Joshua's 2nd birthday party 3.12.16

We had Joshua's birthday party a week early because we wanted our neighbors to be there before they left on spring break.

 Here is Quent helping decorate.  He was making a "car wash" to hang in the hallway.  It was streamers hanging down.

The cake.  I really enjoy making the cake.  Joshua was pretty excited when he saw it.

I don't remember what they were looking at, but this was right before the party started.  Jeralyn made some decorations; see them hanging on the wall?  Ha!  I love how excited she was for the party.

This is the veggie tray that has what is supposed to be a car dip bowl made out of a bell pepper.  I tried...

Traffic light brownies and fruit cars.

Our friend RJ meeting baby Joel for the first time.

Joshua before eating...not sure why he was making this serious face but he sure is cute!

Opening presents.

Cake time!

After eating cake, the kids went outside on the deck and played with some bubbles that Joshua got for his birthday.  Here is Abby having fun with the bubble maker.

Our friend Alex was having fun!  Olivia was outside with the kids, too.

Jeralyn was having a great time!  I love this photo!

Happy 2nd birthday to our little man!

Cake Decorating 3.11.16

Jeralyn was really excited about helping me make Joshua's birthday cake for an early birthday celebration happening the next day.  She wanted to be part of the whole operation...

...including licking the beaters.

And of course the to-be birthday boy wanted in on the action.

Joshua's birthday party theme was...you guessed it...CARS!  So we made a cake that looked like a circular racetrack.

Family of 5 2.21.16

I was thinking that I should probably post these family photos that Natasha took of us as a new family of five.  We weren't too adventurous in taking family photos; we just went outside on the deck and called it good.

My mom was here and she helped keep the kids looking at the camera.  You can imagine how creative one has to be to keep the kids looking *at* the camera.  Silly kids!

This was the photo I used for our Christmas card; I've had a lot of people make comments about Jeralyn's expression.

Or perhaps we should have used this photo?  Ha!  I just love these kids!

I think there was a jet or float plane or bird flying over.

So here we go...onto a new adventure as a family of five!

Basket of Josh 3.3.16

Smiles with Grandma 3.2.16

Group photos are never easy.  Someone is always looking away, or blinking.  We took a series of photos using my phone, my mom's iPad, and my camera.  They were pretty silly!

Jumping on Grandma 2.29.16

Joshua was having fun with Grandma!

Sequence Chips 2.29.16

Joshua was having fun putting the Sequence game chips into his pick-up truck.  So focused!

Joel's First Bath 2.29.16

It took over 2 weeks of being home for Joel to have his first bath at home.  Oh how things change when you have your 3rd baby!  It was the longest time before having a bath after coming home compared to Jeralyn and Joshua.  Oops!  He really likes his bath!

Joel @ 2 Weeks 2.27.16

What a sweet little baby!  Here's Joel at 2 weeks old:

Craft Time 2.25.16

It was one of those days where I needed to find something to keep Jeralyn busy.  We ended up taking a 3 week break from "learning time", so it was good for her to have something like this to do.  She had fun!

Beach Day 2.21.2016

There is a look of determination on Joshua's face.  His thoughts must run something like this...  "This is the third time I've had to throw this rock in the ocean, when does the tide quit going out?"  

It doesn't seem like we have a lot of calm days that still have a swell.  But this was one of them.  

Playing cars 2.22.16

So thankful that Joshua has learned how to play all by himself at times because it needs to happen at times now with 3 kiddos.  Someone has to wait at times...and it just depends on the situation.  I love finding him in his room, playing with his cars or trains.  He will often line up his cars on the floor or on his bed, lay down and roll them around.  It's so sweet!  Love this little guy!  Although, he doesn't seem to little anymore.

Eyes open 2.21.16

 It's always so exciting when we can see a newborn's eyes!

Baby Love 2.19.16

My (Christina's) mom came to visit and meet baby Joel.  Here she was feeding Joel a bottle... 

Jeralyn wasn't impressed because she wanted to feed Joel.  Cough.  That expression!!  Ha!

Compromising...

And she finishes it off!  Happy girl and happy baby!

Aunt Natasha 2.18.16

This girl...she's amazing!  She was like my personal chef.  She cleaned, she cooked, she baked, she changed diapers...  I'm SO thankful for her help and her friendship!