Texas Birthday Train Style

Four times a year Zube Park Live Steamers gives free rides to the public and this year it happened to fall on Josh's birthday!  So we loaded up all our friends, made the drive out to Hockley, TX and rode the trains!  The weather was perfect, Chick-fil-a delivered lunch, and we were surrounded by tons of family and friends...who could ask for more!  Happy 3rd Birthday little man, you are a true joy and blessing to us!  

 buddies Owen, Josh and Jake

riding the train...looks like Kevin had more fun than the boys

"Uncle" Jeremy hanging with our little conductor

Josh's train cake that I had to convince him into...he really wanted a Buzz Lightyear cake but that SOOO didn't match our theme!  Ha!  So Grammo got him a Buzz cake for ABQ b-day and he happily had a train cake for Texas B-day.  

FYI: I did not dress Dash in overalls.  Josh was insistent that he wear them so that they could match!

Josh and Gabby (don't let the picture fool you...this girl can out run and out play the boys anyday!)

Josh and buddy Tye!

Birthday Parties Galore!

All three of my guys have b-days just a few weeks apart from each other which means we have been celebrating like crazy around here.  On top of that, my parents were unable to visit Texas for either of the boys birthdays so they decided to throw a little party themselves when we visited for Balloon Fiesta.  We went to ITZ (for those unfamiliar is is like Main Event and Chuckie Cheese mushed together) and had the time or our lives.  One of my best friends from High School has a little boy Josh's age and they were able to join in the fun as well.  If you know Josh this was the best present he could get....a friend!  He LOVES having other kiddos around, so thanks Becca!  We did all the things that should be done at a good birthday party:  ate pizza, devoured cake, rode rides, played games, and went bowling.  Super fun! Thanks Grammo and Papa!

                                      

riding the train

                                          

Josh and Jaxon showing off their blue tongues from too much cake!

2 points!

Papa and Josh shooting themselves some dinosaurs

don't let the face fool you...he loved that sucker!

Pay close attention to the following pictures.  

Step One: grab a ball, pose for mom.

Step 2: send it flying down the lane (look at that form!)

Step 3:  watch the progression of the ball from the best vantage point

Step 4: celebrate  

Balloon Fiesta

Growing up in Albuquerque, NM I got to experience the International Balloon Fiesta every year and it never got old.  I was so excited for our first chance to introduce the boys (including Kevin) to the fun of hot chocolate, special shapes, the warmth of the fire, and the sight of balloons flying with the Sandia Mountains in the backdrop!  This trip definitely did not disappoint!  Dash walked around with his eyes wide open and his jaw dropped in complete amazement.  Josh was equally as amazed but definitely preferred the special shapes.  Plus the added bonus of time with Papa and Gramo, this may just become a yearly event for us!

A mixture of too much fun and waking up way too early left Dash sound asleep on Daddy's shoulder.

Uncle Keith's Firehouse

Congratulations to Kevin's brother Keith who passed his fire inspectors test with flying colors!  This means a new job for him soon and so we took the opportunity to visit his firehouse one last time before he moves on.  Unfortunately, Uncle Keith was on a call when we showed up but two of the fire trucks were still at the station with a friendly fireman named Robert who was so sweet to give the boys a big tour and chance to drive the truck.  Josh LOVED it!  He got the lights flashing, honked the horn, helped Robert put the flags up for the day, and wore official fireman gear.  It was a wonderful morning with his best buddy cousin Owen!  Thank you to all the fireman who risk their lives to protect us and take the time to make the day of a 2 year old!

Dash's 1st Birthday

Our baby turned one on Wednesday.  We had a small dessert party for him with our family.  Of course greatly missed our Grammo and Papa from Albuquerque but we look forward to celebrating again with them in October.  What a great excuse to have b-day cake twice!  Dash dug right in and seemed to enjoy his debut of cake deliciousness.  On a side note, the cake was actually edible this year.  Unlike last years cake for Josh which was down right cute but completely disgusting.  (remember, even the dog wouldn't eat it) My favorite part of the party was the banner of pictures from all 12 months.  I got the idea from our photography friend Sarah (the one who always takes our family pictures).  It was so much fun to see his smiling face change and grow from month to month!  We have his doctors visit next week and I promise to update then with all the important facts of weight, height, accomplishments, and things we just plain love about our Dash-a-dude!