Justin is Three!

August 31st, 2006, was the last day that I even pretended to have it all together. I think that one of the many reasons the Lord blesses us with children is to make us laugh at ourselves. All the "I never will do that" phrases that would escape my lips before having one of my own. I truly don't think I even had a glimpse of what the Lord went through nailing his son to die on the cross for me until I had a son of my very own. As I told the girls at my biblestudy on Tuesday nights, I would never let my son die for their sorry sins. So in the midst of a day if celebration, I also ponder how truly amazing is my God's love for me that he gave up his ONLY son. And to think that I only have one son as well. Thank you Jesus for your sacrifice so I didn't have to sacrifice mine.

On a lighter note, my sweet little I man woke up today with a 3 awaiting him from his trying-to-be-creative mother. Thanks to Grandma & Grandpa for the new art easel - even mommy is trying it out. As you can see I was no art major, and all Justin could say was that there were lots of W's inside that 3. Sure, that's what I was going for, right?

Hard to see when there's no light (it was 6am, after all), but the sign says Justin is 3. And this little 3 year old has become potty trained in the last week and half, all on his own. After hemming and hawing over when to start the process, this little man, starting when we took a trip to Dallas, did all the work for me. So other than a pull-up during nap (we tried without it and I didn't like the end result) and a diaper at night, we are an underwear-wearing boy during the waking hours of the day. Happy Birthday to me!

We have started eating our food in any shape made from my newly organized drawer of cookie cutters. Would you like a 3 shaped pancake anyone?

I make this poor boy wear this hat for each birthday. It's funny to see how he looks each year he has worn it. Don't know how much longer he'll let me do it, although everyone in this family knows not to upset mommy when a camera is in her hand...

After a little playtime with our new buddy Xan, we were off to the mall to try out Build-a-Bear. Justin sported his new Baylor jersey that Papa Snuf gave him for his birthday.

Though not a big fan of helping put the stuffing in (too loud, Mommy), we chose a heart, a happy birthday song (help me - it is already driving me crazy), and sewed up our newest friend.

What did he choose, do you ask? Can't you tell?

Why is a black lab wearing a Nascar uniform with matching hat, black boots, and a birth certificate stating his name is Mack. Welcome Mack, you are the newest member to join the party with other friends in Justin's bed every night. Photography disclaimer - sorry for the yellow photos, but the fluorescent lights in the store were making my camera become very cranky. Just capturing the moment, right?

After gobbling down Chick-fil-A (Derek was bewildered at how much Justin ate), father and son went on the ostrich on the top level of the carousel. I think Derek finally sees the value in Memorial Mall playdates.

I am thankful for this little boy and the best three years that we have already had with him. Happy Birthday, bub!

Dad's 60th

My dad's 60th birthday was in July, and the time approaching the big day us siblings and our spouses were trying to get some ideas of what to do for the man who does for so many other people. Kaki came up with an idea to do a scrapbook of photos and letters from close family and friends. So while I was gathering emails, photos, and pestering everyone to finish their project, Kaki was putting together the final pages of the book.

My dad has over the years had a beach party with close friends and family. His 60th would be no different with a weekend of fun and relaxation. Shane, Kaki, & Aaron & I all piled in the car to surprise the old beach bums with our project that we had been working on for over a month. We were surprised when we drove up to see everyone under this house (same house we decided to stay under when I went to Galveston with friends).

Not only were they hanging out under a demolished house, with food on the foundation like a table, but they weren't playing volleyball or getting all nice and sweaty. A little background knowledge - the beach weekends that my dad would put on wee always very competitive and full of nonstop games and sports in order to determine the winner at the end of the weekend. A little glimpse as to why I am the way I am, don't you think?

I think everyone was just so happy to relax and do nothing.

The Kruegers, Wenzels, Tim Morbys, Greg Morbys, Steve Morbys, my parents, and the Eskews. Tempting to try to do a pyramid, but didn't have the guts to suggest it.

So then my brothers, Kaki, & I took my parents back to the house to open the gift. Thanks to Kaki for bringing her camera so I could take photos with it. Yes, I didn't bring my camera.

Shane & Kaki had given him this hat (saw these at Nutcracker Market last year and didn't buy one but loved them) and thought they would throw him off by giving him this extra hair hat earlier in the week. Smart move! Justin says that this hat "isn't right", meaning hair is not supposed to be coming off Papa's head like that. Smart kid - he knows who should and shouldn't have hair.

And Kaki took some photos before she wrapped the gift so we could have a record of the hard work put into the pages.

Dad with his proud book. My mom said that most people never get to know how much people felt about them until their own eulogy. So it was a treat for my dad to read all the letters, poems, see old photos, and even walk down Stephen Edward Smith lane with all the photos of him that my aunts Trudy & Karen delved up from all of Mamaw's old stash of pix.

He even got a little choked up reading it.

I had requested form Trudy to find some old photos of my dad and Mamaw, who passes away last December. I wrote a quick note as if it was from Mamaw, knowing how much she would have enjoyed being a part of this book.

Kaki & Shane did a great job of incorporating all the photos and letters. Man, some of those photos really dated all of us. Made me realize how much I hope to still be with the same groups of friends 30 years down the road that I have right now. Because that's part of the tribute to my parents and their friends - they have all stayed friend for 40 years. Love it!

