Christmas Fun

Oh my...where to start?! What an eventful Christmas season is has been! And oh how blessed with are...with family, with friends, with love. It's such a beautiful time of year. Lincoln has been such an incredible baby. It's hard to believe he wasn't around at Christmas time last year....in utero doesn't count! He's just a joy. I know that sounds cliche, but he is just magical...like our Christmas cards said. 

My family made an adjustment to Christmas plans this year because we knew the boys would want to play with their toys, and not just open them and then have to leave. So instead of opening presents with my parents and Kaleb, Leslie, and Zane on Christmas morning we moved it to Christmas Eve morning. Mom cooked a yummy breakfast and we enjoyed our time together where we didn't have to rush and the boys played and napped (Lincoln did, anyway!) and we didn't have to rush away or drive anywhere. It was VERY nice. I'm going to like this new tradition. 

We still had Christmas Eve at Moppy & Poppy's house also...then Anthony's parents after that. Needless to say it was a very busy day! We even squeezed in a visit to the Snack Bar to see Anthony's aunt Aleta from Kentucky before she drove back home (picture to follow). 

Christmas Day was pretty relaxed. We got up when Lincoln did to open presents and just enjoyed being together with nowhere to go. We had planned on going to Ma-maw's to see Aunt Sheila and Uncle Terry but the snow put a kink in the plans. I haven't seen that much snow in a long time! I think by the time it was all said and done we were sitting on 6 or 7 inches! It was breathtaking. A lovely, white Christmas. So instead of heading up to Canton, Anthony's parents and aunt and uncle came over for "brunch". Toni cooked breakfast and we visited a little. His grandmother is in a nursing home this year so we didn't have  a big Christmas lunch at her house like we usually do. 

Lincoln enjoyed the people and the busy-ness of the holidays. He didn't really open his presents, but he did like to eat the wrapping paper and play with the tissue paper. His favorite toy by far was the cute little ride-on tricycle we got him. It starts out as a kind of stroller while he's little then it rearranges itself to become a very nice tricycle when he's ready for that. He napped well and was very happy most of the holiday season. 

Here are a few pictures of our Christmas celebrations. They are in no particular order...in fact, they're out of order and I can't help it!

Enjoy...

And so it begins....our first Christmas Eve spent building presents for the baby. I'm sure it's only the first of many! And just think...all these parts turned into this:

A super-cool Tricycle for Lincoln! Right now he can sit in it and we push him....he LOVES it! Later some of the pieces come off and he can pedal for himself. It's very, very cute.

Our Christmas spread before the presents were opened. (That big red snowflake one was mine!!!)

This was Lincoln's first glimpse of his new bike...he couldn't take his eyes off of it. While Anthony and I opened presents he pushed it around, spun the pedals and wheels, and pulled up to stand by it. So sweet! We ended up having to push him around the house for a while because he wanted to ride!

Daddy and baby enjoying Daddy's Christmas present from Mommy...a new electric guitar and amp!

Our Christmas spoils!! Lincoln was enjoying his tricycle, Anthony was enjoying his guitar and yes....that's my BEAUTIFUL full-sized keyboard with weighted keys! I LOVE it! And was totally surprised. Anthony hadn't given me any hints (I wouldn't let him) so I was in the dark about what he was so excited that he got me. He promised me it was nothing off my wishlist and it sure wasn't! I stopped asking for it a long time ago. Anthony said we needed it....Lincoln loves music and literally dances every time he hears a song. Ant said it was important that he grow up surrounded by music so I needed the keyboard! Ok by me!

This was around 9:00 on Christmas Morning....note that the ground is not covered, but it is certainly snowing. 

This is by far the best picture of Christmas! You can just see his excitement on his face! We took him outside to push him around in his trike and to let him play in the snow. He had a blast!! He giggled and grinned and laughed! So precious! This was around 6:00 pm on Christmas evening. See the ground covered in snow!

Anthony pushing the baby with Lile leading the way! 

"Really, Mom?"

"I'm not so sure about this stuff! It's cold and wet!"

One of Lincoln's first Christmas ornaments. Grammy Toni had it made for him. 

My mom's beautiful house covered in snow. I think this was taken on Monday, 12-27...there's still tons of snow around. It melts more slowly at her house because of all the trees and shade. 

Christmas Eve with Nana and Papaw. Such proud grandparents!

Family Christmas picture!! 

He was so excited by everything he just fell asleep. Poor little guy!

Zane and Lincoln sharing a private moment. They played very well together. Zane is learning to take turns and be easy. It's awfully hard to share your brand new toys with someone so little who doesn't know what he's doing. They had a very good time!

Sweet boys in matching pjs! Thanks, Aunt Leslie!

This is the best one I got of the two of my babies together! Lile was NOT happy!

Anthony's aunt Aleta with Lincoln before driving back to Kentucky.

Papaw Vance got Lincoln his very own piggy bank! It's a large blue pig with his name and 2010 engraved into the side. It's already got some change jingling inside.

Christmas Eve at Moppy's. Zane said Lincoln was a special delivery so he made Kaleb carry him around the house in my Thirty-One bag for my presents! They both were in there at one point! And Zane carried it around his neck with all his toys in it saying he had deliveries...precious.

What a beautiful, beautiful time it was. And a very sweet First Christmas for my baby Lincoln. 

Updates...

I know it's been forever and I really should be reprimanded. I can't help it! Things are often very crazy around here and it's the best I can do! 

