Happy Birthday my BEST nephew...

Henry-
I just watched the video your mama made for you. It made me laugh, cry and smile all in three minutes. I can't believe you are two....you have been here for 734 days and each one has been a blessing to so many people. You are such a special little guy- you are daring, fun and such a spunky boy. I feel like you and Lucy are growing up too fast- your parents and Uncle Wood and I wish it would slow down just a little- we love snuggling with you, tickling you, and best of all DANCING with you!

H- you are HAPPY. more than happy- you are JOYFUL. That is no accident or coincidence- your mama and dad are full of joy themselves and they, like you, embark on each day with a smile on their face. May you always have that joy- and may you grow in the knowledge that being joyful, no matter what, is what God wants us to be. Your smile lights up any room, any situation and our hearts.

E- you are ENERGETIC. Nobody runs more, in various directions, at full speed, than you! It is a treat to watch you move fast from one activity to another- and I am thankful your mom put that pic in the video of you asleep in your high chair- sometimes after a morning of moving you need some rest...

N- NICE. You love to give others a squeeze and are learning what it means to be kind. You show concern when someone is hurt and may need a hug. Watching you and Lucy hug is always one of the best parts of my day. As you grow up, I hope you will watch your dad take care of your mom. He is kind and courteous and you are growing and modeling that kind of love. Your mama and dad will always love your hugs, rocking you, singing with you and giving you kisses. As moms, we will always love our squeezes from you and Lucy.

R- RAMBUNCTIOUS. You love to jump from the ottoman to the sofa or wrestle with your dad. You squeals of delight are sweet sounds that remind us that you are a boy that loves to be active and play. Your mischievous little smile is picture perfect and such a reminder of the fun of being a toddler.

Y- YIELDING. Henry, you have shown that you are able to yield- to slow down and enjoy a Curious George show, to sit in your parents lap for a good book at the end of the day or to share. Your best bud, Lucy actually learns from your kind heart when it comes to sharing your toys. Your willingness to share with others and yield at times to what they want to do (at school, or when playing) is proof that you are growing into a sweet boy that will make tons of friends.

I love you so much- and can't wait for another fun year watching you grow up!!

Aunt Carrie

a little bit of year two

(hold the cursor over the middle of the video & the play button will show. then double click the play button & it will take you to another site to watch the video.)

happy 2nd birthday buddy! two years have flown by with not a second forgotten. you have filled our hearts with joy & so much laughter. your smile can spread for a mile. we love waking up every morning to your sweet voice & can't wait to get out of bed to get our morning squeeze.

our wish to you this year is to continue to shine like the STAR you already are!

we love you buddy!!!

xoxo,

mommy & daddy

big TWO

since we are in birmingham this week for thanksgiving we decided to have a little birthday pizza party for wild man last sunday with family and a few neighborhood friends. it was so fun to decorate and sing happy birthday all week long. i think we drilled into his head so much the week before he thought his birthday was going to be a week long celebration! we were coming home from church on sunday and he just started singing happy birthday to henry with a big grin on his face!
i know people say this all the time but i really can't believe he is already TWO. time really does fly when you are having FUN. these past two years have been the best of our lives- he just fills us with spirit & makes us so proud everyday.
tomorrow i will post a little two year old photo movie that i have been working on. i could watch it over and over again.
but for now enjoy the photos below! xo

table close up

L to R- henry, lucy, caroline, haley & charlie

he was so excited to see GEORGE on top of his cake

the girls are sportin the george glasses

henry & charlie duking it out with the foam swords

haley's 5 pound bag of candy

opening the firetruck from lucy

not letting go of the mow mow from mom & dad....he seriously wouldn't let anyone even touch it

honey & sam gave him a bball goal. he made the first shot!

it was a long celebration! had to help himself to a beer! thatta boy!!!

fun day sunday

goose came over to play this morning. i had to snap a few shots of my favorite 3 yr old & almost 2 yr old.

then we headed back to lucy's house to ride on the "mow mow". i think one of henry's dreams just came TRUE this morning. he has not stopped talking about the mow mow! hhmmm....i think the birthday fairy might be bringing a smaller (much smaller) version of one in about 19 days!

uncle wood & hen- i am loving this shot!

OWEN thomas phillips IV

welcome to the world OWEN THOMAS PHILLIPS the FOURTH!

on friday i snuck out of town for the day to chapel hill to visit my best friend LAURA & her new little bundle OWEN. it was such a treat to spend a few hours with them! laura & i have known each other since the gymnastics days of about 6 or 7 years old & then we were at Latin together & then chapel hill. she has always been my sister that i have never had. i always (and still do) LOVED going to the zugers house growing up. she is the middle of three girls & it was always just so fun to constantly have girl things all around the house! make up, clothes (tons of fun clothes), full on gymnastics equipment, everything! those zuger girls are bargain shoppers & know how to find the best deal & have the best time!!! enough about us.....let's talk OWEN!!! he couldn't be any cuter. i forget how tiny they are- i was actually very nervous holding him- but he is so perfect in every way. he will be here in a few weeks for thanksgiving & i am counting down the days to get to play.

to laura & tripp: congratulations on your precious gift from God. soak up every day- even those sleepless nights & moments of pee all over you. they just grow up way too fast. love you so much!!!

i stole this one from laura's fb page.....his eyes just make your heart melt.

halloween!!!!!

i was pretty proud......it was made the morning of & only glowing for about 30 mins since we hung out at lucy's house but oh well!

inside the jumpy castle at the neighborhood party- DANGER!

this is BEN who lives down the street from us. i am sure they will love this picture of them holding hands when they are seniors in high school.

the only together shot- still not perfect but when these two are together they don't stop moving!

we had a rain storm most of the night which was a little bit of a bummer. here they are cleaning the wagon- this was about 20 mins of entertainment- who knew??

hope everyone had a fun halloween!!!

great family vaction, until......

we headed to linville on a wednesday a few weeks ago for year two of our big family trip. mom & dad, the boners, the comstocks, stephen, carrie, lucy & of us- 10 adults, 2 kids- all in one fabulous house! the boys played lots of golf, the grandparents gave lots of love, lucy lived on the swing & henry spent every waking moment with the golf club & golf cart. i think if we parked a golf cart in the back yard we would have a permanent babysitter!

anyways- the trip was so fun but just ended not so great. henry was acting a little off towards the end (very fussy & could not be pleased), then on saturday he ended up having some really nasty diapers all day. i didn't think much of it- i just kind of thought his tummy was a little irritated. we wake up sunday morning to pack & head home. brett doesn't feel so good but i was just thinking it was the case of too much alcohol, then mom hits the bathroom & is there for good. we are thinking there is no way she can ride home in the car. i hurry to pack henry up because brett's parents are taking him back to birmingham for the week (yay- vacation for us!). brett still isn't feeling good & my stomach starts to feel nauseous but i just try to ignore it & not eat. most of us get out the door & on the road. stephen & carrie had already been on the road for about an hour- i get a text from carrie: "great, lucy just puked!". OH NO....i look at brett & we both immediately realize....stomach virus has hit!!! long story short- it gets EVERYONE except my dad & carrie's mom. brett & i were in the bed all afternoon but at least we made it home before the action started!! brett's parents were true sports- taking care of little man while both being sick. i don't know how they did it. they get some major points in my book!

all in all we had another great year & cannot wait until the next! let's just hope we all come home healthy!!! enjoy some pictures below- carrie has some that are much better so hopefully she will post.

dad giving some lessons- i think both were in heaven

feeding the "fishies!!!!!!!"

golf cart rides in attempts to take family photos...didn't quite work

the mission house

early morning love