Cousins, Cousins, Cousins!

They say your cousins are your first best friends....

just hitting a tree with their candy canes...totally normal ;)

golfing buddies

super heroes...fighting crime!

and of course the littles...so fat, and of course cute :)

Canon's Baby Dedication

"I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of Him.  So now I give him to the Lord.  For his whole life he will be given over the Lord."

                                                                                     1 Samuel 1:27-28

Our family at Canon's baby dedication, on Mother's Day 2012.

Canon update...almost 9 months

Canon Burk is almost 9 months old...whoa! I know it sounds like a broken record, because I say it everytime I do a post updating one of them, but I just can't believe how quickly they are growing.  Especially this time of year, with all the kids graduating from high school I am reminded that in no time at all, it will be one of my boys graduating.  I am trying to enjoy this days as best I can amongst all the crazy/hectic-ness that is a day in the life of the Atchley's :)  Okay back to Canon...He is soooo much different than his big brother that it has been almost like being a first time mom again!  Everything that I had learned with Keller and all the "experience" I had was basically useless in the first few months of his life.  He is a much more serious baby and is also physically much bigger than Keller was at this age so he is his very own person in every way.  Here is an update on what he's up to at (almost) 9 months:

• on a 4 hour eating schedule 7:15, 11:00, 3:15, 6:30
• sleeps 6:30p-7:15a
• not yet crawling, but rolls everywhere!
• 2 teeth, bottom front teeth...but working on more
• LOTS of hair! already had 1 haircut, but already needs another
• saying "ma", "ba", "da", "ga" etc, but doesn't know who "mommy & daddy" are yet
• likes to jabber and will yell at us (or strangers in WalMart) if he wants your attention
• sitting up independently, very well
• starting to "wave"
• sometimes will "clap" and do "arms up"
• loves watching "your baby can read" video
• loves being sung to
• likes facing outward when being held...only snuggly when he isn't feeling well
• very strong!!
• eating solids 3 x's each day, breakfast, lunch and dinner.  he eats everything and hasn't turned anything down yet.  
• tried a few "table foods": waffles, bananas, peas, carrots, roll
• looooves cheerios
• really loves aunt mannie, she sings him "canon, canon who's my sweetest man-on" and "mr. canman, bring me a dream, doom, doom, doom, doom, make him the cutest, that i've ever seen"
• very happy and smiley when he is feeling well, but so heartbreakingly sad when he isn't feeling well :(

i honestly don't remember what our lives were like before our "little guy" came along.  he is a perfect complement to our family and i am bursting with love just looking at these pictures of him...love you so much sweet canon!

smiley little guy :)

where did those blue eyes come from??

Keller update...2 1/2 years old

2 1/2 years old?!?! Where did this time go?? I feel like I was just starting this blog because I was preparing for my sweet baby's birth!  Boy oh boy does time really start flying by as they get older :(  but alas, I was warned that this would happen.  he is SO smart, and can speak very well for such a little man.  I am always having strangers tell me how well-spoken he is.  it makes me very proud :)  he is even somewhat bilingual, he knows all his colors in spanish.  Here is an update on our "big guy" as he now refers to himself :)  

likes:

• singing...his favorites are "Jesus loves me", "Jesus loves the little children", "Holy, Holy, Holy", "Amazing Grace", "Old McDonald", "Crazy Girl", "Take a backroad" the list goes on and on
• dancing...he loves dancing, jumping, moving of any sort
• trucks, big rigs, tractors, motorcycles, trains, buses....anything with wheels
• mickey mouse clubhouse
• daddy, he tells him every night "You're the best daddy"
• canon, or "broshur"  he always wants to know where he is and make sure he's "okay".  he brings him toys, cheerios, etc.  he loves his brother very very much
• aunt mannie and uncle drew bear, he ALWAYS asks where they are, when they are coming to see him and everything we do he says "mannie and drew bear will be there?" 
• riggsy...his older cousin who lives in stillwater.  he thinks riggs hung the moon and wants to do whatEVER riggs is doing.  i imagine this won't be changing anytime soon :)
• sports of ALL kinds, but specifically loves golf right now.  he just got a left-handed set of clubs (from granddad rusty) and wants to go to the golf course everyday.  he is working on his swing and i see him as the next phil mickelson :)
• "grandma's" new house...specifically the bear "tave" and the castle room
• bathtime

dislikes:

• getting his picture taken
• bugs/spiders
• goats
• getting his finger nails/toe nails clipped
• cold water

as usual, the list of dislikes is short, he is such a happy guy and we are having so much fun with him. i seriously can't believe that he is on his way to 3 years old, everyday i thank God for giving me the blessing of raising this young man.  love you Keller!!

my sweet guy, in a bow tie :)

Chris Atchley State Farm

On January 1st, 2012 Chris Atchley State Farm officially opened it's doors!

Like a good neighbor.... :)

This was a GREAT day for our family!  This has been Chris' dream since he started with State Farm in October 2007.  He worked very hard to realize this dream and I am VERY proud of him!!  Since it took me so long to get this up, I can say that after 4 months of agency, Chris is a fantastic agent! He really takes care of his policy holders and is truly a "good neighbor".  This has been a great ride so far and I am so excited to see where the rest of his 1st year of agency takes us!  Call him and let him quote you! :)

Christmas 2011!

Christmas 2011 was so good to our family! We got to see lots of family, and had to miss some from afar! We were spoiled with waaaayyyy too many gifts and waaaayyyy too much food :)

smiley little chunk in his new outfit from aunt mannie and uncle drew bear

2011 Christmas tree

Riggs got a new truck for Christmas!!

racing down to see what santa brought

all my guys :)

Canon at 4 months!

Canon turned 4 months old on December 17th! I can hardly believe how quickly he is growing now that he is sleeping better at night ;) he FINALLY slept through the night back on November 5th (almost 3 months old) which was a big change from his brother (who slept through the night at 6.5 weeks old and never looked back). he has been so much more fun for mommy now that i am also getting to sleep :) here are some 4 months highlights:

• 26.5" long
• 15 lbs 11 oz
• getting more and more smiley everyday!
• he LOVES his big brother, and smiles really big anytime that keller is crying, it is so funny to me!
• on a 3 1/2 hour schedule... up at 7a, 10:30, 2p, 5:30, 9p down for the night.
• sitting up in his bumbo seat and his exersaucer
• eyes are still blue blue blue
• hair has fallen out, but is starting to grow back in, very light!
• wearing size 3-6 month clothes
• wearing size 3 diapers

here are some pictures of my sweet little man...enjoy :)

4 months old! 1/3 of the way to 1 year!

gaining on his monster

trying rice cereal for the first time!

he likes it! :) sweet little crooked smile :)