Two!

Wow, does time fly! It is crazy to think that we are the parents of a two-year-old already! That's right, Luke turned TWO last Tuesday. We had a good time looking back down memory lane, celebrating Luke and all that he has brought into our lives. Over the last two years he has brought us so much joy, such love, such fun... along with times of frustration, annoyance, and headaches... but we're choosing to remember and focus on the joy, love and fun stuff. We love our (not so little) Luke. Happy Birthday big boy!

We decided to use Luke's birthday as an excuse to have all our friends over for a little BBQ. It just so happens that all our friends are the parents of Luke's friends, so it worked out perfectly! The house was packed with people we love and who care about Luke. I know I've said it before, but it is SO amazing to have such a great circle of friends. When we live far away from family and relatives can't be here to celebrate with us, it is awesome to have such great friends who, in many ways, are family to fill that gap.

Look at all those booster seats!

Luke and his buddies

Chowing down on hot dogs- classic toddler birthday food.

Don't forget the cake!

Who needs forks when you can just shove the entire piece in your mouth at once?

More please!

On Luke's official birthday we were much more low-key. We had a nice little birthday dinner and brownies for dessert then skyped with both sets of grandparents so they could watch Luke open up the gifts they had sent him. He was quite excited about the pile of presents this year, especially those in Buzz Lightyear wrapping paper!

Trying to get him to smile/say 'cheese' for a good picture while standing next to a pile of presents was too much to ask for.

Skyping with Grannie and Pops in IL, then Grammie in WA. Gotta love this technology that allows Luke's grandparents to still participate in his birthday while being miles apart.

A new Elmo book that Grannie (Nee-Nee) and Pops recorded themselves reading to him- a fast favorite.

More puzzles from Grammie! He loves taking all the puzzles apart but hasn't quite gotten the hang of putting them back together again yet.

And a bike from Mom and Dad!

This was not my best 'mom' moment when it comes to thinking ahead. I didn't realize how much assembly there actually was involved in putting the bike together. And I didn't think ahead that a two year old doesn't have the patience to wait for his handy-man-handicapped dad to try and put the thing together. Whoops. Buzz Lightyear to the rescue! - seriously, we just put on Toy Story and Luke was entertained long enough for us to figure out the instructions and assemble the new bike. Lesson Learned.

Luke 'helping'. Love the look on Matt's face. :)

The finished product!

(Luke was too busy watching Buzz to be bothered to smile for me... oh well)

We realized that this was the second birthday that Luke opened presents without any pants on. I'm not sure why that was but maybe we're starting a new tradition here...I suppose we'll just have to see if he can stand to wear pants on his 3rd birthday!

Thank you to everyone who helped make Luke's birthday special! We love you all.