I don't even know where to start.....this is just a VERY short recap of the many, many, mannny things that go on in our crazy life. Right now Lincoln is amazing. Just this week he's started to clap his hands! He thinks when you clap that you're clapping for him! He can now also wave bye-bye. This started about 2 or 3 weeks ago. Now he consistently waves to most everyone. So precious! He has 4 teeth. That last one was a doozey and we were up several nights just being unhappy. He is now crawling on hands and knees all the time and no longer army crawling. He LOVES to play in the refrigerator! I'm not sure what it is, but take that fussy baby and stick him in the floor in front of the fridge and there's no more fuss! It's like magic. 

He's pulling up and standing on everything. He wants to be standing up most of the time. He loves the coffee table (and pulling things off of it) and to stand at the ottoman. Lile is not quite sure what to think about Lincoln's increased mobility. She used to be able to get away from him by jumping on the couch or chair and now that's just not so. They're so cute together. She'll let him play with her toys and most of the time just plays and licks him. Sweet! 

Oh yeah...and as of today he weighs 20 pounds, 13 ounces. He's really started slowing down with his weight gain the last several months. Not that I'm complaining! We've bought a big-boy car seat but we're not using it yet. The carrier and stroller combo work until 22 pounds and it's just sooo handy to take the whole carrier out when he falls asleep in the car (which he almost always does). It won't be much longer until we don't have a choice. 

Here are a few of the things that have been going on lately.

For Mommy's birthday we went to ASU Homecoming. This is one of my favorite pictures from that weekend. Erin bought us this cool onesie before Lincoln was born as a "happy baby" present. They make such cute twins!

Oh these boys! Their age difference is slowly becoming a non-issue. As they get bigger that 3 months won't mean anything at all! Can't wait to see Ian this weekend for our Christmas party!

Lincoln attended his first parade in Boone for homecoming. He really seemed to like it up there on Daddy's shoulders. He seemed to watch what was going on. 

We found an activity spot for kids and Lincoln had his face painted for the very first time with a big A.

This is the little pumpkin he picked out for himself at the pumpkin patch. He's such a sweetie! 

  In Boone with the boys...We love Erin!

So this picture is a few weeks old but it's the latest I've taken of the deck. It's officially built. There is now a pretty brown tin roof that tinkles when it rains. Last weekend Anthony built the stairs. It's really coming along. It's a bummer it's getting so cold lately, it's really hard to work outside like that. We still need hand rails all around and down the stairs.

We got a few of our friends together for a Halloween play date and photo shoot at our friend Anna & Alan's house....he's the bee! It's so sweet to see them play together. They're very interactive and interested in what the others are doing. They watch everything the others do. Toys are very often stolen and lots of drool is shared!

From left to right: Monkey Liam, Pirate Samanthan, Giraffe Lincoln, and Honey Bee Alan.

Lincoln is eating more and more "big boy" food. He's learned to like many different things. Among his favorites are sweet potatoes, squash, carrots and apple sauce. He likes every fruit he's tried, but I think he had an adverse reaction to strawberries. We'll wait a while before trying those again. He's learning to use a sippy cup and has just begun drinking a little bit of apple juice. He sure liked that! We're still nursing about 4 times a day...Mommy and Baby both still enjoy it. I'm hoping to make it to at least a year. 

I know he'll probably  hate me for this later...but who can resist a baby in the bathtub? He loves to sit and play and just splashes....I've had to start covering my legs with a towel while he plays. If I don't I get soaked before I get him out! 

Thanksgiving has come and gone...it's so great to see the whole family together like that. Ma-maw was loving on the boys and we managed to snap this picture. Zane was not interested in sitting still at ALL! He's always on the move...

Papaw Rocky had all the girls and Zane on the 4-wheeler. It was soooo cold! Their noses and toeses were frozen! 

Lincoln even took his first ride! He was a little nervous at first but didn't fuss or cry. He went all the way up and back down the driveway before I snatched him off before he lost his fingers to the cold. I'm sure there will be many many  more rides in the future.

Well..this is my little man now. He's pulling up and cruising around everywhere. He loves to stand and bounce and pull things off tables. Nothing is safe! He's just the most beautiful thing ever and I surely don't remember life without him. What did we do?!

Couldn't you just eat him?! Notice the fancy baby gate above the stairs...that's certainly a necessity these days. He likes to pull up on it and look out. He looks like a prisoner from the other side! 

For my birthday we had our first family pictures made by Orange Cat Photo. Dana is an old friend and they do an amazing job. It was fun and Lincoln was in a pretty good mood for most of the time. We ordered a picture almost like this one on a canvas and have it hanging in th living room. It's just beautiful! 

My sweet baby's first look at a Christmas tree. What a beautiful time of year, and what a wonderful reason to celebrate. We have been truly blessed. This year has been amazing and I am thankful each and every day. People say a baby changes everything. It's so true....in so many ways. Each one of them is wonderful.  

Merry Christmas

Love,

The Vance Family

Halloween Fun!

Just a few quick pics of the little man on Halloween! He was a giraffe and was absolutely adorable!! :) I just love that tiny guy! Well...he's not so tiny I guess. He weighs over 19 pounds and is 7 months old TOMORROW!! Holy cow...where as the time gone?!

Lincoln's first Hay Ride! And his first pumpkin patch. We had a really fun Saturday last weekend. 

 Cousin Zane had NO interest in having his picture taken! He was Lightning McQueen. His suit and his shoes both actually made race car noises....so precious! But there was no stillness in him!

Proud Nana Marci!

Uncle Kaleb with an armful of boys!

Aren't we just the cutest?!

Lincoln's favorite Erin even came to the festival with us.

Papaw Rocky is the best!

Anthony with our God-Daughter Faith as Hannah Montana. She's just beautiful!

Grammy Toni...it was Lincoln's first official Trick-or-Treat.