Christmas 2006

We spent our first Christmas morning at home as a family. We think it is important that Lucas have family traditions to remember and to wake up to the magic of Christmas morning at home. On Cristmas Eve, he wore pajamas that said "Jesus loves me". I told him that Jesus does love him and that on Christmas, we would be celebrating Jesus' birthday. He threw his arms up in the air and ran through the house yelling like he was excited. Before he went to sleep, we sat out cookies and milk for Santa. When he woke up Christmas morning, he didn't quite know what to think about all of the presents that Santa had brought him. He was a little overwhelmed. He bypassed his new toys and went for the old, familiar ones.
When we got to Granny and Grandaddy's house, we started all over again. I believe that Santa left more at their house than he did at ours. Lucas' eyes were big and he got into it a little more. I guess he was finally figuring out the present thing!!! We went for dinner at Nanny and B.O.'s house. He had a good time hugging Kaylea (and knocking her into the tree). He loved his Elmo chair. Later on, and one short nap later, we went to Cathy and Jackie's house for supper. He always has a good time with Buzzy. He loves chasing him and helping him open his presents. Lucas got some pretty cool presents and even helped Leslie with her dirty santa gift. He showed her and Cathy another use for the cake pedestal. He thought it made a good stool.
We had a good Christmas. I'm still not sure where we are going to put all of the toys that Lucas got. We've donated some of his older toys to other children who may not be so fortunate. We're going to have to clean out his closet to make room for his new clothes too. I'm sure that next year will be even more exciting.

The Nativity

Tonight, we went to see the live Nativity that is done every year by Mt. Zion Baptist Church. Our friend Irvin was one of the wise men tonight. Lucas really enjoyed it. He went right to Irvin and became part of the nativity himself. He didn't even want to go back to Brad. He saw the donkey, goats, llama, and camel. He's not afraid to reach out and pet them. We didn't let him get too close to the camel. He seemed a little frisky. When we got home, Lucas had a good time eating his mashed potatoes. He would give me the spoon to load for him, then he would eat the potatoes. After every bite, he'd grin real big like they tasted so good. By the time he was done, he had mashed potatoes everywhere.

Getting Closer

Lucas and Georgie seem to be getting a little closer. After months of him chasing her and her running from him, she finally lets him get closer and rub on her a little bit. Today, he tried and tried until he finally got her where he wanted her. When he started to try to hug her, she was off again. I hope that eventually, they'll be big buddies.

Oh Christmas Tree

We put up our Christmas tree and decorated the house last Saturday night. Lucas likes the tree and keeps pulling off the ornaments that he can reach and rolling them across the floor like balls. He loves packing around a gift and untying the bows. He really likes watching the carousel go around and round and listening to the Christmas music. We went through Christmas in the Park on the very first night. This was the night that was just for those that have set up exhibits, so we went on behalf of K.U. He was really amazed at first, but after a while, he got bored. It was freezing that night and we were riding with the windows down and the heat on. This Christmas is going to be a lot of fun. We are beginning our family's tradition of putting cookies and milk out for Santa on Christmas eve and waking up to what Santa has brought for us. I can't wait to see Lucas' face on Christmas morning. We'll probably have to bring several things to Granny's when we go there. It's hard to believe that Christmas is almost here again. This time last year, Lucas was tiny and I don't think me or Brad really knew where we were. The year has flown by and it's amazing at how much Lucas has grown. We may atempt to visit Santa at the mall, but I'm not sure how well it will work this year. We are very thankful for all this past year has brought us and will never forget to teach our little boy the true meaning of Christmas!!!

