Brothers and Bubbles

Ollie, having already gotten out of the soapy tub water, looks on as big brother Merrit enjoys the last of the evening's bubble bath.

Turkey for Everyone...Even Ollie!

Yep, even Ollie ate turkey today. He says, "I love turkey!"













Merrit graced the table with handmade coffee-filter-and-magic-marker name cards.


















Mom, John and Misty came into town to spend the holiday with us. Mom showed up with pies in her own mother's pie basket. (L. Benker)


















Ollie has got all kinds of new tricks to show Gramma B and Cap'n John.















Mom calls Aunt Karen to wish her a happy day.













Merrit helps himself to some crackers and cheese.













Ollie watches all the party preparations with interest.


















The guys play a game of cornhole.













Victory dance.


















Scorekeeper Merrit.













Cheers!













Apple crumb. Can't you just smell it?

















Mom and I are just about ready to get everything on the table.


















Setting the table, pouring the wine. Merrit's "thankful tree" is on the window. He made it this year; each handprint (leaf) on the tree says something that he's thankful for.













Turkey and stuffing. Mmm, mmm.


















With all this great food to eat, Ollie, WHY do you insist on eating dirt?

Brothers

I love that these guys are becoming such good friends!

Babyproofing Accomplished

Sigh. of. Relief. Thank you, Daddy, for babyproofing the cabinets last night! You knew that I was going a little nutsy with all of Ollie's antics.













Screwing the cabinet locks into place.













Yay! I can have my kitchen back!

Babyproofing Critical!!!

I'm just going to post the pictures...and say no more...

Babyproofing Necessary!!

Daddy, are you reading this blog? We need to babyproof these cabinets!

Babyproofing Inevitable!

Our little Sneaker Peeker is getting into all kinds of mischief. He loves making messes for Mommy to clean up, don't you little monkey?

Got a Tiger by the Tail

What does Daddy love more than anything at the end of the day? To be the butt of the joke, of course.


















Well, at least he's got a cold beer to go along with his shame.













Here's the culprit! He's quite the prankster.

FIRST STEPS!

Just one day after the official retraction, Ollie surprised us all with three separate episodes of walking all on his own. I had the video camera handy and was able to catch the 2nd and 3rd displays of walking on film. Adorable!

Well, our little man is going to be on the move now!

Issuing a Retraction

The Haynes Household Committee on Milestone Ways and Means has conferred and has officially issued a retraction of their original claim that Oliver's first steps were taken on October 19, 2008.

In a statement to the press, a spokesperson for Mr. and Mrs. Haynes said, "The Hayneses now believe that the couple of little half steps that Oliver took before sinking to the floor at Nanny and Papa's house were a mix of graceful falling on Ollie's part and wishful thinking on their part."

Neither Mr. nor Mrs. Haynes was available for further comment at this time.

One Year Ago Today, My Love...

Dear Ollie,

You were born one year ago today. And look at you now!













You've changed so much in just one year. You have teeth. You laugh. You get into all kinds of mischief. You are practically walking. It's hard to believe how much you have accomplished in just 365 days!

I know that you have a lifetime of adventures ahead of you, but for now, don't grow up too quick, my darling Baby Roo. Let me snuggle you just a little bit longer.

I love you,
Mommy

Nanny and Papa and the Park

We had a delicious Southern breakfast together this morning with the grandparents. Gramma B got on the road after breakfast, headed back to New Bern.

After my mom left, Nanny, Papa, Mike, the boys and I all headed up to the Broadmoor Park for some outside playtime.













Nanny loves to catch Ollie as he comes down the slide!


















Ollie keeps his eyes fixed on the base of the slide. Very intent.















Papa pushes Ollie on the swing. The swing is his favorite part about the park.













"Wheeeeeeee!"













Meanwhile, Nanny pushes Merrit back and forth.













"Aw, Daddy, you make me laugh!"













Mike and Ollie play a fun game of grab-the-feet.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BABY ROO!!

On November 10 (tomorrow!), Ollie turns one. Last night, we had our family and friends gather at our home in Clayton to celebrate this important milestone in our little one's life. Here are the highlights of the evening...

Pre-Party:
We all hung out on the back deck before the party. Clyde, Tom, Andrew and Tyler played cornhole while the rest of us chatted and enjoyed the warm November weather.








Cornholio!














Ollie with little Reagan Gates.


















Cousin Page gives Ollie some raspberries in the herb garden.













Friends Kara and Jer Harwood, new mom Rachel Gates with baby Reagan.


The Menu:
I had some help from Gramma B and Nanny in preparing food for our party; the result: delicious! We had sweet-and-spicy meatballs, coconut shrimp, spinach and feta quiche, bleu cheese spread with crackers and veggies with green goddess dip.










The buffet.


















Bon Appetit!

Cake and Ice Cream:
I had a slight disaster with the birthday cake (thanks for nothin', Martha Stewart!). I thought it had baked all the way through but, after it had cooled overnight on a cooling rack, the middle of the cake fell through the slats in the rack and formed a little pile of "cake poo" underneath. Mike suggested making the cake into a big letter "O" for Ollie. Brilliant! So that's what we did!!


















"Happy Birthday to You, Happy Birthday to You...Happy Birthday Dear Ollie, Happy Birthday to You!"


















Merrit wants to help blow out the candle.


















Serving the cake. Here, you can see that the middle of the cake is "missing."


















Ollie investigates with this thumb.













Thankfully, despite the baking mishap, the cake still tasted FABULOUS. (Okay, Martha, I guess I can't blame you too much!)













Merrit digs in!

Opening Presents:
Merrit was quick on the draw to be Ollie's right-hand man for the evening, graciously offering to open all his presents! Our guests piled into our living room to watch Ollie open and play with all his new toys.













Ollie, in the foreground, plays with some blocks while the adults talk in the background.

















Nanny gets some Ollie lovin'. Everyone else listens to Tyler play guitar.


















Hugs for the birthday boy.


















Daddy is so proud of his big boy!