Trip to Stacy's!

We went to Stacy's house in Portland (Tx) this past weekend to celebrate Dorothy Grace's 2nd birthday!  Before we left on Friday Chance had his big one year check-up with the pediatrician.  He weighs 20lbs 7oz (15th %) 29 3/4 inches (50th) and 50th head circumference.  He loves going to visit with the nurses and doctor but got really upset this time with his shots.  He got a great check-up though!  We then headed to Stacy's that afternoon.  Probably not the best weekend because he was one fussy little dude.  We also found out much to my dental dismay he is getting a top molar already!  Very much out of order since he currently only has 4 teeth!

On Friday evening my parents went with us to make a quick visit to the beach.  Chance was not the biggest fan of water rushing on his feet but he tolerated it and one for the memory book!  Dorothy Grace had a wonderful party and she knew that it was her PARTY!  She was running around all evening just having a great time.  My Pa even surprised everyone by coming!  He will be 92 and drove himself from Victoria to surprise us!  We were so glad he came.  Chance even got his first taste of strawberry lemonade courtesy of Pa!

They always want what the other one has!

DG chasing Chance in the stroller!  Great entertainment!

Birthday Girl!

Cheese!

Running and jumping for joy!

He figured out how to slide down by himself NO FEAR!

Our four generations!

Chance's 1st Birthday!!!

So...get ready! There are tons of pictures! Stacy and I both had cameras to capture everything about Chance's special day! My parents, sister, and Dorothy Grace made it for the weekend! We had a few friends and family over for a cowboy party complete with roping, bean bags toss, fun games, wagon rides, hamburgers, and of course cupcakes! Chance is such a big boy now it makes me kind of sad. He is a happy little guy with a wonderful personality to match. He had a misfortunate stumble on the back porch this past week so he has a nice bruise to make him look like a tough cowboy sheriff. He loved when everyone sang "Happy Birthday" to him. He just looked around with such a wonderful smile. He liked the icing of his cake, but really liked to wipe it on himself. Everyone who knows Ben can imagine how excited he was about this! We just love Chance Russell and are so blessed to have him in our lives for this past year and all the friends and family to help celebrate this special day! It is amazing to watch him learn new things everyday! Enough of that! Enjoy the pictures!

Opening his first gift from nanny Tiffany

Mom and Dad

My helper and sidekick



Stacy's sister-in-law Katie made the cake for us, his banner, party favor cookies and cupcake toppers,  She is very very talented! Thanks so much! 



Chance and his best buddy Tyler.

stripped down

Toy from The Millers and my mom and dad. It was a big hit at the party!

Sweet Dorothy Grace

A few of the cowboys and cowgirls, a rowdy group!

Our neighbors cleaned out their attic a month ago and gave Chance a pool.  He got a couple swimsuits for his birthday so today we tested them out.  He really liked drinking the water and splashing around! 



One week countdown....

To his 1st Birthday!!!  Yea!! Chance is really growing up fast it seems in the past few weeks! He is walking more and more and getting more steady with each step.  He is babbling continuously about everything around him.  Hope y'all enjoy a few new pictures.

The captive audience Sealy!  Sweet girl!

Family Fun at the Park!

We have a little park in our neighborhood and Chance loves to go! We all went down the slide multiple times. Even Sealy took a turn!  He loves to be outside!

Chance the WALKER!

Chance took his first steps this evening.  We pulled out the camera and he was very motivated! When Chance wants something such as a ball or toy he holds out his hands.  Notice that he does this mid walk for the video camera!  Ben and I are so proud of our little boy! (DISCLAIMER: turn the volume down so you do not have to hear my horrible laugh)

11 months old!

Chance Russell is 11 months old! Oh sweet boy! He is learning so many new things and is still our happy little guy.  What did we ever do without him!  Fun facts for 11 months:

• He loves to clap his hands (especially after singing itsy bitsy spider or anytime you say yea!!)
• Has four teeth and an underbite:))
• Loves to watch cars and airplanes
  
• Favorite food is yogurt 
• Loves to be outside (wagon, riding behind dad on the bike, swing, eating (tasting) leaves, neighborhood playground)
• First word besides mama and dada is Sealy (he loves his weiner dog)
• Likes to watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and when he sees pluto will proudly proclaim "Sealy!"
• Very proficient at walking around the furniture and using his walker from MiMi and Pops.  Not confident enough to walk on his own YET!
• Loves to get a book off his shelf hand it to you and want you to read it to him
• Throws a ball very well and even holds his hands out for you to throw it back to him (daddy is very proud of him)

5 year wedding anniversary!

Looking at wedding pictures today! What a great five years it has been! Ben wrote me the sweetest note basically retelling the past five years! I married such a wonderful man and I thank God for him everyday!