Happy 2nd Birthday, Brody!!

I still can't believe my little man is two!!  He's my sweet car lovin' man, anything with wheels and you've got him hooked!  That's how our CARS birthday party idea was born (with a little help from pinterest). :)  

We began his actual birthday eating some yummy breakfast at Nana and Papa's and ended it with some melt in your mouth brownie cookies at Granny's house.  He was more into opening presents this year, however everything he opened he wanted to play with it right that second.  Needless to say, opening presents took a little while.  Good thing Brody had Brookie and Hads to help him. :)  We were very fortunate this year to celebrate his birth with all of Brody's cousins, aunts and uncles, and grandparents.  The things you appreciate once you move closer to home.  Watching him interact and laugh with all his family, doesn't get any better than that.

Papa Don helping Brody open up his John Deere tractors.  He LOVES tractors just like his Papa.

Sissy trying out brother's new truck.

Where are all the candles when you need them?!?!?!?

The following week, we had his birthday party with family and friends.  We celebrated it drive-in movie style.  Before the party, Daddy and Papa painted the boxes and made them into cars.  Thank goodness kids have wonderful imaginations!   As everyone arrived at the party, they were able to choose and decorate their car.  Brayden then announced the rules of proper etiquette while watching a movie.  I think his favorite part was telling everyone to silence their phones.  I don't know what was more entertaining, Bray laughing while giving his speech or how all the kiddos were being so attentive. ;)  It was cute nonetheless.  We then ate movie type food while watching the movie CARS.  Brody LOVED every minute of it.  It was definitely his kind of party.  Thanks to our family and friends for helping us celebrate our little guy's special day.  We love you, car lovin' boy!!

We let Brody open one of his gifts early to bypass the waiting time for his guests to arrive.  He was a little anxious to  get the party started! :)

Hads decorating her car.

Addy putting Aunt Becky to work.

Kami and her new ride.

He's in the zone!

Liv and Fiona 

Brody, Brody, why did mama get you a white shirt for your bday?!?!?

The party ended with Bray having the nifty idea of making his car move, Flintstone style.  

Clean up was easy since every kid wanted to take their car home!  Turned out to be a great party favor!

  

Fireworks & Family Fun In the Hot Sun!

It was a HOT fourth of July, up here in the cornfield state.  Nothing like, sweating buckets while eating hot moist funnel cakes and mini donuts at the good ole Sparks in the Park.  Brody and Liv had a great time considering the hot conditions.  We watched the parade with Granny and Nana, while Daddy and the boys were setting up for Brody's birthday party (post on his party later).  The parade crowd was a little scarce due to the heat, but that didn't stop Brody from running out for candy.  After awhile he resorted to picking up dirt and putting it in his bag.  I think the excitement of picking up things got to him. ;)

Sweet Liv watching the parade with her new bow that Granny made.

Out of all the carnival rides at the park, Brody LOVED the giant slide most of all.  Uncle Brent and Daddy had to take turns going down the slide with him.  It was too funny!  He had a big grin every time he came down and would hop right off wanting to do it again and again and again.

Yum! Liv's first lemon shake up

We watched fireworks at the end with Granny, Papa, Aunt Becky, Aunt Krista, and her crew.  This was the first year for Brody and Liv to see the fireworks.  In years past, they were a little too late for our fam.  The kiddos both did great all the way up until the 5 minute car ride home.  I'm sure any parent can relate, where everything is going good until you are all strapped into the car pulling out of the driveway and all the kids start crying and the 5 minute ride home seems like eternity.  Anyways, happy birthday America!

Daddy's buddy

Liv hanging out with Aunt Becky and Addy

Happy Father's Day!

This year for Father's Day we had a lot to celebrate.  Daddy was finally done with school and started his new firefighter job!  It was sooo good to have Daddy back at home during the week.  Oh, how we missed the firefighter working schedule during those two months!  Stuart, thank you for giving our babies the strong male role model for Brody to be and Liv to love.  Liv appreciates those late night feedings, silly sounds, funny faces, horsey rides, among many other things, where Brody can't get enough of your car playing, book reading, rough housing, bike riding, and project building self that you do so well!  We love you to the moon and back, Daddy!!

Daddies make the best pillows!

Daddy and Brody at Fun Shop

We cannot put into words the amount of gratitude we have towards Liv and Brody's Papas and Great Grandpa.  We are grateful for Papa Clark for making our Daddy into the man he is today.  Papa Don, we are truly thankful for the countless tractor rides and rocking chair rides.  Thank you Papa Joe for the many tools you have left our Daddy to let our kids be his helpers in all his projects just like you.  Two more Cub fans are now in the world due to Great Grandpa Al, Papa Clark, and Daddy.  We are beyond blessed to have grandparents and great grandparents like you!  We love you!!

