Luke and Eli on the Swing

I wish I had the video camera when we went over to Eli's house yesterday but the pictures turned out great. We played on the swingset right after luch Christmas Eve.(thus Eli's B-B-Que beard)
Merry Christmas everyone. (This is a present especially for Auntie Sunshine)

Luke in the Leaves

We raked leaves last week so Luke could play in them. I remember how they provided plenty of cushion when I was young. Not so much now. I think I broke something on my first "dive" into the leaves. Oh well, he enjoyed it immensly. I have found that the longer videos get less views so I cut this one short. I editted the song down to 2 minutes, all apologies go out to Sam Beam for chopping his music up.

Learning to Fly

We took a short helicopter ride while on vacation. Luke has always been obsessed with flying things so this was especially cool for him.

one bank

I have found the video again except this time it is on Google video. Still very, very sad.

Wild Thing

This is my favorite childrens book. I bought it several weeks after Luke was born and we have been reading it quite frequently to him before bed. (along with several hundred other books he keeps beside the bed)I never put too much into interpreting the book until I read this.  

My favorite childrens book growing up was Where The Wild Things Are. Luke has enjoyed it a lot too. So much so that I asked my mother to make him a wolf suit of his own for Halloween. Now we knew that most people wouldn't get it and that it would seem odd but I knew that he would get a real kick out of being "The King of All Wild Things" for at least one night. My mom did an awesome job with the costume and we all had a blast. A true "Wild Rumpus" was had by all. The following posts are our renditions of the first three pages of the book. Maybe I should have Luke pose out each page for our own version. 

The night Luke wore his wolf suit and made mischief of one kind  

and another 

his mother called him "WILD THING!"
and Luke said "I'LL EAT YOU UP!"
so he was sent to bed without eating anything. 

Luke got a little upset when he thought we had dressed him up in his costume, only to leave him at CC's house. He didn't know that she was coming with us. 

Luke and Eli had a great time at the church trunk-or-treat festival last Sunday. Lots of cotton candy, running, jumping in the moonwalk, and sliding on the big inflatable slide. My mother pointed out that this was funny because of the "Fox in the henhouse" reference. 

I think Eli had one too many candy corn in this picture. 

Luke ran into his favorite superheroes ( and fellow nursery buddies) at the festival too. 

"All right, who has the candy around here?" 

Man on a mission for candy. This is his game face. 

Well, we are officially in the "terrible twos" as Luke turned two on October 21st. I can't believe how he has grown and what a little sponge he is. He absorbs everything we say and do. What an awesome responsibility being a parent is. I am so thankful that God chose Chris and me to be Luke's parents on earth.  

That's my boy! 

Luke looking mighty cheery before church Sunday morning. This was right after he had fever for several days and before he had the croup... 

Mommy, Luke and Daddy pre-birthday party. 

Luke at his 2nd birthday party... This picture was taken right before he kicked his cousin James (notice how they are facing off) 

Here's four generations... Mammaw, Mommy, Luke and CC 

Mommy asked Luke to show her all of his new teeth. He gave me a crooked smile. 

Daddy and Luke making silly faces while Mommy was gone to Homemakers By Choice.  

Luke and I have been fighting colds most of this week so you can imagine our concern about tonights appointment at Portrait Innovations. everything went relatively well considering Luke had no nap and very little food for the day along with a low grade fever. 

This is my favorite family picture of the night. Of course, my eyes are all puffy and I never show my teeth when I smile but that is just me. Mom and Luke look great 

Portrait Innovations has got the right idea when it comes to selling pictures. 1. Don't rush the customer 2. Take LOTS of pictures 3. Do whatever it takes to make the kids laugh. 4. Offer several poses with several props. 5. Allow the customer to see ALL the photos on a big screen T.V. so you can see all the details and blemishes up front. 6. Offer simple price packages with a wide range of prices (go as cheap or expensive as you want) 7. Pictures printed while you wait.(We got ours within 15 minutes) 8. Give the customer a CD of ALL the photos to take home and email, print, or my favorite, post on the web. 

We had a total meltdown during the wardrobe change. Luke felt like he was on fire and couldn't quit rubbing his eyes. He was so tired. I have no idea how the girls taking his picture got him smiling again but it was magic. They really went above and beyond to get good pictures. I remember one girl was holding a football right off camera and letting Luke kick it out of her hands, she would duck back as Luke laughed at her chasing the ball. She must have done it a dozen times for 3 photos. 

These overalls have some miles on them. I had my picture made in them, my brother, his 2 daughters, and I believe 3 second cousins also. The straps were removed somewhere along the way so my mom used a bandana to replace them. One day, Lukes children will too. 

This is the best one with the Fire Truck. He was unwilling to sit on the truck in any form. All requests were met with a stern, "No".