Our Birthday Boy

Yesterday our baby turned one! I've decided we can't call him "Baby" or "Baby C" anymore, since he's not a baby--and who wants that nickname anyway? Our Saturday was ordinary, but the boys did enjoy week-old birthday cake after dinner. Most of our celebrating was done last weekend when our families were in town for Collier's baptism. Of course he wore the same gown that Hamilton wore.

We shared the day with another family at church who were having their little guy baptized, too.

How special and sweet it was to have our church family praying for Collier.

Pastor Craig walked Collier up and down the aisle for the church family to get a better look.

Our families joined us for Sunday lunch, though we saved birthday cake and ice cream for after the boys' naps.

We created a cow cake for Collier using this idea.

Collier loved the ice cream and cake; I'm sure he cried when they were gone. He usually does.

The birthday boy was covered in chocolate icing.

After the sweets, Hamilton helped open Collier's gifts. Collier loved walking behind this brightly colored, wheeled toy.

Last night the boys and I had a small celebration with Hamilton's singing "Happy Birfanks" to Collier. (Mr. Morgan was driving back from a men's retreat in Atlanta; he arrived at bedtime for hugs and kisses.)

Both boys wanted more cake than they were given--even after I gave a not-normal second helping, so I could take pictures.

Hamilton's singing is hard to hear on this video unless your volume is loud. But "birfanks" is what he's singing with an "Amen" at the end. And I love how Collier is so good and quick at eating--especially delicious birthday cake!

Egg Hunts

Hamilton and Collier had multiple opportunities to participate in egg hunts this year. Amanda and I took the boys and baby Emory to the egg hunt on the Air Force base; then we had a picnic at the park, so the boys could play at the playground. Hamilton's jon-jon from last year with the smocked bunny still fit him, so we got another year of wear out of it. (I'm not sure it's appropriate to dress little boys in bunnies if it's not Easter time. I'm sure Mr. Morgan would wonder, Is it ever appropriate?)

There wasn't much "hunting" for these eggs, but Hamilton and Grady seemed to love it, especially once Hamilton realized there was candy inside each egg.

Here's Hamilton's picking up eggs and getting wise to the candy inside.

After the hunt, Hamilton and Grady examined their spoils and gave back the eggs. (Yes, I still had Hamilton using the Halloween basket, but I did at least pin a colored paper egg over the pumpkin.)

The big boys stood still long enough for a picture of everyone together, and Collier didn't seem to mind just watching the action from his stroller.

In Mountville we went to another egg hunt on a beautiful day where the eggs were a bit more hidden with at least pine straw and shrubs to look around. All the kids looked so cute in their Easter finery.

For some reason Hamilton latched onto this little girl's arm before the start of the hunt.

Off he went hunting for the eggs, looking like such a big boy!

Uncle Travis helped a bit.

The sandpile in the shade was Hamilton's favorite place to play after the hunt.

My boys jumped in on the picture of the Watts grandkids. Collier enjoyed watching Dolly (beside him) who was born just a few weeks ahead of him.

Hamilton loved the Fred-Flintstone car and wanted to take his brother for a ride.

Palm Sunday

I realize this post isn't timely; however, the pictures and video are too cute not to share. For Palm Sunday we enjoyed the children's singing at the beginning of the worship service. Hamilton and his friends headed over beforehand to practice in hopes that they'd be comfortable enough with the stage to actually sing once the pews were packed. The boys walked over hand-in-hand.

Hamilton did sing a bit during practice, though I was still skeptical of his participation during the worship service.

These three boys are such best buds; they elected to hold hands while leaving the sanctuary after practice.

I put Hamilton's little jacket on him for the singing during the service. He participated a little until he and West decided they'd better sit down for the last song.

Here's a video of their singing during practice; Hamilton didn't sing much more during the service.

Hamilton's outfit was Travis's when he was a little boy, so I wanted a shot of them together. Travis and Cheri were in town for the bridge run, so they joined us at Redeemer and I got my photo. Mom made the cute trousers and jacket so many years ago. Mr. Morgan said Hamilton looked like a Von Trapp child.

Hamilton found a yummy cupcake that the college students were giving away for donations. He quickly wolfed it down, and I had to write a check.

Hamilton loves "Mih Druid" who leads the kids in such sweet songs.

Zoo Birthday

For Travis's 30th birthday nearly two weeks ago, we descended upon Columbia to celebrate with the family. Since Travis loves the zoo (and the little boys do too), we settled for a day at the zoo with a picnic lunch. With Hamilton in and out of the jogging stroller, Collier spent most of the day in the backpack.

We were just in time to see the gorillas be fed. What an awesome view of these great creatures!

Hamilton had a front-row seat for the big gorilla; that's him with his hands out on the glass. Being so close to these creatures was so exciting!

Hamilton spent much of the day pal'ing around with Pops and getting a better view from Pops's shoulders.

I'm not sure if Hamilton actually ever reached out his hand to pet the giraffe, but he did enjoy watching up close--in the safety of Pops's arms.

For our picnic lunch, mom made German-chocolate cupcakes which has long been a tradition on Travis's birthday. Cheri, Travis's girlfriend, spent the day with us, and she was an enormous help with both boys.

Hamilton and Mimi enjoyed the carousel, though Hamilton wanted Mimi to stand closely for most of the ride.

Quickly after lunch, Collier conked out on Cheri who spent much of the day toting him around. I just noticed the drool stains on the backpack carrier where Collier mouthed it all morning.

We thoroughly enjoyed meeting Cheri and getting to know her at our beautiful day at the zoo.

Just before we left, Hamilton and Pops rode the little train.

That's Pops squeezed into the little train car with Hamilton and others.

December Roundup

Because of my participation in the December Photo Project, I neglected to post several pictures. So here's a roundup of December photos starting with the Morgan children posing for a picture that turned into a wrestle-fest.

Hamilton enjoyed this nativity felt-board book even more than he did last year.

Our dear friend Nancy captivates children when she plays with them in the nursery. Hamilton and West sat still for more than ten minutes with her as she read to them.

Hamilton loved playing with these figurines from Claire's nativity set.

Heavy equipment still enthralls Hamilton.

Grandma Judy couldn't get enough hugs from her boys when she first arrived.

Hamilton loved the gingerbread-building display at the Holiday Festival of Lights.

Claire roasted enormous marshmallows over the fire pit and shared them with everyone.

Hamilton was amazed by the giant firetruck made of lights.

At the festival we, of course, rode the train through the light displays.

Claire worked diligently to complete her Puzzleball of the world.

One of Hamilton's favorite gifts was the working drill that allowed him to "take a-park" the racecar and helicopter.

Collier seemed to enjoy all the presents especially the noisy packaging.

An outtake from our Christmas Eve photo shoot, here's a shot of Hamilton trying to escape.

On Christmas morning the kids opened their stockings, and we opened the last few gifts before heading to church for the Christmas Day service.

Next Christmas I'm resolving to start earlier with decorations and festivities. I want to celebrate with an advent calendar of some kind, so I'll have to begin planning and thinking about Christmas way before the first week of December.