An Apple a Day...

After several weeks of planning to squeeze in a beach day before summer ended, we finally resigned to moving that item to next year's summer bucket list! Church responsibilities kept us from getting to the sand so we decided to move on to a fall activity instead when Daddy was able to take his regular Monday off from the office. 

We always go apple picking with our church at an orchard in early October, but we thought it wouldn't hurt to go twice this season so we headed to Alstede Farms for a morning of Fall fun!

While we waited for the tractor to take us to the apple trees, Liam loved looking at the cows.

The tractor was taking a bit longer than normal to arrive so we decided to walk out to the trees. Our tractor loving boy wasn't very happy with that decision, but once he got to pick some apples he cheered up a little. It was a challenge keeping him from eating them as we picked. 

Londyn Grace loved helping Daddy choose apples for our basket. 

And posing for Mama every now and then! Well, I'm not sure she loved the picture part, but she's always a good sport for my camera!

Daddy even snapped this picture of the two of us!

Honeycrisp are Daddy's favorite apple so we that's the majority of what we came home with.

Londyn Grace and Liam had fun playing tag among the trees.

It didn't take long to gather 10 pounds of apples!

And then it was time for the highlight of our Bubby's day! A ride (or multiple rides!) on the tractor!

That little smile just melts me!

Daddy and Sissy got off to pick a few raspberries, but Mama stayed on so Bubby could enjoy it a bit longer.

The raspberries were sparse since it's the end of the season for that crop, but we were able to bring a few home.

After our bounty was paid for, we visited a few more animals!

And then we played on the hay bale tower for a bit!

We planned to make an apple pie, but a certain little boy snacked on apples all week leaving an empty basket and none left for a pie! 

We're looking forward to going to orchard next weekend and definitely have a pie on the to-do list with those apples!

It was a great start to my favorite season! 

Choo Choo! Liam is TWO! ~ His party

The Saturday after our baby boy turned two, we celebrated with our family and friends. A few months ago, I bought him a pair of train pajamas and that sparked a serious love of locomotives so we decided on a train themed party!

Our plan was to have the party in our backyard since we have a new swing set and recently purchased patio furniture, but because temperatures in the high 90s coupled with serious humidity made it almost unbearable, we decided to have it inside instead. Our guest list was quite large since we had invited everyone thinking we would have outdoor space which mean we were a little cozy to say the least, but having every one here to celebrate Liam was such a blessing.

He was so excited about his party. If you asked him the theme, he would say "Choo Choo!" and that he was turning "two!" and having "cake!"

I had intended to set this up in the backyard, but we made do and had it on the porch to greet our guests as they arrived.

I never got to take a picture of the food table, but we dined on pulled pork sandwiches, sloppy joes, chips and dip, veggies and fruit, cheese and crackers, and my Mom Mom's famous "coale" (spelled that why because that's her last name!) slaw. 

It's not an easy task being both the photographer and the hostess! I feel like I missed so many important pictures.

I was happy with how the cake table and backdrop turned out though! The vintage maps added interest and the same clock we used in our engagement photos was a great addition to the faux mantle. 

I made the TWO banner from the pages of an adorable book I happened upon for three dollars! I made a longer version, too, and hung it between the living room and dining room, but I didn't photograph it! 

The names of the trains were an ode to our boy and to the town and state we live in! 

The cake ended up being smaller and not as detailed as I had planned due to time management issues, but it was yummy and Liam loved it so that's all that matters! 

For favors, we gave bags of coal which were really yummy rice krispy treats that looked like coal but tasted much better! :) Each child that attended also got a train whistle! 

Since it was so cheap, I purchased another copy of the C is for Caboose book I used for the banners and had our guests sign it as a keepsake for the birthday boy!

I displayed his train pictures on an old pallet and added a vintage suitcase and lantern to complete the look!

He was so happy to be sung to and loved blowing out his candles with a little help, or maybe a lot of help from Sissy.

Oh, I just love this sequence of pictures! My babies are so precious to me! And to be blessed with another year with them is just that, an incredible blessing.

These next pictures are blurry because he was so thrilled when he blew them out! 

Londyn Grace was, too! 

After cake, it was time for presents.

Of course, Sissy needed to help with that as well. I pray they are always by each other's sides for the big and small moments of life. Their bond is such a gift! 

