Ford's 2nd Birthday

I can't believe it has taken me this long to blog!!! So I'm going to do a little catch up...
Ford's 2nd Birthday was back in March!!! We began his day like we did on his first... balloons in his bed, singing Happy Birthday as we entered, putting a hat on him, and then singing a special song called The Day You Were Born...Not shown in the picture... But Ford also enjoyed that Mammaw Riley and his Aunt Clara (which is probably the reason of his big smile not the balloons) were there with us that morning as he woke up.

Then it was party time... We had planned a train party at the park, so i knew weather was going to be an issue. I just did not expect such a strong windy day that made us all very cold. The kids enjoyed a good time as they rode the train, played at the park, and enjoyed some of Ford's favorite things to eat - fruit, doughnut holes, and a special Ford trail mix. Here are a few pics from the party...

Ford arrives at the party... Ford takes his 1st train ride of the day with Clara...
The Ford Depot with cake and snack train...The attempt by some good guys to light the candles on the cake, but the wind would not let up...
So we sang Happy Birthay without the candles lit...
Then we lit them again and bent down to attempt to blow out the candles again...
Ford enjoyed the train's hat (an ice cream cone filled with icing)...
After the party the whole family went to eat Mexican. A week before we had been there and Ford heard them singing Happy Birthday. He asked, "What's that Momma?" I said, "They are singing Happy Birthday to someone. Do you want to come here on your birthday and let them sing to you?" He answered, "Uh uh." And so we did...
Since the wind was so strong there was no way to open presents at the party, so Ford opened presents all through out the rest of the day at home with the Family.Since I was a little upset about Ford not being able to really blow out his candles, I decided for us to do it again with the already cut cake that night. So we did and then watched his new favorite movie - Cars. As we were watching the movie Ford went back to the table and climbed up in the chair and said, "Sing Happy Birthday, bow candles momma, gain." So of course with almost tears in my eyes we did it again that night, actually 3 more times in a row. We actually did it for the entire week following his birthday too... Every night before we ate the left over cake we would put the candles in and sing him Happy Birthday. His face lit up each time like it was the first time. I really don't know if that was more for me or him, but I know both of us loved each and every time we did it probably even more than the first. It was a gift from God for me. I think it may just be a family tradition now, too. That is to sing Happy Birthday till the cake is gone!

Christmas Day

We had a very relaxing Christmas Day. We stayed in our pj's most of the day. We had sausage pinwheels and Christmas blend coffee with real homemade whip cream. It was just simple and pleasant and truly peaceful. Ford took an early nap, so I was able to watch a sappy girlie Christmas movie while sipping on coffee. It was just a slow day. Our Christmas dinner wasn't traditional in the sense of a big family sitting down together, but the food itself was - a turkey, dressing, hashbrown casserole, and spinach balls. It was all very yummy. Here are some pics from the day...

Ford opening his first present from Santa.Ford holding onto his Thomas train (the first gift) while daddy helps him open up the garbage bag of gifts that Santa left.Ford begins to open up the large present Santa left...It's a train table! Ford loves it and plays with it ALL the time.Ford with one of his presents in front of the tree.

Christmas Eve

If you read my "God's Gifts" posts then you already know that one of my best gifts was this not really planned but just nicely worked out time to make "Happy Birthday Jesus" cupcakes with Ford. Brad had cooked them for us before the Christmas Eve service, so while he was cooking us dinner Ford and I decorated. It was just perfect! I loved these sweet moments with him. It was just sooo fun and precious. It also really helped Ford to 'get it' - Jesus birth - in his little way. He talked about 'Happy Jesus Cake' for weeks after. And everytime he ate one of the cupcakes he wanted to sing 'Happy Birthday' and put a candle in it to blow out.

So when we had finished I leaned down to take a picture with him and all of a sudden he looked up at me with this sweet face as to capture the moment for himself or say, "Mom this is grand." And yes thanks to our most gracious Heavenly Father who does care about the small things this was Grand and my favorite memorie of this holiday season.

Thank you Ford for this wonderful gift.

Weekend Before Christmas

The weekend before Christmas my Mom and family came to have Christmas with us here. It was a fun relaxing weekend. I really didn't even think to take many pictures we were so relaxed. On Saturday night we went to the park that is all decorated with Christmas lights, train rides, and visits with Santa.

Ford and Clara

A family photo on the sleigh Another train ride for Ford... (which he said 'norf pole?' right before we got on as to say, "We're going to the North Pole like the Polar Express?")

Polar Express

Around my birthday, we went to ride the Polar Express with my Dad and family. It was a lot of fun! Ford loves trains and had been watching the Polar Express Movie nonstop for the two weeks leading up to the ride and many weeks after. He still asks to watch the movie and read the book. Here are some pics from our trip.

Here is Jacob, Ford, and Hannah waiting in the depot. We didn't ride in the same train car, but Ford got to see his good friend Ava there too.Here are all the grandkids on the train. When we got to the North Pole Santa came on the train to visit. Ford went right to him, but then broke out in this.
Mrs. Claus wasn't as scary I guess, but of course I stayed very close.Poppa D and Nana with all the grankids as we all were served chocolate milk and cookies.Ford just having fun.