What a year! Goodbye, 2011.

Well, it may very well happen. A year-end post! I stinkin' love the holiday break. We got to visit with lots of family, spend some time just relaxing, and are already dreaming some dreams about the upcoming year.
{click on the pictures to view full-size}
I won't give a play-by-play, since you need only revisit old posts to get the actual year in review...so maybe just some highlights.

Grandmas know all the tickle spots.

It is amazing to imagine that one year ago, Shepard could not even sit up on his own; and now, he runs full-speed-ahead at everything. What a fantastic growth period between 6 months and 18 months! His understanding and vocabulary seem to grow every day. Having a little explorer is sometimes challenging, but I'm so thankful that he's interested in life and learning about everything.
There really isn't any news of interest to report for Mommy and Daddy. We are still at the same jobs--Shelley in the Winthrop University President's Office and Jerod teaching the 4th/5th graders at Woodlawn School. It works for now. Shepard enjoys his days with a handful of his buddies at a local Baptist church's daycare. He makes artwork every day, plays outside a LOT, and reads and sings and learns all kinds of things. I love that he has interaction with his peers and other adults. I also love that he greets me at the end of each day with a huge smile and arms extended and a command, "UP!" Gladly, sweet boy.

I got a train!

So far, Shepard is so very gently-natured. He smiles and giggles--especially when we tickle him, he presses microwave buttons (changes our microwave voice to Spanish!), and gets attention from dogs. He loves to play with anything that has some cause and effect, like his musical instruments. He also really loves some unorthodox "toys," like the retractable dog leash, swiffer mop, and laundry baskets. And he loves to run and play outside. He definitely has a typical toddler stubborn streak and is able to communicate what he does and does not want. His favorite foods right now are eggs with cheese, yogurt, blueberries, bananas, lasagna and cheerios.

2011 has been consumed with working, a few trips to the beach (here and here), and watching our baby turn into a boy.

Yup. It's our family addition. Her name is LaFawnda. (for real)

Jerod was able to fulfill a dream by purchasing a sweet "new" ride, his 1974 Gran Torino Elite (see pics). His dream is to get Shepard to reach all the small parts with his dextrous little fingers...eventually. The car needs a little TLC, and Jerod is well on his way to learning about engines and grease and stuff.

I may have to get a stocking for LaFawnda next year.

Leaf and LaFawnda

All in all, we are really getting in the groove of this family-of-three thing. Plus a dog and lots of fish...lots of fish. Who knows what 2012 will hold? Perhaps it will be a year of big changes...I wouldn't mind decorating a new mantle this time next year with our stockings. Just sayin'.  :) But, we'll see where the Lord leads.


There were so many great pictures of our holidays that I uploaded them all to a flickr photo set. Seriously, you don't want to miss these. Here's a sneak peek.   

Flickr LINK HERE.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Merry Christmas!

Hopefully I'll have time to write a proper year-end post very soon.  (fingers crossed)
Meanwhile, enjoy our electronic holiday card!

We opened a few gifts this morning. The excitement level was pretty high, so we'll do a few more tomorrow morning. That will basically make about four days of non-stop gifting for him once we get through with the grandparents and aunts & uncles. I think start understanding gifts a little more after all this. I'm sure he'll be sad to see the tree go, though I think he will be AWESOME at undecorating it. He's been practicing that for a few weeks now.
New tricks lately are repeating words like help, bird, open, hot, up, star, etc. He can definitely follow simple commands and is starting to practice obeying Mommy and Daddy. (he can be taught!) He wants to climb everything in sight. (see video below)

Running, climbing, and exploring

Shepard loves to explore these days. Anywhere you set him down, he is bound to find out all about it. He is getting so good at running...everywhere! He loves to climb and enjoys the great outdoors. Here are a few pictures that capture his adventurous spirit in Grandma Jones' backyard...

Cousins!

Mommy has been a little busy with THIS over the past two weeks. Sorry! I'm just now gleaning some photos that I took at Thanksgiving of Shepard with his sweet cousins, Madeleine and Micah.

{always remember: click on the picture to see a full-size version}

Madeleine shows Shepard how to get fun videos on the computer.

Thanks, Micah! I love flowers!

Swing like this!

Say CHEESE!

Let's go this way...

Exploring with Toby the dog.

One More Santa

Here's the Santa picture they did at school...I liked the other Santa better, but like Shepard's demeanor slightly better in this one. If you get an actual photo in the mail, it might be either one.  :)

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!

Ho Ho Ho!

Shepard had a picture with Santa on black Friday at the mall. We didn't even wait in a line! Shepard was unsure, not afraid, but just not really sure. Santa was even-keeled. :) I'll be sending some of these out. Hopefully by the new year...

Merry Christmas!

I took a video the other day after I spent the better part of the day decorating and cleaning. I'd love to say baking too, but please. This was Shepard's reaction. He have a lovely nativity too, but it didn't make the video.  :) He didn't see it 'til later, when tall Daddy was carrying him through the living room. By way of update, we've given up on stockings this year. Just too dangerous and enticing. He undecorates the tree for us, but is eager to help Mommy put the ornaments back on...well, sort of back on. I dare not put any gifts out yet.