Liam Turns Three

We celebrated Liam's birthday Sesame Street Style.

We happened to be in Conrad over his big day, so we were able to celebrate with family. 

 It was SO fun!  

Liam was Very excited to wake up to a house full of color!

Time to Party!

Thanks for the idea Mandy.

We stole it without asking :)

Thanks for helping make the decorations, Cass!

They turned out awesome!

Shannalee and Carly, Liam LOVED these Balloons!

Thanks!

This was one happy boy!

Classic Liam "Shy Face" right here.

He only likes to be in the spotlight when HE chooses.

Being forced to smile at the camera when everyone was watching was not his favorite.

Pin the nose on Elmo.

Giving hugs after opening his gifts.

Reading his new Bible!

What a fun day.  

Liam,

we are so proud of the boy you are growing into.

You have such a kind and giving heart.

You are silly, and know how to dance.

We are so blessed to get to be your parents.

Love you!

Mommy and Daddy

I Hope Jesus Paints My Heart Blue

We are still here, and doing very well.  

I've been wanting to update you all on the kids, but we have been so incredibly busy, that I have failed to make time for our little spot in cyber space.  

That said, I have to tell you one of my favorite things about Liam being three.  

I am amazed at how well Liam is starting to articulate his feelings and thoughts.  

It's just so much fun to have someone to talk to during our days at home.  

I think back to when Liam was Ruby's age...

We had just moved back to Montana, and though I loved my new adventure as a stay-home-mama, I remember feeling VERY lonely.  

Clint was gone all day, 

we knew no one,

 and although I had a tiny human to talk to, 

he did not talk back.  

My, my how times have changed.  

Liam has so much to say now...so many thoughts to get out, 

and I LOVE it!  

We Had the sweetest conversation over lunch today.  

I won't be able to recite it word-for-word, but this is pretty much how it went.  

SCENE: I was feeding Ruby while Liam ate his PB&J (his favorite).

L:  Mommy, when Jesus is mad he's gonna broke the grass, and the trains, and my heart.

M:  *awkward pause* What do you mean, Liam?

L:  I don't know...Jesus cleans our hearts, right Mommy?

M:  Yes he does.

L:  Jesus cleans our hearts because they are dirty.

M:  They are.  They can get very dirty.  Do you know why they are dirty, Liam?  They get dirty when we sin.  Do you know what sin is?

L:  No.

M:  Sin happens when we disobey Jesus.  Sometimes you disobey Mommy and Daddy, and that means you also disobey Jesus.  Sin makes our hearts dirty...Mommy and Daddy sin--

L:  *interruption* --and then Jesus clean 'em up!

M:  Yep.  When we sin we just need to tell Jesus we are sorry, and then, He will make our hearts clean again.

L:  What color are our hearts when they are very dirty?

M:  um...I think they are black.

L:  Next time, when Jesus cleans my heart...I hope he paints it blue!

This was probably my favorite conversation with our son E.V.E.R.  

We've had some fun conversations, but this is one I never, ever want to forget.

I am SO thankful that the Lord has given me the opportunity to stay home with our children.  

Some days are difficult, but these are the days that make all of the others obsolete.  

Bedtime stories with Daddy

 L:  Next time when Jesus cleans my heart...I hope he paints it blue!

Ruby takes BIG GIRL baths now!

This is how we roll at costco.

So strange to have them both up front now :)

At 8 months, Ru still has only two bottom teeth.

It seems like she should be getting the top ones soon.

She's been having some teething pain for a few weeks now.

Who's the Keeper of this New Treasure?

The kiddos sure are getting SO BIG! 

I love keeping track of all of the little things they are enjoying about life.

Details about each of them seem to be a constant revolving door.

The older Ruby gets, the more she and Liam seem to keep one another company...

Liam loves when Ruby smiles and giggles at the silly things he does.

When it happens, he lights up with pride!

"Mommy, Ru is smiling at me!"

 They really do love one other!

This makes my heart happy.

The name Liam means "Protector,"

Ruby, "A precious stone."

So perfectly befitting! 

Liam truly is the keeper of our new treasure.

He protects her, and sticks up for her already.

I love that he is such a proud and happy big brother.

JULY

 AUGUST

SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER

Sweet Pickin's

Last weekend we went to the pumpkin patch with the kiddos.

We had such a fun time.

It was the first year Liam really got into all of the extra little things they have at Sweet Pickin's.

Liam still really loved looking at the animals... 

but we weren't stuck there standing in awe of them for 45 minutes at a time this year ;)

Ruby was there too...

...She just happened to see most of the fun from the back of her eyelids ;)

"I'm cold...Mommy didn't bring my gloves."

"Cold or not, this is fun!"

Who can build the biggest hole...ready...set...go!

"This is so fun!"

Everyday since after going to the pumpkin patch, Liam has asked to go back.

It was a HUGE success!

And since we didn't get to take any fun Fall pictures of Ru, 

we took some at home today.

Just a beautiful Fall day at home.

Kisses!

Getting these two to smile and look at me at the same time is IMPOSSIBLE!

This is as close as we got...

And here's a little smile to make you smile on this fine, Friday afternoon!

Cheers!

September 2013

September was a really fun and busy month for us...  

...trying to get back into our regular routines after summer.  

Here are a few pictures from last month.

LABOR DAY WEEKEND...

Shannalee came for the weekend.

We spent one afternoon, at the park, flying kites.

It was Liam's first time seeing a kite in action.

Who's this handsome guy I get to be married to?

Pure Joy...

Liam loves us to, "get 'em!"

 THE MANY FACES OF RU...

We get to see this big grin A LOT, and I LOVE it!

"Look what I can do."

"I'm so silly."

Love these two guys!

Mowing with Daddy.

"Okay, that's enough.

I'll just ride my bike now."

Ruby still loves her swing.

Liam LOVES to read books!...

...especially with Ru.

Liam had his first visit to the "Spa."

aka. an aromatherapy bath at home...

aka...a bath with mint leaves for toys :)

Look, Mommy!

I can roll!  I can roll!

"um...Liam...you kinda weigh a bit much..."

We picked TONS of fruit this year, 

but we were lazy and didn't weigh it.

Just take our word for it.

Picking apples with friends :)

Poor Ruby...

This is how we roll at Costco.

Liam loves to wear Mommy's shoes.

One cart for kids.

One cart for food.

That's a wrap.

October pictures coming up!