Christmas Day!

Christmas this year was so special with Carter in our family! Parker said, "this is the best Christmas ever because Carter is here!" We really had a low key holiday enjoying the kids and relaxing and celebrating the birth of Jesus. This year, instead of John reading the Christmas story from Luke, Parker read the book where he had written the Christmas story in his own words! It was so special! His writings have become such a treasure! As I posted this, I realized for the first time that my Mom's ornament is in this picture also! Wish she were here to see Carter!

First sight of what Santa brought! I love this part!!

A new "Nanannette Blanket" and according to Parker it's the perfect on because it keeps him just the right temperature. He informed me of that in the wee hours of one morning when I went up to get Carter, then he drifted right back to sleep.

Carter was really into everything going on (for about 10 min:). Parker finally got his bendaroo's!!

Carter kissing "My Pal Scout"

We had the Christmas cracker's with breakfast because Grandma couldn't make dinner Christmas Eve. The crowns must be worn and the jokes read aloud!

Helping Carter open his gifts (or opening for him!)

Of course we stayed in PJ's until dinner! Parker picked out new monkey slippers for me!

Parker still LOVES his lego's! It's AMAZING how fast he put them together this year compared to last year!

Other holiday activities

We went out to visit our friends Melanie and Al on Sunday afternoon and went for a cold walk around the neighborhood. We visited all of the animals including this little guy - I can't remember his name...

Parker, Ryan & Zack (Kade was in the ER with a knife cut to the hand)

The three days before Christmas, our friends Danny & Laney stayed with us while their Mom & Dad worked. The big boys didn't slow down enough for a photo. :) We went to see the Princes and the Frog that week and went bowling. With four kids and the baby sitter in the car, we drove a half hour when it was 36 degrees out with my back passenger window stuck down. We bundled everyone up and went for a car repair. Danny and Parker thought it was a great adventure!

I love sleeping little angels!

Carter officially sucks his thumb. It took him 4-5 months to completely figure it out but...

Parker as the lamb

The school had try outs for positions in the school Christmas program and Parker decided he wanted to try out. He was chosen to be the lamb. They boys in his class gave him a hard time but evidently he stood his ground and by that night, they all thought it was cool. At the last minute, they didn't have the lamb costume they thought they had thus the cotton balls. :) At the end, the stage was covered in bits of cotton. Mrs. Key suggested that he rest in the stable and then look around like 'what's going on in my stable' when different people showed up. He stole the show by the way he looked curiously as things changed and then lay down to rest. His acting debut was a success I think because he enjoyed it so much.

Daddy Carter Love

I love watching John with the kids! He is so great with them and just loves on them all the time! Carter loves grabbing John's glasses. He is such a loving baby when you hold him and talk to him. We are so very blessed we can't get over it! It's so funny too; wherever we go, people stop us to talk to Carter - he's like a magnet to strangers. We've had people stop us or stop at our table in restaurants just to tell us we are blessed to have him - WE KNOW:)

Christmas at Papa's

We celebrated Christmas at Daddy's with Greg & Jennie and the boys. The big boys have so much fun playing and Graeham is trying to get right in there now. :) They had so much fun wrestling with Papa but I'm not sure who had more fun, the kids or Papa. We were supposed to be at a surprise birthday party that evening in our neighborhood but we just couldn't leave because we were all enjoying the company!

Santa and Photo Shoot

We are so lucky that Santa comes to our neighborhood to visit the kids. This year, there were crafts and cookies for the kids too. Santa told Parker he had grown since last year and that he knew he had been good to his baby brother. Parker ate that up!

A few days after Santa, we did a photo shoot at home - it was fun for Parker for a while and then they both ran out of patience. Here are a few cute shots.

I didn't have them all on my computer so here are two. Cora is so good a posing when we ask. Carter looks a little scared!

Sweet brother moment

It's tradition in the Lyman household to put up the tree the day after Thanksgiving and everyone has to wear the santa hat at some point.

Parker frequently asks us to put Carter in his lap or to put Carter in his bed to snuggle up at night. I have started asking Parker if he wants to feed his brother and usually he is interested. He is ALWAYs paying attention though - he will tell me when I'm doing things wrong. He is very into teaching Carter things which doesn't always work out the way he wants. Carter will be focused on a toy and Parker will bring over something (for a much older child) and start explaining it to Carter who pays him no attention. :) He doesn't seem to mind too much but goes right on with his demonstration.

