Christmas Eve

In the chaos of Christmas Eve at our house, we barely got any actual posed pics, but have a few action shots to share with our faithful readers/fans. (Be sure to check out Connor's handsome, but sleeves-rolled-up-cool Christmas outfit.) First, Connor eagerly awaiting our guests...

The gifts came in truckloads...and the wrapping paper filled our living room (for at least 3 days). Here's Connor playing tee-ball with Uncle Will, sweeping, opening his new truck and bowling with Cousin Scottie.

Connor also scored a stuffed "Daisy" dog, whom he loves

and usually has barking at the real Daisy Dog. Daisy seems confused.

Uh-Oh...no more presents to open?

Last but not least, here's one last action shot of Connor opening a train set from Santa in the morning. Whew! Santa & our family has been good to us!

Cookie Baking

A few days before Christmas some of our family & friends came over to bake Christmas cookies with the kids. This is an awesome idea if you are hoping your kid will...oh I don't know... eat a ball of raw cookie dough:

Then get really upset when you won't let them have more...

Both Connor & cousin Lauren figured out the technique to cookie-making, but I think Lauren had her eye on those delicious chocolate kisses!

Ho, Ho, Ho!

Connor wanted to be Santa today for Christmas,

so I let him eat some vanilla yogurt for breakfast.

Sledding

What is more fun than sledding down a hill?
Being pulled all around in your little sled-seat, without getting up once. Not even to walk UP the hill. Connor has an awesome life.
His parents, on the other hand, are sore & exhausted this evening!









It was a bit rainy, but Connor was a trooper. (Mostly because his Mama made sure there were no air-leaks in his outfit.) LOVED the snow. LOVED his sled. LOVED watching his parents "eat-it" at the bottom of the sledding run. LOVED sledding down some little hills (and occasionally medium ones when his Dad was in charge). LOVED making snow balls with cousins Scottie & Janeen. Loved, loved, LOVED watching Cooper & Dodger play in the snow (Scott & Janeen's children...the golden retrievers)!

Rambo

For a while we thought we were raising Courtney Cox's child, Coco. Apparently we are raising Rambo, who is busy shape sorting with his camo (moose-covered) PJ's.

New Discovery

Connor has made a big new discovery,

just in time for the brisk winter weather:

his OWN pockets!

Now, even more exciting (to Connor) was the discovery that his overalls had "pockets" which were easier to access than the ones in his coat! He was just so excited, I haven't had the heart to tell him that these are not ACTUALLY real bonafide pockets.

Zoo Lights

We chose the coldest night in Oregon to hit the annual Zoo Lights display. Because of this we were forced to make Connor wear all the warm clothes he owns ALL. AT. ONCE. For the record he was wearing a onesie underneath a thermal long sleeve T-shirt, fleece pants, double socks, a hat, scarf, and mittens all under his snow suit (fleece lined overalls and jacket). This outfit was only considered complete once he got his hand-warmers under his mittens (a MUST, my friends!) and a blanket on his lap. (Don't worry...it only took us 20 minutes to get ready in the parking lot.) Now, we did give Connor a chance to stretch his legs at the Zoo, only to discover that he could NOT WALK in this outfit. Literally. We might need to reconsider his outfit choice when we go sledding unless we want to roll him down the hill.

The Entertainer

Connor adores his little cousin Sophia (aka "Baby"). Today he tried to show her all his tricks and toys to entertain her. First we have the bucket-doubles-as-a-hat-while-blindly-spinning-until-he-falls trick. Sophia wasn't really paying attention to that one...So, then he brought out a few toys for her to play with. First he tried the balloon. Then, he acted as if he had a bright idea & ran into his room. He came out with his "aquarium" and played it for her. I think these toys were a bit more entertaining than his bucket trick.
Connor is also usually the first one to hear Baby when she wakes up from a nap. He'll grab my hand and point to the bedroom & say "Baby?" Hey, maybe if Connor could just learn to change a diaper he could get a little brother or sister!

Game ON!

It's Beaver Game Day, my friends, and Connor is ready!

He even has the slippers to prove it...

OOOOOOOOOOO, SSSSSSSSSSS, UUUUUUUUU!!!!!!!!!
Go Beavs!

What every one-year-old needs...

...is a fort (cardboard box) with a window (hole cut out)! These are not expensive in and of themselves and are usually available on most pre-Christmas shopping days. However, buyer beware, because occasionally you might have to spend a pretty penny for what originally comes inside of the "fort." Check out how much fun they are:


Sometimes even dads need a fort, just to get away from it all for a moment or two...

Happy Thanksgiving!

The Cunninghams had a grand ole' thanksgiving this year, complete with lots of yummy food! Connor's favorite part? Spoonfuls of whipped cream hand fed by his Aunt Erica:

Before the nutrition police have their say, please consider that whipped cream is PRACTICALLY the same as whole milk (with only a few subtle differences). And whole milk is a staple in a young child's diet. After all, it's the fat in whole milk that builds brains, you know. After that rather large helping of cream, Connor is surely growing a smarty brain in there.
Cheers!

