Christmas Time!

First big boy hot cocoa

First time seeing this strange thing called snow.

Wearing dads new chefs hat m                

 

This Christmas was easily my best one yet. Henry was old enough to understand and it was magical for us all. He saw snow for the first time and was really scared... but got over that really quick and wouldn't go inside even if he was a human popsicle. We started the season by going downtown to see the Christmas tree and santa. Henry has his first wintertime hot chocolate. We went to Hood River on the perfect weekend and got to watch the snow fall all day long. Then we spent Christmas in the winter wonderland of sunriver. I think we all felt like kids there. We went to a "breakfast with santa" (and gingerbread men, elves, etc.). We went on a beautiful sleigh ride through the snow covered forest. We played in the snow for hours. And best of all, spent quality time as a family (not thinking about all the things going on at home). Definitely the perfect Christmas. I love this time of year.

23 months

I seriously can't get over how handsome he is...

Looking at the ads the day after thanksgiving. We are excited for Christmas!

We finally had some family photos taken and I'm glad we did. Its so nice to have some professional photos to remember this amazing time of our lives. Our boy is almost 2 and you can tell. He's starting to act like such a big boy. Can't wait to see what next year has in store.

22 months

Henry hiked all the way to the top of the Astoria Column.
That's a lot of steps, but he didn't ask to get up once.

Driving the fire truck

22 months and VERY busy. Henry is ALL boy (although he does have a baby that he is gentle with sometimes) and definitely keeps us on our toes. He had SO much energy. I have no idea how he sustains for so long. It is a joy watching his little personality develop. He loves other "kids", tractors, fire trucks, dump trucks, and books. He says something about a "tractor" a minimum of 10 x per day. We probably read 20-30 stories per day. When we are not reading we are running around playing with TOYS!!! They are the best. He can communicate just about anything he needs to and is really getting good with his numbers and letters. He can occasionally tell you his colors, but only a few. He calls a Hippopotamus a 'potomus'. I find this hilarious. Why choose the harder version? I just wish I could understand what goes on in his little mind. He is getting so excited for his "cake party" and turning 2. We are pretty excited too, but don't want him to grow up too fast.

Halloween

Riding Preston's tractor. Henry's favorite thing in the world.

The whole group

Walking up to the first house

Is he not the cutest train conductor you have ever seen?!? Henry had so much fun trick or treating and we had so much fun watching him. The first house we went to Henry walked right in. This kid has no inhibitions (I need to work on that). The second house we went to he gave his candy back. He didn't quite get the concept at that point. We spent the evening at the Walker's house. They had dinner for everyone and then Henry headed out with 3 or his best pals Carter (Tigger), Coen (Pooh), and Preston (a tiger). Such a great time!

Pumpkin patch

He loved the hay ride

BIG truck!

petting the baby chick

Henry with Finley, one of my past patients

Another fun trip to the pumpkin patch, with much of the time spent on one of the 3 tractors. Henry was in heaven.

21 months

Perfect picture

Cheese!

Ladies man

Henry loves him some tomatoes

First masterpiece

best buds

playing at the beach our last nice day of the year

Our big man is 1 3/4 years old this month. It feels like yesterday he was just a little bundle and now hes practically grown up. He is starting to speak in full sentences, but his favorite words are commands... Do it, get it, eat it, read it, have it, etc. He is also gaining a lot of independence. He likes to help get dressed and will find us all the parts. His new favorite statement is "Henry do it!". He is so much fun to be around. With him I have at least one belly laugh a day. He is our joy in life.

20 months

Wearing Daddy's shirt

His putting skills are really coming along ;)

Scoping out the range.

 

Checking out the ducks

Henry came to see Mommy after her race... in his jammies :)

I LOVE this little man. He makes me smile, he makes me laugh, he makes me feel warm and cozy. He is a total boys BOY, but has a sweet spirit. He has started to learn his colors and numbers (he has counted to 5 once). He has started to sing along to songs on the radio (we have to really pay attention to what we are listening to). He can communicate all of his basic needs and much much more. SO much fun to watch him grow up. I feel so lucky that he's my boy.