The Stevenson Family

Traveling to Oregon

2012-01-21T14:36:00.002-06:00

We left our house at 4am the day after Christmas to see our family in Oregon. Cody was a trooper being woken up so early and he was excited to ride a bus, a train and an airplane...on top of going to Grandpa and Grandma's house! His new Woody friend traveled with us!

The iPad was great entertainment on the flight! This was the first time he didn't sit in his carseat on a plane ride and got to sit like a "big boy". He did great and didn't ask to get down too much! He enjoyed snacks and videos!

Our first flight took us to Seattle and then we took a little plane back down to Oregon. Cody was beyond excited that we were going on a green airplane!

He refuses to look at the camera these days!

Cody is such a good traveler and enjoys all the activity that comes with flying!

Christmas Eve and Christmas Morning

2012-01-21T14:22:00.016-06:00

My mom, brother, sister and nephew came and spend Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with us. My mom made a wonderful meal Christmas Eve and Jason made a wonderful meal Christmas Day. Bubbie enjoyed having all her kids and grandkids under one roof!

Watching videos of santa on the iPad. Parker is obsessed with santa so it was funny to watch him watch the videos....pure excitement!

"Uncle Clay, will you please play with me?" was the question of the weekend! Both boys love their Uncle!

Christmas morning we all woke up when the boys woke up and started off with stockings! And then while breakfast was cooking we did the big gifts under the tree. Cody got puzzles, Toy Story themed toys, Mickey Mouse themed toys, cars, musical instruments and lots more! Jason worked really hard to make the Pioneer Woman's cinnamon roll. He halfed the recipe and they didn't quite turn out like she makes them but they were still really yummy!

Snuggling with Uncle Clay and watching more santa videos on his iphone.

We celebrated Christmas in Oregon the next week, but Grandpa and Grandma had a bike under our tree for Cody. He loves it! Rumor has it Grandpa bought this when Cody was 6 months old and saved it until he was big enough to ride it! He is just a few inches too short still but by the spring/summer he will be just right!

Although Christmas started off sad this year grieving the loss of a close friend we were still able to enjoy making new memories as a family. One tradition we started this year was to be at our house together on Christmas day. Our home is always open to anyone who wants to come see us on Christmas day and this year we got to enjoy it with our Texas family. Christmas is so fun through the eyes of a child. Cody's favorite song this year was "Jingle Bells" and his favorite Christmas movie was "Polar Express"!

Inside a Snow Globe

2012-01-13T13:20:00.007-06:00

Before Christmas Jennie and I took the kids to Willowbend Mall for lunch and to say hi to Santa. There is a "snow globe" set up to go through right before getting to where Santa was sitting. "Snow" was falling and everything! I think we could have spent the whole day in there as happy as the kids were!

Here is Cody and David rolling around in the "snow". They had the best time!

David even taught Cody how to make snow angels.

Playing in the snow globe was fun even if Santa wasn't a big hit and lunch was a bit crazy!

Christmas 2011

2012-01-08T21:07:00.000-06:00

Cody: 2 years 7 months

Northpark Trains

2012-01-04T13:41:00.002-06:00

We have made it a Christmas tradition to go see the train exhibit at Northpark mall! This year was especially fun because Cody is really in to trains...he just couldn't get enough! All of the pictures are from behind because he would not take his eyes off the trains, even for a second.

Merry Christmas

2011-12-25T13:24:00.004-06:00

Thanksgiving & Christmas in Seymour

2011-12-11T13:51:00.009-06:00

We spent Thanksgiving with our relatives in Seymour, Texas! We enjoyed being in the country for a few days. My Uncle Carl and Aunt Cathy hosted about 40 of us at their house for a big Thanksgiving lunch! They own a tractor shop and the highlight of Cody's Thanksgiving was getting to play on tractors with his 2nd cousins. Lyndon and Carl are 9 and were really sweet to let Cody tag along and play with them.

They thought this tractor wheel was a great place to sit although I couldn't get Cody to sit long enough for a picture. Parker smiled for me though!

He spent a lot of time playing in this "cage" that was on the back of the tractor!

We did bring his little "bike" and he had fun riding it up and down the hills. He would put his feet up in the front and just go. The boy has no fear! It's a little steeper than it appears...he's at the bottom of the hill here.

They also had a big mound of gravel that was very entertaining! He would climb to the top and then roll or slide down!

I love this picture of my sister with the horse!

A little drink after so much dirt and play!

At night Carl and Cody snuggled up to watch videos on the iPad. Cody wanted to be right in Carl's lap...and I think Carl liked it.

The next day we spent time at my grandparent's ranch. We decided since we were all together to have our Christmas celebration! Mimi cooked dinner and then the little kides (great-grandchildren) opened gifts. The girls do a gift exchange and we all had fun celebrating the first Christmas of the season. It didn't take Kristin long to get on the 4 wheeler...and give Parker his first ride!

My cousin Lauren is married to a police officer and she is in police training too. They had the guns out and shooting lessons going on here.

Clay, Parker, Cody and Jason! We contained the boys in the truck for a bit while they were shooting the guns! They were just as happy to play with cars in the truck

Cody showing my Pawpaw his cars!

Jason and Pawpaw

Lyndon and Carl made Cody have this smile all night long! He loved playing with them! Too bad we don't live closer because he talks about them non stop and asks to see them all the time.

Uncle Clay and Cody Cody also loved attention he got from Clay.

This picture is fuzzy and off the phone but I still like it. Cody and Parker both wanted Uncle Clay to hold them!

Clay and Parker

Cody's first gifts of the season!

Mimi and two of her great grandsons! This was the best pic I got of the three of them together.

Cody and Mimi!

Me and my brother and sister!

Bubbles that took over Bathtime!

2011-12-09T14:55:00.001-06:00

We all got a good laugh one night during bathtime! Cody was taking a normal bath with the normal amount of bubbles. We noticed that the tub had filled up more than normal so we decided to turn on the jets for him! Well, the jets caused the bubbles to multiply! Cody thought it was hilarious!

Cody would hold out his hands full of bubbles and Jason would blow and Cody thought it was the funniest game! We had bubbles everywhere!

I love it when everyday routine tasks turn in to laughter filled fun!

Enjoying the Country

2011-12-09T14:47:00.002-06:00

We had a High School Ministry Barn Dance and took Cody along with us! He loves every minute that he gets to spend with the students! He begs for their attention and they love giving it to him.

We all dressed to fit the theme!

Josh dancing with Cody!

Enjoying the snacks and ready to start learning how to square dance! They had a "caller" out and he taught us lots of steps! Everyone had so much fun!

My hubby...the Youth Pastor!

My son...the climber!

Big Orange Pumpkin Patch

2011-12-09T13:21:00.008-06:00

We have found a pumpkin patch we enjoy going to in Celina! This year Cody really enjoyed running around, feeding the animals and climbing on pumpkins.

We went on Halloween morning and there were a lot of kids there on field trips. Cody loved watching them, following them, running around them and playing "catch" with them....even though he wasn't really playing with them, he thought he was and was so happy! This pole was base for a game the kids were playing and he kept running to it like they would and saying "ready or not here I come". The kids just played around him and Jason and I were glad he didn't realize that they weren't really interacting with him. He thought he was part of the games!

We got 3 cups of food to feed the animals! Cody thought it was great that they would eat right out of his hand and thought it was funny when they licked him. When we were out of food he would try and feed them rocks because he enjoyed feeding them so much! He didn't understand why the animals would ignore him when he had a rock in his hand.

