January...DONE!

Steven spent Jan 9-Feb 4 at Ft. Riley, Kansas doing some training, so James and I held down the fort here at home.  It was a rough month.  James and I got sick the week after he left, then my back went out (so thankful for wonderful friends who helped me out!), then we got even more sicker (hahaa...yes that's a word), and spent too much time at the doctor's office. However, I did capture some much needed snuggle time with my little James while we vegged out. I guess it could've been worse, but it wasn't fun, and put a damper on lots of my craft projects this month :)  Oh well, Steven's home now which instantly makes all things better! 
We did enjoy lots of outdoor time in this wonderful GA winter weather.  It has been between 65 and 75 degrees most days, which is pretty close to perfect in my book!  In fact, I was pretty excited that Phil, the groundhog, said there would be 6 more weeks of winter!  Keep this beautiful weather coming! 

Cutting the lawn with his bubble mower.

 Practicing his caravan maneuvers....it starts young. 

 "I did it!" he cheers each time he gets a puzzle piece to fit!  He loves his puzzles....we put them together 10 times a day, at least!

Couch Fort!  always a fun game :)

Twin Bed Project

While in Fort Wayne for Christmas, Steven and my dad made a bunk bed for camp using the "Simple Bed" plan from http://www.ana-white.com/, which is my favorite DIY website!  They turned out so great, and we knew we wanted to make one for James.  So, the day after we got home, Steven started the project using a very similar plan....with his own twists, of course.  :)  It turned out great, and will be easy to transform into a bunk bed if it ever needs to be.  James was a big helper, of course, handing Dad screws, vacuuming up the sawdust, and jumping on the bed!  Steven had a blast using his new air compressor and nail guns....made this project much faster! 

Favorite Place

December and January have been two of the most enjoyable months here in Georgia for outdoor fun!  We've had sunny weather averaging between 65 and 75 degrees most every day, and we are taking full advantage of it!  We have 3 really nice parks within 5 miles of our house and we are now regulars.  James loves to slide, swing, run around and look at the river, and play with any kid who's around.  Pure joy on his face the whole time...until I tell him he has to get out of the swing!  hahaa!

Mamma got a brand new camera!

Steven totally surprised me with a new camera this Christmas!!!  He knows me so well, best husband ever!  It's a Canon Rebel T3 with two lenses, a regular and a telephoto...totally awesome!   I still hardly know what I'm doing and am already taking way better pictures than I was with the other one.  So excited to start learning more!  I've had fun practicing and I think James is sick of me following him around snapping pics already.  He'll learn to love it :)  Thanks, Steven, I LOVE it! 

Check out that bed head!  He just woke up from his nap, and I had his finger paints all ready to go...what fun!

 Caught ya!  Why do kids always have their hands in their noses?  ugh....

Playing with his new Birthday/Christmas present from Grandpa Steve and Great-Grandma Fundingsland.  He loves this car!  Thank you! 

 Even takes black and white photos...or whatever color I tell it to!  wow.  I know he has his eyes closed, but I love this smile :)

Red Car

Grandma Terry sent James a fun, red car for Christmas, and it hasn't left his side since he opened it up!  Thank you so much, Grandma, he LOVES it!

Blue Eyes and Tools

James had such a fun time with his Gramma Sue, Grandpa Jim, great-grandparents and all his aunts and uncles while home for Christmas.  We stayed with my parents and that made for lots of special times with his Gramma Sue...which he pronounces "Bow-due"....we're working hard on pronunciation, but I think it's just going to take some time :) 
We always enjoy our time at home and really wish we lived closer!  My parents, siblings and their spouses are so great, we always have so much fun together.  At least we're fortunate enough to get some time each year to spend together...I hope that continues :) 

 James was such a big, messy help in the kitchen :)  GrammaSue always has a job for you!

 They set up the nativity scene together and James played with that thing all week.  It had so many fun things like animals, pitchers, a fire, wagons, etc...it was hours of entertainment...some broken ears off the sheep, but we glued thoses suckers back on :)  

 Here's where he gets those blue eyes!  (also from his grandpa Steve...we'll take that pic next time we're in WA)

 Steven and I had a chance to get away for a date night, we celebrated steven's 32nd birthday.  I wanted to snap a pic of us....it took us like 10 shots to get one with his eyes open, and he was getting a little tired of taking photos.  well here you go, Steven, next time you want to be a smart-alec, remember how i can capture it forever on this wonderful blog.  :)  hehee! 

 Christmas morning!  James passed out all of the presents, and felt like such a big helper, it was adorable.  He found so many for himself, too and had so much fun opening his gifts this year. Two is definitely my favorite age so far...he's so expressive, entertained by everything, has so much to say, and loves being the center of attention. 
 Running back to the pile from handing out a gift...it was so exciting!  I had his cute little Christmas morning PJ's on him...then of course, they got a little soaked overnight...so this is the result.  oh well, still cute :)

 Opening his tool bench from grandma and grandpa!

Loves to hammer!