The FIRST Birthday Party!

We celebrated Quin's first birthday with a FOOTBALL party! We had football on the TV (duh), we had peanuts, popcorn, and nachos....a football pinata, and an amazing football birthday cake...made by the one and only, Aunt D! Quin had a great time and loved everyone watching him!




The kids had a blast doing the pinata even though it was cold and windy outside...everyone got a turn, and then John finished her off for us! Lots of candy for the kiddos!







When it was present time, Quin didn't want much to do with the gifts at all, not even the tissue paper or boxes which I thought he would love! He helped some, but really just liked to watch. He did love his presents after a while though, once he figured out they were fun toys just for him!


The cake was DEFINITELY the best part of the party. Quin's smash cake was big enough to serve everyone at the party, but it was just for little man! We sang him happy birthday and he dug in. I promise you he would have eaten the whole thing if we would have let him sit there long enough. He put a LARGE dent in it, and I am so surprised he didn't get sick. He was a HUGE mess though, so we whisked him away for a quick bath and then he was ready to play with some toys! We had a fun fun party, it was short and sweet!

Thanksgiving 2011

We had a WONDERFUL Thanskgiving this year! It was our year to have Thanksgiving with the Curry's and we were so thankful they all came to our house for a few days! We missed our Uncle Bubby very much! Everyone arrived on Wednesday night, and immediately Noah and Braidy ran wild! They chased each other around the house until they could run no more! They had a great time together...Braidy would occasionally push or hit Noah, but other than a few incidents ALL the cousins had a blast together! We loved our time with sweet Noah (and his mommy and daddy!) and of course Nena and Pops, too! I was a little worried about having my first Thanksgiving but I had a TON of help (otherwise we probably would have ended up at Luby's...eck). Ryan, Pops, and Todd fried our turkey and it was amazing...I fixed a few dishes and Nena brought a few...it was a delicious feast that we ate on for a good 3 days....and it just got better everytime!








We enjoyed going on a walk, playing football in the front yard, some Monopoly, lots of drawing and coloring with Uncle Todd, a little shopping, a trip to Chuck E Cheese with Nena and Pops (little boys only!), and an early afternoon movie before Quin's birthday party on Saturday.





I am so very thankful for my in-laws. I lucked out to gain a family that I love dearly, and love spending time with! What a great holiday we had!!! We have so much to be THANKFUL for!!!!

Birthday Celebrations #1 and #2

With any good first birthday, comes LOTS of celebrations! Quin was lucky enough to have three! On his actual birthday we started the day with a trip to the donut store. He LOVES donut holes, so that's just what we had. He had about five of them....We enjoyed our special birthday date!

I spent the day loving and enjoying my sweet one year old. I love this age and the fun it brings. That night LuLu and Papaw treated us to dinner at Harrigans and then we enjoyed some birthday cake at the house afterwards. Quin loved his cake and after being a little hesitant at first, dug right in after a few small bites. We had a sweet and special day for our sweet and special little boy!






Poppa and JJ were unable to be here for the party, so they decided to come up for the weekend after his birthday to celebrate! While we were sad they missed the party, we were so thankful to them for making a trip here for his birthday anyway. If anything, we got to spend even more time together. Poppa and JJ brought Quin a fun little tent/play area that he LOVES...(and so does big brothers too).




Quin, you are a special little boy who is loved by SO many people. I hope you had a fun first birthday!

Happy Birthday to Quin!

I can't even believe it's time to write Quin's "ONE YEAR OLD" blog. Where in the world has the past 12 months gone? The first year flew by faster than I've ever experienced. I guess it was so busy it just was here and gone before we even realized. It was fast and furious, but it was one of the sweetest years of my life. This precious blessing has completed our family (for the time being anyways). He makes my heart full. Here are my favorite 12 things about my sweet Quin.

#1. I love that he will snuggle. When he is being held he will just lay his sweet head on mine (or whomevers) shoulder. So sweet, and I treasure these moments.