We had a fun morning and will definately carry on the tradition of going to this Pumpkin Patch every year!

Pumpkin Patch #1

2011-12-06T10:07:00.004-06:00

We went to a local Pumpkin Patch and Cody's favorite part was jumping in the bounce house! However, he did like petting the animals. Here he is petting a pig that wouldn't "wake up". He kept saying "pig go night, night....time to wake up!"

He got to ride a minature pony!

He played in a hay maze!

And he got to run and climb on Pumpkins!

"Go see the Ducks?"

2011-12-04T22:27:00.000-06:00

Cody asks us every day to go see the ducks! There is a little lake a couple blocks over from our house and he enjoys going to feed bread to the ducks.

We take his little car with us and he likes to go over this bridge because it's bumpy! He does not like the geese, though! They are loud and will follow us....he always says "they are not nice".

Halloween

2011-11-20T07:04:00.008-06:00

Cody was NOT interested in dressing up for Halloween, at all! So, we settled for this pumpkin shirt. My mom had bought him a cute Curious George costume since he loves "Georgie" but no matter what I did to get him to like it he wouldn't change his mind. That brown mark on the shirt is my eye liner which he inists is a "color".

The Friday night before Halloween our church had a fall festival!

I'm glad we went, although Cody learned the hard lessons in life about waiting in lines for his turn and having a time limit once it was his turn. But, he did enjoy the evening anyway! He loves to be around people!

The Student Ministries had a section of games that they hosted and the staff and students dressed up too. We told Cody that daddy was Woody from Toy Story. Ha! Cody's favorite part of the evening was listening to the Student Ministry worship band play and dancing in front of their stage.

On Halloween morning we went to a Pumpkin Patch in Celina as a family and then that afternoon met up with Jennie and her kids at the park! There is a lot of chasing each other and giggles with these boys!

Cody loves playing with David and Joshua.

Jennie's kids had on the cutest Halloween shirts.

My mom came over for a visit and to see trick or treaters. We stood outside and watched the neighbors trick or treat and Cody would get excited when he'd see the kids in costumes coming up our sidewalk. He quickly learned how to say "trick or treat" and would place one piece of candy in their bags. I would them go behind him and give more. He never caught on that others were trick or treating but he wasn't. He just liked seeing the kids and handing them candy. Maybe next year he will dress up and get to go trick or treating but for now, he enjoyed helping us!

Parker Comes to Play

2011-11-16T15:39:00.004-06:00

Parker and Kristin came in for a visit! I was so excited for Cody to get to play with his cousin. They are 7 months apart and love each other! They are at such a fun age to enjoy playing together! Kristin went to the State Fair and my mom had to work so Cody, Parker and I hung out one afternoon. We spent a lot of time outside on the trampoline. Parker kept wanting to "jump" and Cody liked having someone to jump with!

They also played in the sandbox...

Played on the slide....

Rode cars and bikes around the house....

Played with balls in the tunnel...

Had a snack and watched a video...

Took a bath....

And snuggled in jammies....

Special Friends

2011-11-15T13:24:00.007-06:00

We have had a standing tradition for several years now to go to Double Dips with the Wilborns and the Ball's on Sunday night. Cody wasn't even born when we started doing this. I think Ty and David were the only kids and we have quickly grown! The Wilborn's are moving at the end of this month and I think we are all still in denial. We share in their happiness as they move to Mary's hometown, though I think a little of my heart is going with them. Jennie, Mary and I have spent time together, with our kids, almost weekly for the last several years. Our husbands are all very good friends and our families get along great! We do life together! We know the in's and out's of each others lives and are safe in the secrets of our friendships. Our kids know each other well, play together with excitement, squeal and run around with joy when they see each other, are comfortable at each others houses, and often refer to each other as "cousins". We will miss getting to see the Wilborns on a weekly (often 2 and 3 times a week) basis but we know our friendships will still be strong....after all it will only take an hour to see them! I will just thave to explain to Cody why it takes so long to get to "Mary's house!" and Jennie and I will be making road trips together often!

David (5), Ty (5), Cody (2.5), Charlie (4), Joshua (2), and Joy (2.5), (Kiley (10 months) not pictured)

Cody on the go!

2011-11-13T15:08:00.002-06:00

Cody has decided this is how he likes to hold on to the shopping cart!

Cody calls this his bicycle! It's a hand-me-down from our neighbors and he rides it all around the house and up and down the street. He goes fast!

This is how he likes to shop at Target! When we discovered this cart it made shopping more fun for everyone. He stays put and loves to ride! When I stop he does get off and help me put things in the cart. Sometimes at check out I find surprise items!

Cody has recently started lounging on the floor like this! (He only gets his paci at nap time and night time and does really well with this new "rule".)

He loves to sit and play on these rides.

Ice cream is his favorite...just like his daddy! He always asks for chocolate chips in a side bowl to add to the ice cream little by little. We get him the mini chips and he loves it.

Making a Christmas wish list...he was pointing at all the fun things in this catalog.

Oh, What Fun!

2011-11-06T12:44:00.003-06:00

Cody enjoyed entertaining himself with this box one weekend!

He would curl up inside and want us to "close the door" so he was completely inside the box!

Jackson, Grand Teton National Park and Jenny Lake

2011-11-04T16:07:00.006-05:00

We ended our trip in Jackson Hole! Randy, Diane and Uncle Bruce joined us there for the day before spending two more days at the campsite in Yellowstone. We took a relaxing boat ride across Jenny Lake and we all had fun watching Cody's excitement of being on the boat.

Once on the other side of the lake we took a short but steep hike. This was Cody's first hike and he wanted to jump down or up any rock, log, step that he came across.

The Grand Tetons are our favorite mountain range!

We did some shopping and hung out in Jackson square before we said good-bye to Grandpa, Grandma and Uncle Bruce. Cody found a new friend!

The end of a vacation is sad but saying good-bye to family is even harder! We had a wonderful trip!

Roosevelt Old West Dinner and Wagon Tail Ride

2011-11-04T14:44:00.003-05:00

Thanks to the generosity of Randy and Diane, we enjoyed taking a 30 minute wagon ride out into the country for an old west dinner and cookout. It was really fun and Cody enjoyed the wagon ride and horses!

Grandpa and Grandma rode horses while we rode in the wagon!

Cody found his happy place while we were at the cookout. There was a little stream surrounded by rocks! This is where he stayed and was more than happy!

Geysers, Hot Springs and Mud Spots

2011-11-04T13:57:00.004-05:00

The geothermal areas of Yellowstone include several geyser basins as well as other geothermal features such as hot springs and mud spots. The number of thermal features in Yellowstone is estimated at 10,000 and 200 to 250 geysers erupt in Yellowstone each year, making it the place with the highest concentration of active geysers in the world. This is one of Jason's favorite spots to visit.

This area is always amazin to see! It's also really neat in the winter when these "pools" are surrounded by snow but still hot. No pictures of Cody at this location...the walkways are very important for safety and its super dangerous to get off of the path. The ground is not solid and the water is boiling hot! So, we kept Cody in our arms or holding our hands the entire time!

Breath-taking Views!

2011-11-04T13:46:00.002-05:00

We simply cannot get enough of being outside in the mountains! It's breath-taking! Of course, different from past trips in the mountains, we were chasing a two year old. So, soaking in the beauty was short and sweet but still fabulous!

