Dry Gulch

Thursday night, when Clint got back to Oklahoma from Winter Meetings, the Willis family went on a Christmas family outing! We all bundled up to spend a cold, wintry evening outside. When I say it was cold, I mean it was COLD! I don't remember the last time I wore so many layers. Lane looked like a little marshmallow thanks to wearing a pair of footed fleece pajamas under his pants and shirt. The main attraction of Dry Gulch is the steam train. We were all packed on and they didn't allow flash photography on the train so this was the best picture we got. Lane had a great time watching out the windows with Grampy.
We got to walk around "town". There were several restaurants to choose from and a few shops to shop in. Everything was lit up and decorated for Christmas.

Lane usually prefers to ride in his stroller or be held, but even he got into the spirit and enjoyed walking with his Grandparents.
Before our evening was over, went inside to get some hot chocolate and warm up. While we were inside Lane and his Uncle T did some bonding.

We all went home happy and cold!

Everything's OK

Hey Everybody! Guess what... I'm in Oklahoma for the week! I'm sitting at my Grammy and Grampy's desk writing my blog while Mom isn't watching. I love this desk because I can type and watch out the window all at the same time. While I've been in Oklahoma, I've been wearing my winter hat ALL the time. It's freezing here! Everybody's always telling me I have to put my hat on when we go out. I don't mind wearing it, I think I look pretty cute in it.
I got to try to take a nap with Grampy one afternoon. It didn't last long, I could see all my toys from his chair. I couldn't stand just laying there when I could be playing. I went to go see Santa yesterday afternoon. I got into his house and saw what he actually looks like in real life and decided I didn't want to sit with him. I think for now I'd rather pretend that Grampy is Santa and Grammy is Mrs. Claus. And, finally, and most importantly, when we went out to eat I got my very own kids meal! Mom always makes me share with her, but Grammy insisted I get my own meal. I got applesauce as a starter and then cheese ravioli. It was so delicious I ate it all!

Me and Mom are here for the rest of the week while Dad is at winter meetings in Indianapolis for Baseball's Winter Meetings. I'm gonna have so much fun!

Snow!

Lane and I went up to the ballpark this morning and ran into Clint and some snow!!! My two boys were pretty excited about it!

Dude Night Finale

On Tuesday, Lane and I ventured out on our final "Dude Night" of the year. Again to the mall, due to the 40-degree temps outside, but we had some fun none-the-less.

There are activities not documented in photo on this outing as to not reveal the locations of one special lady’s Christmas gift selections. I will say we DID NOT visit Dollar Tree, any vendor in a portable stand along the walkways or the Great American Cookie Company.

I added captions to each photo. Each caption matches, to the “T”, what Laners was thinking as we strolled around the mall that night.

I hope you guys enjoy. Brooke, don’t be jealous of how intelligent our child is – we all know he did not get that from me. From me, he received his giant stature, his love for sleeping and his ability to eat, and eat, and eat….. Which reminds, only one meal left of Grace’s turkey and dressing.

Yall have a great day!!! :) :P :0 :)> O:)

Thanksgiving

Lane had a great 2nd Thanksgiving! He was an old pro when it came to eating his turkey leg. He entertained the family with all his tricks.

Grampy showed him how to eat whip cream off his finger from the can. Something every little boy should know.

Friday, we took Lane to the duck pond near my parent's house.
Lane got to feed the ducks with some help from Grammy.

Saturday we went to Tulsa to mess around. We had lunch at the Belvedere Mansion.
While my Mom and I shopped in the Mansion the boys went out to play in the leaves.

I think the leaves were the highlight of Lane's day.

We met up with Aunt Sarah and Uncle Tyler for dinner. Lane is almost half the size of his Auntie. She is so tiny it was hilarious to see her carry Lane.
Lane was so excited to eat again! To conclude our day in Tulsa we went to see the big tree downtown.
Sunday we spent the day driving, traffic was horrendous. It took over 10 hours to make it home. Lane was a little trooper! He kicked his shoes and socks off, sat back, and made the best of the long trip.

Turkey Leg outtakes

18 Months

We took Lane for his 18 month photos this week. I laughed and told Clint it looked like he had accepted a job as a toy tester in this picture. He had a great time "testing" this guy out, we had to wait quite a while.

Lane also had his big 18 month Doctor's appointment this week. He is still growing like crazy, and if you can believe it he is large!
He weighed in at 31.2 pounds, the 95%
He is 34 1/2 inches tall, also the 95%

Lane is growing a learning so much!

