2 1/2 Years Old

I haven't done an update in awhile - mostly because when Evan turned 2 I decided I didn't want to count in months anymore. Evan was born 2 1/2 years ago today. What an amazing 2 1/2 years it's been!

Evan's birth

1st Birthday

2 1/2 and what a ham he is!

Evan has grown and changed so much in the last few months. He talks all the time - literally. He speaks in full sentences and even a few paragraphs. He is very curious and his favorite question is "What is..." For example, here is how the conversation went last night on the way back to Dallas.

Mom: The sign says Dallas is 38 miles away

Evan: What is 38 miles away

Mom: Miles are a way that we measure distance

Evan: What is measure distance

Mom: ummmm (in my head - d=rt (is that even right?) how do I explain distance to a 2 1/2 year old???)

I continued to try to help him understand and each comment was met with "what is..." So then I just distracted him with city lights. :-)

These conversations are repeated many times a day, every day.

Evan is a true ham and loves to be silly and "perform" - but never on command. He saw himself on a security camera TV at Walmart and proceeded to sing and jump and spin and wave for 10 mintues. Repeatedly telling me that he was on TV. He continues to be the boy of many faces and can always make us laugh.

He loves to sing and dance. His two favorite songs are "Here I am to Worship" and "Happy Birthday" as well as many songs he and his Daddy make up on a regular basis - those are hilarious. He likes to go play the piano and sing at the same time and will drum on anything. He continues to love books and learning.

Evan loves going to school and is starting to make friends. On the way home he tells me all about what they did that day and who he played with. Potty training is going great. He hasn't had an accident in weeks and is becoming more and more independent.

We think Evan may live outside if we let him as he could be out there for hours every day - and many days we are.

The last 2 1/2 years have been such a blessing and a joy for us. There are so many other things and little sayings that make us laugh or are so endearing but I can't list them all. We are excited for what the future holds for us in raising this wonderful boy.

Thanksgiving in Mason, TX

This year we spent Thanksgiving in Mason, TX with Amy's family. We had a great time just relaxing far from a city and enjoying family and my mom's continued great health. What a difference a year makes.

A view of the back porch of Amy's parent's house

Evan and Dad taking a break from one of their many adventures

On an adventure to collect things in the wagon

With cousin Samantha

Hangin' with Mom

Driving the Ranger with Grandaddy, Brayden and Wendi

"Catching Stars"

Aunt Bobbie helping with sparklers

The Sparkler King

Playing in the Treehouse with Dad

Here are some pictures of Evan visiting the cows, looking at the fish, swinging and helping Grandaddy clean the truck.

From Drop Box

A Thanksgiving Trip Treat

On our way to visit family for Thanksgiving we had the wonderful treat of having dinner with some great friends who live in Milwaukee as they were in Austin visiting their family. The only unfortunate thing is that with the traffic we were 1.5 hrs late meeting up with them.

Evan ready for the trip

The reunion. These two have been "betrothed" pretty much since birth. I love the little smile on Evan's face. There were lots of hugs and kisses as they played, it was too cute.

The three kids playing and usually running to "Dinoland."

An interruped (yet partially prompted) "proposal." Evan was climbing up to where Belle and Jackson were and it looked like he was on his knee. Someone jokingly asked Evan if he was going to ask Belle to "marry me." He actually looked up and did. When asked what she would say, she actually said "yes." It was a funny moment.

More than anything, we hope to partner again with these friends ministry someday as we continue to partner in life. What a blessing they continue to be to our family - even far away.

Halloween 2008

Happy Halloween! This year we decided Evan was old enough to choose his own costume. I took him to the store and we looked at what they had and as you can see, Evan chose the UPS Man. The UPS man comes to our street every day and usually we are outside. He is so nice to Evan and Evan gets excited to see him. As soon as we got home with the costume Evan told me he needed a box - too cute!

Before we left for our church's Fall Fun Fest

In the first bounce house. Evan loves bounce houses and would have stayed here all night - but there was so much more to do and see.

On the Big Slide with Dad

With his box after the second bounce house

Inside the church there are all sorts of games and activities set up. We went by the Crazy Maze to see what it was and Evan just took off. I wasn't sure how he would do as it's all dark except for some glow sticks hanging up along the way. Here he is coming out the first time so excited. He went through 2 more times.

Dancing with Ms. Linda and the band. "Brown" as the band called him was a hit as a dancer. This boy loves music!

Going down the big slide - again another thing we did over and over again

Sno Cones!

The post "sno cone and it's 8:45pm" sugar high!

Grandma and Grandpa's Visit Cont'd

Here are a few more pictures from when Evan's Grandma and Grandpa were visiting from Iowa

Ready to brave the Fair for the next 4 hours??

Evan is facinated with "Dirt Trucks." It was all we could do to contain him in this John Deere section with all the trucks - large and small. He kept escaping around the back of the counter - thankfully the man working was really nice about it.

My favorite Fair picture! What a handsome pair!

Watching Thomas the Train with Grandpa


Silly faces with Grandma

Fun with Fruit at Central Market

The Tricycle

Evan has recently learned how to ride his tricycle and he loves it. We take rides up and down the block multiple times a day as he goes "really fast" on his tricycle. He's gotten the hang of the steering for the most part but we may need to invest in some elbow pads and a helmet. (no head injuries yet but a few scraped up elbows).

Texas State Fair

Tuesday we went to the State Fair as a family. We went last year but Evan was much more into it this year and it was hard to get him to leave. We will be going back on Sunday with Jeff's parents for more fun.

Listening to Big Tex talk and eating a Fletcher's Corny Dog

Evan had been asking for the carousel every day for a week before we went - so it was our first stop, he was so excited.

Riding a whale ride which was really not very fun but they had bubbles so that seemed to be the attraction

Tea Cups with Dad

Looking down from the Skyway

A family self portrait on the Skyway

A view of Downtown Dallas

Evan loves all kinds of tractors and dirt trucks, so he spent quite a bit of time in this area walking around looking at all the trucks and tractors.