Birthday festivities part one...

It has been a busy few weeks of celebrating our two little men around here.  Saturday before Brayden's birthday there was a firehouse open house....we had such a fun time.  They got to into a fire engine, ambulance, ride on police ATVs and more.  They also got to see a car get cut open and of course we enjoyed plenty of free food....here are some pics...

 On Sunday, it was Brayden's 3rd Birthday.  He woke up in the morning to a path leading to his cinnamon rolls and gifts...

 We also enjoyed getting packages in the mail all week...I tell you what October must be their favorite month...

 We also carve pumpkins while my family was in town.  The kids were so funny...Brayden wanted nothing to do with the "pumpkin guts" he just told me they were gross...and Marshall, well he was not too sure either.  So we, I mean--I, ended up carving the pumpkin.

 His ear protection came...so the shop vac is in full motion!

 We popped popcorn from the ear that Grandma brought from Kentucky....it was delicious!

 The boys got a tool bench from Grandma, Great papa, Aunt Beans and Roger...

 The big party was on Oct 21....we lucked out and had WONDERFUL weather!!  It was like 70 degrees...we had such a great time!  We are so blessed to have such wonderful family and friends

 What a mess!!!

 So tired...

The festivities are still continuing this weekend....we had cinnamon rolls yesterday morning for Marshall's 1st birthday and then a little fiesta last night...but we are headed to the Choo-Choo restaurant this weekend...so more pictures to come from his special celebrations!

Marshall....our 1 year old!

Dear little Marshall,
Wow how a year flies by!  I cannot believe that it has been a year since you entered this world.  And wow...how much has changed in a year!!!  When we welcomed you into the world...you were a hefty nine pounds...and we loved every single ounce of you.  I remember holding you for the first time....and I did not want to put you down.  You were just such a sweet, precious gift and I wanted to hold you and embrace you...because I knew that time was going to go too fast from infant to baby to one year old!  Now I cannot say that everything was smooth sailing for us with you in the beginning.....you had colic like I had never dreamed of.  I remember nights just sitting on the floor crying as you cried...I was sad to see you upset, I was sad I did not know what to do...and well, I was sad because sometimes it lasted for 8-10 hours at a time.  But every tear shed, was TOTALLY worth it.  At about 3-4 months you grew out of it....and things have looked up ever since then.  You are the HAPPIEST, SMILIEST little guy around...and I am not kidding!  You hardly ever cry, unless you are hungry, need a diaper change or someone (aka your brother) has taken something from you.  You are so curious---you love watching Brayden and then try to mimic all he does---which is why at one you can basically run...you had walking down pat by 11 months---over achiever!  You love playing in the kitchen drawers taking all the plastic dishes out and we cannot close the dishwasher fast enough!  You LOVE the train table...I would say that it probably your favorite toy around here.  You also love anything with wheels...such a boy.  It is amazing, I think car noises was one of your first noises...and you have since perfected it!  You LOVE to eat....and will eat ANYTHING!  So dinner with you is a TREAT!  You love your little blankies....and still like bottles....which with Brayden at one, I said no more bottles, no more pacifier....but you are my baby...so I will let you keep them just a little longer---probably more for my comfort than yours :)  You have such a LOVE for animals and people...watching you with Kim's dogs or the bunnies at the park...or really any animals, I feel like you have a special way with them.  You are gentle and loving...and I will be curious to see if a future with animals will be in store.  With people, you have no fear...you love to smile and show off to gain attention (but hey, I don't blame you!).  You can crawl up all the steps, climb up things at the park, go down the slide and can put shapes into the shape sorter.  Its amazing really!  Your laugh and giggle is contagious---and your big blue eyes...well those are going to always get the best of me!  You have a cute little curl in your hair which is just adorable--so I do not think a haircut is in your close future.  It is so amazing having you in our lives...you are just precious.   Tonight as I was holding you, rocking you...and of course crying because I just cannot believe that you are one....I thanked God so much for giving us you.You have brought us so much joy in just this first year....and I know that its just the beginning. I am sad that you are losing those baby qualities, but I am excited to watch you grow and see all that you will do and become.  I love you Marshall, my little baby!  Love, Mommy

Trouble...