I love this picture as if we are both enjoying the beauty of being on top of a mountain together! Some day Cody will understand the magnitude of mountains and some day he will get to hike up a mountain with his daddy!

The mountains make us happy! Our home away from home!

Cody lived with a dirty face, dirty hands, chapped cheeks and a runny nose from the cold weather most of the week but he was always happy and enjoying himself!

The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone

2011-11-04T13:39:00.004-05:00

We spent some time looking at the water falls and canyons known as The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. Cody enjoyed climing up and down the steps and looking at the water. He liked anything we did outdoors but wasn't too amused with the visitor centers, museums, etc.

Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center in West Yellowstone

2011-11-02T18:34:00.010-05:00

We went to the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center in West Yellowstone, Montana. So, even though we didn't get to see Wolves, Black or Grizzly Bears in the wild we did see them here. It was neat to read about the history of these animals!

They even had a playground! Cody enojyed having a place to run around and play! As soon as he saw it his eyes lit up and he bolted for it! He was definately not amused by the museum.

Then we went to get ice cream at Dairy Queen and had a funny conversation with Cody about whether ice cream was yucky or yummy. He kept saying "ice cream's yucky!" just to get us to laugh at him.

Grizzly Bear

2011-11-02T15:41:00.004-05:00

The whole trip we had our eyes peeled to find a grizzly but never got to see one. Two mornings after we left Randy, Diane and Uncle Bruce saw a grizzly out in the valley! I was so excited for them to get to see it but so sad that we missed out!

Looking for Critters - Yellowstone National Park

2011-11-02T15:31:00.008-05:00

Bison are everywhere! A herd of Bison is like seeing a herd of cattle. They often stop traffic walking down the middle of the road. This particular bison made us laugh because Cody kept saying "Oh, no!...watch out....it's gonna get you!" as he headed towards our car.

Baby Bison

Deer

Sadly, we didn't get to see a Moose!

Enjoying the Beauty

2011-10-28T16:10:00.006-05:00

The beauty is breath-taking! Amazing photography by Randy and Diane!

Enjoying the beauty and chasing Cody to make sure he didn't fall over a cliff or get too close to a bison!

Life is fun when Grandpa's around!

Me and my sweet boy!

Hiker in Training!

Old Faithful

2011-10-28T15:24:00.004-05:00

Old Faithful is always a fascinating site to see. The precision of this geyser and its eruptions always draws a crowd. The Upper Geyser Basin is the home of Old Faithful, the most famous and celebrated geyser in the world. Old Faithful has frequent and regular eruptions over 100 feet.

Jason and Randy

I love that you can see Old Faithful behind us.

This is how Cody enjoyed watching Old Faithful! He said "look, smoke!" and then was uninterested. His Yellowstone bus was his souvenir from us and brought much entertainment!

Cody enjoyed the children's part of the visitor center! It will be fun when he is older and his science-major dad can teach him. I have definately learned a lot about science from him.

The Campsite....Our Home for the Week

2011-10-28T14:48:00.019-05:00

Our campsite was tucked back into the woods and perfect! We had two sites side by side. Randy and Diane had one site and Uncle Bruce, Cody, Jason and I had the other. Cody had fun running in between the trees and loved the freedom that being outside brought him...complete with dirt! Canyon campground has bathrooms and running water with a lodge area close by for showers, laundry machines, restaurants, shops and a grocery store! So, although we are camping we are not roughing it too much!

We rented a trailer in Jackson and it was great. The only stipulation I had for taking a 2 year old camping was that he could sleep in his pack and play and that we could somehow keep him out of the feezing temperatures at night. The trailer was perfect. Jason slept at one end and I slept at the other. The place that is intended for a table worked great for Cody's pack and play. We unzipped a couple windows to still be able to sleep cold but Cody was perfectly warm in his fleece jammies and blankets. We all slept great! There was even two nights where it rained hard and one of those nights was a LOUD thunderstorm and Cody slept right through it. We were pleasantly surprised! We only used the trailer for sleeping, changing diapers and getting dressed but otherwise did all the cooking outdoors.

No food in the trailer = no bears in the trailer!

Unlce Bruce's tent was set up a few yards from our trailer.

Randy and Diane's tent. They have a nice set up complete with cots and a nightstand!

Grandpa and Grandma came prepared and brought this tent to set up so Cody could play under it. They brought a rug and later we added a tarp. It also worked great to put our camping chairs under a couple times when it rained while we were eating dinner.

Randy would get up in the morning and start a campfire and when Cody woke up we would sit and snuggle by the fire while breakfast was cooking!

Just like at home Cody wanted to see what was cooking and be right in on the action at the table. Grandma was "in charge" of the kitchen...therefore she got to benefit from Cody's help! I think they both loved working together!

Even Uncle Bruce got to help! Cody ate all his meals on these fun animal plates.

Helping Grandma stir the vegetables!

Grandma and Grandpa brought a little surprise for Cody for every day we were camping! He definately caught on and knew where the stash was kept.

Uncle Bruce enjoying the campfire!

No camping trip is complete without making s'mores!

A visit from a deer!

A tired but happy little camper!

Yellowstone National Park

2011-10-28T13:31:00.004-05:00

When we got to the campsite Randy (Grandpa!), Diane (Grandma!) and Uncle Bruce were waiting for us. They drove from Oregon and we got to spend the week camping with them. They were wonderful and provided all the food for the week. We had better meals cooked outdoors than we have at home. The pictures from our trip are a combination of 3 cameras...ours, Randy's and Diane's with Cody at the center of many of the pictures. Yellowstone National Park is Jason's favorite park and has become mine as well. It is so beautiful and the weather was great...nice and cool like we like it!

The waterfalls are amazing...it's so peaceful to hear the rushing water.

This rock is neat....it looks like a bear!

Stevenson Family Road Trip...to the Mountains!

2011-10-26T14:45:00.005-05:00

Our little family of 3 traveled from Dallas, TX to Jackson, WY and spent 2 weeks in the mountains! Honestly, I didn't know how the 23 hour drive and camping with a 2 year old would go but it was so much fun! Cody was amazing on the drive and a greay camper! We took 3 days to reach our final stop at the campsite and I think it really helped to break up the trip for him. We stayed in 3 different hotels along the way which kept us all rested and not too road weary. Cody thought it was so fun to be in the hotel room and would jump on the beds and run in circles. We packed in water proof tubs and it was great for travel and kept us all organized. At each hotel stop we would take what we needed for the night and move everything else to the cab of the truck. Cody thought it was fun to climb in the back of the truck and help Jason pack and unpack.

Cody also enjoyed riding on the luggage cart all the way from the truck to the room. We did get a few stares at our choice of "luggage" but once we explained our destination was camping in Yellowstone it all made sense.

Almost there...the mountains...our home away from home!

Our first views of the Grand Tetons!

Jackson Hole and Yellowstone are extra special to us because this is where we honeymooned and took our 1st married summer vacation together six months after our wedding!

Sunset in Yellowstone!

Cody took his nap almost every day in the car while we were driving around. We were amazed that he still kept his 2-3 hour nap routine and woke up happy! He would go back and forth between watching movies and playing games on the iPad to watching movies on the laptop. We was such a great traveler and really enjoyed being in the car. As much as he had fun at the campsite we realized that his happy place was in his carseat. We think this is where he was the most secure when surrounded by nothing that was familiar. It definately made it easy since we were in the car a lot!

