Meeting Baby Bram

 My brother and his wife welcomed a baby boy a few weeks ago.  My mom, Liam, and I made a trip up north to welcome the little fella into our family.  Oh my goodness.  He is so cute!  Liam was smitten with his birthday buddy!

 Grammie and her newest grandson.  Four grandsons in 4.5 years -- not to shabby!

 Liam enjoyed tickling Baby Bram's tiny little feet and flopping his legs ;-)

 Sweet baby cheeks and fuzzy baby hair. 

 Liam and Bram had quite a few adventures--the biggest one was their trip to the zoo!

 I brought the Polariod and film for Mr. Liam to take his own photos.  He had so much fun taking pictures -- so cute to see him tote that camera around.

 Liam:  "Momma, can I take a picture of you?  Now, say 'cheese'!"

 I think Liam, Grammie, and I all enjoyed watching these hippos.  Seeing them stand under the water and lift their head up for a yawn, drink, or sip of air, was pretty facinating.

 Wow!  Rhino!

 Baby Bram with his eyes open.

 Baby Bram the Butterfly.

 Mr. Liam, the Butterfly.

 Uncle Ben and the middle muskateer.

 Liam toting his camera down the the river where we were going on a boat ride.  And, his cheeta who we named "Toledo".  Toledo goes everywhere with Liam.  Poor Cooper the Bear must be feeling sad now.

 Liam snapping a picture of the mules that would be pulling our boat down the river.

 Baby Bram checking out his Grammie.

 Baby Bram snuggled in his daddy's arms.

What a sweet little guy!  I would have loved to bring him back home with us and cannot wait to see him again!!!

4th of July Parade

 Our new neighborhood held a 4th of July parade and party in the park this morning.  Neighbors were encouraged to decorate golf carts, lawn mowers, bikes, etc.  At about 4:00 on July 3rd, Erin and I decided that it would be fun to decorate a float.  So, she and Jeff brought over the 4-wheeler and trailer this morning at 9:00 and we whipped out a decorated float using things we had left over from the boy's birthday parties.  I think it turned out fabulous!

Oh my gosh.  This baby girl is just too cute for words!

 The "float" in front of us was my favorite.  Isn't that tractor amazing?? 

 We had candy that we threw out to the few spectators that showed -- most everyone that participated was IN the parade.  LOL

 The best candy throwing moment probably went to Owen and his throw that landed right in the lap of a gentlement sitting in his golf cart.  Candy sailed through the air, past the passenger in the cart, and landed right in between the legs of that guy.  It was hilarious.  Owen was embarrased; but, it was pretty darn funny.

 At the park, there were hot dogs, watermelon, cookies, and ... a fire truck that turned the place into a splash park! 

 Erin talked Liam into running through the water.  None of the other boys would go. 

What a fun way to start off the 4th of July!  I think this needs to be a "families tradition"!

Hope you had a fun and safe 4th, too!

Liam is Three!

The middle man celebrated his third birthday last week.   He has been anticipating his birthday for quite some time now.  They celebrated the summer birthdays on the last day of preschool and he has been pretty ready for the real-deal ever since. 

We took Liam to Chuck E Cheese for lunch on the 29th (his real birthday) and then celebrated with a train party on Saturday.  Sweet boy is smiling from ear to ear -- so excited to have a real live train in his front yard and so excited to finally be three.

 Owen and Liam riding the first go-round.  These boys are happy with a capital H!

 We were missing quite a few friends that ended up having conflicts, getting sick, and some that didn't get the invite in the mail.  Oy.  But, it was still quite a fun morning!  Ms. Tracy's (Owen's preschool teacher) 9 year old daughter and her best friend opened a party business.  I was the first to hire them.  They had games and crafts for the kids that weren't on the train.  These girls rocked.  They were so professional and had great ideas.

 Sweet Gavers.  He wasn't sure about the train at first.  And then he warmed up to it.  A lot.  Oh, and I realized about half way through the party that only one of my kids was wearing shoes.  Hilarious.  That's how we roll now that we live out in the country.  LOL

 The party scene.

 These five kiddos (Brooke, Liam, Owen, Noble, and Austin) rarely left the train.  Others hopped on and off.  They stayed on riding. 

 This is one happy guest of honor!

 Cake time!

 Liam's view during the happy birthday song.  To say that our friends can't carry a tune would be an understatement.  Hilarious.  No wonder Liam couldn't watch.  LOL

 Liam doing the train craft with Ashlyn and Nika.  He was auditing Ashlyn's play-doh rendition of Thomas the Tank Engine. 

 Sweet little birthday boy.

 The present opening destruction.

Happy 3rd birthday, Liam.  You are the funniest of the Quinlan boys.  You always have a laugh, even when we are trying to be serious.  You are still very dramatic...once you get mad or sad, it's hard to get you happy again.  But, when you are happy you are oh so happy.  We love you to the moon and back, baby boy.