The last couple weeks

Spending some time on the floor

Samuel giving Charlie some kisses

And sharing a hug

Sweet dreaming

looking at mommy

Samuel was starting to show interest in Charlie. He starting to move his head around and grunted a couple times. Samuel quickly moved back and announced "Charlie scary"

Checking out the little brother and sharing a puzzle

Getting our first bath. Samuel wanted to participate too

Merry Christmas from the Powells

RuRu and Grandaddy came to spend Christmas with us. Samuel and Charlie were quite the focus, to say the least. We all had a great time opening gifts, playing with our new toys, and passing the littlest guy around. Glad they were with us and look forward to many Christmas's to come!

Samuel helped Daddy open this book for Charlie. We asked him to give it to Charlie, and he kindly laid it over his head so he could read it! What a great big brother!

I am pretty sure that Samuel had a part in opening every gift under the tree regardless of whose it was!

Giving out sweet kisses

Someone woke up to participate

I got a roomba (thank you Phelps for the introduction to this little beauty!). Excited to try it out!!!

We got Samuel his first t-ball set. I'm not sure who is more excited, Ryan or Samuel!

I think Charlie is quite loved!

A few from our favorite photographer

My dear friend, basically a sister, Nicki came to visit us while she was on the east coast. She has taken pictures of our family since I was in high school, so it was very special to have her take pictures of my growing family! We had several different photo shoots and here and there and got some great ones! Excited to have Nicki take pictures for us for years to come!

Christmas Picture 2011

Mom did a great job snapping a few family pictures for our Christmas card this year. We knew we had limited time because we wanted to wait until Charlie was born, but also wanted to get our cards out in a timely fashion. Samuel was a little challenging, but what 2 year old isn't? We brought lots of bread along to feed the ducks, M&Ms to feed Samuel and a warm blanket to wrap Charlie up in between shots! I think we actually got some great pics, though we went in with somewhat low expectations!

Ryan loves to climb trees, and is excited to see that Samuel does too!

I just love watching Ryan and Samuel together. You can tell they love each other very much and enjoy all their fun activities together!

Feeding the ducks and fish

Sweet Charlie

Our new family of 4!

Samuel had a great time running from one side of the bridge to the other.

Merry Christmas Cowan Style

BeBe, Pops and John were in town the week before Christmas. We had our own little Cowan Christmas here before they headed home. We all had a great time taking turns playing Santa, even Charlie got involved!

Samuel got his new wagon. I know the boys will have many hours of fun!

Showing BeBe how to get the wagon out of the box.

So excited about his new wagon! He could hardly stay out of it while Ryan tried to put it together!

Our little Santa

Charlie and Daddy

Glad John was here too!

"The old married couple" as we call them. They had a great time.

Charlie is very excited about his Octopus and the cool socks it is wearing!

Samuel building his blocks.

Annual Gingerbread House Party

I was asked if I was crazy several times the week of Charlie's birth. You see, we have had our Gingerbread House Party every year we have lived in Wilmington, and I was determined to do it again this year, regardless if I did happen to come home with a new baby the day before! We had a great time! My mom and I made all the houses the week of Thanksgiving and got everything ready and laid out just before Ryan and I left for the hospital. Fun was definitely had by all!

We have turned our little decorating party into quite the competition. The rules are that each family can bring one "extra secret" item but was left to share all the goodies/decorating items that were on the counter. We have one hour to decorate and then a chance to describe our masterpieces. This year we were amazed once again by the creativity of our friends. We, thanks to the craziness of our lives this year, didn't quite strategize and just created a "normal" house, but we are happy with it!

DJ and Sherry claimed the title of "Decorator Extraordinaire" once again this year with their incredible house. They let their boys decorate the outside and they created a family home on the inside, complete with iPhone fireplace! Way to go! Next year Ryan and I will have to bring our A-game!

Anthony and Shelley and their girls made a bus and in their explanation Caroline sand the "Wheels on the Bus" song. It was adorable!

Jacob may have eaten more candy than he put on the house, but that is part of the fun!

Samuel also had his share of candy, and daddy's share, and mommy's share and Charlie's share. He ate more candy that night than maybe all the days of his sweet little life! He had a blast!

Charlie even joined in!

The Carpenter girls convinced Parks to create a Pink Palace, complete with a beautiful ballerina! Good thing he is ok with PINK, he's going to be surrounded it for a LONG time!

Snatching some more candy! Pretty creative, he pushed his toy table over so he could reach the counter!

The Laniers creating their "love nest"

The winning house. Horrible picture, certainly doesn't do it justice!

LK holding Charlie. She is so sweet with the babies and is always wanting to hold one of them. She is a great big sister and I am sure will make a great babysitter and mom one day!