michael john's first basketball game

michael john seemed to really enjoy his first basketball game!

michael john sat up and watched the entire first half with his full attention on the court!

he was too cute! a bit distracting to mommy and daddy, as we couldn't help but have fun watching him instead of the game!

admittedly, michael john did snuggle into mommy and eventually fall asleep during the second half of the game, but he was still the cutest red wolves fan there!

a day of thanksgiving

so much to be thankful for on this beautiful, sunny and crisp fall thanksgiving day! and this sweet little face represents so much of what i have to be thankful for! what a blessing michael john is to craig and i! God is so good! and we are so very thankful for our families and friends, too!

(how cute is his little first thanksgiving outfit from his auntie kristen?!!)

a visit to see santa

we took taylor and michael john to see santa today. taylor looked so sweet in her pink santa dress with fur trim and michael john was so cute and cuddly in his "santa's helper" onesie with reindeer footsies. michael john may have slept through the whole event, but

it didn't stop him from being the cutest visitor all day! and how great is this santa?!!

taylor is beginning to read!

we are so very excited and proud of taylor as she is beginning to read to us now! such an exciting time. here she is reading 'the cat in the hat'!

rainbows and sunshines make me happy

so happy to see taylor's artwork on our driveway tonight...happy to see that when she draws a picture of her family that it has a rainbow and sunshine framing it on top. as she explained to me, daddy is on the left, she is in the middle, and 'momma sarah' is on the right holding michael john (difficult to see in the pic, but he is there!). i love our family!

didn't notice...

to some it may have been a cold and gloomy rainy day...but i didn't notice...not with this bight eyed little baby filling my day with such joy! i had the best morning just being at home snuggled up with my wonderful husband, precious baby boy, and little tico. life is good!

sweet little angel

i love watching michael john sleep! he has the cutest little expressions while he is sleeping...

he is so sweet and snuggly...

it's difficult to put him down...

i am so very thankful for our sweet little angel.

look mommy!

michael john noticed our reflection in the mirror for the first time this week!

it is so fun to watch him become more aware of his surroundings each day! i am so blessed to be able to witness these wonderful little moments!

micheal john is also beginning to smile more and more each day! it's the best!! i love him so very much!

i love daddy!

my shirt says it all :)
(and the smile on my face!)

so so happy!

i have such a wonderful husband... i love seeing our little boy in his arms... and i fall more and more in love with him everyday.

daddy with his hands... and heart... very full!

a visit from a forever friend

my best friend, sarah, came for a visit this weekend and what a treat! it is such a blessing to have a true friend to share every season of your life with. sarah is truly a kindred spirit. and since sarah was one of the first to hold michael john when he was born, he was quite content in his auntie sarah's arms!

it's hard to believe we have been friends for 19 years! (and counting!) i am so thankful for my beautiful friend, sarah!

veteran's day parade

taylor got to ride the barton's weather deck in the parade with daddy. she had fun waving at everyone!

we were so thankful to have such a beautiful fall weekend for our visit from my best friend, sarah!

my favorite part of the day

we love our mornings with michael john! he is so fun and joyful and smiley. i am so thankful to have this time with him and his daddy! such a gift! he loves his room...loves to lay in his crib and look around. each morning we sit on his quilt and "play" and listen to praise and worship music and he just loves it! he is really starting to smile and coo more and more everyday. it's so fun!