Shaving

We tested out Hogan's new shaving kit today. His response when he saw himself in the mirror...."really handsome" Again...further proof that he fits right in with the Mannings (See Tia's comment on Dapper Dude)!

Plainview Bowling (as told by Hogan)

Bowling is going to be fun. There are so many balls. I want them all. Balls! Balls! Balls!


















Bowling IS fun. Daddy helps me push my ball. Oh my goodness! It's cool when those pins fall down one by one.


















I'm starting to have some concerns about bowling. You have to wait your turn. You can't run around. You have to stay on the carpet. Hmmmm....and now I'm in time out. Bowling isn't all it's cracked up to be.

















I am SOOOOOOOO over bowling. Get me out of here!

Plainview Christmas 2

Hogan's big present from Nana and Papa was a slide. This slide folds up like a ladder so Troy and I can store it on our porch and take it out into our 'yard' when Hogan plays outside. It's very apartment friendly. Way to go Nana and Papa!!! We're pretty sure Hogan liked it, but it was hard to tell since he spent all of his outside time in Plainview sliding down Nana and Papa's storm cellar door. I guess a cool, plastic slide just can't compete with a dirty metal door!

Plainview Christmas

Tia and Tarlo

















Hogan helped to pass out the stockings














Nana and Hogan being silly




















Hogan opening his present from Tia and Tarlo

Let Christmas Begin

This morning marked this year's first Christmas. The first one is reserved for our little family. Of the presents that Hogan got from 'Santa' his favorite was the tee-ball stand and his Leapfrog fridge alphabet set. Oh yes, AND the chocolate he got in his stocking. Below is a short video of Hogan singing the alphabet song along with his Leapfrog set. Sorry for the darkness. I haven't quite figured out all of the features of the video camera. I just figured out last night that it was a digital video recorder...duh! We've only had it since Hogan was born! It might take me a couple more years to get the light going! :)

Spiderman Boots

Oma and Opa brought Hogan some Spiderman snow boots- a little pre-Christmas present. We are now officially ready for the snow in Plainview, or at least Hogan is. Hogan was so fast in his new boots it was hard to catch him standing still... until he stopped for a pit stop on the couch for a bite of pizza. Even super heroes have to eat!

Stilted Soldier

I will say that the soldier on stilts was probably the highlight of our Gaylord visit. Hogan was fascinated by this tall character and the man playing the soldier was friendly and happy to stand with a toddler while I clicked away. For Hogan, his dreams of being "up" (where he is always wanting to go) were realized right here. Hogan had a wistful look in his eyes as we said good-bye to the toy soldier on stilts.

Gaylord

We went to the Gaylord to see what all the fuss was about. There were a lot of festive photo opportunities, but not a lot of interaction unless you wanted to pay. We gave it a 'C', but did feel like we all had our curiosity satisfied. Now we know what the Gaylord looks like inside!

Exercise

Also this morning (something in the milk I guess) Hogan got out my yoga mat to 'e-her-hi'. Translation: exercise. The weights made an extra nice touch especially with the grunting that had to go on to move them. Then, he got one of my e-her-hi DVDs and did a little Budokon (a mixture of martial arts and yoga) to finish off his workout. This all happened very fast of course since Hogan's attention span is very short. We're talking five or less minutes of hilarity. And then we were on to something else!

Dapper Dude

This morning Hogan asked to put his hat on before we went into the kitchen to eat breakfast. When we got in the kitchen he spied himself in the mirror and spent a few seconds admiring himself. I think he thought he looked real cute in his golf hat (I did too!). Instead of taking off the hat, which is what he usually does, he kept it on all through breakfast checking himself out in the mirror every so often.

Bike Ride

Hogan has been eyeing our bikes outside and really curious about whose bike is whose. So, in response we planned a family bike ride. We got lucky on the weather and headed out for the trail after nap today. Hogan was all about it until midway through when he realized that his part was kind of boring- sitting and enjoying the scenery while daddy did all the work. For those of you who know Hogan- you know that he's more the hands on type. Even still, it was fun to get out and we were able to make a pit stop at a playground so Hogan could stretch his legs.

Post Photo Madness

This is just a teaser! I can't show you the actual photos that we had done today at Sears for Christmas, but I can show you the post-photo madness that occurred once we got home and started stripping off our fancy clothes. We were simpled out and high on Sonic drinks. Just imagine how great our Christmas photos are going to be. Coming soon to a mailbox near you! :)

First Haircut

Hogan had his first haircut today. I had no moments of sadness until I saw the end product, which was a little boy instead of the baby I walked in with. However, scraggly hair or well-groomed hair, he's still the same rascal that can both make me laugh and feel weary at the end of the day!