Marshall's Big Day!

Marshall's big day has come and now gone! It was an absolute blast but I'm sooo sad it's over! Don't you worry though we got plenty of pics! Like I said in the last blog I really did go to town on this party. Well we actually had two parties. One at McDonald's yesterday with some of his friends...and then one tonight with our families! My house was fully decorated and a taco dinner was ready and waiting for our guests! Marshall was so happy to see everyone and very excited that they brought presents with them. I got him a guitar for his birthday and he hardly put the thing down all day. My sister Heidi got him a tunnel to crawl through and he LOVED it! I'll try and narrate the pics below.
All and all it was a fabulous day...I love parties! I love getting ready for them, I love matching everything together, and I love having people in my home! I can't wait until his next birthday!
Enjoy the pics!
PS - I full on had to put marshall in the bathtub after his cake eating experience!

McDonald's party eating a cheeseburger happy meal!
This is my new favorte pic! I think I put his guitar in front of me while I took this picture...that's why he's coming towards me!
Uncle Tim got his this dump truck and the first thing Marshall did with it was try to climb into it!
He is very serious while opening his presents. It was so funny to watch him...he hardly smiled at all he was so focused on what he was opening.

His new swim hat from Aunt Laura!

This saw actually moves when you push the button...very cool and very boy!

Okay here comes the cake. I made him his own little cake and he couldn't wait to get his hands on it! Here goes!

Happy Birthday Marshall! To the tub...

A little bit of catch up...

I knew I had some other pictures that I had forgotten to post so here they are! Marshall has been helping push the cart at the store lately which is fun, a little slow, but fun. Also my cousin got married up at the Benson Hotel in Portland and Marshall and I went together. Matt had to work but it was really fun to get all dressed up! The pics are mostly of Marshall cruising across the dance floor. He was a hit at the wedding with everyone including their photographer! I tell you what though, I have a very busy boy. I was so exhausted by the end of the night just trying to keep up with him. He's energized by being around a lot of people and all I can say is praise the Lord they had high chair at the reception. I would have left an hour earlier than I did if not. It was so great to finally tie him down for a minute! And then to have to clear a 2 foot radius on the table so he can't knock any of the nice glasses or china off the table. I can't believe we made it through that night without him breaking anything:)
So for those of you others moms...I feel like I'm probably going overboard with Marshall's party but I'm so excited. I'm trying to keep it simple as I'm sure I'm going to feel like I have to go above and beyond every year! But I think about it all the time...I'm always thinking of other things I can do! I'll have the party pics on Thursday so be on the lookout!

Easter part 1

So sorry this has taken a while to get these pics up! I can't believe my last post was 3 weeks ago! I'm the worst. Anyways this is actually only part one of our Easter pics because my camera batteries died mid-morning and I didn't get a family shot until church with one of my friends cameras! So...our morning went like this...Marshall opened his Easter basket, eggs with kix and goldfish in them plus some cool Cars socks! He just wanted the kix and when he was done with the egg he chucked it behind him. Then we went to my mother in laws house for lunch. We had our little easter egg hunt which went like this...I showed Marshall the egg, shook it so he knew there was something inside it, I threw it across the room, he went crawling after it. End of Easter egg hunt! Life is fun with an almost one year old!
By the way Marshall started walking last week! He's doing it on his own this week moving from the coffee table to the couch or from the table to me in the middle of the living room floor! It's so fun and exciting! His first birthday is this coming Wednesday and I can' t wait to give him his presents. I bought him a kids sized guitar!
Hope everyone is well and I'll put those family Easter pics up when I get them!

Day at the Beach!