Captain Coco

Connor is no longer the passenger of the boat...he's officially moved up in life to the boat operator, better known around here as "Captain Coco." His one and only passenger so far...? Cousin Sophia. The Captain does not call this cute little creature by name, but instead insists upon calling her, "Baby." All day long he points to her stuff and says "Baby" just to reiterate. Captain Coco and Baby love this game. When Baby is not in the boat, the Captain points to her, says "Baby," then points to the boat and gives the hand sign for "more." Apparently, Captain Coco just can't get enough boating!

Sophia is a rather big fan herself:)

Mr. Funny-Man

Things that are hilarious to a One Year Old:

1) Bologna on your head

2) Sound Effects (And no, not just farting noises...get your mind out of the gutter, Scottie!)

3) Wearing multiple hats all at one time

4) Finding other people's belly buttons. (We are trying to make this little game one that is NOT performed for company...apparently not everyone likes to display theirs.)

5) Day-De. STILL. FUNNY.

A Mystery

Connor loves to clean the house (specifically with the swiffer), but the funny thing is the darn house only seems to get messier and messier...!!?! Life is such a mystery.

Big Boy

Hey look at me! I'm such a big boy...I can ride a 4-wheeler, like my Uncle Will. (Who by the way is my only uncle who has NEVER commented on my blog. Maybe this will get him hooked!) Now if only I could drop the binky, I'd practically look just like him. You know...with my charming good looks & casual fashion style (complete with a baseball hat and all). But let's be honest, the binky and I are VERY close friends and have no immediate plans to break up. So, whataya say Uncle Will? Will you take me for a ride in the dunes? Huh? Huh?

Coco

Exact enunciation is not Connor's forte, which is usually no big deal because we can translate. For example, "Up" is really "Help" (and "Ba" actually means "Up"). Some are more obvious than others..."Da" for Duck, "Baa" is Ball, and "Bah" is bath. You get the picture. Yesterday right when I walked in the door from work, Connor's dad proudly announced, "Connor learned to say his name today!" Then he proceeded to coax this mysterious word out of Connor's mouth. However, all I heard was "Coco." Really? Am I raising Courtney Cox & David Arquette's child?

I was unconvinced that this new word, "Coco" really stood for Connor, even in Connor-ese. Famous last words. Later that night as I was giving Connor a bath, he reached up for the spray hose (off limits) to which I replied in my best stern voice, "Ah, Ah, Ah. That's not for Connor." Then to my amazement, Connor stopped grabbing it, shook his head and said, "Ah, Ah, Ah. Coco." Really? REALLY? My child has just nicknamed himself after his favorite food item of all time. Oh, maybe I can get Coco to give you his signature wave...? Umm not right now. Coco's too busy trying to figure out why his shoe doesn't fit on my foot.

Cheers!

1 for Me, 1 for YOU

Dogs love Connor. I mean what's not to love...those chubby chubby cheeks, that hysterical laughter? Maybe its the hats? Oh no, these are not the things that dogs love best about Connor.

Connor has a little habit while eating his snacks, which is exactly what dogs love best. It goes a little somethin' somethin' like this: one for Connor, one for Daisy; one for Connor, one for Jamba; one for Connor, one for Cooper. You get the idea. Hummm...all the dogs are suspiciously looking right at Connor's snack trap.

WOOF!

Happy Halloween Blog Followers!!

Love,

Day-de #1 & Day-de #2 "Woof, woof..."

Ready for some SNOW!

Dear Fall,

We really do love you here at "Growing up Cunningham." I mean, what's not to love? The pumpkin patch. Beaver football. Thunderstorms. However, we have a teeny, tiny little secret... we can't wait for winter. Here's why:

There is a tiny person, who just got a new pair of snow pants! As if snow pants in size 2T are not cute enough by themselves, this tiny person also got some new froggy rubber boots. Unfortunately, said tiny person thinks they are equivalent to concrete shoes, and walks accordingly. All this, plus a matching Columbia snow jacket for a bargain deal of $14 (thanks to the "Pass It On" Sale). $14 has never been spent more wisely in this household. All that we are lacking is a teeny, tiny sled in size 2T. On second thought, is an 18 month old too young to learn to ski?

Dear Snow,
We are ready for you. Please come soon!

It's The Simple Things in Life

The children are quite interested in the thunder & lightning storm

we are having right now...

In fact, they are SO interested in it,

I actually have time to take a picture AND blog about it

WHILE CONNOR IS AWAKE.

This never happens.

We love the fall:)

The Pumpkin Patch

Fall is here, so we took off to the pumpkin patch.
Connor's favorite part? The miniature tunnel made out of hay bales.


It was just his size...

We gave Connor his own cup of hot cider...just joking, safety police. Its empty.

Cluck, Cluck, Cluck! Aren't the little piggly-wiggly's SOOO cute?

Pumpkins everywhere! Connor thought they were drums, apparently, and had to drum on each one.

Happy Fall, Blogosphere!