How Cute Is This Guy

Is he not pretty darn cute!  Mrs. Michelle took these at Highland Day School, I think they turned out great.

For some odd reason they seem to be the only people (other than a photographer) to get him to look at a camera.  These really capture him and he is pretty much like this all the time, except for the toddler tantrums.

I love this little guy so......much! He makes might heart melt even if we are going through those terrible two's.  Most of you might hear me talk about the tantrums more often than but we really have a lot of fun together.  

He loves to play football outside in the front yard! He is very specific on playing in the front yard and it is either Tiger football or Horns.  Lately he has really LOVED to love on his dogs and play with them.  I think most of the time they like it too! He is talking up a storm and for the most part you can gather up exactly what he is saying.  Now a days he is very clear and remembers things from far back (crazy how they have great memories).  I have come to the conclusion that he eats like his mom and his dad.  I am snacker and he could snack all day going without a full meal.  He can also be picky, some days he likes tacos and other days he doesn't.  

Pete & Repeat in the house!! Lincoln says whatever he wants to do over and over and over again.  He also loves to repeat the security system.  Our security system always annouces what door has been open and soon after you hear Lincoln repeat it.

He sure is a funny little guy and I think he knows it.

My Fellas

Last night as I lied in bed I couldn't help to think of how much I love my guys. In fact I have thought about it almost all week and at times got a little emotional in the car. So I thought I would jot some things down of why I love them so much.

 Why I love Lincoln so...
the kisses I get
saying prayers at night and the people he prays for
how he loves his dogs
how he loves his daddy and me so much (almost too much)
how he sings his ABC's while swimming in his bath
that he loves swimming not so much spraying but swimming
that he is pretty good at most sports that we introduced (golf, soccer, baseball, basketball)
he amazes me with all the new things he is learning
that he thinks going "poo-poo potty" means tee-tee too!
the way he gets excited about going places
that he loves music and loves to dance
that he talks to Kelby and I like we understand every little word he is saying
that he is a pretty good little traveler
that he randomly just starts counting
how he points out all his family members and friends on his bulletin board
the list could go on and on but this blog would be very long.

Why I love Kelby so...
he has put up with me for 10years, 7 of those in marriage
he is one of the most helpful husbands/dads I know
he does things that I don't ask him to do
he is a really good daddy!
that as soon as he walks in the door from work he looks for Lincoln
that he makes me laugh still
he is willing to work around my schedule to help 
that he still likes to have fun
he is always in the know of what is going on in the world
pretty smart guy
that he will go on vacation to the beach even though he would rather go skiing
that he is laid back 
again I could go on and on.

Movin' On Up

So starting from the beginning Kelby and I found a house that we loved off of Walnut Grove.  We looked at it many times and when the price fell we were like hmmm...So the discussion of putting our house on the market began.  We also began to think this is too good of deal we might need to make an offer before someone snatches it up.  So we went to an open house and looked at it, called a realtor when our moms were in town to look at it yet again.  Then made an offer, yep our house wasn't even up for sale yet.  A week went by and we didn't hear anything from the seller.  Then one day while at work I thought I would take a peak at what other mid-century homes were on the market.  I saw another mid-century home priced in the range we were looking at.  So I emailed Kelby (he was traveling for work) to take a look at it.  He never did (very typical of him), Friday evening arrived and I told him to take a look at it.  He did and liked it and asked me what the price originally was,and I proceeded to tell him.  It was a nice surprise the price had dropped within that week. Awesome! So I decided we need to get going (if I am interested you better believe I will make a move), called the realtor Saturday and asked if we could see it.  Sure enough we went and saw the house, loved it and then debated for maybe oh.... a couple of hours.  Next thing you know we put an offer on it, so now we had two offers floating around.

Our realtor then suggested it probably be in our best interest to get our house on the market.  So we did, that  Monday, got the house all cleaned up and in the middle of the week had some showings booked.  Well, Kelby and I left that Friday to spend my birthday in Texas.  A week went by and then a few days and then BAM (this Bam not to be confused with Emeril's)! We were out to dinner with some friends so Kelby and I really didn't pay any attention to either of our phones.  As soon as we headed out to Kelby's parents house both of our phones were receiving text like crazy. Our realtor had called about an offer on our house and that another couple wanted to put an offer on the house we were trying to buy. At this point I was seriously about to throw up.  We were headed out to some patchy areas considering cell phones and we couldn't really get a good phone conversation going.  So we text our realtor back and forth, in the meanwhile we did not know that the power had gone out at the house. Not too long after and many candles lit later the power at the house came back on.  Kelby was able to get in touch with our realtor and get the scoop.  WE DID IT!! WE sold our house and were able to lock in the new house. YAY!!

