The end of 2010...

From this...




























To this...



2010 is coming to a close and I thought I would write about all the adventures I had in one of my best years yet...
I turned 2.
I found out I was going to have a little sister.
We had a lot of snow.
I went to Florida.
I got a big boy bed.
I became a baseball player (The Easter bunny brought me baseball supplies).
Back to the lake and the park...the weather finally got warm.
Hadley was born.
I got a trike from Hadley.
I went to my first pig roast.
I don't use diapers anymore.
I caught lightning bugs.
I rode a pony.
I stayed up for the fireworks this year.
I picked lots of corn at the farm.
I went to the fair.
I went to Holiday World.
Lots of family visited this summer to see me and meet Hadley.
It was stinkin' hot this summer.
Brennan, Chase and mommy's friend (Erin) came to visit.
Football games started.
It was time to pick pumpkins again.
I rode another pony.
I finally pet a shark at the zoo.
I started gymnastics at the Y (no I don't wear a leotard...I just get to run around and jump off of things).
Mommy had a birthday.
I went to Florida again (this time with Nana and mommy and Hadley).
I started to cheer on the Hoosiers at Assembly Hall.
Thanksgiving.
Started counting down to Santa.
Daddy had a birthday.
I met Santa.
I met Santa again.
Santa came.

Of course, this is just a snapshot of 2010. We did so many more things that I can't even remember them all. I am sure I went to the Wonderlab more than a few times, I visited the Children's museum in Indy, I went to the zoo so many times I know where everything is, the library became one of my favorite spots, ice cream and popsicles became my favorite summertime treat, I spent a lot of time at Nene and Duke's, Nana and Papa's and Grandpa and Catherine's, ok I think you get the idea....I am a happening 2 year old.

But 2010 is ending...Hadley is 7 months old. She sits up, eats food and even has her first tooth. She lights up when she sees me. I am almost 3. I have a wild imagination, I love pizza and pancakes and my little sister. I can't wait to see what memories 2011 brings...

Santa came!

So I must have made the 'good' list because Santa came to my house on Christmas morning! I had more than my little heart desired and I still had to go to Nana and Papa's. I hope all your Christmas wishes came true and if not you always have next year. I hope to make the 'good' list next year too...and the year after...and after...and after...(ok I am sure you get the point!)
A few quick notes...no I didn't get another brother or sister even though today I told mommy I wanted two sisters. The third stocking is Reagan's!
And you know the song 'All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth'...Well Hady got one front tooth for Christmas!
And the last picture is really fitting after all the running around we did (even though it was worth it)...we were all drop over exhausted at the end of Christmas day!

Christmas Eve at Nene's house!

Well after Grandpa's house, I went home and went to bed because ripping open presents and playing with my new toys made me EXHAUSTED! Then the next day I got to start all over again at Nene's house!
Some of my old favorites were there but there were so many new people to play with...I made a new best friend (I will let everyone guess who I am talking about...I know the suspense is probably killing Uncle John)! But it was a great day to celebrate with family and before we left the snow was falling outside and I think I heard Santa's sleigh bell...

Christmas...

and Christmas...and Christmas...and Christmas! I am a lucky boy and I got to celebrate many times with all my much loved family members. We missed some family members that couldn't be with us this year but we know you were here in spirit. If you were here I would have opened your presents for you so maybe it is better off you were far away from this present opening monster!
Here are some pictures from Grandpa's house!

First Christmas...

This weekend we had our first Christmas of the year with my cousins (second cousins...that is). I had a blast chasing Mya, playing on the ice, eating sweets, rolling around with Olivia (Mya's puppy) and just playing with all the big kids. Who knew at the end of the day I would get presents? Hadley just liked the paper so I hope Santa brings her plenty of that this year.
Mommy and daddy keep telling me that Christmas is about family...well I think presents aren't necessary but they are definitely fun! I love my new cars and fire truck puzzle. Daddy and Hadley enjoyed the new band set. Now if we could just get Hadley to shake her instrument a little more before she insists on chewing on it, our band would sound a little better.

Hady's new trick!

She can stand up!

Reagan's new trick...oh wait she doesn't have one! But we still love her!

oh me, oh my, holiday crafts!

We made reindeer candy canes....


























Daddy and I made a gingerbread house...





















We made Christmas bugs to put on top of presents!




















I used glitter to decorate wreaths...I love glitter!

And we made a candy cane out of beads but I can't find a picture anywhere!

full of joy...and sweets!

So the snow, the cold and a few colds have kept us inside lately but that doesn't mean that there is not plenty to do to get ready for Santa. I have been baking, decorating and eating! There is plenty to go around so just stop by for fudge and cookies by Rice. I am thinking of opening my own shop and mommy can be my assistant (because I can't plug in the electric mixer yet by myself)!

Brunch with Santa...

I am one lucky boy...I got to meet Santa this year. He came and had brunch at the country club. Well, I didn't really see him eating much because so many kids wanted to come and sit on his lap. All of the books about Christmas didn't prepare me for meeting him...He was much bigger than I thought he would be, his beard was so fluffy and white and his belt and boots were huge. I did go and sit on his lap though and he did tell me that if I have been good I will get everything on my list but just in case he is reading...I really want some tools like daddy and some BIG cars! Oh and Hady wants a doll or two!:)

Happy birthday daddy!

It seems like everyone is having a birthday besides me....mommy a few months ago, now daddy, even my friend Molly. I want a day to be all about me...wait, mommy and daddy say that is everyday so how will my birthday be any different. Oh well, I guess I will wait and see. I hear my big day will soon arrive and I will be 3!
Saturday was daddy's day so we celebrated by going to Molly's birthday party (oh wait, that is how I celebrated). We did go out to dinner at daddy's choice restaurant then had cake and ice cream. Daddy even got some presents but Nene and Luke got Hady and me presents too.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DADDY! We all love you and everything you do for our family. We are lucky to have you!

Chef Rice...

That's me! I like to cook or help cook at least and my favorite part of the holiday season is baking cookies. We got a jump start this week.

Hady's 6 months old!

Hady went to the doctor this week for her six month check up. Even though I was a lot bigger than her at six months, she is growing like a champ. Mommy took a funny picture at the doctor's office but we don't want to embarrass Hady when she is 16 so we decided to post pictures of Hady at six months in front of our Christmas tree (Hady's first Christmas tree).
Here are Hady's stats...17 lbs. 6 oz., 25.5 inches long. Like I said she is growing like a champ but I was over 20 lbs at 6 months (just sayin').

First snow of the season...

We had a little dusting earlier this week and I couldn't wait to get enough to build a snowman and go rollerskating (sledding). I get my sports/activities mixed up so basketball is often football and rollerskating is sledding when there is snow on the ground.
But yesterday I woke up to enough snow to really get to play in it. Then it snowed all day too....Hady tried the snow. She isn't big enough to build a snowman or go sledding down a big hill like me but it was fun to have her outside in her first snow ever. Hady has a lot of firsts and it is fun to see her experience those but I can't wait for her to roll around in the snow with me or build a snowman that is bigger than our heads.
This year I got to have hot chocolate when I came in from playing outside in the cold cold snow...It's so yummy!