Picture Perfect

The weather this past weekend was absolutely picture perfect, so we spent lots of time outside. Liam loves playing in the back yard. With two brand new baby sisters making lots of noise inside this summer, he and his Daddy will probably be out there quite a bit...

Liam helped Daddy mow the lawn.

He burned lots of calories running around the yard.

And why does PB & J taste so much better outside?

Liam and Daddy spent lots of time looking at a roly-poly,

Sword fighting with sticks,

And just basking in the Spring sunshine.

Baby Love

We had a great time in Houston this weekend...probably our last time before Debby has her sweet baby, Avonlea Grace, and we have our two little ladies. I know all three little girls are going love growing up together and will share so many bonding experiences through the years.

Here we are...both anxious to meet the girls!

Yummy food on a beautiful table.

The Martin girls are getting ready to add three more females to the fold.

Mom, Debby, Jeff, and Jeff's Mom.

Showers of presents!

Birthday Outing

Okay, last Liam 2nd birthday post...

On Wednesday night (Liam's actually birthday), we tried to think of something fun to do with him. We ended up going to The Rainforest Cafe. For the most part, he loved it, but when the "animals" went crazy during the rain storms, Liam freaked out a little bit, too. He loved the calm animals, though, and we sat right next to the elephants and monkeys. After dinner, Jon took him for a ride on the carousel in the food court, and we let him pick out a couple of toys from the Disney store. We ended the night at home with one more round of birthday cake. I think Liam could blow out birthday candles every day of the year--that seems to be his favorite part.

TWO!

Liam is two years old today. It’s hard to believe our baby is turning into a little boy. His independent streak has really revealed itself lately, and he wants to do everything for himself—brush teeth, buckle the car seat, put on his shoes, help wash dishes. You name it; he thinks he can do it. In fact, I think he says, “Liam do it,” more often than any other phrase right now. His spirit is still as sweet as it always has been, now he just has an opinion and isn’t afraid to share it. Liam gives the best kisses with full sound effects. He is full of love for his Daddy and Mama, stuffed animals, fire trucks, and the left thumb that he still sucks. Although the times when he lets me just sit and rock him aren’t as frequent anymore, I still get them now and then. (This could also have something to do with my rapidly expanding belly, too). Now he prefers to jump into bed with Mama and Daddy on the weekends and cuddle. Jon and I adore those mornings. We love you more than we can ever tell you, Liam, and thank Jesus everyday that we have the privilege of being your parents.

Here's a list of some of Liam's favorites at two years old:
Food: macaroni and cheese
Cartoon: Mickey Mouse Clubhouse
Music: The Wiggles
Stuffed Animal: little lamb he calls Sheepy
Candy: It’s a toss-up between M&Ms and Whoppers
Sport: hockey
Entertainment: playing at the park

Art and Flowers

This weekend we spent lots of time outside enjoying the beautiful spring weather. The Fort Worth Main Street Art Fest was going on, so we headed over there on Saturday morning. It was nice to beat the huge crowds in the afternoon.

Liam liked meeting Mr. Lion most of all.

And the street entertainers were pretty funny, too.

After church on Sunday, we picked up Nana (Jon's mom) and headed to the Dallas Arboretum. It was the last day of Dallas Blooms, and the flowers were gorgeous.

Liam like to play in the Old West Village. He may have had just as much fun kicking dirt and playing with the mulch--such a little boy!

Almost Two

We celebrated Liam's birthday with the Bushwar-side of the family last night. Instead of one big birthday party like last year, this year we're spreading out the festivities. Jon and I are going to take Liam out on his actual birthday--this Wednesday, April 14. Next weekend, we'll be in Houston to celebrate again with (most of) the Martin branch of the family tree. It's hard to believe our little guy is almost two...

Easter Weekend Review

Here's our Easter weekend in pictures...

We started our Easter festivities on Saturday morning at church. Liam colored and decorated a paper Easter egg. Before the Easter egg hunt, the kiddos had story time.


Then it was time to hunt for Easter eggs! Notice Liam's sippy cup shoved in Jon's front pocket. Such a Daddy-look that Jon can definately pull-off.

Liam wasn't shy about grabbing as many as he could find.

Later that afternoon, we dyed Easter eggs at home.

Believe it or not, Liam didn't make a mess or spill the food coloring.

He also helped Mama with her eggs.

Easter wouldn't be complete without frosted sugar cookies...

The Easter Bunny did come visit overnight, and it didn't take Liam too long to find his basket. He actually had two baskets this year. I guess the Easter Bunny was feeling generous since he knew that this was Liam's last only-child year to cash in on all the candy and treats.

After a great Easter service at church, we headed over to Nana and Papa's for lunch. Here's Liam in his Easter outfit. He looked like such a little boy in this outfit.

He had lots of fun playing with his cousins. He loves all four and is always talking about them.

Here's a funny-faced Liam with Nana and Papa.

A family pic to remember Easter 2010...

Liam played outside all day with his cousins.

One more Easter egg hunt at Nana and Papa's.

We ended the day having a belated birthday dinner for Jon. Since Liam and I were in Minnesota for Jon's birthday, we've been waiting for just the right time to celebrate. We had Chinese take-out, and Jon got to eat on the red birthday plate--the official symbol that it's your birthday dinner.