Happy New Year!

One year ago, December 31, 2007 at 3 PM, Anthony arrived home from the hospital. We thought it would be cute to compare the "then" and "now" pictures.

THEN (12/31/07)

NOW (12/31/08)

Now Anthony is a big boy, one-year old and over 20 lbs, he gets to ride in his big boy seat facing the front. He was so excited to see everything out the front window.

Anthony is also enjoying his new wagon that Monica passed along from her children....thanks, Monica!

Happy 1st Birthday, Anthony!

Anthony celebrated his 1st birthday on Monday, December 29, 2008 with lots of food, friends, fireworks and fun! We started off celebrating the day at the moment Anthony was born, 2:44 PM, with a candle on a single cupcake and a birthday song. Anthony said, "Yummmm!" as he ate it! Nana Midge came over to help us get ready for the birthday celebration.

Anthony invited some of his friends from church to his party that began at 6 PM. We all had fun opening presents....an airplane, clothes, Elmo toys, and cards! His Momma and DaDa got him a Smart Bounce and Spin Pony that has three different stages for growth and interacts with the TV, some blocks, and a new plate set to use when he begins feeding himself. All his guests had gift bags made for them. The wrapping paper and bows were the biggest hit with the children while opening the presents.

Bowls of dried bananas and strawberries, cinnamon graham cracker sticks, goldfish crackers, Cheerios, and whole wheat crackers lined the children's table, along with cupcakes and ice cream birthday cake! The parents had their own table of snacks with pizza bites, BBQ smokies, meatballs, salsa and chips, nuts, cheese/tomato cracker tray, and some great cheese/meat/salsa dip.

After opening presents and eating birthday snacks, we all went outside for a firework celebration! All the children loved the fireworks, except Anthony! He wasn't too sure about the "screaming" fireworks that made such a loud noise. It was a great way to end the party with a bang!

Thank you so much to our family and friends who have celebrated with us this entire year! We're well on our way now to the Terrific Twos!

Christmas Day!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JESUS!

"The angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.' Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rest.'" Luke 2:10-14 (NIV)

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In the spirit of giving, we were excited to surprise Anthony on his first Christmas with his very own airplane that he could ride on! He received other gifts in his stocking (puzzles, a truck, cars, Baby Bibles, a Christmas DVD, a small foam airplane, and treats.

We left Paw Paw Bill and Granny Debbie's house and headed to North Carolina to our sister and brother-in-law's house (Marsha and David), joining the rest of the family. They had Christmas decor every where! It was beautifully decorated. The food was great...steaks, potatoes, casseroles, and all the fixings! We (Thomas and Heather) surprised Dad with fried apple pies from his mother's recipe that we made the night before.
We got a few laughs in as we played the white elephant game. We took home a can of WD40 and a Christmas singing mug out of the deal! Dad and Waldo made out better than all of us with their reindeer and Santa ears!

It is always a blessing to spend special moments with family. As long as you have each other that is really all that matters! One thing noticed this Christmas was that Anthony and Brooke, as a little babies, loved the bags, boxes, and tissue paper as much as the gifts! So did the big kids as you can see! It is not what you get for Christmas that brings true joy but rather how you receive it!

Anthony was still wide awake when we got home around 9 PM. He road out his energy before turning in for the night. Thank you, Jesus, for such a blessed day!