20 Months

     Can my baby always be my baby? I know we are a few days past 20 months, but I really wanted to capture this time. Hunter is an amazing little boy, with such a huge personality.  He's funny, smart, loving, caring and a "helper". He is really following directions well (when he wants to), can count to 3, knows just about every animal sound including, bear, deer, and "what does a tractor do", loves to give high fives, and knuckles, he also loves dirt, water, trucks, tractors, gators, and well anything that has a motor and the bigger the better. He is totally all boy and I love it, He finally enjoys riding in the car, and has really opened up to strangers lately. Before he would freak out of someone came near him, now he just smiles and waves usually says bye bye to everyone ( include the guy cutting the bushes at the grocery store. I truly love this stage he in! I find myself staring at him frequently wondering how we have raised such an amazing little boy so far. 

    These are a few pictures I captued when he was 18 months, and haven't been able to slow him down enough to get many more good ones.

Here's a few of Hunter watching tractors (a completely favorite thing to do)!

Top left: checking out the gator, top right: sittin on the gator with Nana and Papa (Hunter's great grandparents) bottom left: watching the tractors pull with Taylor, and bottom right: taking a walk with Nana.

And I had to post this one, just to show how big he is! This was almost exactly a year ago, he was 8 months old, right was just a few days ago...

Celebrate!

       The 4 th of July is my dads birthday and the 5th is my father in laws birthday. Neat less to say, we had a lot to celebrate! Two of most amazing fathers to have in our life's. They are both totally in love and proud of their families, and it shows in there face, and in there voice when they speak. My dad turned the big 50, and he had a big party for him. I am not sure how old Myrl is,but he doesn't look a day of 30 :)

Hunter adores "Bapa", and wants to do everything and go everywhere with Bapa. These are just a few from the day, and the top left he is playing with cousin Matthew on the forklift. 

       Hunter also loves spending time with "Poppy". And Poppy will do just about anything Hunter asks, and doesn't without question and with more patients then I can imagine. Top left shows just that... Hunter is lowering the gate on the gator for the one thousandths time, and each time poppy would help him. We celebrated Poppy's birthday 40 lbs of crab legs ( even though we didn't eat all 40), and bottom right is Bella trying to catch a quick nap in the pool.

     After a long fabulous weekend, I was blessed/humbled/thankful to be able to celebrate 6 years since my kidney transplant! Without Dana (my generous cousin) I would not be the person I am today. She gave me a life full of health and happiness, and it is though God that she gave so selflessly! Since the transplant I finished my undergraduate degree, got married, received my masters, had a baby, and have started a career! I ask each of you that may read this to consider giving  "life" at some point in your life. I am so beyond blessed! Praise The Lord, for all that he has given us!

Dana and I on our 6th anniversary (July 9th)

4th of July Fun and Family

   For the week leading up to the 4th, we had family from Texas and Georgia here. It is always so wonderful to see them, eat (my uncles don't go anywhere without fixing amazing food), and just catch up. On the actually day of the 4th, we went to the park. My grandpa was being honored with a quilt of valor, and most of the family was able to be there, which was really special. My grandparents don't say much, but you could tell they were beaming with pride over his service, and the family they created. 

Top: All 4 quilt valor recipients with the peace makers quilters, bottom left: grandpa quilt being presented to him, bottom right: my grandparents (granny is 91 today).

Top left: 4 generations, my mom, hunter, grandpa, and myself, top right: my mom and her siblings, 

Bottom left: Hunter's first sucker ( of course it was blue), bottom right: Becca, Jack, Hunter and I

The fireman of course have there volleyball tournament every year, so we watch for awhile.

Then went home, took naps, and went back to town later for more food, family, and fireworks. Hunter was not a fan of the fireworks. Although he did fall asleep on Taylor's lap before the big fireworks even began, and slept right through them (its very rear that he will fall asleep on one of us, and unheard of to even close his eyes when in crows), he was one exhausted baby! 

Top left:grandchildren on Taylor's side (Rylee, Hunter, Mickayla, and Bella)

Top right: Hunter about to fall asleep on Taylor, bottom left: I couldn't resist Bella's face, bottom right: the 3 of us right before fireworks. 

We had a great day followed by an awesome weekend of birthdays and a very important anniversary!

June...The Unofficial Start of Summer

      Gosh so many things are going on right now in life, I am not sure I can remember everything. Hunter is growing into a little boy...Where did my baby go? He is everywhere these days. He loves climbing and riding on anything that moves, the faster the better. He is really starting to follow verbal direction really well. Know what he wants and when he wants it. We are in cloth diapers full time now, and actually went pee on the potty last week! Went camping a few weeks ago and had a blast. Loves his daddy most, and  is really missing him when he's gone. Pictures speak louder than words so here's a big photo dump...

 

Camping with Chris, Holly, and Blakley at Aarow Rock State Park

 Hunter's 1st Marshmallow 

1st Official hair cut

Start of Summer Fun