Everybody say "Merry Christmas!"

We took Caden to see Santa Claus last Friday.  I was anticipating a screaming picture, and boy did he deliver!  We would talk about Santa and he would get excited, but then when I would ask him if he wanted to sit on Santa's lap, he says, "No, Santa Claus is scawy".  Honestly I can't say I blame him...I mean here we are encouraging him to sit on a strange man's lap.

Before we left, I was in the bathroom getting ready and Caden always loves to pretend to put make-up on when I do and this day was no different.  What I didn't realize was that he had snuck my bright red lipstick, from Halloween, out of my drawer.  He went into the living room and after about 5 minutes I realized he was way too quite...I went to check things out and he was sitting on the couch putting his red lipstick on (all over his face, hands, clothes, and couch).  I was a little annoyed and very amused all at the same time. :)  Of course I had to take a picture...luckily I caught him pretty quickly or it would have been much worse!  His hands, and face were stained pink...it took a lot of scrubbing to get it off.

I love those sweet curls. :) 

Anyway, while we waited to see Santa, Caden was brave and said he was going to tell him he wanted him to bring toys.  Mason went first.....

He was excited about Santa, sweet little smile.

Then we added Caden to the mix...

Not too happy...bless his heart, Mason is oblivious.

I love this one....Mason is looking at Caden with a little grin...he's probably thinking "Dude, calm down." :)

Finally Jason and I stepped in but it didn't really help...

Everybody say "Merry Christmas"...heck of a family picture if I do say so myself. HA!

And...just to compare:

Caden's 1st Christmas -2008 (I can't believe he was ever that small.)

Last year - 2009

In Memoriam...

December 5, 2008 - December 15, 2010

I honestly didn't think this day would ever come but Caden has been paci free since Wednesday, December 15th!  I am so happy to say that he did it himself and I didn't have to be the bad guy that took it away.   

He basically weaned himself.  He had started to use to use his pacis as teethers when he started getting his 2 year molars.  He would stick them in the very back of his mouth and just chew and chew on them.  He lost most of the pacis and only had 2 left...that we know of.  So they started to get holes in them and he didn't like to suck on them anymore.  At night time and naps when we would give them to him he would just hold them in his hands, and not suck on them.  So after about a week of this we just put him to bed without them.  He will occasionally ask for them when we put him in bed but I just ignore him and give him his puppy that he sleeps with.  I am so glad to be done with them, but at the same time it is a litle bittersweet, just because he has always loved his "papis" so much.

So....a little tribute to Caden's papis:

Newborn

1 Month Old

4 Months Old

7 Months Old

8 Months Old

10 Months Old

17 Months Old

18 Months Old

20 Months Old

21 Months Old

22 Months Old 

2 Years Old

You've been good to us ol "papi"...church, restaurants, long car rides, sick days, school days, and of course every nap time and night time.  From helping us to not pull our hair out during those early days to helping us avoid the deathly looks from fellow resturant goers you have always been a good, trustworthy companion.  It's been a good run. 

Here is to hoping there isn't a secret stash of pacis hidden somewhere in our house, that only Caden knows about. 

Caden's 2nd Birthday Party

Ok, I promise this is the last birthday post!  We had Caden's birthday party on Sunday, December 5 at Hickory Dickory Dock.  Caden and all his little friends had a blast and ran themselves (and their parents) ragged. :)  They played on the indoor playground, jumped in the inflatable, drove bumper cars, and played games until they were spent.  We had a wonderful time and Caden had a ball!

Caden and Daddy climbing. 

Caden and Anna jumping. 

Caden and Riley loved this thing. 

Cute Carsyn. 

Caden and Nina riding bumper cars 

Mickey Mouse cake! 

Poppy and Caden...seeing his Mickey Mouse balloons. 

Our little family of 4. 

Caden and Nini. 

Opening presents. 

Caden and Papaw riding a motorcycle. 

Shooting basketball with Katelyn. 

Josh and Carsyn

We had a wonderful time and loved celebrating with everyone!

Caden's Birthday Week

It seems that we celebrated Caden's birthday for an entire week...but hey you only turn "2" once so you might as well live it up. :) 

On Wednesday Jason and I took cupcakes to Caden's "school" so he could have a little party with his school friends.  He was so excited that we were there and as soon as he saw us he yelled Buzz cakes.  I'm a slacker mom and just picked up cupcakes from Wal-Mart the night before and they had Toy Story characters on them.  Might I say they were awfully delicious too! 

Caden and his teacher, Miss Elise.

On Thursday, his actual birthday, we went to Chuck E Cheese. It was his first time and he LOVED it. My mom, Mary Ann and my Dad and Susie all came as well and we had some presents and Buzz cakes again.

Whoo-hoo I'm 2!

Mommy and the b-day boy. 

 Daddy and the b-day boy.

Shootin' hoops...look at that concentration. :) 

Opening presents with Daddy 

It's Rex! 

First set of golf clubs from Papaw. :) 

Mason and Nini...poor Mase was recovering from the stomach virus. :(

Happy Birthday precious boy!

I will do another post on his actual birthday party since I've already bombarded you with pictures! :)