Liam's 1st Birthday

So, I know this blog is over a month late, but at least I'm doing it, right?

We had Liam's birthday at the pool, and it was wonderful! It was relaxed, VERY SIMPLE, and lots of fun with family and friends...my kind of party.

Liam was adorable, loved his cake and enjoyed all his little friends. He has been such a joy to have in our family, he has no idea how much he is loved.

My beautiful and wonderful family.

I love how Liam looks to big-brother Truett. He already adores him!

Maddie, Truett's one-true love (he, he) is supporting Liam in this big moment of blowing out the non-lit candle.

Yummmm! He has his mommy's genes, he loves sugar!

Shove it in!

Sweet times with Daddy.

Truett finally had the courage to jump off the diving board.

...and go off the BIG slide.

Poppa getting in some tickle time.

One of his new presents from Mekah and Poppa.

Mommy and Liam getting used to the water.

Liam's 1st Birthday Cake!

Busy, busy, busy

I can't believe summer is almost over. I still have thoughts rolling around in my head like, "when summer starts, I'll get this done...". I hate to break it to myself, but it's a little late. But it's been a good summer. I've had to let some things go, like keeping my house organized and clean. I keep reminding myself to have fun with my boys and family, I can clean later.

Here is what's been going on out here since my last post.

My niece, Beca, and my nephew, Jake came to stay with Mom and Dad for a few days. Beca is 15 and Jake is 13! I still think of them as little ankle biters who I can boss around. :) But it was fun hanging out with them while they were awake. From the left is Vickie (Beca's Mom and my dear sis-in-law), Beca, my Tate, Truett and Jake.

I call this the "shiny leg picture". At least they had all shaved that day. From left is Beca, Vickie and my momma!

The other day I was washing the dishes and I realized Liam was quiet. That either means he's eating the dog food, pulling kleenex out of the box or pulling clothes out of drawers. I went looking and found him in Truett's room like this. My jaw hit the floor! I can't believe he pulled himself up into this chair, he just learned to crawl! But it was adorable, and he was SOOOO proud of himself. What joys!

Here Liam is watching it storm outside. If I'd let him, he would have been right out in it.

This is one of our sheep. Dad and Tate had one last day to work the sheep before Dad sells them all. It's kind of sad, I love lambing season and seeing all the babies every spring. But on to new ventures!

Dad was giving the shots and cutting off tails, while Tate was the rodeo clown holding them down.

Truett trying to help Daddy get the sheep in the right area. They didn't listen.

Tate butt, sheep butt. I thought it was funny.

My handsome husband.

Playdate at the park with some pretty cute kiddos. Noah, Maddie and Truett.

Truett and his girl, Maddie. He is convinced he's going to marry her. I'm okay with it, she has good parents.

We had our life group out the other night, had a good spread and ate under the oak trees. The kiddos had a good time, and allowed us adults to even talk a little! I know I say this a lot, but I am so blessed by this group, my family.

Liam and his buddy Carson. I can't believe they're about to be one so soon!

Late, but this is his 11 month picture. I had some really cute ones with the blocks spelling out 11 months old, like I usually do. But as I was editing them, I realized that I misspelled months. Genius, I know.

July 4th Weekend

This year we were supposed to spend the 4th in Colorado at my family's cabin, but that didn't work out (I miss you mountain air). So Tate and I took the boys to Arlington to stay at my friend's house and relax a little. It was nice to get away just the four of us, not do anything too demanding and just enjoy eachother.

Truett wanted me to put this in here, it's his "silly" face. I agree.

We went to the Ft. Worth Zoo Saturday morning. When we got there it was already 95degrees, and as we were leaving at 1:00, it was 103 degrees and people were swarming in! Crazy people! But here are the two big monkeys in front of the monkey house... hehe.

Liam was a trooper. His little cheeks were as pink as apples, but he did great. He fussed at us when we left the animals he liked to look at.

And we had to get a picture on the famous zoo jeep.

Riding the carousel in the sweltering heat. Glad we're happy people.

Riding the train. Dude, I look like a mom!

Liam was fascinated with the tracks and gnawing on the railing.

In front of some more monkeys. This was at the beginning of the trip, we're all still dry.

Where we stayed was right across I20 from the Ball Park, but we couldn't see the fireworks. But they sounded great and I can imagine they were beautiful. Maybe next year.

Summer Fun in a Flash

I am about to do some sloppy blogging in an effort to catch up. You'd think all these lazy summer days would leave me time to just sit and blog...but we all know the truth. So here is a speedy catch up from my last blog.

Liam is almost 11 months old! We have loved every milestone and new tricks he is learning. He has his contagious smile on his face about 95% of the time, and even the 5% it's not there, he is still too cute! Here he is very quickly pulling out the kleenex before I could stop him. He got tired of waiting for me to give him his snack.

The other day (like a week ago or so), Truett yelled at me to come into the living room. I immediately thought Liam was stuck or hurt. He just decided to get the toy he wanted instead of waiting on me. Now he thinks he can climb on anything and gets quite cranky when he can't!

I finally caved in and gave him his first haircut. I got tired of the flyaways coming over his ears. He did really well, giggling most of the time.

Truett made this "tie" for Tate for father's day in church. Tate was the man and wore it to lunch.

We have a tent we pull out every other month or so and it is an amazing playtime distraction for Truett Well, now Liam has figured out the joys of "tent rolling" and hiding from Mommy. I love hearing both the boys giggling at eachother and playing in the tent.

Here they are after nap, about to start rolling the tent. Such boys!

Here they are enjoying a snack. It looked they are in a line-up to me.

Our life group had a 4th celebration the week before the actual holiday. Our wonderful friends Marco and Kathy opened their home to a bunch of squealing adults and their kiddos. You are THE hostess, Kathy!

Here is my best friend Jessica and her sweet little girl, Willow Naomi. Beautiful Mommy!

Here is Liam trying to rock little Jake (son of my other best friend, Stacia) out of his car seat.

I tried to get a picture with a hat on each boy, but the hats kept fighting with eachother.

Liam has some major speed, and now I see all the dirt on the floor. Don't look.

Cuddle time with Mommy and my sugar-bears.

We have loved getting to go to the pool almost every day this summer. The boys love it, and so do the adults. Truett has improved TREMENDOUSLY since last summer. He will tell you all about how he can put his head under water now.

Had to get another tub picture. If you can see, the water looks like a whirl pool. Liam has no fear about getting on his tummy and squirming, kicking, crawling and whatever else it takes to make some waves. Of course, the little air bubbes escaping from his backside makes us all laugh.

And here is is showing off his teeth. He now has 8 and is working on number 9. If you visit, watch out for your ankles. He WILL bite them.