Birthday Trip to Minnesota

We flew to Minnesota on October 11 so that we could spend Lucas' 2nd birthday with his birth family. We had such a great trip. It was so fun to see everyone. Lucas had a blast being the center of attention everywhere he went. He got very spoiled! We got to do lots of fun things and eat at a lot of places that we don't have. We were also able to go to my 8-year-old nephew's baptism. It was a great weekend! Saturday, October 13, was his birthday and we had a fun day. Here are some pictures from our trip.

 

Julie and Lucas

We stayed at our good friend's house and their 6 year old daughter put up decorations for Lucas' birthday.



He was a pretty excited 2 year old, the sugar in the root beer definitely helped

Lucas gets so excited and scared to see dogs

Julie's mom brought toys for Lucas to play with. It was a great idea and Lucas loved all the toys!

Buzz and Woody cake, very perfect

Lucas and Scottie

Trevor, Lucas, and Scottie

Lucas was really excited about this truck, but all Ryan and I could think about was how we were going to get it home!

He didn't want to wear the crown at Chuck E Cheese, but once we got in the car he put it on

I fit the tonka truck in my suitcase!

We had so much fun! We love you all so much!

A Very Hungry Caterpillar Birthday

We are leaving to go to Minnesota on Thursday to celebrate his 2nd birthday with his birth family. We are so excited to see everyone! We decided to do a little birthday get together for our family before we left. It was not nearly as elaborate as last year. It was quick and easy. I saw a friend's blog and she did a hungry caterpillar party for her son. Lucas really likes that book so I decided to make it a party.

 

Cute, easy cupcake "cake"

I used my Olympic rings cookie cutter and made these cute caterpillars

"On Monday the caterpillar ate through one apple, but he was still hungry..."

 

He was really excited about blowing out the candles and practiced before the real thing. When he blew them out he raised his arms and said "YEA!!!"

 

 

We let Lucas "open" his present early and he loves it! WHEEEEEE!!!

 

 

 

Oh no

Lucas was playing in his crib the other night for a long time and Ryan finally went in and said, "Lucas, can you go to sleep now?" Lucas said, "Yes" and he did! Yeah for this cute boy!

Most mornings Lucas wakes up and plays in his crib for awhile and then I go get him when he says, "Mama, Daddyyyyyyy!" Today I was just about to go get him and all of the sudden his door starts opening...oh no! He learned how to climb out of his crib! I told him to show me how he did it and he showed me. I wanted to make sure that he didn't just fall out or jump out. He was actually pretty safe. My life has been changed as I now know it. I put him down for his nap and he immediately got out. Are you kidding me?! But then I put him back in and told him sternly that it was naptime and he shouldn't get out. He slept for a few hours, but then when he woke up he immediately got out of his crib. Tonight we put him to bed and we watched him on the monitor trying to get out and then change his mind and go back in and then change his mind again and try to get out. We told him to get back in his crib and he immediately laid back down. I hope that this is just a new trick and is just testing it, but it won't turn into a habit. My sisters have told me that they have crib tents so kids will stay in. I may need to invest in one. He is getting to be such a big, independent boy. I can't believe he is almost 2!

Fall-fest

 

This week we went with Ryan's brother, sister, and their families to an apple orchard and pumpkin patch. We went on a tour of the apple orchard, learned about how they make apple cider, and played in some sweet peas. We also went through a corn maze and jumped on a huge air pillow. We had a blast! Lucas loved being with his cousins and feeling like a big kid.  

 

Tate helping Lucas try to pick an apple

Playing in the sweet peas. He saw his cousins trying to make "pea angels"

Trying to find a pumpkin to pick

Getting chased by his cousin, Oliver

Lucas wanted to drive every tractor that he saw

Lucas wasn't too sure about this air pillow at first, but then loved it!

WEEEEE!!!!

 

Dinner and an ice cream cone after the fun day

Ducky

While I brush Lucas' teeth, Ryan usually goes into Lucas' room and hides Ducky. He loves to go in his room and find what Ducky is doing. This was the other night and Lucas thought it was really funny that Ducky was wearing his tie:

 

Then he tried to put him back up

Lucas is really into hiding. He says "hide it" when he hears the garage door open and knows that Ryan is coming in. He usually hides under a blanket on the couch and thinks it is hilarious. He is a pretty good hider until he starts giggling. He also likes to hide in our bed. What a silly boy!

Eating with mama

We were eating lunch before church last week and Lucas climbed up into my lap so he could eat some of my salad. He wanted to hold the fork and feed me and then him. He is a good eater and likes salad. He loves celery and broccoli too.

Buzz

We spotted this Buzz at a local store and Lucas was so happy to push the huge Buzz's buttons. He loves Buzz.

My parents are leaving on an 18 month mission in just a couple of days. They came and stayed with us last week and brought an early birthday present for Lucas. It was wrapped and Lucas was just sitting on it and standing on it and didn't really know it was a present. Then all of the sudden he stood on it just right and Buzz started talking. He got so excited. "Buzz! Buzz!" We helped him open it and we couldn't open it fast enough for Lucas. Here is a video Ryan took on his phone:

He was so happy. He loves pushing all the buttons and making Buzz's wings go up and light up. It is a great present for a 2 year old!