Father's Day

In celebration of Husby's second Father's Day, and to make transporting himself and his necessities back and forth, to and from classes, the boys and I presented him with a messenger bag (what was that I was saying about his need to carry a purse?). But this is no ordinary messenger bag; this is the Bag of Holding, which, according to legend (and the Dungeon Master's Guide) can hold massive amounts of weight without requiring more strength to haul. At bit like the geek's Mary Poppin's bag, there should never be an issue of fitting everything he needs inside. In fact, I'll be impressed if he can actually fill the entire bag - with a multitude of pockets and compartments, the bag is truly well-designed. He'll be off to class in style.

Puzzle

We love our new wooden puzzle from Grandma!

Surprise Baby Shower

Unbeknownst to my sister, the real reason I'm here in Texas was to throw her a Surprise Baby Shower. Her little girl is due in April (just a week before Little Man's 1st Birthday!), and we were so excited to have a party celebrating the next stage of their lives. 

The surprise went off without a hitch - she was completely fooled! And both she and her hubs were blown away by the gifts showered on them from friends and family. We all had a great time at the party, and are anxiously awaiting Baby Girl's arrival.

The guest of honor with her hostesses:
Auntie K, Me, Grandma, *Auntie A*, her mother-in-law, & Aunt Boo

Uncle K & Auntie A
Expectant Parents

Penguin

A Christmas present from a Great-Aunt included a new penguin shirt which I fell in love with immediately. And, when I'm in love with something, I photograph it. Thus, photos of my favorite baby boy playing in his new shirt:

The gift also included a new jean jacket,
making for a snazzy new outfit!

A great big thank you to a great Great-Aunt!

New Year, New Camera, New Blog

As a combination Christmas present from my gracious parents and my darling husband, this year brought me a new camera. Not the one we opened when they were here, as you may have thought - as it turns out, there were some glitches with the memory, and it needed to be returned. Instead of replacing it, my parents decided to donate the cash to our fund for a more professional camera [as a prior portrait photographer with Lifetouch, and an 'advanced amateur', I prefer a camera with a few more 'bells & whistles' than the average point & shoot]. Added to the amount Husby wanted to put towards my gift, we had enough to purchase the model I've had my eye on for a while now. Arriving last night, it has already been tested and assessed - and has passed inspection with flying colors. Finally, we can return the two cameras we've borrowed from my family, as we now have our own way of immortalizing special events and occasions - as well as the mundane, everyday activities of life with my boys.

To commemorate both a new camera and a new year - one which we pray is filled with joy - I've taken on a second blog. While this one is for daily anecdotes about our life and the [many] adventures it brings, the new one is a photo blog, a place where I can post images in an environment more suited for viewing. Even with this new publishing medium, the quantity of images posted here is unlikely to diminish. I've merely given myself the opportunity to post a larger selection of photographs [both in size and quantity], in an effort to flex my photographer's muscles.

Through a Mother's Lens

Welcome, 2011 - we're ready for whatever adventures you may bring. But be warned, there will be photographic evidence ...

Bath Time Fun

For his first Christmas, Husby and I presented Little Man with new bath toys. Getting a bath is one of his favorite parts of the evening - and it's now even more fun with the addition of floating, scooping, and squirting fish & friends. We couldn't resist recording him and his fun:

Baby's First Christmas

This morning, we awoke to a cooing baby and pouring rain - so much for a white Christmas. I guess Mississippi isn't much for snow. We took a rain check on our plans to take Little Man to the beach on his first Christmas, and enjoyed our day inside instead.

Giddy like children ourselves, Husby and I were anxious to get downstairs for the opening of presents. We had gifts to and from each other, of course, but we were really more excited about the things for Little Man. At first, he was more interested in the tearing of the paper, but once he saw the goodies inside the packages he was anxious to try out his new toys.

Miscellaneous gifts from Great-Aunt Sal

Stacking cups - that fit together to form balls - from Grandma & Grandpa

Bath time toys from Momma & Daddy

A Lambie made with love from Nana & Opa

Thank you to everyone who sent their love this Christmas.

Your kindness has warmed our home,

and your recipes have filled our bellies.