And we now have a 3 year old!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We celebrated Grant's birthday a few days early so we could have his birthday party at the fire station over the weekend!  He woke up Saturday morning to this in the living room, WOW was he excited to start his weekend! 

Grandpa and Grandma O came for a week to help us celebrate our little boy's special day!  Thanks so much to Grandpa & Grandma for making the trip!

This was party prep stages...melting crayons to make fire engine crayons for fun party favors!

Here we are at the fire station getting the tour, Grant was in heaven...and being led around by his cousin Olivia and friend Grace, he didn't seem to mind all of the attention ;)

Here he is inside of the fire engine

Here we are at the park right next to the fire station for cupcakes & present opening.  Our prayers were answered, the firemen were at the fire station and NOT at a fire when we got there and the rain stopped just long enough for us to play and have fun at the park!

There was a friendly goat next to the park and the kids enjoyed feeding it pretzels through the fence, ha!

The cousins, minus Parker

This was the sight when we got home.  Poor Grant had run out of steam, he decided to just lay down on the kitchen floor with his fire engine crayon and color there, too funny!

God's work

We had the pleasure of working alongside our care group family, a couple of weekends ago, to serve our community.  We did God's work (Grant liked to say that!) at a single mom's farm which consisted primarily of yard work, weeding, planting, moss removal, etc. 

My little farmer ;)

Grant working with his buddy Lucas...lots of weed killing by those two :)

Parker Bear had to sit on the sidelines for most of the afternoon but he stole the hearts of many with his little grins and giggles!

Grant made friends with a hen that wouldn't leave us alone

And then there were the sheep which he wouldn't leave alone either!

Grant and a few of his girlfriends, Abby, Grace & Juliet

Music Debut

Grant made his music debut at our bible study, CBS, their Spring Program was a few weeks ago.  He did great, little actual singing on his part, but great none-the-less!

Yes, at this point in the program (which lasted probably a total of about 5 minutes), Grant was the only one sitting on the bottom step, while everyone else was standing, ha! 

Parker much prefers to be standing these days and here the boys are playing at our ottoman, I love this sight....there is hope that they may actually entertain each other someday! 

We made our first "nice weather" trip to the zoo a few weekends ago, hopefully this will be the first of many over the course of the coming months!  Grant's two favorites, the drums in Africa and the elephants.

Grant at the zoo with his good friend Juliet.

Easter 2011

Easter is such a special time of year and it was a lot of fun having two little ones to help celebrate our risen Lord!

Another successful egg hunt this year!  Grant had a ball and couldn't wait to break into his eggs for his treats!

He got a new umbrella from Grandpa & Grandma O for Easter and spotted it before he could get his undies & clothes on.  He pranced around the whole house like this and I know will appreciate these photos soooo much when he is older :)  His face says it all!

Some great book and video time with Grandpa R!

Parker's first Easter, getting some loving from his Great-Grandma Billie

All of the cousins lining up and ready to break into Gpa & Gma R's living room for the annual egg hunt

The cousins with their loot, L to R: Olivia, Jake, Parker, Grant & Francesca

9 month old Bear

 9 month old Parker Bear

P Bear showing his new top two teeth bringing the count up to 4 total!

Parker, you are such a little bear, you weighed in at 20 lbs, 1 oz (48%)  at your 9 month check-up and were off the charts for length, 30 3/4 inches (100%++) and 98% for that sweet "little" head of yours!  Your largest achievement, of which you've definitely earned, this month is your top two teeth.  I love it when you laugh really hard and we can see all four of your teeth!

The pediatrician told us you need to be moving a bit more or by about 10 1/2 months you might need a little physical therapy....WHAT?!!  You have all of the tools and strength, we just need you to WANT to go after things.  Well, guess what, we have been praying and praying for your big little body to start moving around a little more than you already are.  Since I'm a bit behind in posting this post, this week, Wednesday to be exact, you started rolling around and going after things.  God is good little buddy, we love you!

You are comfortably wearing 18 month old clothes, hum/groan/moan a lot, love to stand up and are trying to walk, love, love, love your little finger foods (wagon wheels, puffs, crackers).  Your personality continues to shine through and we know you already have a very big and loving heart.  You make our days, and nights, such a blessing just by being you!

Love you bear~

Mommy

so much

There is so much to catch-up on so, I'll begin with these....

While in Iowa, Grandpa O getting ready to cruise around with Grant on the "tractor!"  Grant was in heaven!

Seriously, does it get any better than this, SOOOOO CUTE!!!!

Grant wore this too, Parker looks so happy to be our tax deduction!