3 Years Old

We have been in Oregon at Grandma and Grandpa Merrill's house for the past two months while your Dad was away in Denver, CO and Columbus, OH doing his last two externships for school. We had so much fun with G&G, but were so excited to be back home with Dad. When you saw him in the airport you took off running with your little Buzz Lightyear back pack on and jumped into his arms giving him the biggest hug I've ever seen. It brought tears to my eyes. You love your Dad so much, and he loves you more than you will ever know. You also were so excited when we got to our car. You saw it and ran up and gave it a big hug and said, "this is our car! I missed you!" So cute.
So, now here I am 2 1/2 months later writing about your big day! You turned three on August 28th, and you had been telling me all summer how you wanted a Toy Story birthday, so that's what we did. We went to the lake with some of your little friends from church. It was a perfect day, and you had so much fun!

We were also lucky enough to have Uncle Phil stay with us for a few days, and one of those days happened to be your birthday, so we had a little family celebration with him.

Some things you love/do right now:
cars, planes, and trains
watching a show in the morning when you wake up
dancing to music
using your hands when you talk
fake sneezing when you smell something...particularly something stinky. ;)
singing to Ruby when she is sad
Helping with Ruby...getting her binky, sippy cup etc... You are such a good big brother and love your little sister so much.
doing puzzles

I love your excitement for life, and your funny expressions. You can lift one eyebrow at a time, and roll your tongue. So glad you joined our family 3 years ago. I love you.

Sweet Boy

Last night we were driving home from Home Town Buffet with Grandma and Grandpa Merrill. We have been here in Medford since the beginning up September and will be here a few more weeks while Daddy works hard on his externships. You had had a rough night at the restaurant, and we were all ready to get home. Ruby was tired and was crying in the car and you started to sing her, "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" and "Adel Veis". You always sing to her when she is sad (especially when we are in the car driving). It was the sweetest thing...even though she kept crying you kept singing to her in you sweet little voice. Melts my heart every time. And so does this cute face.

Growing Up

I can't believe how fast you are growing up. You are talking all over the place these days...telling me what's what all the time. You get SO excited over the simplest things....I absolutely love it. It is one of my favorite things about you. You know how to get everyone else excited about something, and sometimes you don't even know what it is you yourself are excited about. For example, when we were in Medford this past month at Grandma and Grandpa Merrill's house we told you we were going to go to Ashland. I told you in a little excited voice, and you opened your mouth wide and looked at me and started telling everybody, "we're going to Ashland!!!!" You were so excited and didn't even know what Ashland was! So, when we got there you said, "I want to go to Ashland". Haha. It was pretty funny.

You have a birthday coming up, and so far you have told me you want "Buzz, and Woody and Jessie and Bulls eye." (From Toy Story). Looks like we might have a Toy Story birthday.

So, this is what meal time usually looks like for you. There is always at least one toy at the table with you. (Most of the time it's more than one :) ).

 Dad helped you catch some fire flies one night.

 Our ward's Memorial Day breakfast.

You are Ruby are good little buddies.

Butt Paste

This what your Dad found the other night we he walked upstairs to see if you were sleeping. He called me up and I couldn't help but laugh as you stood on your bed holding the diaper rash cream (called butt paste) in your hand. It was all over your pillow, hands and as you can see here, your face! We got a good laugh, and I ran downstairs to get my camera. When I came up to take your picture you just smiled and said, "cheese". You're quite mischievous.....a little too much sometimes. Haha.

Not Done Yet

When I started this little book for you, I was planning on stopping when you turned two. Now, I just don't know what to do! You are still my baby boy and I want to record all the cute things you do somewhere. So, for now I am going to keep going until who knows when ;).

You are growing up so fast! You are a full on talker and talk all day long. You are always telling me something....most the time I can understand you, but not always. Some of your favorite sayings these days are,
"What doing mama?"
"Ruby cry."
"Come on mama."
'Les go mama."

Your favorite toys to play with are still your cars and trains. You got a wooden train set for Christmas and love to play with that.

You love, love, love your daddy. He was home for two weeks during December for Christmas break and you wanted to be by his side constantly. You didn't really want much to do with me. Daddy put you to bed, Daddy gave you a bath, daddy played with you. It is so cute to watch the two of you. Your Dad loves you.
You love to give Ruby kisses and are very protective of her if anyone outside our family wants to hold her, touch her, etc... I'm glad you love your sister so much. You will be a good big brother as you guys get older.

These pictures are from Christmas day with your new train set.