He's a Monster

Every time I say to Grant-- "Smile!"-- this is what I get:

He looks more like a little monster about to eat me than my sweet little two-year-old boy... he cracks me up!!

Although, it must be said, if he's going to be a monster-- he still sure is the cutest little monster around!!! Love that kid! (and his big brother too!!! :)

Playing at the park

We love going to the park-- especially my boys (all 3 of them :) We've been loving this beautiful fall weather, and decided to head over to the park Saturday afternoon. So much fun-- the boys never want to leave.

"Wheee!"

Drew was selling us all 'ice cream' from that little store window :)

In Memory of Emma Jean

In honor of Infant Loss and Awareness day yesterday, I thought of my sweet little niece, Emma Jean. She lived for only nearly 3 hours, and the time was precious as our whole family was around and together. Babies are a gift from a loving Father in Heaven-- they are so close, and you can just feel it when they are so new :) What an amazing blessing!!!

My sister is an amazing woman!!! I Love Her!!!

If you want to read more about sweet Emma Jean, go here http://whitneyclayson.blogspot.com/.

If you want to learn more about infant loss and awareness day, go here http://www.causes.com/causes/257846/about.

My little G man is TWO!

Happy 2nd Birthday Grant!

Two years ago today , you were this tiny little thing:

Today: not so tiny but still so sweet and cute!
Grant, you are such a joy in our lives-- we are so blessed to have you here in our family! You're love for anything cars, trains, planes makes me smile... your love to still cuddle with me makes my heart melt... your love for the piano makes me wonder... your love for your brother makes me happy... your love for books makes me marvel... WE LOVE YOU!!!

I know I say this all the time, but where does the time go? Seriously. Wow!

This is the only picture that I got of him looking at the camera-- other than this, he was way too into his new stuff to care about smiling :)

Grandma & Grandpa Burningham scored big with an all Thomas present-- he didn't want to open anything else after this :)

MMmmm... cake! He blew out his two birthday candles like a pro!

Later, playing the piano (something he loves to do quite often)... but, he couldn't be done with his new Thomas toy-- so, he's multi-tasking!

Another Trip for Trains

Saturday was so nice-- in the 80's. We had to take advantage of it, since it will probably be the last really warm day this year. We decided to drive down to the Rochelle train park again, since the boys loved it the first time. I'd say it was just as big of a hit this time around :)

The trains really are right there-- it's crazy!
The boys 'driving' the little train they've got off to the side.

When the trains are so close, their whistles are loud!!! (can you imagine living in one of those homes on the other side of the track?-- they average 20 trains coming through there a day!)

Waving to the conductor

"He's a Rockstar"

I have never heard that phrase as much as I did last night... and everyone was referring to my very own 'rockstar'--- ANDY!!!
That's right! Last night Andy was named one of "40 Leaders under 40" in the Rockford Area. For the last two years the Chamber has honored young professionals in a five county area. People are nominated because they're individuals who make a difference in the community, work hard in their careers, and who are viewed as the Top 40 Leaders under 40 years of age and leaders of tomorrow. It's an honor and an impressive award to win in our area.

It's official! I'm so proud of him-- no one deserves it more-- he is always working so hard in so many different organizations. This is his week-- on Wed night he won 1st place in a humorous speech competition for Toastmasters-- now he moves on to the next big round. Way to go babe!!!

Andy and his good friend Rodney, who was one of the people who nominated him for the 40 under 40 award :)