#2. I love that he LOVES to make people laugh....and he laughs with the most contagious laugh ever. Hearing his deep giggle makes me smile no matter what kind of day I've had. He is a funny little guy. I treasure these moments.

#3. I love his squishy belly. It's so soft and squishy I could just eat it up. I love to kiss his tummy and rub it until he won't let me anymore because it tickles him. I treasure those moments.

#4. I love watching him learn new things. His most recent thing is waving "bye bye"...although you have to be pretty special for him to wave to you. His chubby little hands, turned toward him, waving backwards. He most often waves as he is going night night. I treasure these moments.

#5. I love nursing him, yes, still. I love that he will lay his sweet little hand on my chest or arm. I love that it is our time together, just the two of us, and I realize these days are numbered. I treasure these moments.

#6. I love his hair. It's all over the place. Wavy. Curly. Messy and Long. It fits him perfectly. I love after his bath I'll give him a giant combover like an old man, and then by the time I'm nursing him before bed I can run my fingers through his dry hair. He loves when I play with his hair, he gets so still and calm. I treasure these moments.

#7. I love getting him out of bed in the mornings and after his naps. He is ALL smiles, and usually will cuddle for just a few seconds. I love kissing his warm cheeks and the excitement on his face when he sees someone is coming to get him! He's always standing in the corner, ON his bumper pads just waiting patiently to get out. I treasure these moments.

#8. I love watching this kid eat. You should see him eat a grilled cheese sandwich. I promise you he could set some kind of record. He goes to town and never stops stuffing his face. He might be a vegetarian though, he does not like meat of any kind. He will put it in his mouth, and then get it out and hand it to me if I try to give him any meat. Overall, he's a good eater. I treasure these moments.

#9. I love watching him watch his brothers. He adores Braidy and John, and they are so sweet to play with him, share with him, and love on him (usually). Braidy and Quin will play in B's room forever, just quiet as can be. I love that they are all best buddies, and I know it will only get better from here on out. I treasure these moments.

#10. I love his ever so dimpled smile. He has 2 dimples on his right cheek and one on his left. Irresistable. And his little teeth. He has 4 on the bottom and finally one on top, little snaggle-toothed man. His smile can be sweet, happy, and mischeivious all at the same time. I treasure these moments.

#11. I love how determined this child is. If he wants something (the toilet paper, a box of cookies, dog food, etc) he is going to get it. He might wait until you turn your back, or until the door is accidentally left open, but he'll get what he wants. He's smart. He knows if he waits he will have his chance. And I love the PROUD look on his face (even though I might not be thrilled that he's unrolled an entire brand new roll of toilet paper...again) when he acheives his "goal". Nothing's going to stop Quin in life. Just try. I treasure these moments.

#12. I love his demeanor, his personality, and his huge heart. It's funny how at this young of an age you can tell what kind of personality he will have. He is super laid back, he loves to play alone, but loves people too. Even when he is 2 hours overdue for a nap, you'd never know it. He doesn't fuss, but he might fall asleep in the car. He truly loves life, his family, and his buddies. I treasure these moments.

I truly thank the Lord for this child. This perfect blessing that He has trusted Ryan and I to raise, love, protect. Quinny - we love you SOOOO much and have had the best year with you being in our family. I couldn't have imagined a year ago right now (about 6 hours shy of your birth) just how much I would love you!!! Happy First Birthday, Baby Boy!

Fall has Fallen!

It's really starting to look and feel like FALL!!! Particularly in our backyard which has TONS of leaves! Quin is finally at the age where he can "play" outside (now that he really crawls instead of slithers on his tummy) - but the other day he was out there and he was in HOG HEAVEN! He loved it and was mad when we had to go inside. If only I could get him to stop eating everything he sees on the ground. Somehow he found some chocolate. What I thought was a mouthful of mud, was actually chocolate. This kid can find chocolate ANYWHERE!




Braidy loved playing in the leaves...and as I took Quin inside, he and John decided to put the bubble liquid on each other's heads, so this is where we ended up at about 5pm....RUB A DUB DUB, 3 BROTHERS IN THE TUB!