2010 Year in Review (Part 3)

We've covered a lot in our Year in Review so far and now, we're heading into summer months. So here we go!

When we last saw Chase, he was just learning to sit up. In May, Chase had another milestone when he first pushed up on all fours. Here's video of that big event. (May 12)

And here he is, only a couple of days later, crawling! (May 15)

Ok, so he's not crawling in this next picture, but it's cute, so I'm putting it on the blog anyway.

And if you want more proof that Chase was on the fast track to toddlerhood, here's video of him STANDING just 4 weeks later! (June 19)

And 4 weeks after that? CRUISING! (July 16)

And 5 weeks after that? WALKING! (July 29) 

Really, Chase. Why do you want to grow up so fast?

Meanwhile, in Charlie's world, he got his very first tractor ride at Grammy and Poppy's house in June. We created a monster that day.

And here's little Chase on that same trip on Tennessee. 

(Just including this picture because it's cute and because I can. It's my blog.)

This is Charlie at Grandma and Grandpa's house. He still talks about that waterfall.

On July 6, we took Chase to get his first haircut. He reacted in typical Chase fashion...

D R A M A! 

Oh, the humanity!

And now he's just trying to milk it. What a pitiful face.

Meanwhile, Charlie's swimming skills really took off in the summer. He's now taking private swim lessons and by this summer, will officially become part fish.

And last but not least (for this post, anyway), Charlie went to his first summer camp. It was Dinosaur Camp at Romp n Roll and he absolutely loved it. (Mama loved it too because that meant she got a couple of hours at home that were just a little less chaotic.)

Stay tuned for the next blog entry when we'll remember our beach trip, preschool, the infamous field trip to Patterson Farm and much, much more!

2010 Year in Review (Part 2)

Our Year in Review will continue in a moment but before we move onto other 2010 milestones, I just had to show one more video of sweet Charlie before he became chatty Charlie...

I'm still amazed at how much he's learned! This video was taken in mid-March and here we are, just 10 months later, and he's talking our ears off! Love it!

Ok, anyway, back to our Year in Review.

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Chase obviously grew and changed so much this year. You gotta walk before you can crawl, right? Well, in Chase's case, you gotta "push up" first.

And then, you gotta "sit up," right?

Here's video of little Chasie sitting up on his own for the first time!

And I have to include these photos of Chase because they're just too cute!

And then there's Charlie who also had a big year. His first major milestone was moving out of the crib and into the big boy bed!

Here's his last morning in the crib. (Sniff. Sniff.)

And here's Charlie sitting in his big boy bed, right before his first nap.

He did such a great job! He only got up once. I heard him stomping around in his room, so I busted in there and quite literally scared him into staying in his bed until Mama or Dada gets him after his nap. Since then, he's not given us any trouble! He stays in his big boy bed until one of us comes into his room. So proud of him!

Meanwhile, Mama and Dada were SO HAPPY that Charlie moved out of the crib and Chase moved into it, because that meant that we got our bedroom back. YEAH!

I have to include this photo of Charlie because it's quite simply, one of my absolute favorites of him. I just love the lighting in this picture and I love his genuine smile. Adorable!

So, that's Part 2 of our Year in Review. Next time we'll cover crawling, swimming and other summer fun. Stay tuned!

2010 Year in Review (Part 1)

Well, I'm stealing this idea from my friend, Lauren Verlander, but I can't help it. It's a great idea!

In honor of the new year, I'm going to do a "2010 Year in Review" over the next couple of blog entries. (It also helps that there's really nothing spectacular going on in our lives right now, so this will give me material to write about.)

I think you'll really enjoy this because I've uncovered lots of short videos that show how far the boys have come in just 12 months. It's truly amazing.

So, enough chit chatting. Here goes. The 2010 Year in Review, Part 1!

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We started 2010 the same way we ended it... 

...with a Tennessee loss in a Bowl game.

Oh, and SNOW!

Believe it or not, that's Charlie in the picture above.

Here's a picture of Chase from the snow 2 weeks ago.

Eerie, isn't it?!

Anyway, back to our year in review.

Some things stayed the same...

Ahhh... the grocery cart.

And some things have really changed!

You're probably wondering when these videos were made...

February 20, 2010. Less than one year ago. Hasn't Charlie come such a long way? Amazing!

Meanwhile, there's Chase.

Here he is back on February 25, right before he eats cereal for the first time. He still has the million dollar smile. What a sweetie!

And luckily, I have video of it too! So fun!

Well, I think that's enough excitement for one blog post. Next time, we'll cover sitting up (Chase), moving out of the crib (Charlie), and who knows what else.

Stay tuned!

Winter Wonderland

Here are a several videos of our snow day last week. I can only imagine how fun playing in the snow will be as the boys get older!

Video #1: Future Olympic Skier... Chase Arning! 
Ok, based on this video, maybe he won't be an Olympic skier, but you never know! (And yes, I know I spelled skier wrong on the video.)





Video #2: Speechless
I think Charlie is overwhelmed by the cuteness of the Hurley girlies!





Video #3: Mittens: Loathe Entirely
Poor Chase absolutely HATED his mittens. Here's a glimpse...

Christmas Cookie Decorator Extraordinaire

Want baking secrets from the top Christmas cookie maker under the age of 5?

Sprinkles... lots and lots and lots of sprinkles. (Be sure to taste test sprinkles first before applying to cookie.)

White Christmas

While we didn't wake up to a White Christmas, we were lucky enough to end the day with one. What a beautiful way to spend Christmas night... sitting in front of the tree, cuddled on the couch, watching it snow out the window.

The next day, there was enough snow on the ground for us to bundle the boys up and head outside for some good, old-fashioned, frolicking in the snow! We tried sledding on the golf course, but neither Charlie nor Chase really appreciated the blast of snow in the face during the descent down the hill. Oh, well!

We did have fun throwing snow balls, making snow angels and building our very own Frosty the Snowman.

Here is a picture timeline of our  North Carolina White Christmas...

Isn't it beautiful?! The camera doesn't do it justice. 

Chase was a trooper! He seemed to really enjoy himself, although he absolutely HATED his mittens.

Charlie, getting ready to go sledding.

You gotta have the picture of your kid crying, right? It's a right of passage.

As soon as Mike started pulling the sled, Chase quieted right down.

Doesn't it look like they're in the middle of the woods?

Dad and Chase, watching the sledders.

Not sure why Chase was saluting, but whatever! As long as the sled was in motion, he was happy.

Doesn't the house look pretty?

A big, wet, doggy kiss from Shelby.

Yes, the red car makes an appearance, even in the snow.

Dad, hard at work!

Charlie likes his snowman equivalent!

Making snowmen... this is when marrying a Yankee comes in handy.

Mike and Frosty.

Charlie's not sure what to make of it.

"Look, Charlie! I tackled and captured a dog!"

Frosty is the star of the show today.

Isn't he cute?

It's not very often we'll have a snowman this big in front of our house.

Chase, the Destroyer, ready to take Frosty down.

It's nice to live on a golf course when it snows.
Our house is straight ahead, directly through the trees.