So I'm thinking that he will be BIG trouble when he gets older...with his good looks...

But until then...he is BIG trouble in the bathroom!!!!  I guess he was testing out the idea of a mummy costume :)

A letter to my baby boy...who is 3!

Dear Brayden,
I cannot believe that you are 3!  Where oh where has the time gone???  Every year at this time, I get a little sad...not sad to watch you grow and change, but sad to see more and more of my baby turning into a little boy just a little too fast.  Thinking back on this last year...wow, how much you have changed!  You went from being an only child to gaining a little brother that loves and adores you...and although you do not always outwardly reciprocate those feelings...I know you feel the same.  Time to time, we catch you sharing your toys or food, chasing Marshall around, laughing at Marshall making a mess with toilet paper or really anything that he can get his hands on!  I love that you have a brother, a little pal, partner in crime....a best friend forever. You also went from being a toddler wearing diapers to a boy wearing superhero and digger underwear in a little under a week...even through the chaos of a move and new baby.  You never used a pull up...and I can count the number of accidents you have had on one hand....just goes to show how smart and determined you are.  Which brings me to my next point...you are sure smart, witty and when you are determined...you will do as you want.  You have a strong will...and it times it can make things so hard...but then your wit and charm set in...this is all a recipe for disaster!   You know your colors, ABCs, and can count to 20.  Since you have started preschool, you have learned a ton of songs, and I love catching you singing them!  You have a love for books and the library...and reading with you is one of my favorite times of the day....probably because it is the only time that you are still and I can really snuggle in with you! You are SUCH a BOY...you LOVE to be outside, in the dirt/sand, and the garage is by far your favorite place to go!  You love playing with anything that goes...you know the name of every digger, truck and tractor....and can spot them a mile away.  You love tools....every morning we have to pack up your tool box and bring it with us to Kimmy's and you also love Handy Manny and his tools...George has taken a bit of a back seat this year.  You NEVER leave home without a hat...and you always tell me not to dress you too stylish!  You know what you want to wear...and you make that very clear.  You have a memory like no one I know...at times its almost scary how much you remember and the details that you remember!  You know when something is new or out of place---like the raccoon at grandma and grandpa's.  You love to eat cheese, little oranges and have a new love for hot dogs and by far, you have gotten my sweet tooth--you can down a piece of cake in a second flat---and the icing is what always goes first!  However your hate for veggies is very clear...and you can make yourself sick just from taking a bite of broccoli.  You talk non-stop...and sometimes we just have to laugh at what you are saying (of course not in front of you)...like when you told us that you want sexy...when we were listening to the song, "I think my tractor's sexy".  You toot like a little gas machine...and think it is the funniest thing in the world.  You can climb up every rock wall, slide, jungle gym and staircase at the park...you are fearless....and pretty coordinated!  You like to run like daddy and can hit a t-ball like no other little guy.  Dumpa and Deere still come to dinner...but not too often.  Lauren is by far your favorite babysitter for the weekend...and you LOVE Kimmy and J.  Every night before you go to sleep, while I am laying by you (scratching your back---because you love that) you want to talk to God and pray about the apple trees and Kimmy.  I love that you want to talk to God and pray...and I only hope and pray that your relationship with God and your faith will continue to grow.  I love watching you play using your imagination---whether its with your cars, tools, or on your John Deere and I also love watching you race other kids down the slide and play side by side.  You love making art projects and of course I love to display them.  You love to tell us that you will "probably do something tomorrow or next weekend" and always need a "double batch of water" before you go to bed, after brushing your teeth.  You bring so much joy, love and happiness to your daddy and I each day.  I thank God every day, for giving us you...and I cannot even remember life before you...or imagine life without you.  You truly are my sunshine (one of our favorite songs).  I love your smile.  I love watching your eyes light up as you discover the world...and all your excitement from each new thing that you learn and see.  I love your innocence and your true joy that you get from everything around you.  I love that you love learning and doing new things.  Brayden James you are LOVED so much...Happy Birthday!!!!!  I know with each year, there will be more and more things that I love!  Love, Mommy