So ignoring the fun things we did before Christmas (Luau!!!) and during Christmas, plus Nate's birthday and our 6th anniversary, (and about a million OTHER things) I am proud to bring you the update on my sweet little boy's 1st birthday!  

I am still having a hard time coming to grips with the fact that he is one.  For those of you (if there are any) that don't see him on a semi frequent basis, here are some thing that my little guy has managed to do in his first year:

-Walking (Actually Running since he started walking at 8 months 1 week)

-Talking: He has about a dozen "words" (meaning his own sometimes hard to understand version of these words) - Mama, Dada, Hi, Bye Bye, Uh-oh, Kisses, Shelly, Amen, Thank You, Ouch, You're Silly, and some others. He does however understand almost everything you say (and reacts accordingly!)

-Play Hide and Go seek (he will hide under a blanket the pop up and laugh!!)

-Love to read Books - will grab one then back up until he is sitting in your laugh to read to him

-LOVES Music, and knows how to work any toy that makes music

-Gives kisses, high five, and wave bye bye on command

-Thinks it is a sign of affection to headbutt (thank you daddy)

-Loves to dance

-Love Balls, the bigger the better.  He likes to pick up Daddy's Basketball and try to dribble it

-Thinks it is really funny to pull Finn's tail.  He sneaks up behind her so he can get away with it before she runs off

-Knocks down block towers like a champ, and makes sure EVERY SINGLE BLOCK has been knocked over before he walks away

-Likes to pull his block wagon around behind him

-Enjoys playing with Daddy's model car driving it all around the carpet (yes, he actually keeps it on the ground so the wheels roll and everything because that is how Daddy does it).

-Folds his arms when you tell him it is time for pray (but is not quite as successful at KEEPING them folded).

-Loves watching basketball, both in person and on TV.  He just sits transfixed watching the ball move back and forth on the court.

-Is the easiest baby ever to put to bed and is starting to sleep 11 hours straight at night in his own bed (HOORAY)

-Is a very well traveled little baby.  He has been to the following (not including airports): Wilmington NC, Virginia Beach, Outer Banks, Washington DC, Cleveland, Chicago, Niles MI, Salt Lake City, Phoenix, Portland, and Seattle

-Is a total terror.  He is throwing temper tantrums already and producing great crocodile tears (he KNOWS what he is doing).  He flings himself on the ground and kicks and screams when he doesn't get his way.

For his birthday we did a fun family party, including all of his cousins via Skype.  We had pizza, played memory, and did cake and presents.  He was not very interested in his cake until we gave him a spoon, then he had lots of fun digging around in it.

I am so grateful to have the very energetic little guy in my life.  He challenges me every day, and I couldn't ask for a better little boy!  I love his sweet and happy spirit and the joy he brings to our family!  Happy Birthday Max!

Thankful Day 30

So today is my last post for my month of thanks to be complete, and it simply would not be complete without giving thanks for my wonderful and amazing friends.  I have some of the most amazing friends in the world, ones who no matter how close or far away from me they are physically, are always right there beside me to get me through.  They make me laugh, give me ideas, listen to me vent, and set wonderful examples for me to follow and I am truly grateful that I have been blessed with such wonderful friends!

Thankful Day 29

Today I am thankful for a dishwasher.  As many of you know, dishes are the bane of my existence and I avoid them as much as humanly possible.  I will come up with almost any excuse to get out of them, so today as I started doing some dishes I was grateful for my dishwasher to do some of the work!

Thankful Day 28

Today I am thankful for cookies.  They just make life better.  Enough said!

Thankful Day 27

Today I am thankful for a healthy body.  While I'm still working to get mine where I would like it to be, I am blessed to be healthy.  I have no long term conditions, no issues, and plenty of energy and strength and I'm greatful for it! 

Thankful Day 26

Today I am thankful for our nanny, Kristin.  She is so awesome with Max.  She helps him learn and play.  She also does a great job keeping the house clean and tidy despite Max's best efforts.  It is so wonderful to know that while Nate and I are at work he is happy and safe at home with her.  She truly is AMAZING  and I am VERY VERY VERY thankful for her!

Thankful Day 25

Today I am thankful for my extended family.  We have had lots of time to spend with our family over the past few years (a trip to Disney World, Christmas, Blessings, Thanksgiving, etc.) and it has been wonderful.  It is so much fun to have built in friends and people who love you unconditionally.  Here are some pictures of our various family adventures over the past year or two:

  
 

Thankful Day 24

Today I am thankful for XM Satellite Radio so I could listen to the Ohio State vs Michigan game and hear the Buckeyes have a perfect season while we were driving home from Michigan! Go Buckeyes!!

Thankful Day 23

Today I am thankful for music.  Max was dancing and singing today with me while watching the Disney Very Merry Sing-a-long and it was so adorable.  I have always loved music, from playing to singing to listening.  I am so glad that Max is showing the same thing.  Even when he was just a few weeks old he would calm down almost instantly when he heard music playing.  Music also has the amazing power to bring the spirit and I am grateful for it's power and influence in my life!

Thankful Day 22

Today I am thankful for Finn (my dog).  Yeah, I know it makes me sound like I am 5 years old but I don't care.  She is crazy at times, but she is a really good dog.  She is definitely my dog.  She gets super excited when I get home and follows me around.  She loves going for walks/runs with me.  She plays fetch and tug of war with me.  She is still learning to like Max, but enjoying him more now that she can play with her a little.  I am grateful for her unconditional love and companionship!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thankful Day 21

Today I am thankful for my calling.  I have the opportunity to work with the Young Women (specifically the Laurels - girls 16-18 years old) and I LOVE spending time with them.  I get to have wonderful gospel discussions with them on Sundays, plus talk about life and movies and boys and music and everything any other time.  They are such wonderful girls with strong and growing testimonies that set such a wonderful example to me!  I love them and they are truly awesome!

Thankful Day 20

Today I am thankful for my Parents!  We have lived close to them for almost five years and it has been great!  I love having them be a part of Max's life all the time.  It is nice to be able to just go shopping or out to lunch with my mom.  Nice to be able to play games or make cherry tarts with my dad.  Nice to have them close when we need help, or just to hang out with!  They really are awesome people and I am grateful they are my parents!

Thankful Day 19

Yep - you had to know this one was coming.  Today I am thankful for Diet Dr. Pepper.  Cami and I joke all of the time that it is the "sweet nectar of life" and sometimes I worry that I'm not joking... but seriously - it is awesome and often the best part of my day!  Good think I can buy it in bulk at Costco...

Thankful Day 18

Today I am thankful for comfortable beds.  They make life much easier and happier because you sleep well!  I know this one is kind of silly, but it is the kind of thing that if I didn't have it, I'd really miss it (like last night in our hotel where we basically slept on a rock).  So yep, today I'm glad for comfy beds!