Ryan’s First New Year’s Eve

I’ll do a full New Year’s Eve recap post soon, but I wanted to share this picture of Ryan tonight.  We took him bowling with us with 2 other couples and we stayed and bowled longer than I thought that we would…which was great!  However, Ryan got very tired and finally fell asleep while I was holding him.  Sweet boy!  He’s ringing in the New Year like any 4 month old should…by sleeping right through it! 

I’m sad to see 2010 leave because it’s the year I gave birth to my last child.  I was sad to see 2006 move by because that’s the year Paige was born.  I know 2011 will hold many new and exciting blessings for our family. We pray that we can continue to love one another and our family like Christ would have us to.  We’re so thankful to be incredibly close to each of our families and we’re not sure what we would do if we didn’t have that luxury. 

Happy 2011 Everyone!

Christmas Eve 2010

On Friday night this year, we went to my parents’ house at about 4pm to eat dinner and then at 6 we went to our church’s Christmas Eve Carols, Candles, and Communion service.  After that, we all came back to Mom and Dad’s house to play games and eat more! We had intentions of playing Battle of the Sexes or Cranium, but ended up not.  Leslie and Paige played 3 games of Dominoes (which Paige won all 3) and then Stephen and Paige battled in 1 game (which Paige also won!). 

  Paige is the Domino Champion!

Poor Leslie!

After the Dominoes game, Leslie and Zach came to our house for the annual Santa letters extravaganza.  We set all of the Santa presents out and Zach gets to play Santa by writing a letter to each of the kids. 

Stephen had to stand guard in the hallway to make sure that Paige didn’t get up out of her bed and see Zach being Santa! 

He had to go into her room once because he saw her light turn on…turns out she couldn’t find her Bunny (her sleeping partner) and she had to turn the light on so she could see him.  Stephen said when he busted through her door she scampered pretty quickly back into her bed and she didn’t make another sound all night. 

More Christmas pics later…

Estrogen Ocean

Ryan is swimming in one, wouldn’t you agree? This was his first Christmas and his first time to take part in the Banning grandchild (formerly known as the GrandGIRLS) picture.  We absolutely love ADORE our nieces.  They are literally like our own children.  Back row from the left:

Hallie-Our 2nd born niece.  She’s 14 and more precious to us than she will EVER know.  Hallie is always up for anything…she’s wonderful to keep Paige when we need her to and she’s extremely patient and willing to get on the floor and play with a 4 year old.  She gives Paige her iPhone to play with whenever Paige asks.  I was actually her babysitter when she was less than a year old and before Stephen and I even thought about dating each other.  I’ve watched her grow up from Day 1 and I cannot wait to see what the future holds for her.

Tatum-Our 3rd born niece.  She’s Stephen’s sister, Kim’s, oldest daughter.  Tatum was about 1 1/2 when Stephen and I began dating and I’ve loved her from that day.  She’s really growing into a young lady.  Tatum is the older sister that Paige doesn’t biologically have and she’s incredible with Paige.  She’s a take charge leader that isn’t bossy and is always protective of Paige. 

Hannah-Our oldest niece.  Stephen was 12 when she was born.  We don’t pick favorites…but there is a very special bond between Hannah and Stephen.  Hannah is 18 and graduating from High School this coming May and it may very well kill Stephen and I that she’s grown up.  Hannah was in the delivery room with us when Ryan was born.  Her bond with Ryan is different than anything I’ve ever witnessed…she loves him like he’s her own.  Maybe she can understand how we feel about her through her connection with Ryan.  She’s amazing to us.

Front Row from Left:

Parker-Our 5th born niece and our surprise niece!  Parker was born 6 months after Stephen and I got engaged and 6 months before our wedding.  She had the most amazing hair that I’ve ever laid eyes on!  Parker is 8, but thinks she’s 18.  With 2 older sisters, how can she be blamed?!  Parker is a fantastic playmate for Paige and is great to share with her.

Kelby-Our 4th born niece and Tatum’s sister.  She truly loves Paige.  She’s such a sweet spirit and looks forward to spending time with my baby…and I think so much of her for that.  I can’t say enough about how much her willingness to play with a 4 year old blesses us. 

To our beautiful nieces,

You mean more to your Uncle Stephen and I than you can imagine.  I can’t say that enough!  We love you and are so thankful that God put you in our lives.

Merry Christmas!

Love,

Stephen, Maranda, Paige, and Ryan

Luke 2:11 “Today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord.”

Master of Education in Educational Leadership

Yesterday, Stephen and Jordan (my first cousin) graduated from Harding University with Master of Education in Educational Leadership degree.  I’m so proud of Stephen and very thankful that these past 2 years of classes and projects are behind us!  Yesterday was a very long day because Harding is about 2 hours away from our town and graduation began at 10, with Stephen needing to be there at 9:30.  We pulled out of our driveway at 7:22 am.  I had to be up at 6 am, feed 2 kids, dress 2 kids, pack the car with everything imaginable…not to mention getting myself ready!  When we came home, we had plans of getting back out to look at Christmas lights but we were so exhausted that we stayed in.  Paige and Ryan both slept for 12 hours last night and Stephen and I got in about 10 hours.  Tired was an understatement!

Here’s our Day:

Ryan is waiting for the ceremony to start.

After eating, Ryan konked out!

Jordan and Stephen with Dr. Floyd, one of their professors.

Paige and her Daddy…She kept saying “Congratulations, Daddy!  I’m so proud of you!”

Sadly, this is the best family picture we could come up with today.  It was crowded and Paige was all done!

Stephen with his mom, dad, and brother

My parents and Stephen

The guys with Gran.

With the wives.

Showing off their Master’s hoods!

So extremely glad to have this behind us.  We have had to give up Saturdays together and many weeknights as well.  It’s safe to say that Stephen is done furthering his education…we’re as smart as we’re going to get!

4 Months Old

This is the only picture I have of Ryan on his actual 4 month birthday…we were at Stephen’s Master’s graduation in Searcy.  There are lots of other pictures of my little man, though, near his 4 month birthday!

Ok, I lied…I just found this picture of Ryan and my Gran after graduation!

Ryan is 4 months and 1 week old at Christmas

He’s our Santa Baby!

Ryan,

We can’t believe that you are already 4 months old! You are such a big boy and we’re loving every minute that we get to spend with you.  Here’s what you’re up to this month:

-You are wearing size 2 diapers

-Some 3-6 month clothes fit, but mainly they are too short!  6-9 month clothing is best!

-At your 4 month check-up, you weighed 14 pounds and 13 ounces and you were 26 1/2 inches long!  I didn’t think it was possible to have a longer and skinnier baby than your sister, but you’ve proven me quite wrong.

-You want to roll over so badly…you can make it 3/4 of the way over, but your arm gets in the way of rolling all the way over.

-You’ve become ticklish this month and LOVE it when I tickle your ribs!  Your laugh is hysterical!

-You love your baby food!  Your favs are sweet potatoes, green beans, squash, pears, applesauce, and bananas.  Mommy is still making ALL of your baby food.

You’re a sweet boy and we love you so much!

Merry Christmas!

From our family to yours!