Lucas's 2nd Birthday! Our little Allstar!

Another year has come and gone & really in the blink of an eye! Today we were thrilled to celebrate Lucas's 2nd birthday, and what a joyful day it has been. He woke up this morning with a sweet smile and quick "hi" before he was on his way with opening his first set of gifts from Mema. He was so happy to get some new toys for the bath, an aqua doodle for coloring, and some super cute clothes (that made Mom especially happy lol). We went to McDonald's for breakfast and some play time in the play place. We rounded out the day with time together as a family, then a fun sports-themed birthday party with the big family! My heart is always so filled with love and gratitude when gathered together with all the family because they have so much love for Luke and he has so much fun with them! He was blessed with many fun new things to play with (and make lots of noise with) and it was really a wonderful day! His birthday always brings an additional sense of thankfulness and acknowledgement of how truly blessed and fortunate we are to have him here with us. His birth and placement into our arms-from our Heavenly Father to our birth mother to us- is an experience and a true miracle that we will never take for granted. We honor and celebrate Lucas's journey to our home and into our arms, and the faith of so many! We love you Lucas and wish you a very happy birthday sweet boy! (Our computer has crashed so we are unable to upload any pics. Will do once we have access again!)

Fall Festivities

Happy Halloween!

What a fantastic fall it's been so far. All of my family made a huge effort to come out for the Halloween weekend and spend it with Alex, Lucas, and myself, and we're SO very glad they did! Lucas was so thrilled to have his cousins here to Trick-or-Treat with. Before the Halloween festivities kicked off though, we headed to my Grandma's house for a little R&R.

She lives on a really beautiful piece of land, and has a few cows and horses that we took Lucas to go feed. He LOVED IT! Even though the wind was blowing like crazy and our ears and fingers were ice cold within minutes, he couldn't wait to hop out of the truck and pet the animals. He explored the land with his Mema (grandma) and his two cousins and then we nestled in for the night, eating an amazing warm meal and sharing lots of laughs with each other. I'm so grateful to have a beautiful place like my Grandma's to take Lucas to and create so many of the same memories with him that I made with my Mom there.

Speaking of Grandma's.....

Lucas adores his Mema :) She would take him outside in to our front yard and roll around in the freshly fallen leaves and he would giggle and laugh as she'd chase him around or as the leaves would tickle his sweet face. So grateful for all of her love and tenderness towards him.

Love you Mom :)

Finally....the big finale to the weekend....Halloween!

Lucas dressed up this year as a brave and extremely cute firefighter! He had a super cute hat to go along with it, but it kept bothering him so we didn't bother too long with it. Alex dressed up as a soccer player and I went as a skeleton. All of my family members dressed up as well & it made for a great evening!

Now...bring on Christmas!

Jump! Jump! Jump Around!

Luke seems to be learning something new every day, but his latest challenge has been especially fun to watch. He has seen us jump in to the pool, jump up high to shoot a basketball or on a trampoline, and he has set out to do the very same. His only frustration seems to be- getting his little feet off the ground! Instead, he rolls from the heel of his foot to the tips of his toes, stretching his arms and hands high in to the air, and calling it "jumping"! This is one of those cute home videos you have to see to really understand just how precious this little guy is :)

Along with jumping, he is a busy body!!! His favorite toys are mom's container of cooking spoons & spatulas which he loves to take out and clank and bang on just about anything- couches, counters, mom & dad! Haha :) He loves taking each piece of laundry out of the basket for me, one-by-one, and having me fold it. When I'm done, he loves to then run/climb over each pile and have me start all over.

Food-wise he LOVES pickles and anything cheesy- puffs, string cheese, grilled cheese, you name it! He's learning how to not only drink out of an open water bottle, but how much to drink in at one time, rather than dumping it all over his face. He loves being outside, going for rides in his red wagon, and of course- swimming and splashing in just about any place that has water!

He may be a busy body, runnin' wild and curious about everything, but he's also such a sweetheart and so loving.

Summer Afternoons

Summer afternoons- two of the most beautiful words!

We have been incredibly fortunate this year to spend many of our summer days surrounded by lots of family. Lucas has had one adventure-packed day after another!- from saddle riding (minus the horse lol); circling around on the carousel; and of course lots and LOTS of swimming! My uncle took Lucas out back & put him on one of his horse saddles, making the trotting motion & having Lucas hold on to the reins. I got a few moments on video so check it out.

We also spent lots of time with the cousins- the Three Amigos to be exact! They loved playing the piano together, swimming, going to the movies (yep, they all sat through Cars 2), and even rode around on a horse carousel together.

For the 4th of July, we went to a baseball stadium to watch a minor league game and stay for the fireworks show after. They played music with the firework show & it was pretty spectacular. Lucas did amazing & really enjoyed the loud ones.

Such a great summer! Now bring on the fall....we're tired of the 90+ degree days!

Parks & Piggies

I don't think anyone could be more happier for the warmer weather than Lucas. He absolutely LOVES to be outside- whether it's playing in the yard, walking into a store, playing at the park, or going to Grandpa's farm. He could be in the middle of a very convincing fit, but the moment we ask him, "do you want to go outside?", his fit magically disappears & he's waiting by the gate at the top of the stairs, pointing to the front door, just barely able to contain his excitement. We bought him a Little Tikes lawn mower so now he can go up and down the drive way "mowing" just like mom and dad. He also has a red wagon filled with soccer balls, basketballs, volleyballs-you name it- and he loves to throw them one at a time out in the yard & then pick each one back up and drop it back in to the wagon. He's great at helping me with the weed pulling- in other words, I pull the weeds & he just makes the actions & sounds like he too is pulling weeds. He's a great helper!

We, along with my brother-in-law, took Lucas to a park recently to swing and see if he would enjoy the play area. We ate lunch at the picnic tables, and then took him for a relaxing ride on the swings. In the video below, you can see just how content and relaxed he is.

Lucas also loves to play in the yard at Grandpa's house, particularly checking out all of his animals. He has a few cows, a dog, and two brand new additions- piglets! Alex grew up in this very house for most of his life, and my Mom grew up on a farm as well, so it's special to see Lucas enjoying the same things and having the same experiences.

The two little piglets just came to the farm a few days ago, so they are still a little scared and skiddish around people. They are just too cute though, and I promised Mema we'd get him on video, so here you go! Enjoy!

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day honey!

Yesterday was another very special Father's Day for our family because we get to celebrate being parents to an incredibly wonderful and special little boy :) Alex heard Lucas talking in his crib & couldn't wait to be the first to get him out. I layed in bed just listening to the two of them downstairs, talking & playing, and felt so grateful for the amazing person and example that Alex will be to Lucas now and over the years to come. We got to visit with both Grandpa's yesterday too, and watch them enjoy this Father's Day with their son and grandson. Alex and I have learned, now being parents ourselves, what a tremendous and profound responsibility and blessing it is to raise children. We have also learned that the extra-special times are found in the little things & little moments. It brings smiles to our faces every time we see Lucas learn something new & then see the pride immediately spread across his face! Every little hug & kiss, every time he reaches out to us when he's unsure or scared, every new step he takes as 'big boy' now- all are so special and are times we treasure.

I am so grateful and so proud of the way Alex has lived his life; I am so thankful that he served a mission; and I'm so thankful for the unconditional love he has for everyone, including myself and Lucas :) Happy Father's Day Al- thank you for being so incredible. We love you!