Charlie's 2nd birthday

On the morning of October 20th, "Charlie, how old are you?"

Look at that darling face. We sang him happy birthday with a pumpkin muffin, when he blew out the candles, he said "mour birfday, mour birfday!!"

So we did it again, at his request!

Charlie and I went to Central Market for lunch. At the time, he was OBSESSED with balloons so he was happy!

Then after his nap, we went to the pumpkin patch.

Can't believe he's 2!!

Then Noni and Boppa came!! Charlie picked flowers for Noni to wear in her hair.

And behind his ear

Charlie and Boppa played trains!! And Boppa brought Charlie MORE trains for his birthday

Our baby is growing up

Noni reading Charlie the Bible and "Happy Birthday Pookie" from Gigi. That night Noni taught him the first four disciples: Peter, Andrew, James and John. I love hearing Charlie say their names. We're thankful for sweet grandparents who help instill important Bible lessons into Charlie's mind. Thank you!!

On Friday night the 21st, the day after Charlie's birthday we had a steak dinner to celebrate Boppa's birthday (October 19th). Charlie and Boppa shared a Thomas birthday cookie made by Gigi!

On the 22nd, we celebrated Charlie's birthday with friends and family at our church playground. (Trains theme of course!!)

Andersons: Carson, Justus, Boppa, Noni & Andrew (We were sad because Landon was working)

Boppa and Charlie sliding!

My parents

Best party ever!

Cupcakes with train toppers

Train sugar cookie favors

Caroline, Luke & Benjamin

Caroline and Charlie eating snacks

Joyelle and sweet, happy Vivian

Natalie and Wyatt (Charlie calls him Wy Wy)

He's mastered blowing out his candles!

Our family of three

My sweet dear friends, Ashley and Debbie. We were all pregnant with our babies at the same time here. So glad they were both there! We miss you Ashley!

When we came home from the awesome party, the grandfathers chipped in for a joint birthday present for our bear.... a FORT!!! Everyone helped out.

Noni was a great supervisor

When Charlie woke up from his nap he was THRILLED!!!

Papa Jess, Uncle Andrew, Boppa, birthday boy, Daddy & Uncle JJ

(Can you see the grin on his face? Daddy had to hold him back from going down the slide for the picture)

Age 2...

Charlie's favorite things: trains, balloons, slides, animals, balls, trucks, feeding the ducks, zoo, TCU and Tech (parental influence) and recently his fort

Favorite songs: Jesus Loves Me, Jesus Loves the Little Children, God is so Good, Father I Adore you, You are My Sunshine, Twinkle Twinkle, Itsy Bitsy Spider, Wheels on the Bus, Old McDonald (but we sing Old Papa Jess), ABCs, Sweet Dreams Little Man & especially He's Got The Whole World In His Hands (he likes to put all family and friends "in His hands" by name... therefore, the song becomes quite lengthy)

Favorite books: Toddler Bible and all books by Sandra Boynton especially Night Night Pookie and The Going to Bed Book, Going on a Bear Hunt, Thomas books (knows all of their names), Finding Nemo book (knows all of their names), Charlie the Chicken, animal books, ABC books, books about diggers and trucks, Goodnight Moon and recently Richard Scarry books

Favorite foods: goat milk and now vanilla almond milk, chicken nuggets, veggie sticks, omlets, cheese and more cheese, green beans, oatmeal, Nutrigrain bars, bananas, apples, grapes, goldfish, bunny crackers, craisens, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches (he calls them "Pa J's"), mashed up fruit and veggie packets

Favorite TV shows and movies: Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Badou & Babar, Sesame Street, Thomas movies, Finding Nemo and recently Veggie Tales

When I asked him, Charlie...

Who lives in your heart: Jesus

Who is your best friend: (it varies) Mommy, Blake (our godson), Connor and Ezra (friends from school), Izzie (cousin), Luke and Wy Wy (friends from mom's group)

Who is your girlfriend: (varies) Dylan, Emily, Micah (girls from school) or Emme Cake (Emme Cate is her real name, friend from mom's group)

How old are you: 2!

How do you spell your name: C H R L I E... Charie!! (six out of seven is pretty awesome)

When is your birthday: October twenty

What's your full name: Charres Stewaar Andesen (Charles Stewart Anderson)

Where do all the trains go at nighttime: the station

Who is your favorite train: ____ (changes everyday)

What do you learn about at church: Jesus! (and he always mentions sliding with Wy Wy)

October 2011

I apologize that I'm so far behind on blogging!!! And many of my pictures are out of order... but oh well. So here's to catching up with our family.

