My favorite part of our home is the view off the back deck.  This is how it looked this morning.  The air was all crispy and cool, the view was smokey and thick. I love this time of the year.

Meema and Papa Blossom just left.  We had the best time!  We headed up to Hillcrest Orchards yesterday to pick apples.  The leaves were so gorgeous! I can’t wait to make an apple pie. Coltan loved every minute of it.  Here’s my favorite picture of him on the wagon ride.  OH, I love this kiddo. More photos to come!

Coltan found the empty flower pot last week…when it wasn’t raining for a brief moment.  It was a full on construction site in a matter of minutes…

sweet feet…

even Luna got into it…err…she had no choice.  Coltan dumped a shovel full of dirt on her back…

So, I guess we are a triathlon family now!  Sam did his first Tri on Sunday.  And, I have to say, he was FAST!!  I’m not just saying that…he really was.  He was out of the water in less than 9 minutes.  I am so jealous of his natural endurance.  Coltan endured his own feat with another 5:30 am wakeup call.  And I endured the sport of “keep a tired toddler happy.”

Congrats babe!  Sorry the camera died and these pics aren’t great. He was just so fast my camera could barely catch him

barely light before the swim in Lake Lanier…

there he is running behind the guy on the bike…the speedy blur in a gray shirt

So proud of daddy.

and our happy little encourager…

Coltan and I met up with friends at the North GA State Fair Wednesday.  What a flash back to hanging out at the Lake County Fair when I was a kid.  Coltan was such a big kid.  He road his first solo ride…actually, his first ride ever…

He was quickly hooked. Here’s the happy fella riding with Loa.

And he learned the joy of funnel cake.  He loves his daddy a lot, too, because he was really excited to bring half of it home for Sam.  He stopped eating it to save some for Daddy.  When we got home, he yelled, “Here’s your funnel cake DAAAAAAD!”

Our friends and family got Coltan some of the coolest toys.  We are fully stocked with Cars, trucks, books and trains!  Lots of fun to be had with all the new loot, but there is also just a LOT of stuff.  A couple months ago, I converted our guest room into a playroom, but since it is on the lower level of the house and we do most of our living on the middle level that didn’t really help matters.  Toys would just slowly work their way back up the stairs into the living room.  So, with the new onslaught of toys, I new we needed a solution.  Thanks so a little inspiration from the Stevens oh-so-stylish home and the Douglas’ ingenuity, I found this bookcase at Ikea. I’m still not quite done makeing it look the way I want but you get the idea…

Problem is, we are still busting out of the baskets with toys.  So, I know I need to overhaul the two closets on this floor and move some toys to Coltan’s room/closet.  But here’s the thing, I’m not good at spacial organizing…and I never keep it all neat and tidy so I need some help.  I know my sis is game for this  but who else?  Any suggestions for inexpensive closet organizers?  Any tried and true systems.  Here’s the before of the two closets…I really hope it’s not too long before I can show an after! HELP!!

2 years ago I had my son.  I remember seeing his dimples for the first time.  I remember him screaming during his first bath.  I remember kissing his head constantly when they handed him to me.  He was soft and curled up like a burrito.  He was and is so much joy and love.

We had a little party to celebrate Coltan’s birthday.  The sky opened up and POURED for the 2 hours of his party which, if you know a little of Sam’s and my story, for us rain storms are a very good thing – a proven sign of God’s presence, providence and blessing on our lives. So the rain came down and we thanked God for the many blessings He has showered down on us in the 2 years of Coltan’s life.

Today Coltan had his 2 year Dr. visit.  He is 32lbs. and 35.5 inches.  I really wish I would have had my camera as he stood on the big boy scale and again the tape measure on the wall.  He is not a baby anymore.  I’ve known that for awhile I guess.  I adore him.  He is sunshine.  He talks and talks all day long.  He loves cars and trucks and planes and trains and dogs and friends.  I’m incredibly grateful.

My mom and dad and Sam’s sister visited for Coltan’s birthday.  I was a little busy hosting I guess that I didn’t take enough pictures.   But here are a few that I love…

Birthday cupcake #1.  When Lisa, Tony and Braxton arrived, Coltan made a sprint for the cupcakes because I had told him he could have one when his friends arrived. I made banana cupcakes cause Coltan could eat a dozen bananas every day.

B-day cupcake #2.  This was for the real deal…but he had a moment as you can see here because I was keeping it out of reach while everyone sang and the candles were lit.  He made this face then turned to me and said, “I want to eat it!”

It was a train year and Gram and GranDad did not disappoint!

A new lamp from Gram and GranDad that moves and makes train sounds.  He loves it and now gets to push the train button atleast one time before bed every night.

Opening gifts with Gram…

loving on GranDad…

random pics of the party…it was a “Coltan’s Favorite Things” theme which meant balloons, trains, cars, trucks, dinosaurs, homemade pizza and banana cupcakes.

all the kids just before the party ended…

from L to R: Coltan, Ella Defeo, Harper and Emma Kate Douglas, Braxton Borgford, Marshall Nolan, Losiah, Seanna, & Sohaila Whittaker

It was a really fun day celebrating our little guy!