend to spend the holiday with Murray's family. His parents had rented an INCREDIBLE cabin where we mostly relaxed and ate a lot... haha. We weren't completely lazy though because we (minus Mrs. Jenn and the little boys) did head back over the TN state line to go white water rafting on Sunday. Although we might have dreaded to ride there and back, the weekend was a true blessing. It was so nice to just get away and enjoy time with people we love so much. Thanks Mr. Walter and Mrs. Jennifer for making it happen! We love you!

I took about a million pictures this weekend, but for the sake of time (yours reading and mine uploading) I will pick a few of my favorites...

Our dinner stop on the way... Cole thought he was so big in that rocker!

Dancing with the dog to Rocky Top. They look pretty similar- haha.

We have to get one of these things! It kept him entertained forever. I was impressed at how well he could get the pegs back in the board.

We made it! And it's awesome!

Scout found a comfy spot.

Our view... not too shabby!

Our chef for the weekend. I definitely came home heavier, but it was worth it!

Easton preferred M&M's for breakfast. Hey- it's vacation!

Cole found "friends" all over the cabin, but he loved this bear. Apparently other kids have too because his ear was already glued back on.

Another fun toy... a frying pan.

Enjoying the swing and the quiet mornings!

One look at this picture, and I bet you can guess where the boys wanted to be most (all) the time!

PopPop taught Cole to ring the bell. He loved it!

Easton kept coming up with bigger and better ways to slide! He had to have an announcer to introduce him, and the audience to cheer when he finished and took a bow. That boy is a hoot!

Cole would fly down that slide- with or without a hand so you had to be quick!

Fun times on the swing!

Murray making Easton about fall out of the swing he was laughing so hard... He kept letting Easton swing into him and "injure" him. Easton thought it was great!

The boys all dressed up. Aren't they adorable?

Family Photo... Cole would NOT take those fingers out of his mouth. Oh well.

Could there be a cuter couple... seriously- models!

Sweet little family!

Mimi & PopPop with their boys. Again... the fingers.

Whole family. This is a pretty amazing picture I thought for 2 kids and a timer! We are so blessed with such a wonderful family!

Or a goofy family... whatever!

The boys playing ball... Cole seriously doesn't know he isn't as big as every one of them!

The master griller! Were those steaks good or what?!?!

Campfire story time... Murray was quite the story teller!

The story begins with a man named Winkie First... (yeah- I'm scared what he will teach our children!).

And ends very painfully! Hahaha. I have to admit- it was REALLY entertaining!

The rafting group... we had such a fun time! Megan and Morgan had never been before so it was fun to experience it for the first time with them! I'd say it was a success because we all survived, and nobody fell out!

This was the sign above the hot tub...

Luckily the boys didn't pay attention to it, but it was enough to keep the girls out just in case anyone else had listened to it!

Mrs. Jenn got the boys matching Halloween pajamas this year so of course we had to get their picture together in them. Cutest boys ever!

Murray is one proud daddy! Cole may be a professional deer hunter before we know it!

Cole really hated being center of attention! ;)

All the kids... definitely not ready to leave. It was a great weekend!

Little last minute shopping in downtown Blue Ridge before we headed out of town.

We may not have wanted to drive 6 or so hours, but at least it was a gorgeous view most the way!

Hope everyone had a fun and safe Labor Day weekend! Now we are gonna rest from all our travels... at least one weekend or so. Haha.

Is he smart or what?!?!

I know that I am his momma, but I just can't get over how much Cole is learning these days. He picks up on everything so quickly. Here is a video of him telling a bunch of animal noises. They may not be perfect, but he is definitely saying different things for different animals, and most of them are pretty good. I love watching him figure out new things. He is the best!

Couples' Getaway!

Murray and I left our sweet baby boy with his Mimi and PopPop, and we headed to the lake to spend the weekend with four of our best friends here in Louisville! It was the first time we have hung out with them without all our kids, and, although we missed our babies, it was so great to have some adult only time without worrying about naps, waking up early, playing with toys, being interrupted, etc... Here are some of the highlights-
It happened to be my birthday Friday so the girls surprised me with presents. Such sweet friends!

The boys started the competitions right away!

Headed out in the boat...

Chillin'


Liz & Walker

Adam & Emily

Me & my sweet Hubby!

The group minus Murray.

They were real daredevils!

My awesome birthday dinner thanks to Mrs. Jennifer! Thanks so much... EVERYONE was really glad it was my birthday. Haha.

The master puzzle workers... if we look tired, it's because we stayed up way too late working on that silly puzzle. Haha.

Cooling off a little (most of us anyway)...

Tryin to get a little sun!

The boys acting up...

Eating out our last night.... Finally a picture of the whole group!

Thanks guys for making the trip with us. We had a blast and definitely have some memories that will last a long, long time. We feel so blessed to have you as our friends!

Part of what Cole was doing while we were gone... he apparently LOVED this little couch. SO funny!

What a little man with that arm propped up...

This wasn't from the weekend, but I thought it was too cute not to add on here. We kept Davis so Liz and Walker could celebrate Walker's birthday. By the end of the night the boys were getting sorta tired so we turned on Sesame Street. They both camped out in Murray's lap.

So cute. Love that Murray is so great with little ones. Cole and I are SO blessed to have him! Love you Murray!!!