Christmas at our house....

looks like this....
We were so very busy over the month of December that I didn't get the chance to post any pictures. That means this one is going to be long!! Here's a look at our Christmas festivities.

Family Photo

Jacob loved decorating the tree

Hanging out with Samson

Taking a quick play break

Merry Christmas!!

We went to Opryland Hotel and looked at the lights. Jacob was completely mesmorized....

and he really wanted to touch baby Jesus

On the 23rd we got together with Jared's mom's side of the family for dinner and Dirty Santa. We walked away with a gift card to Home Depot and Chuy's. Jacob scored some awesome books!!

Me and the girls

Jacob putting Christmas bows on Grammy's head

He really liked opening presents

This is Jacob's new book

It's called Silent NIght and plays the song while you read. AWESOME!!!

On Christmas Eve we went to church with my family and then came back to their house to eat a wonderfully yummy dinner and open presents.

Coach, Jacob, and Mot Mot

the girls

Reading the Nativity story

What's in the stocking?

Super cute backpack his LeeLee got for him

Gangsta!!

but it's funnier on Mot Mot

opening another present

showing Coach his new coffee mug

Coach got Samson a femur. This dog was happy!!

So...Jared and I got REALLY into Santa Claus. It was so much fun setting all of Jacob's toys out. We made quite a bit of noise getting stuff down the stairs though. Luckily Jacob didn't wake up. We're gonna have to get better at being quiet!! :)

putting the basketball hoop together

stocking stuffing

Santa was good this year

Christmas morning our families came over to watch Jacob play with his new toys and to eat breakfast.

fun time with tractor

checking out his new cars and sippy cup

stocking time

listening to the train sound on his new book

I LOVE CHRISTMAS!!!!

YUM!!!

Hey, I wasn't finished with that!

holding his new puppy

checking it out

taking his first shot with Coach

Christmas Day we all went and had lunch at Gran and Pappy's. We hung out there until late afternoon. We were one of the first to leave because little man was needing a nap and there was more fun to come!!

checking out the tree at Gran and Pappy's

After lunch at Gran and Pappy's, Jared's family came to our house to open more presents.

helping Grammy get the presents ready

checking out his new alligator

Grammy crying over her new calendar

Jayme and Emily made us a diaper Christmas tree. Hilar!!!!

We love it!!!

mowing the lawn

part of Samson's Christmas present

The day after Christmas we went to South Carolina to visit my grandmother and the rest of my extended family. We hadn't seen a couple of my cousin's - one lives in Pennsylvania and the other in Ohio in about a year. It was a great visit!!!....The trip there was a little stressful. Jacob got carsick and threw up several times. We stopped about 5 times before we even got to Chattanooga. It was a long day, but definitely worth every hour spent in the car to get there!!!

At the beginning of our journey

Jacob in his new car seat. He's facing forward now and loves it.

Baby it's cold outside

Giving Mama her new calendar

Mama and Jacob playing cars

it's sunny outside

Jacob was fascinated with his cousin Meredith's missing tooth

playing a game with Amelia

Our entire family (minus my dad who couldn't be there due to work)

Hope everyone else had a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!!!!!

December is Here

We heart Christmas at the Vaughn house in a major way. I'm just itching to get finished with my decorating. Saw these super fun hats today at Wal-Mart and couldn't resist. Jared and Jacob have one too. So....a family pic will be coming soon (oh, and we'll be sure to remove the tags)!!! Until then Samson and I are wishing all of you a very happy and joyous Christmas season!!

A Little of This, A Little of That

So...we've been busy bees lately. Here's what we've been doing around here!!

Went out to Gran and Pappy's the other day to take some fun pictures in the leaves. Jacob had a great time playing and we got some cute shots.

Playing under the high chair

Can I eat these?

Checking out the BIG tree

We went over to my parent's house for dinner the other night. They have lots of fun toys for Jacob to play with, but he had a better time seeing what he could get into!

My little monkey

Coach doesn't let ANYONE touch his books. Well....at leat until Jacob came along. He had the best time pulling every single one of those things off the shelf.

happy guy before bedtime

That's right. His foot is off the ground. Jacob has been walking like crazy. And it's just the absolute cutest thing to watch him do it. He gets so very proud of himself. It's been hard to get good shots of him. We have caught a lot of cuteness on video though!!

Samson the loyal companion

He just LOVES to lay in this thing

practicing those walking skills

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with the entire family. Ate way to much and still wanted more. Thanksgiving is such a great day!

