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!

Snow Day!!

I was definitely excited yesterday morning when we woke up to snow all over the ground! However, my husband was more excited as he got a 'snow day' and didn't have to go to work! (He's working on a construction site!)
We got up, grabbed a Starbucks of course since it was only 8am, and headed out to test how icy the roads were in our 4x4 vehicle. Matt loves a good drive in the snow. We headed out towards South Salem which actually got a few inches. I made Matt stop the car so we could take pictures with Marshall since it's his first time seeing snow. We felt like tourists taking pictures in someone else's neighborhood but oh well! Marshall rather enjoyed the snow as the first thing he did was grab it and put it in his mouth. But he puts everthing in his mouth right now so that didn't really surprise me. Anyways it was a very fun day and I hope it snows again tonight!

Happy Birthday Laura!

We celebrated my baby sister's 25th birthday last night! We all met at PF Chang's in Bridgeport for the celebration. Yummy! These are just a few quick pics of the evening. Matt and Marshall wore matching sweaters (that was for you chels!!!) and we got a picture of Laura and her darling boyfriend Danny! I'm so excited to see her so happy! Hope everyone is well!

Random pics and a new job for Chris!

Hello there! Sorry it's been a little while. I keep forgetting to take my camera with me lately and I haven't taken very many pictures! These are just a couple random ones. This is my nephew Deakan sitting nicely on the couch until his crazed cousin Marshall decides to pounce on him. I'm not exaggerating either. We have to be on Marshall patrol when they're playing together. The last one is just one I took of Marshall in the tub. I was trying to show you how long his hair actually is, even though it doesn't normally look like it!
On an exciting note, I'm starting to do some work as a wedding coordinator! I'm so excited. I'll be working with a event/design company here in town. I know the owner personally and she is a fabulous lady. I'll basically be taking weddings from the very beginning, seeing them all the way through, and also assisting her at weddings when she needs it. We'll both be doing seperate coordination.
I prayed about it a lot and felt like this was a great opportunity to take advantage of during this season of my life. My boss is super supportive about me being a mommy and believes that's my first committment. She said I could bring him down to the office if I needed to do some work, or I can do everything from home, except the actual wedding of course. Anyways I'll have a chance to earn some money and still spend quality time with Marshall. I had my first meeting with my first bride today and it went great. I don't even feel like it's work! Anyways, I'll keep you posted on how it goes! Hope everyone is well!

Our Trip to Texas!

Well here they are, our pictures from our post-Christmas trip to Texas! We had such a great time on this trip. I got to meet some of Matt's cousins and their kids which was really great! They are all such wonderful people (I hope the Hallbauer's are reading this...:)
A couple days after we got back Marshall got hit with this awful sickness! I never knew a little baby could puke up as much stuff as he did! Oh my word, I've done more laundry in the last four days than I ever knew was possible! It's been so sad. It was a little scary just because he's never been like that. Lethargic, not smiling and not eating very much at all. Anyways he's doing much better now. He also had a ear infection which he's taking meds for. Poor kid.
Things are definitely settled down here a little bit, I love Christmas though, such a fun and busy time of year. Back to reality now! Hope everyone is well!



I think Marshall enjoyed being on an airplane. I mean he looks pretty happy!
There were several open seats on this flight so I kicked Matt out, he's just on the other side of Marshall, and let Marshall have his own seat. I gave him his toy truck and some cheerios on that little tray and he was in heaven!

Marshall was playing with one of the kids light savers (is that what they're called and is that how you spell it?) anyways...he almost hit someone with it.
We went for a little walk this morning! By little I mean from the house to the swing...Matt's not a real big 'walking' person...


Like I said...to the swing.


And fishing was by far what we did the most! Of course we had to introduce Marshall to the sport. He had so much fun. He loves watching anything that moves. I pulled a worm out of the bucket and let it wiggle in front of Marshall's face...he was mesmerized! His grandpa Neely is so proud!