Thanksgiving

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We had lunch at Carol Lee and B.O.'s house with them, Mike, Alesha and Kaylea. After only a couple of hours and one nap later, we ate again at Granny and Grandaddy's house. It was nice to see everyone. We just don't get together as a family very often. I think that Lucas had a good time, even if he was really sleepy. Once he shed all of his clothes and his cousin Buzzy shed his pants, it was time to play hard! Lucas had a ball chasing Buzzy around (even though I think that Buzzy thinks he's a bug that just won't go away). He loved it when Jackie lifted him above his head and tickled his belly. I know everyone was exhausted, but these are the times that we'll always remember. Lucas can always look back at Leslie's scrapbooks to see all of the memories (or maybe someday, I'll get around to scrapbooking myself). Family is so important and I hope that we never quit spending the holidays together. We are a very blessed family.

weekend with family

We went to Central City this past weekend for B.O.'s surprise 60th birthday party on Saturday night. Lucas got to see all kinds of his daddy's family. It took him a while to warm up, but once he did, he really explored Brian's house.
Sunday night, he had a visit from Leslie, Steve, Buzzy, Cathy, and Jackie. He LOVED playing with Buzzy. He thinks his big cousin is so funny. I hope that they can become close as they get older. Buzzy can teach him all kinds of things!!!!
He learned to climb up his slide. When he finally reached the top, he turned around and sit down and said "o.k." Then he slid down and started all over again. He also discovered Grandaddy's chest hair. After pulling just about all of it out and having a ball doing it, grandaddy recovered and grabbed the nearest shirt he could find, it just happened to be mom's and a bit too small!!! He also decided to bless his Granny's basement floor this weekend. I was changing his diaper when he took off on me. He turned around, squatted, and made a pee puddle in the floor. He looked just like one of those fountains. Of course, he thought it was really funny.
We're looking forward to Thanksgiving. It's one of the few times that we all get to be together as a family.

This week

I finally have something new to post. I had to go to Lexington this week for a training. Brad and Lucas came to stay with me at the hotel. Lucas was very good. Him and Brad went out for breakfast every morning. Brad said that Lucas was nosy and very interested in the old men's gossip groups. On Wednesday night, Brad went to the UK game with our friend Chris. Daphne and their 2 kids, Alex and Abbey came to the hotel to hang out with us. We all took a plunge in the pool. Lucas had a great time and made a couple of new buddies really quick. He had to hug all of them bye before they left!!! Tonight, he decided to go for a bike ride through the house on the bike that Trish got for him. He loved wearing his helmet. He tried standing on the bike and even wrecked a few times. He just got right up and got right back on it again.

Trick or Treat

Lucas enjoyed Halloween. He was the cutest little cowboy. The weather wasn't the greatest, so we bundled up and went to the neighbor's houses. Lucas had a ball riding in his new wagon.
After visiting all of the neighbors, we got in the truck and went to visit Brad's friend Irvin. Lucas definitely made a new buddy!

I'm trying my hand at this blog thing again. I think that it is a great way to share stories about our life with our family. While we are not that far away from everyone, we don't see many of our family members often enough. This is a way for them to see our little boy grow and for us to share the joy of being parents.
It's so hard to believe that Lucas will be one year old in 2 days. This past year has flown by and has been the best year of our lives. Lucas is precious and has added so much enjoyment to our lives. He's growing and doing new things every day. Yesterday, he began saying "thank you" every time you hand something to him. This is his first 2-word sentence. He also has learned to do the twist every time music starts to play on one of his toys. We don't know where he learned that. We all know that Brad and I don't have a lick of rhythm. Lucas is so sweet. He gives us lots of kisses now. Everytime he kisses me, he says "oomwaa". He especially loves to give kisses to his grandaddy!
We have a big birthday planned for him this Friday. He is having a birthday party with his friends at Judy's house. He's having a cupcake cake and fruit punch. He's giving all of his friends treat bags so that they can share in the fun!!! He has a really good time with the other children there. He has learned to share toys and play well with all of the others. One little boy in particular, Quentin, and him have become big buddies. Lucas and him just giggle at each other and toss toys back and forth every morning when they see each other. They are 7 months apart in age, but they're not a lot different in size. I think that Lucas is actually talking more than he is. They are really cute to watch.
I've included a few pictures from his big birthday party this past Sunday. Lucas was exhausted, but enjoyed all of the attention!!! He loved all of his gifts and has a hard time choosing which one to play with. He has been pushing one toy with one hand and pulling another one with the other hand. It's so funny. He never has taken an interest in his cake. I don't think he's going to be a big sweets eater. He shakes every time that I give him something that is really sweet, but he loved the taste of pickles!!! Go figure.