Cody's 1st Day of Preschool

2011-10-21T13:38:00.003-05:00

Cody started preschool this year at our church and loves it! It took him a little bit to figure out the difference between church and school since they are all in the same place. However, he loves his teachers, Mrs. Carey and Mrs. Shannon and runs right in to his classroom each morning (except the two weeks his molar's were coming in)! He is there from 9am to 2pm and has a full morning consisting of table activites, outside play, music/chapel, snack time, are, centers, circle time, lunch time and rest time. It's a busy morning! We are pleased that Cody will lay on his nap mat and sleep. We enjoy hearing about his day and seeing the craft he brings home!

He was actually happy and excited to be going to school until he saw the teacher's kids playing on the play ground and I wouldn't let him go play....thus, the sad face. Now he doesn't care when we see them because it knows it will soon be his turn to go outside!

Cody: Age 2 years 4 months

Since Jason works at the church he gets to enjoy picking Cody up with me! He usually has meetings in the mornings but we look forward to going to get Cody together in the afternoons.

Friday's = Trash Pick Up Day = Garbage Trucks!

2011-10-17T15:13:00.002-05:00

Cody is still crazy over garbage trucks! They tend to go in the car with us and sometimes even in his bed with him....until he falls asleep. He has 6 of them....and loves them all! He loves to watch garbage trucks on youtube and Toy Story 3 is a new favorite once he realized there was a garbage truck in that! He has collected what he calls "trash" from odds and ends around the house and is always filling up his trash cans and emptying them in the garbage trucks.

This is his other favorite garbage truck (a birthday gift from Mary after constantly playing with Ty's), his trash cans and his trash collection!

Friday's are so exciting because the garbage/recycling trucks come down our alley 4 times. When he hears them coming we run out back and watch them! If we are lucky enough to be in the car and have time we will actually follow the trucks around the neighborhood. The smile it brings to his face is worth every minute! He loves to help get the trash cans ready on Friday mornings. One day he ran back inside and came back out and in all seriousness put his little toy cans next to our big ones! I couldn't resist taking a picture!

Train Ride

2011-10-13T21:39:00.001-05:00

Cody and I went to Grapevine Mills mall for a quick outing and we were filled with excitment that there was a train in the mall that we could ride! He did his happy dance and said "please, please, mommy" over and over. The train went all around the mall and Cody could not have been happier!

We both sat in this little train car! We rode it twice and had fun together. It's a good thing this mall is not close to our house or I'd be broke taking him on train rides!

Evidence of our Summer Play Group

2011-09-30T16:10:00.002-05:00

This picture makes me happy...and laugh! We definately enjoyed our summer play dates with Mary and Jennie...and their kids. One day we lined up their crocs and Mary took a picture. Someday we will look back and remember when their shoes were this little and we sat around as moms talking about motherhood!

Summer isover and school has started up and schedules have changed! We will always make time for each other...it's just less frequent than it was this summer!

(The only kiddo not represented by a pair of crocs is baby Kiley)

Rec Center Water Park

2011-09-23T12:34:00.001-05:00

We joined the rec center for the summer to be able to go and use the pool and water park. Cody didn't seem to enjoy the swimming pool this summer but he loved the kid area and water slide. I think he liked the freedom of being in control and not having to be helped in the "big" pool. He wasn't afraid to go down the slides and by the middle of the summer I was more confident letting me go by himself if it wasn't crowded. We went several times as a family, a couple times just me and Cody and many times with Mary and her kids (with a trip to Cici's pizza for dinner afterwards). What a fun summer place to go!

Here he is greeting Ty! He gets excited when he passes Ty in the water.

Ready, set, go! He loved this water slide and always had a big smile the whole way!

Charlie was Cody's favorite at the water park. She will do the slides with him and follow him around...which always makes his day. Every time we drive by the rec he says "play with Charlie, put on bathing suit". They have fun together and she looks out for him.

He masters climbing this rope the first day we were there! Again, Cody and Charlie are never too far apart.

Sweet Joy! She likes to stick close to Mary or have snacks on the side but will casually wander around in the water or find a spot to play in.

Splash Park

2011-09-20T13:13:00.000-05:00

We spent many of our summer days outside in the water! Cody loved going to the splash park...especially on days we met Jennie and Mary and their kids. Sarah also took him all the time so he got his does of outside fun this summer! There were two splash parks we would alternate for variety.

No playdate is complete without Mary handing out fun candy! Here he is learning how to eat fun dip.

The few minutes a day he sits still...

2011-09-17T14:41:00.004-05:00

Cody relaxes in our bed every night before he gets in his own bed. This started on our trip to Alaska and has continued since. He drinks his milk and watches a video on the iPad. This is routine now and if we don't stick to the routine he reminds us. He is snuggled here anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes depending on the night. This particular night there would be no relaxing until all his gabage trucks were on the bed with him.

He also loves his blue chair and sits in it to watch TV. This is usually how he starts his day or takes a break from playing. He doesn't sit too long but does prop up his feet a few times a day! His paci is still a must when he's tired. We are trying to put it up during the day and eventually ween him totally but for now it's his comfort "thing".

Sarah and Cody

2011-09-17T13:15:00.008-05:00

Sarah (or Seerah as Cody says) is one special girl! She was Cody's nanny for two years so I could continue to work. I love my job of 10 years and wanted to try and keep it once I became a mom. Sarah was with Cody 20 hours a week and sometimes more. She had a carseat that stayed in her car and she took Cody on fun outings as he got older...especially during this past summer. We started leaving Cody with Sarah when he was 4 months old up until he was 2 years 4 months old. Sarah recently transfered to Texas A&M to finish out her college career. We are so proud of her! Cody asks about Sarah a lot and when she comes to visit his face lights up with pure love and joy for Seerah! Last weekend when she came over he wanted me and Jason to leave! He didn't want to share Sarah with us even though we wanted to visit with her too. We are so blessed to have been able to have Cody stay at home, in a routine and with someone who truly loves him while we went to work. We trust Sarah and knew Cody was in good hands. Sarah will always be a part of our family!

We love knowing that Sarah truly loves Cody and wanted to be babysitting him. It wasn't just a job to her!

Sarah manages to get lots of kisses from Cody!

Cody started pre-school this year and has a new college girl that he has fun with (and another one of our former students), Kaitlyn, coming to keep him once a week! We are forever grateful that these girls love Cody and he loves them. It's a blessing to be able to work and know he is happy and well cared for!

This smile he gave Sarah shows his love for her! We miss Sarah!

Lizzie's Mickey/Minnie Mouse Party

2011-09-08T20:56:00.001-05:00

This is Cody's friend, Lizzie! She is one of the sweetest little girls we know! Cody went to a party for her and all the kids got to dress up like Mickey or Minnie! It was so cute and he had so much fun! Lizzie's mom and dad (David and Jamie) are good friends of ours and partner in ministry with us.

He wouldn't leave on his Mickey ears and the costume was a little small for him but he had fun and was cute running around as a little Mickey.

Hudson was adorable in his Mickey costume! A princess chair just the right size for a little Mickey Mouse! I think they all took turns sitting here.

Becca made a precious Minnie Mouse! She is Lizzie's sister and a sweet girl as well.

The whole room was decorated in the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse theme and Cody did his happy dance and ran around everywhere. He chased Hudson in and out of this tent.

