New Jammies and Axl's FAVORITE Stocking Stuffer

Santa brought Axl these adorable pajamas...the only thing more adorable is the AxMan himself! Also--he stuffed his stocking with these little slippers...which didn't come off Axl's feet for two days until I almost passed out from the smell of both the slippers and the little guy's feet. They came out of the dryer today and Axl couldn't have been happier! :)

Christmas!

We had a WONDERFUL Christmas this year. It was so fun to see Axl get excited about seeing family, opening presents, and Christmas morning!

On Christmas Eve we went to Granny and Papaw's house to celebrate. We snacked on appetizers and finger foods and then opened up all of the goods!

Madison had a great time with the chocolate fountain!Tripp handing out some presents!We woke on Christmas morning to a visit from Santa Clause! Axl couldn't get enough of his stocking bounty. Dad let him eat just about a whole box of fruit snacks!
Mom got a waffle iron (probably more for Dad than anyone!), and some Ugg boots! Dad got a chair he had really been wanting from IKEA!And Axl got lots and lots of trucks, books, and blocks!

After opening and playing with gifts, we headed over to Aunt Cindy's house for a yummy breakfast!

To ensure we didn't break tradition, the family took a short run down our road and back. (being that we are expecting, and I have given up on exersize, I'm not exaggerating when I say SHORT!)

We came back to the house to continue another Christmas Day tradition of making doughnuts. This might have been Axl's favorite part of the whole holiday!We then headed over to the Hamiltons' for a nice relaxing celebration full of food, full bellies, and some playtime with Dad!

Merry Christmas, everyone!

It's a...

GIRL!

We could NOT be more surprised! Honestly, I thought I would only have boys! ...completely in shock, but excited NONETHELESS! How fun will it be to have a little girl!?!? Indescribable.

the proof

It's official...I'm a Graduate!

Back in May I walked at the University of Kentucky College of Education Graduation Ceremony. I walked a semester before my actual graduation because they don't hold a ceremony in December. I remember deciding that I wasn't going to actually blog the pictures until I ACTUALLY graduated in December. So, here they are! It was a GREAT day and the feeling is even sweeter now that I am officially a graduate of the University of Kentucky and home with my sweet baby boy!!

My sweet family!

My mom and dad (my parents gave me a beautiful diamond necklace in the shape of an apple. I love it!)My Aunt Janet was also able to come, I was so surprised to see her there!I literally would not have survived without these girls. They made for the most effective support system ever! Love you, girls!

Clark, Megan, DeAnna, Ryan, me, Axl, and TylerAunt Janet and Axl JamesAfter the ceremony we all celebrated across the street with a YUMMY breakfast buffet!

and Axl had a nice nap :)

Favorite Place in the House!

We found out soon after we moved into the house that Axl, above all places, preferred being under the sink in the downstairs bathroom! We often joke about him having some kind of keen sense of knowing exactly when doors open--and this one is his forte...whenever the bathroom door opens, you can expect him to be there in 2 seconds flat. He goes into the cabinet, shuts the door, waits until you say "Where's Axl?" a few times, and then pops his smiling face through the crack!

We're talking! ...a little.

As of today Axl has started to say...

Bye-bye
Mama
Cookie
and, of course, Dada :)

on a pretty regular basis.

He also will find these things when we ask him where they are...

cup
yummy
puppy (oversized stuffed dog in our living room...he runs over to it and hugs it with an accompanying "ahhh")
bunny bear
truck

Oh, Christmas Tree

We got our Christmas tree up a little late this year...as I like to put it up on the day after Thanksgiving...But we did eventually get it up on the 29th and it was even more exciting than usual because we had a "new-to-us" tree :) A good friend from church who moved back to Utah this year gave us a tall, skinny tree that they didn't want to travel with and I really loved it. Axl was quite uninterested, but I did get Tyler to help me (like pulling teeth...). Listening to Christmas music and spending time together as a family made for a great Sunday night, though!

What Axl did for the majority of the time

He did like the lights!Axl and Mama

We had trouble getting a good picture with the timer...And Tyler's favorite part...the star garland!20082007