Gigi and Papa Jess came to celebrate Charlie's 2nd birthday. Gigi couldn't contain herself and gave Charlie his present as soon as she arrived. A bucket full of animals!! Every boy's dream!! He was in heaven and named them all as fast as he could. What's funny is he is a little OCD at times (Humm, where did he get that from? Me??) and lines them all up on the floor. Noni and Bopppa came to visit too and without knowing what Gigi brought... Noni just bought Charlie some baby animals!! He was thrilled. He lined up all the babies with their mommies. Too cute!

A snake! I'm sure I'll find this in my bed one day.

Some of Charlie's artwork from school. Looks like he got a little aggressive with the markers? His teachers told me (in October) that he still likes to put all of the markers, stamps, etc in his mouth or on his face. Now that he's a few months older, he's not quite as interested...

My friend, Ashley Henry, was my date to my friend, Ashley Upham's, rehearsal dinner. Our husbands have been close friends since they were about 6 years old and went to Tech together, so they wanted to watch the football game. I loved having Ashley as my date!!

The beautiful bride on the eve of her wedding!! So happy for her!! She was glowing. Ashley began as my big sis in my sorority but has been a true, loyal and amazing friend over the years.

Just a few DDD sisters :) Courtney, Ashley, Erica and Suzie

While we were gone at the rehearsal dinner, Charlie, Blake and Caroline had a grand ol' time just playing and went on a bike ride too!!

Courtney and I before the wedding (house party). I had so much fun catching up with this sweet girl!

Cute sign at Ashley and Steve's wedding

The BRIDE!!!!!!!! So beautiful... inside and out

Holding hands, but not looking at each other before the ceremony

My best friend and wonderful husband with me at the ceremony spot... oh and he was my date too ;)

The boys back home eating Oreos :)

Sweet Caroline

Ashley took about 200 great pictures of the boys playing while we were at the wedding. Here are three of my favorites. Charlie playing in the mud after the rain.

The boys taking a bath with silly hair (Charlie says this is his best friend)

Charlie kissing Caroline

Charlie in the bath.... yes, that's a decoy. Thanks Daddy! Do you think his father is trying to give subliminal messages??

Eating TCBY (dairy free of course) and in HEAVEN! We have a cute video of this too.

Our friend Mark's 30th birthday party. The girls.

The boys. Kat had the backyard decorated perfectly! I wish I had more pictures of the cute decor. We didn't stay long enough to watch the Ranger game with everyone, but they had it set up on a sheet with a projector outside by the fire to watch.

This is where the pictures are really out of order. Sorry! Charlie (Mickey Mouse) and Cooper (pirate) on Halloween. My favorite part was that Cooper insisted on pulling Charlie in the wagon for about 3 blocks to the block party. When we got there, we handed the boys so suckers and they were happy just to ride!!

Charlie learns Spanish at his school so for art one day, he made a "somberro"!! This was it. He loved it!!

More crazy artwork. I'm getting less and less artwork now that Charlie is in the "transitions" classroom (basically transitioning between toddler and preschool). He found the blocks and trains and hardly paints anymore. He's faithful to what he likes best.

These are from Charlie's 2nd birthday. After his nap, we headed over to the pumpkin patch. I love that sweet boy so much! WOW!! 2 years has really flow by. He had the best time rearranging all the pumpkins. It was so cute

This is one of my favorite candid pictures from 2011. He's in deep thought and just looks 100% boy. Soooo precious.

Won't look at me. Stinker!

Tired of all the pictures. Pondering what it's like to be TWO! Those blue eyes are so yummy.

Charlie had a long day of Halloween parties at school and then we went to the Armstrongs party afterwards. He was excited to see Caroline but overwhelmed by her beauty!! (mostly the wig) She just kept loving on Charlie but he wasn't quite sure what to think of her. Daddy said he needs to get some sense... when a pretty girl gives you a big hug, embrace it!

Precious friends, Emily and Stacey

Emily has a gift of working with children. She did a beautiful lesson on how we are like pumpkins/jack-o-lanterns, God takes out the sin (seeds and junk) and replaces us with the light of Jesus for all to see!! She did such a fantastic job!! Thanks Emily, you are a blessing. I love you, friend!

The 5 seconds that Charlie wore his Mickey ears on Halloween. Gosh, he's so cute!

Charlie and Benjamin went up to the houses like big boys and asked for candy all by themselves. I could tell Charlie REALLY liked it. At one house, they had music playing outside. He stopped and started dancing, saying "dance Mommy"!! He forgot he was there for the candy. For about 2 weeks after Halloween, Charlie would ask for "twick o tweet?" I had to break his heart a couple times and tell him Halloween was over.