Trudy & Karen had put sayings on the back of some photos, so Kaki made a game out of guessing which photo went with which saying.

Not only did all 6 of us kids and spouses write a letter, but I had fun writing one from Justin as well. Don't you wish we could all just say, "How are you? I am fine."

There were some toddler photos that looked a lot like Justin, just for those of you that are sold on the fact that my son is a walking Michaelis clone (that's not a bad thing, I just still see some Smith in there as well).

The friends, the memories...

...all because of my wonderful father.

The crew that drove in for the surprise: Shane, Kaki, Aaron, my dad, and myself. Derek stayed home with the munchkin and Elise already had a commitment that day. I was just glad that we could pull this all together so quickly!

Side note - how funny is it when the very day I decide to catch up on this post that I am wearing the exact same outfit as in the photo that is posted? Considering it's been about 6 weeks since this excursion occurred, I guess I'm okay that I am doing a repeat. For those that are aware of my compulsion to know exactly when I wear what clothing. I get that from my fashion conscious father. So a fitting end to a great post. Happy 60th, Dad!

John David's 2nd Birthday

Guess who also had a two year old party?

My son kept wanting to take the favors before the party was over. Tempting since they were a bunch of balls. Our green ball has become the ball we bowl with at home with plastic cups.

The party was the the Tuleys' church gym. Balls, pushtoys, and a moon bounce were all part of the fun (air conditioned fun, might I add).

Caden & Justin jumped themselves silly.

Lots of babies were just watching the fun. Jenny & Drew, Emily & Campbell, Jenn & Hallie, Katie & Lissie, Kim & Carter.

The birthday boy in a wagon full of balls.

Justin liked to just haul everyone else around. Here Harper is catching a lift.

Happy Birthday, John David!

David, Kaylinn, John David, Katie, & Lissie. Like all the primary action!

And to think that I didn't even have to sweat during this party. Another successful party!

Lily & Emery's 2nd Birthday

Must. find. a. better. way. to. downsize. photos. Man, these pix are so muted and lacking in color. But this is not a post on how Shannon is frustrated with too many options and not sure which one to pick. This is about two very special girls and their two year old party.

It all started at Janet's neighborhood pool. Lots of drinks for the kids.

Balloons tied to a sandpail with sand.

The favor and gift table. Only one favor per family - brilliant idea!

Love me some cookie cake!

Sweet Lily is two

Especially when there's two cookie cakes!

Emery blowing out her candles

The Hall clan. Slightly out-of-focus photo since someone was lazy and was only shooting on automatic...

Love the bright colors on the food table. And we had this yummy pasta salad that all the adults gobbled up. Love the sandpails serving food!

Justin, Brooks, & Barrett eating lunch.

The plus at this party was that Justin jumped over and over from the diving board. I think since it was so high, and from time to time a belly flop ensued, he has had no desire to jump from one again. Fun party for kids AND adults!

Junod Bash

I am trying a new way to speed up the uploading process to Blogger. One of the reasons I get behind is that each individual photo from my new camera is so large that it could take an hour to upload photos for one post. So I am taking a group of photos into Bridge (part of Photoshop's CS4), saving them as a very small, low jpeg file, and uploading them very quickly. The trade off is that my photos are not as clear, lost some of the vibrant colors, and just, well, don't look that great. There has to be an easier way to do this. Getting there with this whole photography love I've got going on.

Nick Junod was only in Houston for a very short few days. In order to maximize the friend time for the guys, we hosted a par-tay for some close couple friends, minus all the kids. Nothing like a good game of washers to get the guys outside.

The ladies decided to stay where it was cool. Paige and I were enjoying the Lupe tortillas that we were eating.

Though it was close to 100 degrees outside, the fellas had their makeshift table and pretty much stayed outside.

Though occasionally we would see a few faces near the food table. Dirk, Casey, Corey, & Kyle

Jenn, Emily, & Kristen

Memorial Bakery made a delish red velvet cake - Nick's fave.

Kyle showing off the rented margarita machine. never rented one before, and was thoroughly impressed with Texas Margarita Rental. They were cheap, delivered and picked up, and had a yummy mix that they provided. Mix a little homemade sangria and you are golden.

Kim, Paige, Wendi, & Rachel

Me, Kim, Tracy, Katie, Jenise, Wendi, & Jenn. This is the group where is all started, and slowly, one-by-one, has started to move away.

An attempt of a photo from the stairs. Why am I always on the end, and somehow sticking my backside out?

After staying up into the wee hours, everyone went home while Nick and Wendi stayed the night. The four of us went to Sunday School at First Baptist the next day to hear our great sunday school teacher.

And muchas gracias to my Uncle Steve and Aunt Kerry who not only entertained the little man for the night but also allowed Justin to spend the entire night with them! We were so fortunate to be childless and not have to worry about anyone waking him up (or vice versa). When Justin came home, he talked about Silly Steve and how Aunt Kerry never had to spank him. I then remembered telling him that she would have to spank him if he woke up in the middle of the night and started wandering around the house. He's never done this, so I'm not quite sure why I threatened this. Maybe we were getting over the night terrors and nightmares. Needless to say, Kerry, I'm just glad that he didn't give you a reason to spank him. :-) Cheers to a gracious aunt and uncle!