All the little Mickey and Minnie's.

Paije was one of our former students and is in college now. She works at this party place and helped arrange a special party for Lizzie. Cody was so intent on getting a Mickey tatoo and waited patiently while she put it on his hand.

They all got to jump in a bounce house and then had other games to play. Cody was the youngest kid there by 9 months but did well following what the others did and waiting in line for his turn. He did mess the obstacle course up a little bit which gave us all a good laugh.

They played music and danced until it stopped and then had to freeze. He was so funny and intent on dancing with this sweet little girl. He really wanted to hold her hands and she had this cute grin on her face the whole time.

A tired Mickey after the dance party!

Hudson was quite the hit on the dance floor and showed off all his fancy moves...which were quite impressive! He kept us all laughing!

And a Mickey costume is not complete without gloves and a wand!

We had such a fun time at Lizzie's party and were glad we got to go and show her how much we love her!

Ty and Cody

2011-09-07T12:05:00.003-05:00

Cody loves his friends! He gets excited any time he knows he will get to see "Ty, Charlie, Joy, David or Joshua". We spend most of our play dates and free time with Mary and Jennie and their kids (he hasn't shown an interest in Jennie's baby, Kylie, yet. ha!) The other friends he talks about are "Lizzie, Becca and Hudson". He constantly names his friends and asks to play with them. He likes to copy what they do. I love this picture of Ty and Cody at the piano. He is filled with excitement and joy when he gets to play with them and do what they do!

My Hubs

2011-09-02T23:42:00.000-05:00

Our friend and fellow ministry partner, Sean, took this picture of Jason while on a youth trip in Colorado this summer! I love it and it captures Jason's love for the mountains perfectly!

Sweet Girls

2011-09-02T23:39:00.003-05:00

These girls have been "my girls" since they were in 6th grade...and they all just graduated from high school! Alex, Sarah, Victoria, Emily and Layne...I hope they left for college knowing how much I love them and how much I will miss them. They were the first girls I got to know when I married Jason and started working with they youth. They make me laugh...and cry...and definately make me feel protective of them. They were the core senior girls in our youth group, exeptional leaders and beautiful ladies inside and out!

Alaska Scenic Cruising Sunset

2011-08-22T15:47:00.001-05:00

Sunsets over the ocean are incredible!

Bye-Bye Alaska!

Thanks to my wonderful inlaws for taking such great pics!

Victoria - Canada

2011-08-22T15:37:00.004-05:00

Our last stop is in Victoria, Canada! We are docked from 6pm to midnight so all we like to do is get off the ship for a bit and find somewhere to eat dinner and then walk around the streets!

This is where we got our passports stamped and Cody's first stamp on his!

The Empress Hotel is a famous place that is fun to hang out at and explore. The grounds around the hotel are beautiful!

Our attempt at a family picture under this neat tree outside the hotel.

Another amazing and big tree...fit for a two year old!

Cody enjoyed running all over!

Totem poles are all over Alaska and Victoria.

And the flowers are beautiful!

Cody is really in to telling us which way to go and so this time we pretty much followed him around while he explored...after all we did coop him up in a ship for 7 days!

"I want to go "this way"!

Our ship at night!

Cody's Cruise Fun

2011-08-21T13:04:00.000-05:00

Cody loved to climb on the nightstand and jump onto the bed, watch himself in the mirror, or put his cars on the ledge. He was always so proud of himself when he climbed up there.

Cody was worn out by the time a nap or bedtime came around and would fall alseep as soon as he was still for a minute. He liked to be snuggled on the bed watching a video. He fell climbing on the stairs inside the ship and his the side rail leaving him this scratch.

Grandma and Grandpa brought Cody a "surprise" every day of our trip. He eventually figured it out and would ask Grandma for his surprise. He ended the trip with fun cars, tractors, trains, coloring books, colors, markers, puzzles and books. What a fun treat!

Alaska's 1st City: Ketchikan

2011-08-20T21:45:00.006-05:00

We are only docked in Ketchikan a short time and there isn't that much to see. However, our favorite place to go is called Ketchicandies and they have the best chocolate dipped oreos. We had to take Cody since oreos are his favorite. However, he was happier with gummie worms.

Float planes are really fun to watch taking off and landing on the water. We have been on a float plane with the Insight for Living staff on other trips to Alaska but opted not to take Cody on one this year. He sure loved watching them, though!

The only picture we have of all 5 of us!

I loved Jason and Cody's matching vests!

We went to the visitor center and Cody loves running up and down the ramps they had inside and outside. It was a grea way to burn some energy and he giggled the whole time.

Sitka, Alaska

2011-08-20T15:58:00.002-05:00

Sitka is probably our favorite little town to stop at. We enjoy walking the streets and looking at the old churchs, schools and buildings. Not to mention it is surrounded by beauty!

We always see Eagles in Sitka but to see two together was neat!

Jason taking in the sites as we approached Sitka.

The cruise ship anchors out in the water....

So we ride a boat into shore...it's call tendering. See how little the boat looks hanging on the side of the ship. It holds about 100 people.

Cody absolutely LOVED riding this boat back and forth to the ship.

Hubbard Glacier - Wrangell St. Elias National Park

2011-08-19T13:04:00.004-05:00

We cruised into the Hubbard Glacier and Wrangell St. Elias National Park! This is always such a neat experience as the ship goes really slow and we start to see the ice chunks in the water and then this huge glacier comes in to sight. It is breath taking!

Just a few facts:
The Hubbard Glacier is one of the largest and most active tidewater glaciers in North America.

Mt. St. Elias, at 18,008 feet, is the second highest peak in the United States.

Mt. Wrangell, at 14,163 feet, is one of the largest active volcanoes in North America.

This is how Cody watched for the glacier. He kept saying "ice" when he'd see it. My friend Teri was on the balcony next to us and kept singing "ice, ice, baby...too cold, too cold" to Cody and dancing. He loved it and would repeat it and keep asking her to sing it "more".

And when he got bored with looking at the ice he'd play with his cars/trains.

The glaciers will calve off and fall into the water. There is a load roaring sound as it breaks off and falls into the water and the whole ship will gasp and point when it happens. It's quite an experience.

And it's always fun to see ocean creatures like this seal.

Another fun fact is one of Cody's middle names is Elias named after this mountain!

Juneau, Alaska - Mendenhall Glacier

2011-08-16T20:46:00.011-05:00

After a full day of sailing it is always fun to dock! Our first stop was Juneau!

Cody was definately excited to be off the ship and have freedom to run around!

We wanted to take a bus to see the Mendenhall Glacier but there was a 45 minute wait. Here we are deciding if we really wanted to wait or if we should we go to plan B.

After all...keeping Cody happy while waiting proved to be tricky...he wanted to be on the move and not wait around!

But a sucker bought us a little time! The bus finally came and Cody loved riding it!

And it was well worth the wait! This glacier was beautiful!

And there were lots of places for Cody to climb!

Thankfully Daddy was willing to help him accomplish these steep steps!

The Glaciers are amazingly blue!

The chunks of ice floating in the water are incredible.

Too bad Cody isn't afraid of bears! He pointed out his eyes, ears, teeth, tongue and nose.

After enjoying our time at the glacier and visitor center we headed back into Juneau and took a walk around the town and did a little shopping. It was a rainy day but still beautiful!

Alaska - Scenic Sailing Day

2011-08-12T14:55:00.001-05:00

Holland America: Westerdam was our home for the week!

