Melinda's kids! 

Avalee and Abigail! 

Lincoln is nine months younger, even though they are the same size. 

The fun of cousins....Lincoln, Avalee, Mathew, Abigial, and Steven. For family members, these are Melinda's kids. 

Lincoln's Accomplishment

Lincoln reached a great milestone in his life today.

Last week we took Lincoln to the new Tyson's Mall playground. It has a fun tree slide. Lincoln would crawl up the stairs and jump or dive onto the slide. Needless to say, he got hurt a couple of times.

Today, we went to the mall. Lincoln ran right over to the slide crawled up the stairs and turned around and went down on his belly. Right before his face disappeared, I saw a smile of accomplishment. He was so proud!

Now I just have to get him to realize he has to run around and climb back up the stairs to go down again. He tries to be like the big kids and climb back up the slide.

Lincoln is too smart!

Lincoln and Avalee seem to play in the afternoons instead of taking naps. I put them both in their beds and left. After awhile, I heard Avalee yelling "Lincoln, give my sippy cup back." The only way he could have gotten it was if she had thrown it into his bed. I just ignored her and it got quiet. About an hour later, Lincoln woke up screaming. I went in to the room to find a fun project awaiting.

Lincoln has a horrible diaper rash. To ease the pain he had taken his pants and diaper off. Then he had drank the sippy cup full of water and peed everywhere. Avalee has always been one to take her clothes off but I don't remember her starting at 15 months.

Stories of Lincoln!

Lincoln went to the doctor today for his 15th month check-up. He weighed 25 lbs. 12 oz. and was 31" tall. This was the best doctor's visit we have ever had with Lincoln. Until this point in Lincoln's life, the last words the doctor would say was "he will grow out of it". I would think you are not the one that is covered in spit up all day long and cleaning the carpet. This time the last words the doctor said was "your kids are perfectly healthly". You don't know how happy this made me!

Lincoln's favorite word is "this". But when you ask him to get something, he will find bring you what you asked for. If you ask him if he has stinky poop, he goes and stands by the diapers and wipes and waits for you to come help him. If he is only letting wind, he just goes on with what he is doing.

We bought Lincoln new shoes on Saturday. Sunday I put them on him and he giggled. He then went and found his old shoes and carried them around until we left the house. I think he was going through withdrawal.

Stories of Avalee!

On Sunday, Avalee became a Sunbeam. Although she loved Nursery she isn't too fond of being a Sunbeam and being with all the older kids. Nathan and Lincoln had to stay with her for a while. Everytime they would choose her name to do something. She would go to the front just shaking and scared. When they sang "Happy Birthday" to her, she hid behind her hands (I was able to witness this because my primary class joined them). Lincoln, on the other hand, loved Primary. It was the best he has ever been in church and he was shaking and moving his arms with the songs.

Last week, Avalee jumped out of her crib, opened the door, and came running. She got dark circles under her eyes because of it. We are going to try her in a real bed again. Previous tries have left her crying in her room because the monsters were going to get her. The next day, Lincoln hit her head on and caused her noses to swell. Although you couldn't tell because she has inherited her Aunt Jeana's nose. Lincoln walked away with a small bruise on his cheek.

"Crunchy" and "oh, yuck" are not words you often hear when watching a football game. These are words Avalee uses to describe a football game. "Crunchy" is the tackle and "oh, yuck" is how the players look when they have grass stains all over them.

A couple of days after Avalee's birthday. Avalee wanted to dress Lincoln up in the mermaid dress but he would have nothing of it. So he become the prince in Avalee's dress up world. 

Avalee all dressed up! 

Blowing out the candles! 

I don't know who has having more fun in this picture Avalee or the aunts and uncles. 

Avalee got all kinds of dress up items that make her look "beautiful". 

Avalee found all kinds of treasures inside of this purse. Including a cell phone that Lincoln has claimed as his. 

The fun begins! 

Avalee was tired of waiting to open her presents. 

Avalee's Princess Cake! 

Avalee's Birthday!

Pictures of Avalee's birthday will come soon. I am so glad she was born on the 27th and not the 26th. It seems like it has been one party after another.

Avalee and Lincoln taking a break the day after Christmas. 

Next to Lincoln's monkey pillow, the animal crackers in his stocking became a popular item. He sat away from the Christmas mess and ate them all gone.