So here we are in the process of finalizing everything and moving to a new home at the end of July.  I am super excited about our new home and all the possibilities (a decorators dream).  Of course I will miss our sweet little home and am surely to post about it.  Meanwhile here it is:

http://www.crye-leike.com/main/browsedetail.php?addrmls=shady+glen&mgrp=32&ln=2&tid=memphis&mlsnum=3246024

10 or so years

Guest post by Kelby

So I've mentioned several times that I'd be posting on Hayley's blog more often, only to take frequent 10-12 month breaks in between posts.  I'll try to get better, but in any event...

So it's amazing what happens in 10 or so years.  I've been reminded a lot recently of this.  As I drove to Kroger last night on a late night run for supplies, I juxtaposed my trip to the grocery store at 10:30 pm with one I'd likely made 10 years prior.  10 or so years ago, I'd most likely have been going out on a Monday night for beer at Skinny's or Whataburger at 10:30 pm.  I'd even be more likely to be flanked by Tyson Stevens. Last night, my trip to Kroger required me to procure milk for Lincoln and lady products for Hayley.  Needless to say, I took advantage of the self checkout considering what I had for Hayley in my basket.

In February, it was 10 years since I'd met Hayley.  It was ACU Sing Song 2002, right around Valentine's Day. I met her on maybe a Tuesday, and for reasons I can't remember, I went to eat dinner with her and her parents the next Saturday.  Maybe she was either trying to scare me off or maybe she just knew I was the man of her dreams after 3 days (for the sake of my (over) confidence, I'll say it was the latter). Over the last 10 years or so, I've convinced her to stick around, follow me from Abilene to San Angelo (via Grapevine), Odessa, Midland, and now Memphis.  In the meantime, I also convinced her to procreate with me.  Shocking to me as well as others I'm sure. 

Hayley and I- 10 or so years ago

It's been 10 years or so since I left Abilene.  That's really weird to me.  When I go back, seeing what's changed in that 10 or so years is amazing.  My parents live in the same places, but everything else has been weird.  It's the place I grew up and spent 22 years in.  In 10 or so years, the places have definitely changed.  ACU is almost unrecognizable, they've tried to cram every big box retailer into spaces around the fabulous (read in a sarcastic tone) Mall of Abilene and Southwest Drive by Walmart.  There's also a whole new part of city off of I-20 by ACU too.  Also, the faces have gotten older, some friends have moved, some have stayed.  10 or so years ago, I'd have bet that I'd still be there...10 or so years later, I doubt I'll ever go back.

It's really amazing when you put things in to historical context.  Can you believe its been 10 or so years since 9/11?  Unreal when they were showing all of the anniversary specials last September.  The cliche would be to say that that seems like yesterday, but it really doesn't.  It seems recent, but not that recent.  Being in Memphis, has given me different historical frames of reference.  In April, it was 44 years since Martin Luther King Jr. was shot and killed in Memphis.  Growing up in Texas, we talked about MLK, but it was never more than just a figure in a history book.  Here in Memphis, its completely different.  44 years isn't 10 or so years ago, but I was born 10 or so (ok 11) years after MLK was shot in Memphis.  I grew up in a completely different world since I was born that 10 or so years later...I can't imagine living in a world where some people were treated so differently for really no reason at all.

So in 10 or so years, a lot can change.  While that isn't a revelation to anyone, its just interesting to think about.  What will be happening in 10 or so years from today?  I'm not really even sure I like thinking about that.  I've never been a big "make plans" kind of guy, so I'm planning on sitting back and enjoying the ride for the next 10 or so years...

Let The House Games Begin

That is right everyone it is beginning to happen in the Davis household. Fixing the house up so we can put it up for sale. I was given the choice of either a new house or car and my choice was easy, a new house. However, then things were going wrong with the car and a new car sounded better. I am not going to lie I did a lot of both car shopping and house. With a little help on my decision making on what we need it became a no-brainer, we need a new house.

There is nothing wrong with the house that we live in right now except for the one small factor SPACE. Kelby and i have tried to make use of every little space we have. We could honestly live in this house for a few more years. However, our plans this fall/winter are to work on a new family member and our space in this house would become much smaller. Also, i couldn't really fool myself because i know how CRAZY I get in the space we have now. The things i am going to miss: Our 1st Memphis home, the short walk to Marquette park, our close distance to the Colonial buddies, and our sweet pretty neighborhood. I know that wherever we might find our new home that it is going to be different but eventually evolve into to something great!

One thing i do Love is the Hunt. Now, there have been a few houses that Kelby and I have looked at and even driven by to get a non-internet view. Unfortunately, one house has quite a bit of work to do the other wonderful inside that needs some updating but too expensive. Both of these homes have been on the market for one year at least. It also doesn't help that Kelby and i have a particular look we are going for. Of course the house has to have some must needed criteria: decent size back yard, at least 4/2, in right school district at least for elementary and not a significant amount of renovation. Another thing neither of the houses have are a 4/2, they are 3/2 but they have the much needed extra space. Here is one of the houses we have looked at, of course right now we are not serious buying mode.



We still have quite a bit of items that we need to conquer on our home before we put it up for sale. It really kind of makes me sad to think about selling but I know whenever we do find a new home that I will have much needed space. I will jusg have to zhold on to the memories we have made in this home and look forward to new memories in our future home.