He still doesn't have many words to say, but he loves to make all kinds of noises and babble to himself. He loves to talk on the phone, toy or real. He has mastered hello and carries a phone around the house on his ear. He points at everything, especially lights and says pretty and he recently blurted out purple. He must have something for the letter P.

Lane is an amazing eater. He will eat just about anything you put in front of him. He loves all kinds of vegetables and fruits, but he's not too sure about meat. He ate ketchup on french fries for the first time last night. He had the best time dipping fries in the ketchup cup and then sucking it off.

Lane loves to give five, knuckles, and points. Points are something he made up, not sure where he got it but, he'll point his pointer finger and when you point yours he'll touch his finger to yours.

Lane has mastered going up and down the stairs in the house on his tummy. The way he backs up to get down the stairs is the funniest thing you have ever seen!

Lane loves to shake his booty. He dances anytime a toy or the tv plays music. The other day we were out walking from the store to the car. A car drove by playing loud rap music, Lane stopped to tilt his head and dance.

Lane has learned to shake his head yes and no. Mostly no, but he can shake it up and down for yes. Hearing him say the word no is too cute. I know it won't be cute for long, but right now he has no idea what it really means. He says it as a part of his babbles.

Lane loves bath time. He loves to splash and play in the water. When I give him baths, he puts his head in the water and blows bubbles just to show me he hasn't forgotten what he learned in swim lessons this summer.

Lane is a great sleeper. He sleeps about 12 hours a night and he takes a good three hour nap every afternoon.

Lane loves to carry at least three small toys around with him. Last night, it was three remotes he found downstairs, today it with three little stacking cups he got out of his toybox. He'll carry whatever it is, set it down for a bit, then pick it all back up to carry somewhere else.

Lane and Murphy are great buddies. At least Lane thinks so. He loves to play pick a boo with her, he giggles and giggles and she stares blankly at him. Must be that little brother/ big sister relationship.

Lane is a master block builder. I've caught him building towers 4 blocks high. And, when he's not building with them, they are also the perfect things to carry in groups.

Lane is the sweetest boy. He loves to give kisses, hugs, and pats on the back. He's too busy to sit and cuddle but he does love his Momma, and he is crazy about his Dad. Luckily we're pretty crazy about him too!

Dude Night #2

Dude Night #2.
Hello all, and welcome to Dude Night #2. Steph is taking her second cake decorating class at Hobby Lobby. Not to be confused with Home Depot, the place I told one of her friends that she was taking her class. Who knew the world’s most popular home improvement superstore would not have classes for cake decorating?
At least we dropped her off at the right place. Whew!

The time for the two Muss Dudes to hit the road had come. With mom in Hobby-L working with Crisco-filled icing and pastry bags, we hit the road for Chuck E Cheese’s.
Of course we have to get the typical tourist photo before diving into the kid-friendly, yet budget-hating, entertainment machines.

Have you ever seen a photo of someone standing in the middle of Time Square starring up at the bright lights, video screens and tall buildings? That was Lane tonight in the middle of the kiddie section at the pizza joint. "How ever did they get so many lights in one room? Why do big kids keep running so fast around me? Why did Dad buy game tokens when all I care to do is people-watch and stare at lights?"

Lane's Grammy (Grace) is scarred to death of mice, and all rodents for that matter. Lane? Not so much. He likes mascots and he loved Chuck E., almost as much as he loved Chuck's E's pizza. Lil dude ate 3 slices himself. Of course every outing is an opportunity for Dad to share a little of his broadcast background. Lane, pictured below, enjoyed the blue screen (Chroma Key) set. Although he had no idea his face was on every screen in the building, nor did he care.

Lane and I purchased 10 tokens to use for the various games. Lane thought the games were cool, but holding the small cup of coins was the best part of the night. It's the small things. Let's hope it stays that way.

"Dad, I want a car."
"Well son, your mother and I have a cup of Chuck E. Cheese tokens, will that work?"
"Dad, you are a huge dork."
"Thank you son, your mother has been saying that for years. Have a great day at school."

We finally made it back to get Steph at Hom...., I mean Hobby Lobby. What better way to tell Mom you miss her than dropping to the floor and pretending that you are Michael Phelps?

Christmas is almost here! At least the stores think so.
Well, that's all folks. Have a great week.
Clint