Carolina on my mind!

Yes, I have Carolina on my mind. Why you ask? We just returned from a two week trip to North Carolina to visit my family! It was wonderful!!! This was an exciting trip for everyone.

This is the first time Josiah had his own seat on the airplane. He thought that was pretty cool. It was even more exciting that he got a window seat.

Once we arrived, Josiah was immediately scooped up by Granddaddy & Grandma for big hugs!

I don't think they ever wanted to let go of him the entire trip.

The next few days were spent giving Granddaddy & Grandma their JoJo fix. Grandma painted watercolors with him...

Granddaddy gave lots of kisses & hugs...

Josiah played with a lot of my old toys...

& EVERYONE enjoyed the 70 degree Christmas weather. While all of this was going on, Dustin & I were given a break to go on a few dates.

Then, after being home a few days, Chris arrived for a week. How exciting. It had been two years since we had seen Chris.

As soon as they saw each other again, they were instantly best buds! They played together constantly. Here is a game that was fun all week...Hide and go Seek!

After a few days, the temperature dropped...but that didn't keep us from going outside & improvising to make a tee ball game work. (Notice the pitcher, kick ball & plastic bat).

And oh boy was Josiah ever spoiled. They each had a gift for him for every day that he was there BEFORE Christmas, which was one week. So, by the time Christmas rolled around, he didn't need any more presents...even though he got more.

So, if you see me staring off in a daze, just know..."In my mind I'm going to Carolina!"

Merry Christmas!

From our family to yours...

"Merry Christmas!"

Our baby is Three Years Old!!!!!!!!

I can't believe it....our baby boy is three years old! How is that even possible? Well, it is real! At 12:35am this morning he turned 3.

Dustin & I were trying to decide what we could do to make his third birthday special. Well, we couldn't decide, so we asked the birthday boy. In a matter of 5 seconds he listed his requests & a schedule was made. It was the busiest day imaginable. First, he didn't want another birthday cake. He wanted a cupcake.

So, we headed down to Trophy's Cupcakes in Seattle. They are a specialty cupcake shop that has been recommended by Martha Stewart.

He, like his Mommy, ordered Triple Chocolate. Mmmm. They were delicious. We sang Happy Birthday (pic #1) & then he blew out his candle (pic #2).

We then headed over to Fun Forest at the Seattle Center. He rode the froggy ride, Dumbo, the big slide, the carousel,

& even played his first arcade game. His next request was that we eat lunch at McDonalds & play at their playplace. So, we did. During lunch another little boy came up to our table & began talking. He & Josiah hit it off & decided to play together. We then headed home for a much needed nap.

After nap time Josiah opened some cards from family & opened a present from Uncle Chris.

Josiah was really excited about his present from Uncle Chris.

He gave him an art desk & easel. He immediately wanted to play with his dry erase board. How fun!!

After present time we headed to Red Robin for dinner. Josiah didn't want to smile for the camera, so we decided to do something else. He barely had his tongue out, but thought it was really funny!

He is always excited to see "Red" the big red bird. Red came by our table & wished Josiah a Happy Birthday along with the Red Robin singers.

He was also presented a chocolate sundae, which he had no trouble eating. After dinner we headed home for one more present. Each year since his first birthday, our most important gift for Josiah has been a new Bible. Tonight we gave him his third Bible.

He unwrapped the paper & was so excited.

Dustin read the first story from the Bible & Josiah begged for more. If there is any gift we want to give to our son it is the gift of Jesus Christ & His salvation. We pray every day that by reading His Bible he will develop a heart after God.

Happy Birthday Josiah! We love you!!!

Happy Birthday, Josiah...To Infinity & Beyond!

Saturday, December 6th was Josiah's 3rd Birthday Party! His birthday isn't until December 11th, but we decided to celebrate early. Josiah is crazy about Toy Story...specifically Buzz Lightyear. So, we had a Buzz Birthday Party.

His cake turned out so great!

Josiah just gasped when he saw it! He loved it!

We decorated the kitchen with Buzz colors,

centerpieces,

a banner,

& balloons, etc. etc. etc. Yes, Buzz Lightyear was coming out of our ears. What can I say, when I get a vision for something, I go all out!

After Josiah ran around the house looking at the decorated house, our friends began to arrive. After watching some of Toy Story 2 & playing with the many Buzz & Woody toys we have, we headed into party central for some pizza, chips & Buzz colored M&M's.

The kids all had a good time sitting at one end of the table together. The adults seemed to have a great time at the opposite end as well. I guess everyone needs a break from each other sometimes! HA!

Then it was time for some cake & ice cream. Josiah really enjoyed it when everyone began to sing "Happy Birthday!" He sings it to himself year round & finally it was the right time for it! He even blew out his candles like a pro!

After our bellies were full, we headed outside for some fun on the new playset!

They seemed to really enjoy playing outside together!

Then it was time to head inside & open presents!

Josiah has learned his gracious gift gasp very well. He acted like each gift was the most amazing thing he had ever seen...& really, they were.

He got the best gifts this year. Everyone who came seemed to know Josiah to a T & knew just what to buy! What great friends we have! Thanks to everyone who came & made this party such a special time for Josiah!

One of the presents we gave Josiah for his birthday was an acoustic guitar like his Daddy. After everyone was gone, the two guys in my life sat down to serenade me on their guitars. What a perfect way to end a perfect day.

We love you, Josiah...to Infinity & Beyond!

Josiah's Birthday & Christmas Present!

My parents love blessing Josiah with presents they know he will enjoy. Well, this year they went all out. It was a combined birthday & Christmas present. They bought him a new playground.

It arrived at our house at the beginning of November. My sweet husband decided to spend some weekends & late afternoons after work putting it together. He did such a great job & did it without any assistance. Thanks, Dustin! So, it has been here a month & we somehow kept it a secret from Josiah. I never thought we would be able to do it, but we did. We hung a tarp over the rail of our deck, which is his height, so he couldn't see down into the yard. Then, we just kept all the blinds on the back of the house shut.

Josiah's birthday was coming up on December 6th, so my parents said to give it to him the day before so he & his friends could enjoy it at his party. The morning of December 5th came & we were so excited. We took him out the front door & through the gate on the side of the house so he could walk into the back yard & see it.

As soon as he saw it, he just ran as fast as he could & screamed as loud as he could. Here is the picture I got of this moment:

...Just a blurr! He was running so fast I couldn't get the shot. Luckily, Dustin had the video camera & got his reaction on tape.

We spent the rest of the afternoon playing outside in the cold weather on his new playground. He did a lot of climbing,

sliding,

swinging,

gliding,

eating at the built in picnic table,

laughing,

& just being silly! What a fun day at the park...I mean, backyard!