Jason and Randy taking in the scenic sailing!

This is how Cody enjoyed sailing! Our balcony was perfect for him to play. Our room was next door to Jason's parent's room. We had an adjoining door inside and opened our balcony to make one big area for us to enjoy all together. Cody would bring his cars out and push them up and down the edge.

Cody had his own paparazzi traveling with us and his grandparents! And thanks to them I was able to get some good pictures of this years trip!

Alaska Cruise - Plane Ride and Seattle

2011-08-10T22:42:00.004-05:00

Over the 4th of July holiday we traveled with Insight for Living on an Alaska Cruise! It is a working cruise and a privilege to get invited year after year. This was our 5th time to go to Alaska but our 1st time to take Cody! Jason's parent's joined us as well this year! We go on the cruise to do youth ministry for families that travel to attend the conference! It is a blast and we truly enjoy getting to see this part of the world. It's absolutely beautfiul! The adventure started at the airport! Cody loved getting to see the airplanes and we made sure to have time to ride the train just for fun! His eyes were big and his smile was huge as he took it all in! He definately knew he was on an airplane and so excited!

Escalators are another thing that brings Cody a lot of joy!

We arrived in Seattle excited but exhausted! Since we were all 3 in the same room this is how Cody went to bed each night...watching a video on the iPad, drinking milk and of course, the paci! This totally relaxed him and once he started to doze off we would put him in his pack and play. It worked great and he slept well!

The next morning we woke up and Grandma and Grandpa were there! They drove from Oregon and got there after we went to bed so it was fun to wake up and get to see them. Cody warmed up to them very quickly and started showing off right away! We set out to enjoy our day in Seattle! First off, Pike Place Public Market. There is a lot to see and take in there and it also a tradition to go and visit the original Starbucks and first REI!

Bryant, my boss, took this picture of Mt. Rainier from the airplane! Mt. Rainier is always a scenic view while in Seattle!

We love the days we spend in Seattle before the cruise! It's one of our favorite cities!

"It's too hot, Mommy!"

2011-08-04T14:16:00.002-05:00

Cody has been saying "it's too hot, Mommy" every time we go outside but especially when we get in the car! I agree! It is 108 degrees! When I put him in his carseat he tells me to "blow on it" because it's too hot. I blow on his food to cool it down so why not blow on the carseat! Smart Boy! We were running errands and I felt so sorry for him and his little red face that we went through Wendy's and I got him a kid sized frosty. I cut the straw down to fit the small cut (they gave me a spoon but I wasn't about to let him eat it with a spoon in the car) and he loved every drop of it!!

Backyard Fun: "Water Slide"

2011-07-20T19:39:00.003-05:00

Father's Day: Home Depot Kids Workshop

2011-07-15T22:33:00.001-05:00

Jason has been taking Cody to Home Depot once a month when they have the kids workshop. We celebrated Father's Day on Saturday and so I attended the workshop with them. It's so cute how Cody understands where the nails go and is learning how the tools work.

I love that Cody's consentrating so hard his tongue is sticking out!

He had this little apron but doesn't always want to wear it. He gets a pin that goes with the project for that day.

Water!!

2011-06-26T22:09:00.003-05:00

Cody loves loves loves playing in water! Whether it is the bathtub, kitchen sick, at a splash park, the kid area at the rec center or our own backyard (basically anything but a big swimming pool...he likes to have his feet touching bottom and doesn't like help)! We have definately stayed cool by staying wet this summer! One day I was hosing off the porch while he was jumping and it turned into a soggy boy laughing and having fun while jumping. Now he always wants the hose on while he jumps!

Buddies

2011-06-24T14:41:00.000-05:00

One things for sure: Cody loves other kids! We are trying to teach him the word "friend" but right now he calls everyone (even girls) boys! He lights up when he sees other kids and it makes his day to get to see and play with his friends! This is Hudson...he's 9 months older than Cody and they play so well together! Katie kept Cody for 2 hours for me and sent me this while I was running errands. Love it!!

"I'm a big kid now"

2011-06-24T14:31:00.001-05:00

Cody has picked up on the Toys R US slogan "I'm a big kid now" and when he hears it on a commercial he repeats it. It's too cute! We love doing big kid things with Cody!

Cody goes to a Home Depot kids workshop with Jason once a month. Jason's friends, Sean and Jonathan, go with their boys too and the last time they took the kids to In and Out afterwards. It's a father/son play date! Ha! Jason took these with his phone...here Cody is placing a nail in the hole.

Using a hammer!

Learning to sit at the table! We have a higher kitchen table and the booster helps! He knows this is his big boy seat! He had two drinks for this dinner!

Reading instruction manuels. This was so funny. I was putting together his (new) sandbox (that has a lid!) and he kept copying me looking at the directions.

He's in to bringing us our shoes and trying to put them on!

Grandpa and Grandma sent Cody this shirt for his birthday. People stop us when they see it and asked where we got it but they had it made. I keep my nativity up all year on the piano and he knows not to touch it....I guess he thought since he had the shirt on he could get away with it!

Playing in the cars at Toys R Us!

Swinging on a big kid swing!

Getting to get ice cream from the ice cream truck!

Carousel Rides

2011-06-23T20:30:00.003-05:00

Riding the carousel is now the highlight of going to the mall! It's 5 minutes (and $2) worth of pure joy and excitement for him. He knows how to get the coin, give it to the man, and find a horse to ride on. Oh, and he says "wee" the entire time! He grins from ear to ear but is quickly sad when the fun is over!

Sadly, it's hard to get my phone to capture the true joy and smiles, especially while moving up and down!

Just Relaxing!

2011-06-22T14:59:00.000-05:00

Cody loves his little blue chair and knows it's just for him!

Train Ride

2011-06-20T23:06:00.001-05:00

Cody loves trains as much as he loves cars! So, we took him on a dart train ride right before his 2nd birthday. We rode it for about 30 minutes and got off at Mockingbird Station and had dinner and walked around before riding it back home. Cody loved it!! Of course, he did not want to sit still but he was so excited! I didn't get many pictures since he is constantly on the move!

And if he's not playing with his toy vehicles he's asking to play in the water (and asks often to take a bath). So, finding fountains also was the highlight of his day!

Cody's Presents

2011-06-20T22:47:00.003-05:00

Grandpa and Grandma gave Cody this great car ramp and a neat leap frog alphabet sounds toy for the fridge.

Garbage truck from the Wilborns.

A race track from Bubbie.

Playing with Bubbie's gift...which has since relocated to his train table.

Cody really understood how to open presents...or surprises as he calls them.

We gave Cody a matchbox car garage (and the garbage truck in the background, among other things).

There was definately a theme for this little boy. He has a fondness for cars and most of his surprises involved a car!

2nd Birthday Celebration

2011-06-20T22:29:00.007-05:00

We just had a relaxed casual celebration for Cody's 2nd Birthday. Cody and I met Mary and her kids for lunch at the mall and then Jason came home from work early and we spent the afternoon just the 3 of us. Later in the afternoon, my mom and one of our students, Richard, came over to have pizza and cake. Cody definately learned the word "surprise" this day and has been saying it ever since. We had a little cars theme set up for the day since cars is Cody's favorite thing right now!

Our sweet, happy 2 year old who definately knew this day was all about him!

It is impossible to get a picture with Cody...who refuses to sit still...so this is the best I got with our birthday boy!

