President "BaBaMa"

Today the 44th President of the United States of America was sworn into office. No mater your party, no matter your race, no matter your religion, Barack H. Obama is the God ordained leader of our country. You cast your vote but now it is time to stand behind, support and pray for our leader and our country.

Payton was very excited by all the fanfare on the TV today. He loves music, parades and action. It was the cutest thing to listen to him sing along with Aretha Franklin as she sang the National Anthem. In the picture below he was pointing and saying "BaBaMa".

Payton's Papa remembers a time when there where 2 separate water fountains, 2 laundry mats, one with a sign in the window that read "whites only", people of color in the balcony of the movie theater and whites in the lower level, the color of your skin determining your seat on the bus or your place in line. I thank God that Payton won't remember things like that! He can look back at these pictures and remember that the first African American President was elected in his lifetime and wonder why we all thought that was so amazing.

Poor guy couldn't stay awake for the after party. He did manage to catch the performance by Sting and Stevie Wonder, which he quite enjoyed!

OUTSIDE!!

OUT Mama! This child is obsessed with the outdoors. He always wants to be outside no matter the weather no matter the activity. He thinks that having either sunglasses or a hat on increases his odds of getting to go out. This day he refused to take his hat off even for dinner to hold onto that small chance he would be set free. With Payton's holiday money from his Nana and Aunt Jenn we set off to buy him a play set/slide for outside. We were out of luck because most kids don't play outside in the cold apparently. None of the stores have them in stock until the spring. The very next day we notice one of the neighbors had set this play set out at the curb with their garbage. One man's junk is another man's treasure! All is needed was a wash down and some duct tape. You can imagine Payton's surprise when he woke up from his nap and went outside (of course) to find his new toy! He loves to pretend with this steering wheel and throw stuff out the window. Of course, like any boy he climbs up the slide instead of the stairs.





His Granny and Papa gave him this wheelbarrow and tools. He really thinks he is doing some big time yard work hauling stuff around and digging with his shovel.

Holiday Update

Well, this was the picture that made the final cut for the Holiday card this year. There were no pickles, screaming, crazy faces, eyes closed or back of heads. Yay! I think he's pretty darn cute if I do say so myself. Definitely festive and who cares if there is drool on his shirt!

One of Payton's gifts from Granny and Papa was a tool set. This included a drill seen at the bottom of the picture above. Thankfully it also included safety goggles!

Payton is lucky enough to celebrate Hanukkah and Christmas. Every night about 8:00 his internal present opening alarm would go off. He would remind us that it was time for the "lights" and to open a present. He would help light the candles and would get to open one of his presents. After a few nights of this he was quite the pro at tearing into gifts.