Sunday morning we headed off to Pacific City for our first trip to the coast with Marshall. Matt had to be at the church all day so Marshall and I went with Matt's mom, brothers, and cousin Lisa who was in town for a few days! It was sooo much fun! It was beautiful at the coast and such a relaxing day. We went to this cool brewery when we got there as we were all pretty hungry and had an awesome meal! You'll see the onion ring tower below! Marshall had chicken strips and fries and made a huge mess on the floor. Most of the meal he was turned side-ways in his high chair watching all the people in the restaurant. I have a very social child. Wonder where he gets that from....:)

Trip to the Fire Station!

Well it was a big day for Marshall on Monday as we finally went down to visit the Gresham City Fire Station! Grandpa Neely was on duty that day and we thought the grandboys are at an age where they would understand seeing such a big truck! When my dad opened up the truck door and set Marshall on the huge seat with the huge steering wheel Marshall did something that will be forever etched in my mind. He opened his mouth into the biggest smile I'd ever seen, he opened his eyes as wide as I'd ever seen, and moved his head back and forth taking in the view of where he was from all directions. It was like he was saying, " I can't believe I'm here, this is the most amazing thing I've ever seen." Seriously I wished so badly I'd had my video camera!
I think it was the size of the steering wheel that he was so excited about. He tried to climb into the thing at one point during his visit! That's a surprise!
I think I'll try and explain the pics below...


Just pure cuteness...

I really just like Marshall's facial expression in this one...oh and this is when he tried to climb into the steering wheel.
Marshall and Deakan...
Very excited to now be inside the back seat of the fire engine...
Okay Marshall look at the camera...
Okay now Deakan look at the camera...

Okay well now we lost Marshall and grandpa so just forget it!
This is a busy boy's wonderland...so many things to touch!

Okay that's all for now...sorry it's been a while I just haven't had anything picture worthy to post about!

Best Friends!

Well you saw the video of Marshall's first steps with his borrowed walker, but what you don't know is that the two have been inseperable for the last few days! Marshall loves this thing and since it belongs to my friend Matt and I ordered one for Marshall yesterday! Seriously you'll see in the pics below that he climbs into the thing and plays or reads a book! It is so funny! If I set him in it he grabs onto the sides right away because Matt has been pushing him around our house and Marshall loves it! He just figured out how to move the walker once he runs into something. I can't believe how fast he's growing...
The last couple pics are at Starbucks of course! Marshall is actually participating in the styling of his hair by running his grimy graham cracker filled hands through it! Yummy!

Marshall's First Attempt to Walk!!

My friend let me borrow this little walker deal so I let Marshall try it today. The first time he pushed it and walked on his knees but he got the hang of it so quickly! By this evening he was walking behind it and pushing it all over the living room by himself! I'm so proud of him!

Oh and that's my friend Britney in the background...I had to hold the video camera! And I'm not sure of what all I said so maybe turn the volume off and just watch Marshall:)

I just learned how to do this video thing so I hope it works!

Sleep Positions!

Okay super quick post but this was too funny! I put Marshall down for a nap the other day and when I went over to check on him, this is how I found him! He's totally asleep!!!
I moved him to a more comfortable position and he stayed asleep. He really doesn't like to miss a thing!

A birthday party and some other random pics!

Oh what a crazy couple weeks it's been around here! Marshall is napping right now so I have few minutes to do a catch up blog! My house is a disaster so hopefully I'll have time to clean it while he's asleep but I've deemed it more important to keep you all updated on our lives right now!
Church is going so well! Both Matt and Paul were able to receive a partial salary this month which is heaven sent! That means our church is growing which is so exciting. If you haven't seen our website yet it's www.outwardchurch.com ! We just had another baptism last week out in the streets of downtown, it was so fun! I think there's some pics on the web!
Anyways these are just a few random pics of Marshall, Deakan and also Colby and Ashton at McDonald's for Colby's first birthday party. Colby is Paul and Gina's youngest kiddo and he turned one yesterday! Ashton belongs to Courtney and Andy Tyssen and he's a super cute kid! Anyways the boys had a blast eating french fries, cake and opening presents! I can't wait to throw a party for Marshall! Only two more months!