He was spoiled with lots of trains, trucks and other neat toys. Pop Pop and Mimi got him the ride on Thomas train! 

And Grandpap and Grammy gifted him this cool Amish crafted racetrack. 

We never got a family picture taken, but I'm glad we have this picture of Mama and her baby boy on his party day! 

It was a great day reminiscing on the last two years with our Bubby boy!

Parties are so much fun and give us an excuse to have our family make the 3 hour drive to spend the day in Jersey and also to fellowship with our church family!

Thank you, Lord, for the gift of our Liam! 

Liam is TWO years old!

Oh, sweet boy! You turned two on August 9th! Time seemed to go so much faster the second time around! I can't believe how big you are getting.

Over the last six months, since your 18 month update, you have grown like a weed. The pediatrician was shocked to find you had gained over 5 pounds and grew 4.5 inches taller in just six months! You are still on the small side based on the percentile chart, but that amount of growth is huge! You now weigh 25 pounds and measure 35 inches tall. You just moved into a size 7 shoe which is the size Sissy was wearing last summer! You're a whole year ahead of where she was in shoe size! You're wearing mostly 2T clothes. Shortalls and bubbles will keep you looking little and sweet a little longer so that's what your wardrobe consists of for the most part!

Your appetite has definitely increased hence the crazy growth! You aren't picky at all, and are my fruit lover for sure! You'd choose grapes or blueberries for a snack over most anything else! You take after Daddy in that department! You usually ask for seconds of whatever is being served at most mealtimes. You also love cheese, and will take my hand and ask to walk to the kitchen several times a day so I will get you a piece from the fridge!

Nursing has been a part of our life for 25 months now! {Four years straight for me since Londyn Grace didn't wean before you was born} I only allow you to nurse or have "BB" as you calls it at naptime and bedtime, but you do still ask for it at other times during the day. I need to let Daddy start doing bedtime, but I just can't give up such a sweet time with my baby boy, yet!

We just started potty training. You like to sit on the potty, but haven't gotten the going in it part down yet! :) We will keep working. Once that's accomplish, I will work on the weaning! You look so cute in your big boy underwear! And yes, I know you won't like that I felt that way in a few years! :)

You are just the sweetest thing. I had forgotten how much fun the age of two is! You give the best hugs and kisses! I'm so excited to see you in your big brother role! You love your little cousins and the babies in the church nursery so I know you are going to adore your baby brother or sister! Londyn Grace is still your favorite! The bond you two share is just precious, and I pray you never lose it! She is responsible for the smiles in these pictures!

Trains, tractors and trucks are on your list of favorites! You will sit on Pop Pop's lawn mower for hours on end. You are still obsessed with balls! You love watching Paw Patrol on tv and sing the theme song in cutest voice ever! You can name all of the puppies and are constantly asking to watch it, usually adding "Please, Mommy!" so I'll be sure to turn it on for you!

Your vocabulary has just exploded over the last few weeks. I couldn't even count the number of words you say now! I love hearing you talk and seeing more of who you are as you express yourself better. If we ask you what your name is, your reply is "Bubba!" which we do call you more often than not! You also respond to Bubby and Brother. We really should start using your actual name! Your little Jersey accent is the absolute best! The way you say "car" and "c'mon!" is so cute! You are super polite and are always saying, "Thank you, Mommy!" and "Please, Mommy!" and "Excuse Me!" I love it!

You can identify colors, like to count to ten with Sissy, and watch her play ABCmouse.com which I know is helping you learn.

You are finally sleeping through the night and take a good 2 hour nap each afternoon. You are my early riser, usually awake around 7 AM. Some days you can't make it until after lunch and end up napping first and eating a late lunch when you wake up around 2:00!

Every time I write one of these posts, I alway feel like I'm missing so much. There's so much I want to remember about you at two years old! 

We had a train themed party this year, so we took your birthday portraits at the local railroad museum! I thought you'd be blown away by the trains, but you ended up being more interested in the rocks! :)

We are so thankful for you! 

Watching you grow and experience what it's like to have a son has just been the best! 

I know that these are my last few months with you as the baby of the family, but to me, you will always be my sweet baby boy! 

The Lord gave us such a gift when He blessed us with you! 

Happy TWO, Bubby!