Happy, happy birthday

It is amazing that while it seems like yesterday we were coming home from the hospital with Clayton, those first weeks and months with him seem like ages ago. It was fun celebrating Clayton and his first year this weekend...

more pictures here

Daddy's boy

Lately Clayton can't seem to get enough of his dad. These pictures show Clayton, first, at the door after Clay has walked out for work, and second, at the door watching Clay mow the yard. Anytime I mention "daddy" as I'm talking to Clayton, he immediately starts looking for him... when Clay comes home from work, Clayton is so excited he is almost like a panting puppy... he wants Clay to hold him and follows him around the house... It has been so sweet to see this attachment, this enjoyment, this delight, this love...

It goes both ways.

Vacation

We spent a weekend at my sister's house in Columbus celebrating my sisters' birthdays; Clayton and I stayed the week. The change of pace was great for both of us. My six nephews and nieces entertained Clayton every moment of every day-- if they weren't actually engaging him, he was entertained by just watching them. Most of our time was spent by and in the pool, as usual at "Camp Sidor". It is such a wonderful place to get away and to entertain kids-- complete with pool, hammock, Jimmy Buffett music playing overhead, Kevin's famous smoked meats and mixed drinks and fresh cut fruit enjoyed poolside, go-carts, golf cart rides, feeding the fish at the pond... It is chaotic, to say the least, with seven kids under one roof, but so special to be together with family.

Clayton and I met Clay at Lake Martin on Thursday and his parents joined us Friday for the weekend. We had a relaxing weekend-- boat rides at sunset, grilling out, watching movies, reading, taking naps, good conversation on the porch...