Christmas time!

Silas got to celebrate Christmas 3 times this year! It was a busy first Christmas for sure!

We started on Christmas Eve by attending the Children Service at our Church with Gammie and cousin Hannah. Before we left Gammie got a family picture of us by our tree. Silas already knew he had boxes to open under the tree!

He was excited to open presents, but he had to wait until we went to Bubby and Honey's house

Silas got changed out of his Church clothes and was super excited to play on one of his new toys! He can't quite push himself yet, but he had a good time sitting on his scooter and playing with the buttons.

Silas only opened one gift before he decided he was done and fell asleep in Honey's arms. He received fun bath toys from his Bubby and Honey. Mommy and Daddy had to open his other gifts which included new clothes and more toys!

Poor little guy was worn out from all the fun and slept until we left for the 11pm service at Church with Mema and Papa Joe. As per tradition, we went out for breakfast after church. Silas slept through service and almost throughout breakfast. When we finally got home he was ready for bed.

Silas slept in until 8:30! He was so sleepy that he continued to sleep on Mommy and Daddy's bed until Gammie came over and the doorbell woke him up.

When we came down stairs Silas found that Santa had brought him an exersaucer! He was so excited and couldn't decide what to play with first!

When we opened up presents we were for sure he would only be interested in the paper and boxes, but we were wrong! He wanted what was in them after all! Mostly Silas opened up size 12 month clothes because almost all of his 9 month outfits are too small! Gammie bought him 10 new cloth diapers, a new soft blanket, and some new toys. Bubby and Honey came over and brought his cousins to exchange presents too. Silas was given even more bath toys to enjoy! Friends Lori, Ross and Casey gave Silas a new bath book and a driving station.

After all of fun of present Silas was very ready to head over to Mema and Papa's house to celebrate Christmas with them, Grandpa Great, Uncle Russ and Auntie Andi.

Silas was very loved over at Mema and Papa's house!

Grandpa Great gave him a big white bear, Mema and Papa bought him a music table, bongo drums, a baby radio and blocks. Aunt Andi and Uncle John bought him a race car set and Uncle Russ bought him some humorous clothing.

Once again, Silas really enjoyed opening his presents, even if Mommy had to help a little.



Silas showed how strong he was, holding himself up with the table put together.

But it was much easier to play with it on the floor. Papa had a good time playing with him too!

Silas plays hard and is always thinking about his next step!

Although he loves his new music activity table, I think he had the most fun hanging out with his Papa.

After a wonderful dinner made by Grandpa Great we finally headed home, but left all of the great new toys at Mema and Papa's house so he could have something fun to play with there.

Even though he had celebrated 3 times, we weren't quite finished. The day after Christmas we went over to Great Aunt Jan's for dinner and Silas had more gifts waiting for him! Aunt Jan and Uncle Lou gave Silas a tool bench and from Mommy's cousins he received a set of books and a Scout puppy.

Silas was spoiled rotten, but had such a great time with family. We are so blessed to have spent the weekend with family and watching Silas experience his very first Christmas!

7 months old

We returned to Phoenix on the 14th, which is also the day that Silas turned 7 months old!

Hey hey hey... I'm 7 months today!

He can hardly believe it either!

No teethers for Silas, he's rather chew on his fingers!

And play with paper (or any trash really)

While I was taking a shower, Josh tossed Silas into a basket...

They pretended the basket was a boat!

and a spaceship!

But soon enough Silas was done with that game and wanted out!

Our last day in KY

Our last day in Kentucky was spent back at Nana Nell's house. The schools in town were on a snow day and that meant there were many 2nd cousins for Silas to play with.

Nana Nell watched Silas as Mommy, Mema, and Aunt Andi we out to shop and get hair cuts!

We had dinner out with Uncle Sam and Nana Nell before returning back to Nana Nell's to see family.

My cousin's wife, Jaclyn, had a great time playing with Silas. She is expecting a little one in June!

Silas enjoyed playing with Papa too while Mema talked and visited.

As you can see there were many people over to say goodbye.

I think Mema had a good time!

And so did Silas.

Our return trip started at 3:30 the next morning, so there were no pictures. We slept in the car on the way back to Nashville and made it there in time to catch our 9:10 plane back to Phoenix.

We were both wiped out and ready for a long nap by the time we got home.

Silas was super excited to see his Daddy, and Josh was excited to see us too!

Silas and the snow

Sunday was a very exciting day because it started snowing! See how excited he is?

At first it started off just as a few flurries...

We went to breakfast and the store before going back to Nana Nell's house...

He was not pleased to get put back in his snow suit...

But he needed it since it was so cold outside with all of the white stuff on the ground.

We were all bundled up and didn't spend much time outside, but since it was his first time seeing snow we took a few pictures!

For the most part he seemed to enjoy it!

Although he won't remember much of it, at least he'll have pictures of himself in the snow!

Christmas Party

Before going to the Stallings Christmas party we went back over to Nana Nell's house.

Poor guy was miserable most of the day. We had many battles to wipe his nose.

 He was more than happy to cuddle his Uncle Sam after we struggled to change his clothes and put him back in his snow suit.

When we went to Mass, to celebrate my Grandma Cotton and Grandpa Vic, Silas was quickly swooped up by Aunt Bonnie...

And then Aunt Sandee... who did not give him up the rest of the service.

After church we headed over to the cafeteria for the Stallings Christmas party. Aunt Debbie and Uncle Bill got to spend some time with Silas before everyone arrived. They "met" him for the first time when he was still a bean in my belly and came to visit in AZ.

Camryn, another 2nd cousin was in love with Silas. She came to play with him several times during the party.

Mema had a great time visiting with all of her brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews. It was a good party for sure! We were so busy visiting that not many pictures were taken!

Silas wasn't interested in having a picture taken with mommy...

When we returned to the hotel we gave Daddy a call. Silas was so excited to hear Josh's voice that he reached for the phone and wouldn't let it go.

He was very grumpy when I tried to take the phone away and cried a little when it was time to say goodnight. Every time I had my phone out during our trip Silas grabbed for the phone. He started to realize that his daddy's voice was related to the phone.

Visiting with Family

Silas was bright eyed the next morning, even though he wasn't feeling the best.

We got him dressed at headed over to my Aunt Nell's house.

Silas was right at home and quickly found lots of familiar toys and new friends to play with.

 Silas warmed up to his "Nana Nell" quickly.

You can tell in this picture how poorly he was feeling. Back home Josh was feeling quite the same.

Silas wanted nothing more than to be held and loved.

After a good nap he was ready to visit some more. He had no problems going to his great Aunt Bonnie.



Or one of mommy's cousins.



Silas met and got to play with one of his 2nd cousins who was born a month and a half after him.



It was a very bust day and he was ready for bed that night!