L is for Lincoln

This little guy is growing so fast. Everyday he learns something new and everyday is an adventure.

Things we are doing:
1. Saying buddies names, Hadley, nanna (Anna), Case.
2. He has used about every possible large toy to climb on top of to reach the tv. (They are now in the attic)
3. Sings alphabet but not completely. He starts with E,F,G and ends with "now I know" then repeats over and over. Too cute.
4. He actually sits still now and allows you to read him a book. So far we go to "Brown Bear, Brown Bear," and Sandra Boyton books.  I am so glad that we got back to this point.  I really missed reading him books but it just wasn't worth the fight for awhile.
5. Lincoln can pretty much point to every body part and say what it is.  Kelby and I are usually the dummies for this. There is a lot of eye poking!
6. I think his first close to sentence was "Poppy got ball."
7.  He loves to watch "moomies" or as we say movies. Lincoln is addicted to ALL Shreks and I am finally getting him to start liking Monsters,Inc.
8.  He really likes Chugginton but that is if mommy can remember the time.  Of course we still love to sing and dance with Yo Gabba Gabba.
9.  Football is also a new love of ours.  However, he is a little confused and thinks basketball is football.  He loves basketball too! GO TIGERS! or HORNS!
10. Eating well....that is different everyday.  Still not a huge fan of meat but slowly getting there.  Yogurt, popsicles, popcorn, veggies, fruit, oatmeal, doughnuts, cereal, chik-fil-a nuggets, french fries and any pasta.

Ole', NOle',! Ole'!

Holy guacamole! These last four months have gone by fast.  In fact I can't even remember when I did my last post (okay so maybe it was a two months ago,slacker I know).  How time flies when your having fun or just flat out busy as a bee. 

So...........we went to Mexico Ole'! At first the trip started out "NOle!" (Kim's word that stuck).  We got up bright and earlier in the morning said goodbye to my sweet L with a few little tears and headed to the airport.  We were all so excited and pumped because we were going to be in Mexico at noon which gave us plenty of time to play.  NOT SO MUCH, our flight got delayed ten minutes before we boarded the airplane, and then another 15min, and another...This went on for an hour then we finally boarded the plane and sat on it for 30min and sure enough we missed our connecting flight.  NOle' Delta!!!
So, lovely Delta redirected us to another flight which was leaving about 45min after we landed.  Luckily it didn't take us long to get to our new redirected flight to Mexico City.  While waiting to board the plane the husbands were up at the desk asking what Delta was going to re-compensate us for the 6hr of Mexico time we missed.  They weren't very helpful! They offered $50 worth of Atlanta Airport food since we were going to be there all of 10min.  Any who, we flew to Mexico City, from above the buildings were very cool.  I just didn't want to miss our flight and have to stay there.  We grabbed some food thinking we had plenty of time to recheck bags etc.  We got up to the desk, well the line and all started freaking a little. It was long....here we go we thought.  However, Adam told a flight line helper that we would miss our flight if we stood in that line.  Luckily there were 2 people to help check us in fast and get to the plane.  We made it!  So the rest of the Mexico trip went well.  We had a wonderful time sunning and drinking, drinking and sunning and eating and drinking....You get the picture. Speaking of pictures, well they are just going to have to wait until another post when I have a computer and not IPad.

Once we got back from our wonderful relaxing vaca, it was time to hit the pavement again. We ( 3 of us who went to Mexico) had a 1/2 Marathon to run in less than two weeks plus Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving week went by very fast and was very low key it was just Kelby,Lincoln and I. It was nice to be home since we had been gone from L for a week. I got a delicious ham from HoneyBaked Ham and made a lemon chess pie and all the fixings. Then i am sure we probably napped ( i can't really remember).

So while we were in Mexico Kelby's dad David and his step mom Kathy came to watch Lincoln. Thank you so much! I am not sure what all they did while we were gone but i know they have fun. I a sure Lincoln was super spoiled that week. I found a couple of new toys and some new clothes when we arrived home. David and Kathy had brought their little toy teacup poodle Palyn. She is super cute and tiny. Usually around our dogs we have to remind L that he is to "pat-pat" them. While we were away David and Kathy had to tell L to be "easy" with Palyn. Since this was sort of a new word to him and not his usual "pat-pat" he did what any year and half year old would do....He called her "Easy" the rest of the time and still does. We missed him very much but had a wonderful time with our friends. We would try and talk to him every night, but his attention span isn't long enough yet to talk to us more than a minute. David did say the last couple of days before we came home he kept going to our room saying "mommy....daddy!" I wish i could have seen him doing this, makes me melt. When we arrived home the dogs had caused L to stir upon our arrival, so I just had to go see him. A little confused at first our little potbelly,pacifiered and disheveled hair baby started to smirk. I held him for a good 5-10min before i decided it was time to say goodnight. So we did our usual, kissed him good night said "we love you," and laid him back down. Love ya Little Man.