We started putting Carter in the Jumper in the last few days. He didn't move around at lot to begin with but after a few days, he is really getting into the jumping... Here is the photo

First foods

Carter did so well with his first bites of rice cereal - very little spitting it back out considering... I think Parker had the most fun with this experience though - notice him hiding behind the seat! :) He adores his baby brother!

4 Month Old

Carter was 4 months on the 14th. He has changed so much in that he studies everything. He is holding toys and shaking rattles. He rolled over once two days after he was 4 months but hasn't done it again. One of his favorite things to do is take a bath - he swims (kicks and moves his arms) the entire time and smiles about it. The best thing in the world is that huge smile! You can see by the double chin that he has gained weight!!! He was 14.4 lbs. and 25 in. at his dr. visit. She took him off of the high calorie formula so we are in the process of switching that before we start solids. Parker is ready for Carter to eat from a spoon. :) We are so blessed! Multiple times a day, I just look around at our family and say thank you to our Father! John is an amazing husband and dad and we've been entrusted with two terrific little boys! Just behind that thank you, I ask for guidance and wisdom to bring up these boys in His ways! We would love to have you pray with us!

Mimi & Popi Visit

John and Parker were away at Camp Highland for a Father/Son weekend. It was an amazing time for them to spend time with God, bond with each other and be outdoors. Parker loves the great outdoors - hiking, climbing and he's learning an interest in ropes courses. They heights are a little overwhelming for a 7 year old. He did brave the first section of the high ropes course but decided that was enough for this time. We were proud of him to get that far! We are overjoyed with how much he has a desire to know God!! It's amazing as a parent to watch his growth!!

Carter and I had a special treat. Mimi and Popi were here the first night the boys were gone. Popi was whistling and Mimi was rocking Carter back and forth toward him. Carter was just belly laughing! I think they had a special moment with him!

Fall Treat

Sunday was a gorgeous day and we had about two free hours so we took a drive out to Lake Lanier. We just wanted to see the incredible colors of Autumn. This is my favorite time of year! I love the way God paints such an incredible picture across the earth just before everything is dormant for a time of rest. Parker had fun climbing on the rocks and Carter enjoyed his nap in the car seat. I just sat by the lake to enjoy the peacefulness! It was a great day!

Trick or Treat

Our little Eagle and Aaron Stone (Parker's new favorite Disney show). We made the eagle costume for Parker's first halloween. Halloween was a rainy, rainy night. Our neighborhood party was put off until next year thankfully but we did have a little parade and costume contest. Parker had a blast going door to door in the neighborhood with his best buds. Dad chased after him and I mean chase the first 10 to 20 houses. They are so excited that they just run from house to house. Carter was either crying or spitting up or both most of the time he was in costume. Once I got him home from the parade and changed, he was happy to help me pass out candy. After the big boys got home, we had a big pot of chili with some friends and watched "Haunted Mansion." It was a fun night. We gave away 150 pieces of candy and kept the other half... Crazy!

Lamb Family Party

On the 24th we had a family party at our house with my Brother, Aunts and Cousins. The kids had so much fun playing. I love seeing all of the kids together playing. The did great most of the time but the two oldest have a little trouble with who's going to be in charge. :) Graeham and Carter got to know each other! Here are some fun pics:

Girls first: Ella - what a cutie pie! She was shy when she first arrived!

McKinsey - Jennie's niece - what a sweet girl! We

so happy to have her here!

Carter - all smiles as usual

Graeham is a flirt - what a cutie!

Warren's very serious about those cars!

Parker working out the bow (no arrows)

Parker (JP) working very hard on a craft.

Annual fall trip to the pumpkin patch

We had such a great day! The weather was gorgeous although it was cold. We put on our warm jackets and got outside. John planned the outing and surprised us with Uncle Shucks corn maze. We had done it last year when the corn was dead and really had high hopes to get back there this year while it was green - success! It was packed but that made it more fun! Parker picked out a 16lb. pumpkin and he has big plans for carving it! We're going to need a strong knife! The stalk is about four inches around! Carter slept most of the trip but did open his eyes for a few photos.

It was such a blessing to be out with our family of four! It's been such a long wait to have two kids along with us on these outings! Although Carter isn't much of a playmate for Parker yet, Parker just seems to love having him with us all the time. Having Carter with us just seems to fill Parker's little heart!

In the Corn Maze

Parker made some friends who were rolling him around in this tire. He had a field day!! They also had a soy bean maze for the kids.

Carter - 3 Months