Liv and Papa Clark

Papa Don and Brody

Helping Great Grandpa Al open his present

Art Fair

We visited the downtown Art Fair several months ago.  It was a family tradition for Stuart and Heather to pick out something from the kid's tent when they were little.  You send your child with some money in a white tent to purchase whatever their heart desires.  It's fun to see what they choose.  They have it blocked off so you can't see inside either.  This was Brody's first year participating in the event.  I think it may have been one of the hottest days of the year too, so we didn't do much lookin' around afterwards.  We sent Brody in the tent with Hadley and Brookie, along with a helper they provided for him.  After a bit, we peeked inside to find his helper holding his little tired hot soul in hopes of comforting him.  He was a trooper alright. He came out of the tent with a little smile on his face.  What did he choose?!  A picture of a train!  Okay, it was more like Hadley and Brooke chose what they thought Brody would like (he wasn't the most cooperative tike).  Nonetheless, it was fun seeing Brody partaking in the tradition his Daddy
once had.

Brody and his helper

One tired guy

Umm...Happy Mother's Day!

I have had an amazing time staying at home with my two little kiddos these past 6 months.  It's been an interesting/fantastic/crazy ride from sunrise to sunset playing, teaching, laughing, car crashing, napping, painting, swimming, singing and dancing with these little guys. I've always heard people say that you love all your children just the same and that your heart grows with each one you have.  I didn't really understand that until God blessed us with Brods and Liv.  I love and admire all the different attributes they both possess, sometimes ones not as much as others at times. :)  They are already stepping into their roles as siblings go.  Brody is Liv's protector.  He can tackle, push, sit, and wrestle with her, but if anyone else makes her upset he's right there to push them away.  He is also Livi's hero (after Daddy of course).  She is constantly watching him.  Alright, I guess it could be for self defense, but I'd like to think it's for other reasons.  He is always making her laugh and smile with his silly antics.  She likes to play with whatever he has, especially his Puppy and cars.  In the same token, he likes to share with his sissy, but if it's with anyone else it's a different story.  All in all, I hope they stay good pals forever.

Sissy is tonka tough!

Love her face!

  

Where would our kiddos be if it weren't for their amazing grandparents!?!?  We cannot express enough gratitude to Brody and Livi's Nana and Granny for the amazing relationships they have with our children.  They have helped mold our sweet and loving babies' hearts into the kind-hearted young people they are today.  It's fascinating to watch at such a young age their personalities develop and bonds are formed with each grandparent in unique ways.  We love you, Granny and Nana!!!

Nana and Liv

Granny with her all her grandbabies, minus Stuart

Looks Like We've Made It!

Stuart graduated from the Fire Academy in June.  He spent two months up north in a hotel while completing the course, allowing him to come home only on weekends.  It was definitely an adjustment for our family.  Yet, we finally made it!!  We drove up for his graduation ceremony with Granny and Papa.  We met Nana, Papa, Aunt Heather, the girls, Uncle Bruce, and Aunt Mary up there as well.  They had a nice dinner before the presentation began.  We are so proud of you, Daddy!

Liv and Daddy
(more photos to come)

Making Memories in Starved Rock

We took a mini vacation with the Blade side to Starved Rock in June.  The hotel had an indoor water park with an indoor amusement park across the street.  It definitely came in handy on those brutal hot days.  Papa and Nana's DVD player was right up Brody's alley in helping make those long hours in the car fly by.  It didn't take much time before Liv was out like a light.  The drive was actually smooth with two kiddos under two.  Obviously, we had the occasional hiccup here and there with Liv needing to eat and Brody wanting a different movie.  But, all in all, it was a nice start to the vacation.

This was Brody's first time riding on carnival type rides.  He was only tall enough for one, but he didn't seem to mind.  He had the time of his life with his cousins while it spun around.  He was clapping while he rode the ride because we kept on yelling, "Yay Brody."  He loved every minute of it.  It was too cute!

We spent an afternoon hiking on one of the trails.  It was quite a sight hiking a trail with five kids under five with a stroller, a diaper bag, and the whole caboodle.  Boy, were we brave (or stupid, its still up to debate).  Despite the conditions, we were able to take some beautiful pictures and explore a cave and a waterfall (well it would be a waterfall if it would rain one of these days).

We finally made it!

Stu, Brody, and Hads checking out the cave

During all the different things we did throughout the trip, it was nice just to relax and hangout in our room before bedtime.  Brody and Sissy love wrestling with their Daddy.  However, the boys might get a little too rough for mommy's liking.  Boys will be boys no matter how old they get.

Hold on Liv!