Tave-ster loves

This kiddo is learning like crazy. He just soaks up everything we show him and tries it out for himself. He has definitely developed his own little (actually quite BIG) personality.

Tave, you make our family so much better by being in it!

The stairs are his ALL-TIME favorite thing. If we leave them unblocked he is up them in about 10 seconds. West & I finally decided to teach him how to go down:

He picked it up right away and had a blast giving hi-fives everytime he made it down on his own. (see video below!)

He loves playing in our pillows:

And, of course, toothbrushes:

West & Tave really adore each other. Which helps when we're teaching Tave new things. Weston thinks it's so great that Tave copies him and Tave just loves to do what Weston does. Win-win, I tell ya. Everyone should have two kids. ;)

Here's our 'Hi-Five' video after Tave learned to go down the stairs backwards:

ps. if you listen carefully Tave even says 'hi-five' twice. So cute. I love hearing him start to talk!!

I just love my boys!

Weston's Diego Birthday!

We had a wonderfully fun and awesome party for West while we were in Texas. But, of course, West just HAD to celebrate his birthday here at home also!! I was only too happy to do it. :) (and then next year we're starting the 'Even-year-only-birthday-parties')

Shar made his awesome awesome invitation. When we picked it up from Costco West just kept staring at it and saying 'Go Weston Go' How cute is he?! Thanks, Shar. You're great!!

Here is the set-up:
So cheap and easy!! The best part was that he LOVED it! It really felt like a rainforest with all of his stuffed animals and the vines or 'lines' as West would call them. I know you are all jealous of my cake-making skills. hehe. Weston loved it and that's all that matters!


The party-ers:
Thanks, everyone, for making it such a special and fun night!

Opening gifts:
My mom had left both boys' birthday presents here for when we got back from Texas. We waited to let them both open them the night of the party and Tave's ball toy was a HIT! They all had so much fun with it!!!


Blowing out the candles:

This year was so fun because I let Weston pick out EVERYTHING for his party. He wanted Chocolate cake and chocolate frosting (just like Uncle Johnny's) and bunny tracks ice cream. We also got to start the family tradition with him of choosing a favorite birthday cereal. He was a huge fan of that!!



After the party we took him out back to try his new t-ball set. He LOVED it and we have had so much fun playing lately!!

We sure loved celebrating our special special 3 year old again!
He is so much fun and an amazing part of our family.
We love you, West!!

Spoons!

Tave has decided it's time to use a spoon.

He loves holding it in his hand and actually does pretty well making it to his mouth.

But most of the time he just holds it and eats like this:

A Night Away...

A few weekends ago Shar & Trav took the boys so we could have a night away.
It was an early anniversary trip that was MUCH needed!!
We loved going out to eat, staying in a hotel, watching a movie, shopping, and talking. And talking and talking and talking.
I love having my hubby all to myself.
It was a perfect little night away.
So perfect that we didn't take a single picture. But we sure had fun!
Thanks Shar & Trav for taking care of our guys!! We know they had a BLAST with you!

Friends

We have been so busy this summer.

Some of our favorite days have been spent hanging out with friends:

Watching cute Olivia.

The boys could not get enough of her. Weston loved that we had a little baby in the house who was smaller than Tave and Tave was just fascinated with her.

We finally made it to my very dear friend, Megan's, house!!

I hadn't met sweet little Ruby yet and we were so excited to see them again. Weston & Sabrina had tons of fun together too.

All the boys -

Swimming with Noah & Cooper!!

Tave loves to 'crawl' on his feet now, too funny.

And this is proof that West & Kapria really do love each other. :)

We are loving being outside and playing with all of our friends!!

Swimming & Kapria

The boys and I really missed our Friday dates with Kapria.

It was so fun to start them up again!

Kapria & Tave playing together:

We set up the little pool and went for a swim. It was so much fun!!

We put Tave in the cart and everyone wanted to push him. Lucky kid!!

(He deserves it for being the youngest and smallest..he really puts up with a LOT!)

Celebrating July Fourth!!

One of our favorite family traditions is going to the Balloon Fest.

Shar & Trav met us bright and early for the launch. We parked right as they were slowly moving overhead.

We all look tired, it was early, but so worth it. :)


(and despite their faces, they DID love it...they just don't love pictures...haha)

We had to say Hi to Smokey the bear so we could get a cool frisbee. The kiddos didn't know what to think....

Tave let out the loudest, shriekest scream I have ever heard! It was sad but funny too. ;)

And afterwards we had a delicious breakfast at Crackerbarrel.

(Next year we're bringing donuts to the field..that'll be a fun tradition!)

Mmm!

A bbq and a few fireworks were also enjoyed.

We love celebrating our Nation's Independence Day.

We are so grateful to all who have sacrificed to earn and protect the freedoms we enjoy.

Thank you. So very much.

Weston - 3 years old!

West is 3 years old and I just can't believe it!!

He is such a joy and so much fun.

I don't know what we ever did without him.

Here are some photos of Weston throughout his 3 years.

~ Brand New: June 13, 2006 ~

~ 6 weeks old, Blessing Day ~


~ 6 months old ~

~ 11 months old ~

~ 1 year old ~

~ 15 months old ~

~ 18 months old ~

~ 20 months old ~

~ 2 years old ~

~ 2.5 years old ~

~ 2.75 years old ~

Happy Happy Birthday West!

~ 3 years old ~

Weston is such a wonderful, sweet little boy.

He is always full of surprises and says the cutest things.

Some of Weston's highlights from his 3rd Year:

• Visited CA, AZ, and TX
• Lots of fun visits with family
• Started talking and talking and talking
• Became a big brother
• Moved to a big boy bed
• Gave up the binky
• Absolutely loves nursery

Some of the things Weston LOVES:

• Jumping, running, swinging on things
• Rough-housing (especially with dad)
• His imagination has really grown, he loves to pretend and be silly
• He talks all the time
• He is very polite
• He absolutely loves singing and being sung to
• Reading and story time
• the ABC song, Tarzan song
• Saying prayers
• He's very interested in the alphabet and letter sounds (we're going to start working on this)
• He loves spiderman, diego, super why
• Loves watching cartoons
• Playing outside
• Playing with Dad
• Making Tave laugh
• Making anyone laugh
• the Beach
• Swimming and getting wet
• Snuggling
• His striped blankets

We feel so blessed to have this amazing little boy in our lives.

We love you, West!

Happy Birthday!!