Marek is 3

How is our baby boy 3 years old today. My oh my have these three years flown by. Today was fun and simple. We took Marek out to Burger King for his birthday lunch, which was his request. And then we had a small family party at our house with pizza and of course birthday cake. The theme of Marek's birthday was superheros, one of his favorite things at the moment. I have to say that the biggest change this year was that he really got into opening presents! He was practically ripping the paper to shreds to get to his toys, and when he saw the toys he was elated. It was really fun to watch! He got a lot of neat toys, including hulk hands from his grandma Barbra and aunt Suey, an amazing batman/superman cape and mask from his uncle Kyle, aunt Stacie, and cousin Knox, and Real Steel action figures from his Nana. His cake was made by his Grandma Barbra, and it was a really cute superhero scene that he absolutely loved!!! Thank you for giving us so much joy over the last 3 years Marek Isaiah! We LOVE you to pieces!

Checking out his birthday cake

The birthday cake

Eating pizza

Aunt Suey and Marek

Opening presents

Hulk Hands!

McKenna enjoying the Hulk Hands as well :)

His Real Steel action figures. He was so excited to get them!!!

Nana and Sissy La La

More Hulk Hands

Blowing out his candles

Eating cake with Grandma Barbra

McKenna enjoying some birthday cake too

Mommy and McKenna

The Fam

Labor Day Visitors

My cousin Amy and her adorable little baby boy, Conner, came and visited from Seattle over Labor Day. Conner was born in December, and besides a few SKYPE conversations, this was the first time we all got to see him since he was born. He was such a trooper and so ridiculously cute!!! It was fun to see McKenna interact with him since they are only 5 months apart. She would just stare at him, hand him toys, and try to touch his head (in a nice sweet way). :) I think she enjoyed not being the littlest one in the bunch for once. Unfortunately I didn't take very many pictures, but here are some - mostly of McKenna and Conner playing together. So glad I got to hold and see this cute little man, and it was so nice seeing and catching up with my cousin Amy too!!!

Sickies

Unfortunately Brandon brought back sickness from our vacation and kindly gave it to the rest of us starting with McKenna, moving on to me and then finishing out with Marek. So, basically we have been home bound since last Thursday getting over the crud. This picture sums up our weekend in a nutshell! The four of us laying around watching TV.

The Oregon Coast

We just got back Saturday from a week long Oregon Coast vacation. My brother and his wife along with their son Knox and of course my mom were all in attendance. I have to say I was dreading the idea of driving 7 plus hours in the car with two small children, but to my surprise and joy both Marek and McKenna did great! Got to love portable DVD players!!! Once there we walked the beach at Roackaway, road on the carousel and bumper cars in Seaside, visited the Oregon Coast Aquarium in Newport, perused the shops in Cannon Beach, watched the Olympics every night, and ate lots and lots of food and Tillamook ice cream. Having three little kids all under the age of three running around was hectic at times but a lot of fun. And since we only get to see Kyle, Stacie and Knox a handful of times during the year, spending a week with them is very special to us. Here are some pictures of our week on the Coast.

First day at the beach

Marek and mommy in the ice cold water

Knox just relaxing and looking adorable on a bench in Cannon Beach

Marek loved the water!!!

Nana and Marek looking at the fish at the Oregon Coast Aquarium

Kyle, Stacie and Knox touching starfish and other little sea creatures at the Aquarium

Walking the beach

Marek, daddy and McKenna walking though an exhibit at the Aquarium

Marek and Knox enjoying some delicious Tillamook ice cream at the Tillamook fair

More ice cream eating

Knox and Brandon were barying Marek in the sand...he loved every minute

McKenna loved seeing all of the animals at the Tillamook fair!!!

Nana and McKenna playing at the house

We could barely get Marek off of the tractors at the Tillamook fair. He LOVED them!!!

Knox being his adorable self on the beach

Family photo

The Sales

Nana and the grand kids

Playing in the water on our last day on the coast

McKenna is 1 Today!

It is absolutely amazing how fast this year has flown by! It does not seems possible that 12 months have passed since we brought our little McKenna Grace home. But what an amazing year it has been. Since the day she was born McKenna has been the sweetest most happy baby on the planet! I can not emphasize how easy she has been. She loves to play and laugh, and she enjoys just being around people. The past year has been such a blessing because of you McKenna and we can't wait to see how much more you change and grow in the upcoming year! We celebrated little girl by having a laid back family party. Brandon's mom made her an adorable strawberry shaped cake with a matching mini one just for her. We barbecued and enjoyed the beautiful sunshine. With that being said here is a photo montage of McKenna's big day.

Mommy and the Birthday girl!

Checking out her decorations. The tutu lasted about ten minutes before she pulled it off.

McKenna with Aunt Kammie and Uncle Bryan. Their poor son Noah was home sick. :(

Great Grandpa eating next to the Birthday girl.

Nana and McKenna posing for the camera.

Mommy, Nana and McKenna.

The four of us.

Grandma Barbra and McKenna cheering while everyone was playing lawn games.

Marek watching the adults play lawn games as well.

Nana, Great Grandma and Great Grandpa watching McKenna open her presents.

Unwrapping her first present from Uncle Klyle, Aunt Stacie and Cousin Knox. It was a Melissa and Doug shopping cart, score!

Unwrapping more presents. She was really more interested in the paper of course.

Ridding her new mini mouse cruiser! Thank you Grandma Barbra and Aunt Suey!

The cake table. We had to guard it because Marek was trying to eat the cake all evening, He loves his cake!

McKenna blowing out her candle with daddy.

The first touch of cake.

The first taste.

Big brother stepped in to help out. :)

Once we cut her a smaller piece she really went to town.