Cody loved having Richard there. He really likes when the students come over and immediately starts showing off for them. Richard also brought Cody a monster truck!

Cody opened presents before we did cake which meant that he was not interested in stopping for cake. So, we gathered around where he was playing and sang him happy birthday while Jason held his candle. Then we all ate cake while he played. So typical of our boy that is not interested food.

Pizza for dinner!

Happy 2nd Birthday, Cody!! We love you!

Cody's Trampoline

2011-06-17T14:04:00.000-05:00

The first thing we did on Cody's birthday was go outside and show him his birthday present from us and Bubbie! We opened the blinds on the window and his eyes got big and he said "wow!". It was so cute! He was so excited! Jason and I stayed up and built it in the dark the night before. It was not easy but well worth the joy of giving it to Cody for his 2nd birthday!

Two!!

2011-06-15T15:10:00.009-05:00

It's hard to believe that Cody is TWO! The last two years have flown by and we are truly enjoying and loving our life with this little guy and treaure each day! We really try to soak up the memories and remember the funny things he says and does because we now understand the phrase "time is flying by". Cody is a very independent, go-getter, do-it-himself, no-fear, sweet sweet little boy! We love this about him but also love that he lets us teach him new things or assist in helping him when needed. He's eager to learn!

Cody is still obsessed with anything with wheels! He loves cars, busses, airplanes, trains, tractors, "big" trucks, bikes, bulldozers, garbage trucks and motorcycles! Seriously, he loves driving around town and spotting these things and most of the time he sees them before we do. He gets so excited from the backseat and squeals with delight as we pass something exciting! We have often taken a detour to follow a garbage truck or driven slow to watch an 18 wheeler. We took Cody on the dart train ride the weekend before his birthday and he was so excited to see and ride a "choo choo". This summer he will get to ride on an airplane (for the 5th time) and a cruise ship! He knows the sounds each vehicle makes too!

Cody talks all the time and really clearly! He is able to communitcate his wants and needs and we are enjoying watching him learn. If he sees a number he starts counting and if he sees words or letters he says "A". He can count to 7 but skips 4. He counts everything. He also is learning the letter sounds and the alphabet. We have started to work on colors using his match box cars. Now he says "blue" for any car. When we are driving he will say "go that way" and point in whatever direction he wants us to go. He says mommy (monny) and daddy all day long!

Cody would rather walk (or should I say run) everywhere (and he has the calves to prove it) instead of sitting in a stroller or shopping cart. He's really good at staying close to us...but now we are teaching him how not to touch things while shopping. He loves to be out and about which make his homebody mommy and daddy have to get a little creative. If we ask him if he wants to go to the store he says "see cars". Which either means he wants to see cars on the road or go to the toy isle and look at cars. He understands that he doesn't always go home with a car but definately enjoys looking. His eyes light up when he sees the toy isle and he said "there it is" as we approach as if the whole time we've been shopping he's been looking for the toys.

He has some really cute phrases. Some of our favorites are "where'd _____ go?" while holding up his hand in a curious pose, "there it/she/he is!", "there you go", "I'm gonna get you", "do you see/hear that", "oh, no!" and many others that are just too stinking cute to hear every day! He is really in to asking us to "play" and will often place a car in our hands and say "daddy/mommy, play?" He's learned how to say "that's mine" and we are working on how to say it politely. He enjoys reading books and naming every object on the page.

Cody loves to watch the garbage truck come pick up the trash and can hear it way before we do. It's the highlight of his Friday sometimes! He has several toy garbage trucks and trash cans and these are his favorite right now! Most of the "trash" that he puts in the garbage trucks are his matchbox cars! He has learned out to jump and wants to jump off curbs and down the stairs! He uses his whole body and it's so funny to watch. He likes to jump "like tigger".

Cody loves loves loves to be outside! He enjoys playing at the park, in the backyard, walking around the neighborhood and feeding the ducks at the pond in our neighborhood. We here the phrase "go outside" a lot and often have to explain that it's dark or raining and teaching him that he has to wait sometimes. Cody calls all other kids "boys" whether they are little kids like him or teenagers like our students....and whether they are girls or boys. We are trying to teach him to say "girls" and learn that there are girls and boys.

Cody is still our picky little eater! I haven't quite decided if picky is the right word or just that he isn't interested in food that much. He is not a big eater or into snacks or treats that much at all. He is definately not motivated by food. It's rare, although we try, to get him to eat new things. Sometimes I wonder if he has a texture issue but I haven't quite figured it out. He definately has a sweet tooth but unless he's has a good "meal" then he doesn't get sweet treats! I'm trying to get better at going with the flow on what he eats but some days I do get frustrated. He is not a big breakfast eater for sure and is better at lunch or dinner. He's learning to sit at the table and not in a high chair and how to stay at the table until everyone is done...a hard task for our boy that doesn't sit still.

Cody LOVES music! He has started singing along with songs...especially in the car or if he's watching a show or video and he recognizes the tune. At church he's the highlight of the JAM time that his little class goes to and is in constant motion the whole time. He loves to dance or shake the instruments and run in circles. He does not sit still for long at all! He loves church and will run straight into his class. Cody is extroverted and LOVES to play with other kids. He says his to kids in stores and playgrounds. It's not fun for him if he's the only kid somewhere and lights up as soon as another kid comes to wherever he's playing. He loves when we have friends over or he gets to go to their house! He often asks for his friends!

Cody is a great napper and sleeps well! We have started to wake him up from his afternoon naps so that he'll go to bed at night! He's definately a morning person and wakes up perky, happy and ready to start the day. Although, I can get him to snuggle while drinking milk and watching Micky Mouse for a bit. We end our day snuggling with him too!

Cody smiles and laughs all the time! We love having a silly little boy and the joy that he has about life! He loves to wrestle and for us to chase him. After every bath he likes to run naked down the hall while we chase him with a towel. He thinks this is hilarious and if we put the towel down, thinking we are done and ready to get him dressed, he brings us the towel and says chase! Although we can't get him to pose for a picture very well he will say "cheese" when he sees a camera.

He says please and thank you really well. He will often still use his sign language for more, please and eat. He loves to help us in the kitchen and has recently learned how to crack an egg! He wants to help stir and even taste whatever we are making. He often will stand at the pantry and ask for an oreo. That is probably his favorite "sweet treat" but he only eats the inside. He also likes to only eat the inside of cheese or peanut butter crackers and sandwhiches. He will eventually he the cracker/bread but usually eats the inside first. He loves animals and can name most animals...even a Moose! He has started being interested in watching bugs!

Cody is wearing 18 or 24 month short/pants and 24 month, 2T or 3T shirts. He wears size 6 diapers.

Weight: 24 pounds 14 ounces (10-25%)
Height: 34.5 inches (50-75 %)
Head: 19.5 Inches (75 -90%)

Train Number 19 for May 19th being Cody's 2nd birthday! We can't believe our boy is TWO but we are having a blast with him and being able to do "big boy" things with him!!

Cody Loves to Help in the Kitchen

2011-06-08T08:40:00.000-05:00

Cody loves to help in the kitchen! Anytime we start to cook or bake he comes running in and wants to watch and is learning how to help! He even likes to help get dishes or cooking utensils and help put up items when unloading the dishwasher. Even before the meal is ready he has his spoon and bowl ready to go! We got him this stool to help see better and he drags it around the kitchen to whatever location he thinks he needs to be at.