Us with Jared's maternal side of the family

Us with the paternal side of the family - minus one family that lives in SC

4 generations of men

the in-laws

my family

Oh what did I do?

Getting so good at walking

playing with Grammy

We've been trying to take our last few walks before it gets too cold outside. It's hard to get everyone to smile AT the camera!!

In addition...Jacob was 13 months yesterday. Here's just a few new things he's up too.

-Well, I already mentioned walking. And that's the biggest thing that's been going on

-He now has 8 pearly whites

-He got his 1st ear infection

-Jacob gives high 5's

-He can now say "woof". He says it over and over again anytime he sees a dog. So cute!!

-The Belmont mascot is a bear. We taught Jacob to respond to, "What does Bruiser say?" with his "grrrrrrr" growl that he does. Got to get him to do it at the next basketball game

-Jacob loves to scream. Not in a bad way. He's just learning new ways to use his vocal cords. Just the other morning I put him down for his nap and he laid in bed "screaming" for about 30 minutes. I wanted to pop in and record some of it, but I was afraid it would keep him from being able to settle back down

-We have discovered that Jacob has a singing voice. Everytime you sing and stop, he makes this noise like he is still singing or wants you to keep going.

-This kid really likes to dance. Especially when he is in his high chair. He'll sway back and forth and move his head...kinda like he's doing the snake. Presh!!!

-We now have a biter on our hands. Oh happy day!

-Had his first taste of chocolate cake. It was a hit.

-Jacob also says "vroom" when he plays with his cars. Crazy how they just know to do that.

-He likes to brush his own hair. He always holds the brush backwards, but it is the cutest thing I've ever seen!

-Oh and he LOVES. I mean LOVES to brush his teeth. We got some toothpaste without flouride in it and he has been having a blast. We let him brush his teeth when we brush ours and it's often hard to get it away from him. I guess good dental hygiene runs in the fam. :)

We are seriously just so absolutely crazy in love with this kid. Everyday just gets better and better. I just feel so blessed to be a part of his life. Have a great one guys!!

Happy Veteran's Day

Our sweet Pappy was in the Veteran's Day Parade in Franklin today. Jacob and I decided to go. I'm so glad we did...what a good time!!!

he's proud to be an American
Pappy's Float

Pappy

lots of marching bands

Pappy and Gran

Jared's mom went with us - this was the best group pic we got

After the parade we all went and had a nice lunch at Stoveworks in the Factory. Papa Doc was able to join. Lots of thoughts today about my grandfather who was also a Vet and served his country proudly. What a great way to celebrate this special day and say thanks to all the Vets who have done so much for us!!

In other news, our sweet little 12 month old is doing so much these days. Here's some of the things he's been up to -

-We took Jacob for his physical yesterday. He is growing so well. 90% in head circumference, and 60% and 30% in weight and height.

-Jacob is busy, busy, busy. He LOVES to play with his toys. Some of his favorites right now are his dump truck, ball pit, helicopter, and Noah's Ark. He also really likes the books that make noises.

-Jacob can know put a ball in a hole or net. And he will do this over and over and over again.

-He loves riding in his wagon

-Jacob can now point to his belly button

-Some new fave foods are mushrooms, spinach, strawberries, chicken salad, pineapple, nutrigrain bars, goldfish, quesadillas, and yellow turnips. We have such a FABULOUS little eater on our hands.

-Jacob is saying "no" and "yes" all the time now. Just recently we discovered that he DOES know what they both mean. What a big boy.

-One of the harder things right now is that J is really testing boundaries and my consistency. The other day he kept crawling towards the steps (he knows he's not supposed to go over there). I didn't even go anywhere near him...all I did was say his name softly and he would turn around, look at me, and then start crying. Oh my!

-He is learing how to manipulate things like puzzle pieces to get them to do what he wants them to do

-He can say "mama", "dada", "baaa" - which I think means ball, and I swear he says something that sounds like "Jacob"

-When he wakes up from naps he'll lay in there forever just talking to himself. He also likes to pull back the curtain and see what's going on outside. So cute!!

-He is learning to throw food on the floor - not so cute!

-He is standing up by himself all the time now and is quite good at it. He gets so proud of himself. The other day he took a 1/2 step. It won't be long!!

-J has become quite the cuddler. Which I love - NO COMPLAINTS HERE. Our new bedtime routine involved rocking him until he falls asleep while singing every song I can think of. Any suggestions?

We are just continually amazed at how much he is learning. What a joy to be the parent's of this precious little guy. We are so thankful!!