Harvest Pictures

Here are some super-cute pictures that Levi's step-cousin took for fall.

This is my favorite and I am ordering an 8x10 of it from Snapfish. He just needs a little piece of wheat hanging from his mouth!

We LOVE Fall!

In Loving Memory

Exactly one month ago, one of the greatest men to ever live passed away. My grandpa was the kindest man I have ever known. I am so SO proud to be his grand-daughter.

I'm devastated to say the least. My grandpa and my dad have an annual fishing trip in January or February. The last three years, Levi has been invited, but we could never quite swing it after the holidays. After missing out this year, we made a committment to ourselves to definitely be there and all three of us were going to fly down to Florida to go fishing. It was set in stone.

On October 19th, I was taking a shower and for some reason, was thinking about our upcoming trip. I was thinking about fishing out on the boat, and hanging back sometimes to maybe bake with Grandma in the kitchen while the men were off doing their thing. When I got out of the shower, I checked to see if my phone had rang like I usually do and saw that it did. When I saw that I missed a call from my dad, my heart sank. I knew something was wrong. I had just had a super long talk with him the day before so I knew something was wrong for him to be calling. I had that feeling in the pit of my stomach that I had 5 years ago when I called my dad on Father's Day and he didn't answer. Turns out he was lying on the side of the road after hitting a deer with his motorcycle. Same feeling.

So I called my dad back and he tried to sound upbeat and asked how I was. I said, "Fine. What's going on?" That's when I found out. My grandpa collasped when he was outside mowing the lawn. At first I thought my dad was going to say "And he's in intensive care right now and they're taking real good care of him." He didn't.

Come to find out my grandpa was mowing the yard. The mail lady delivered their mail and received a hearty wave from my grandpa. She finished delivering the mail down the rest of the cul-de-sac and when she passed by their house again, he was down. That wonderful woman stayed with my grandma at the hospital all evening and even the Post Master General came down. People are really nice back in Kentucky.

I had mailed my grandparents a card the Thursday or Friday before. My grandma eventually told me that was the letter the mail lady had dropped in the box the day it happened. I've been sad that he didn't get to read it or see the picture of Pierce I sent. But I've also felt like I was close to him when it happened, like I was there since my letter was right there.

I'm very grateful that Pierce was able to meet his great-grandpa last year when we drove down to Kentucky from my dad's house. He loved him immediately. I would post the pictures I have, but I don't think the men would want pictures of themselves in gowns on the Internet (My grandpa in his hospital gown from just having surgery and Pierce in an infant sleeping gown=).

Pierce, my cousin Johnnie, and I immediately flew to Kentucky to be with our family. I never thought that exactly a year from the last time were were in Kentucky, we would be back for this. Although it was a sad time, we were happy to see our family again. Pierce was able to meet a few cousins, aunts, and uncles he hadn't met before.

Here is Pierce and his cousin Sean. Sean was being very shy the first night! Pierce kept trying to get him to play, but it wasn't working. He was puzzled!

Pierce loves his cousins Beau and Clayton. These two were pretty much inseperable. Beau loved holding Pierce and wanted to whenever he got the chance.

Pierce finally got to meet his cousin Diane, who is planning one of her own.

Of course, Pierce and his grandpa spent a lot of time together.

Pierce loved hanging out with the big boys.

I love you Grandpa and I miss you so much. . .

A Visit to Schnepf Farms

Levi and I had been looking forward to our trip to Schnepf Farms since last fall! We knew this year Pierce would really enjoy it. And he did!

Pierce on the hay ride.

We had fun going through the corn maze. It's always nice to get lost for a little while.

Pierce getting a ghost painted on his face.

Mommy got one to match! It was so funny, the old man who was painting it was trying to convince me to have 10 children! Sure, as long as I get that tv show to pay for it all!

Showing off our matching ghosts.

Having a refreshment in the back of the Farm Fresh Grill. It is so nice back there! Fake grass, lots of outdoor couches, and lights. The only thing missing was music!

Pinching that butt.

At Schnepf Farms we bought him a conductor hat because his FAVORITE toy is a little wooden conductor. He used to crawl and cruise around with it in his mouth all the time. We don't know what happened to the conductor--he is MIA! Now Pierce has his own conductor hat that he loves to wear.

Schnepf was super fun! Can't wait for next year!

First Haircut

After Pierce's first birthday, I noticed his hair had started getting curly in the back. It was high time for a haircut! We had no idea how he was going to react to this and when he sat down in the chair and met the hair stylist, he was quite unsure. He never cried, but he was definitely unsure.

Once she sprayed down his hair and started combing and cutting it, he relaxed. This kid loves to be touched; he loves back rubs, back scratches, massages, getting his hair brushed and played with, so he was very much enjoying this experience!

Levi and I were so proud of his laidback attitude during the haircut--especially since the toddler across the way was screaming his head off!

The hair stylist was great. She showed him the clippers and even let him touch and explore them before using them.

In order to get him to look down to trim his neckline, she gave him a toy to look at.

We were so proud when we turned his head each time she needed him to! It was like he was an old pro.

Happy 1st Haircut Day, Pierce!

Our Boy Turned One

For days before his birthday, Pierce was getting cards in the mail. On this particular day he had gone down for a very late afternoon nap and was still sleeping when Daddy got home. We were afraid that he would sleep straight to the morning without dinner as he occassionally does, so when he made the slightest noise that afternoon, we went in and got him. He was so not ready to get up and didn't want to open his cards!

Finally waking up. I love this picture because he reminds me of Stewie from Family Guy.

Along with his birthday card, my dad sent him a really cute picture magnet that plays "You Are Always on My Mind" (I don't know if it's called that, but that's what the lyrics say!). When presented with this magnet, Pierce was in awe. He kept getting his little face as close as he could to the magnet. We think he was trying to figure out how the music was coming out of there!

On Pierce's actual birthday, he opened up presents from Mommy and Daddy and any presents that came in the mail. Here he is opening a present from Levi's mom. He loves that phone!

We sang Happy Birthday and Pierce had his own birthday cupcake!

Fancy was excited about the cupcake, too!

Filling the piping bag full of homemade whipped cream! Little did I know it would all be completely melted in a matter of hours!

Good thing we got some before-pictures.

Carrie and cute little Cate. She can't wait to play with Pierce!

Nicole and Pierce's very first friend, Natalie.

Look at those melted cupcakes! It sure was sweltering that day. Pierce didn't mind the melted cupcake and had one anyway! Messy, messy!

I think we've decided to keep this September baby's birthday parties indoors from now on!

Happy Birthday, Pierce!

Swim Lessons-September/October

In September Pierce began his very first class--swim lessons! He enjoyed it just as much as we knew he would and was a great splasher and kicker. I think the favorite part of his lessons were the songs we got to sing.

I've picked out some pictures from the whole month of swim lessons to share.

The water was so cold every time we first got in, but by looking at Pierce you wouldn't know it. What a trooper!

Getting ready to jump in!

Singing a fun song at the end of his first day.

Pierce and his very first teacher, Miss Kelley! He was such a flirt with her. Look at his Casper-white body next to her tan self!

Months 11 and 12--A Little Late!

Being that I am overwhelmingly busy with schoolwork, I have been neglectful to our blog. Here are months 11 and 12 of our angel!

11 Months

Getting his feet licked by Fancy--what's new??

12 Months