Making spaghetti for dinner

Making eggs for breakfast

Making chocolate chip cookies...look at his calves! He runs everywhere!

He's discovered that cookie dough is yummy!

We love our little helper and take every opportunity we can to teach him!

Yummy, Yummy, Yummy

2011-06-01T14:58:00.002-05:00

Cody spent the day with me and my mom in Canton and enjoyed sampling a peach smoothie! He has learned to say "yummy" and repeats it 3 times: "yummy, yummy, yummy". And it's rare these days that he will keep a hat on but I love it when he does!

Pretty Flowers...Cute Boy...Bad Timing on Snapping the Picture

2011-05-31T14:12:00.002-05:00

Bluebonnets

2011-05-30T14:18:00.002-05:00

One weekend while Jason was out of town Sarah Bailey (one of my senior girls) hung out with me and Cody. She took these great pictures of us with the bluebonnets! The sun was bright so getting Cody to look up was hard but I love how they turned out. He was facinated by the bees!

Too Cute

2011-05-12T12:39:00.000-05:00

Cody Favorites

2011-05-10T14:45:00.000-05:00

Cody enjoying brownie mix! Anytime we are baking or cooking he wants to be right up on the counter watching/helping/licking! We just bought a tall stool for him to stand on so he isn't sitting on the counter anymore.

Sitting on the front porch after waving bye-bye to daddy!

Cody loves to play in the back of Jason's truck

This little monkey climbed in his sandbox when I ran inside the house for a minute. He thought he was so funny!

Cody is really into his daddy right now and gets so excited when he comes home from work!

Playgroup

2011-05-10T13:53:00.000-05:00

Jennie and Mary and their kids came over one morning to play! We made mac and cheese and they enjoyed eating outside at Cody's new table from his grandpa and grandma!

David played in the sandbox.

Ty mowed the grass.

And baby Kylie slept.

We always enjoy hanging with the Balls and Wilborns! Our kids play well together and we get to visit!

Cody and Joy

2011-05-10T13:29:00.000-05:00

We kept Joy on morning and Cody loved having a friend over to play with. Cody LOVES whenever we have company! They enjoyed a snack....

Played in the sandbox...

And played with toys...

Easter

2011-04-27T16:02:00.030-05:00

We had a very relaxing Easter and had no agenda or plans. On Sunday after church, my mom came over and we all met up with our friends, the Ball's, and had a little Easter egg hung with our kids. Cody was interested in opening the eggs and eating the jelly beans inside but definately enjoyed running around with his friends more than the hunt itself.

Funny story: I had no intention at all (it hadn't even croseed my mind) to take Cody to see the Easter Bunny. However, Jason was out of town one weekend attending a college graduation and Cody and I went to the mall early (before the mall opened: the play area is not crowded and still clean!) to play and eat lunch. The bunny is set up right outside the play area and they walked him in and Cody's eyes got so big and he was so excited. He kept saying "nunny, nunny, nunny". I walked him over and we watched the bunny take his seat and Cody said (and signed) "see nunny" and "please" very excitedly. We were the second people in line and he waited patiently and ran over and climbed right up into the bunny's lap. The lady said she would take a picture but we didn't have to buy it if we just wanted to "visit" the bunny. But, I thought the picture turned out sweet and it was such a funny memory with Cody I bought it. We visited the bunny two more times before leaving the mall. He has pointed out every bunny he's seen since....even the ones hopping around the neighborhood.

Thomas the Train

2011-04-20T11:12:00.006-05:00

We had a fun Saturday afternoon going to see Thomas the Train in Grapevine. We opted not to spend the money on tickets to ride the train and will wait until Cody's a little older to enjoy that. But, we still wanted to go see Thomas. We invited Katie (Tom was out of town) and Hudson to join us and we all piled into Jason's truck for the adventure. We found a great parking spot where we could play on the train tracks and see Thomas. We thought when Thomas started to move that he'd come right by us but instead started backing up and getting farther away...so we waved "bye, bye" to Thomas and heard "where'd Thomas go?" from Hudson and "bye, bye choo choo" from Cody the rest of the night.

We opted to go to the Rainforest Cafe for dinner instead of paying the fee to play the Thomas games. The boys had a blast and we were all tired by the time we got home. Oh, and Hudson brought Cody a little matchbox car....which was probably the highlight of Cody's day...besides the train. :)

Fun

2011-04-19T14:34:00.004-05:00

One of our students, Sarah, stayed with me and Cody one night while Jason was on a trip. She stayed in the car with Cody while I ran into Target and she took this picture of him looking at himself in the mirror. I thought it was cute!

I took Sarah to my favorite new Mexican food place in town and Cody enjoyed the chips and queso! We had a fun time with Sarah and she took some great pictures of Cody in bluebonnets I'll post soon. She's an amazing photographer!

Our Boy!

2011-04-08T10:17:00.001-05:00

This little tall and lean bundle of energy keeps us laughing and captures our hearts over and over again every day! He is full of personality and brings us so much joy! What a handsome little boy!

Cody and Parker

2011-04-04T14:49:00.006-05:00

Kristin and Parker (my sister and nephew) came to visit last week! Cody (22 mo.) and Parker (15 mo.) are exactly 7 months apart and it was so much fun watching them play together. They are finally old enough to have fun together and Cody mentions Parker daily. Here they are greeting each other with a kiss. Isn't he adorable! Parker is such a sweet little boy and in a really funny stage that kept us laughing. He will snuggle in for a hug everytime he is picked up and has the cutest little voice. Bubbie came to play with her grandson's and even brought them lawnmowers that were a big hit! Getting them to pose together was impossible! Cody loved having someone to play with in the backyard. Aunt Krisitn playing with the boys! I love this picture of my sister....she's so beautiful! It didn't take Cody long to want to take the lawnmower outside....where it belongs. Parker loved riding around in Cody's car. Mac and Cheese to complete the day! We sure wish they lived closer but love any time we get with them. So fun to have boys together!

21 Months

2011-03-29T12:40:00.005-05:00

Since getting Cody to sit still is impossible these days. We decided to take him to the park and get some candid pictures of him. I love his profile. I have a sonogram picture of him that shows it perfectly and love when we capture it in a picture! He is contantly using his hand to say "where is ______?" or puts it next to his ear as he says "here that?" Cody has NO FEAR! He loves slides and isn't afraid to go down by himself no matter how tall. And of course, wants to try and climb back up. Cody has learned how to climb this wall. The only problem is when he's at the top he turns around and jumps off assuming someone is there to catch him. So we have to be on guard at certain high place and are trying to teach him to count before he jumps to give us a heads up. He does this on our stair case at home too. Seriously, no fear. Here he is ready to jump. He loves standing on this pole that spins around....he's learned this by watching the "big kids" and copying them. We should have known trying to make Cody pose for a picture while at the park wouldn't work. He did not want to be stopped. And we often get this when we try and hold him and he wants down. Such a big boy! He runs non-stop the minute we get out of the car at the park and plays hard. It's always hard to tell him it is time to go because he's never ready to leave. He loves being outside!

P90X with Daddy

2011-03-28T20:50:00.011-05:00

Jason works out to P90X in our garage and if Cody realizes he's out there he can't stand not going out to see Daddy. Cody copies what Jason does and likes to watch the guy on the DVD.

Here he is watching Jason...I love how he admires his Daddy!

Just like Daddy!