Park

Drew is turning 2!!!!! We were so bummed that we were going to miss Drew's big birthday bash, but luckily we were able to meet up for a great afternoon at the park. We discovered a new water park for the boys to enjoy in West Linn. Drew and Jalen loved it. Happy Birthay Little D!!!

Presents for the Birthday Boy!

J doing what he does best...eating.

Drew is such an adventurous little guy...he ran from one end of the water park to the next, checking out each fountain over and over...he's so fun to watch.

Jalen was still feeling a little timid about venturing too far into the fountains.

How refreshing.

Whew - a little sprinkle got J's attention.

Drew chasing the ball.

Party Time!!

Jalen had a great birthday party with all his family and friends. We had a BBQ at the park and we couldn't have asked for a more beautiful evening. Jalen loved everything about the party, except for the fact that he let the candle out with this hand...it put quite the damper on the main event. Thanks to all of you that came to help celebrate!!!

Waiting patiently for his cake (which soon became his worst nightmare - poor guy).


"Happy Birthday to You"

Jalen and Hudson getting the party started.

Zoe trying to give Jalen some birthday loves.

Papa (Grandpa Lowe) and Jalen

Bumpa (Grandpa Pierce) and Jalen

Neenah (Grandma Pierce), Dawn, Papa, and Auntie Aubrey

Joanna, Logan, and Ken

Collin, Pamela, and Tyler

Uncle DP (Devin) and cousin Ellie

Chris and Catherine

Joe and Cami

Uncle Dan, Auntie Aubrey, and cousin Ayden

Jimbo (Jim) and Joanner (Joan) Reed

Amy and Katie
(Congratulations to the Reed and Reinke family as Derek and Amy announced they are expecting again).

Allison, Jaime, and Brook (also expecting their second in October - little Grant).

Kaden and Mark

Ava and Cliff

Joshua and Sydney enjoying the BBQ.

All the neighbors waiting for Jalen to take his first bite of cake.

Adrienne and Rob

Joan with grandson Drew...he had a blast at the party riding his little bike all around the park.

Sweet little birthday boy.

What a big boy he is now!

Birthday Weekend

We had lots of out-of-town visitors for Jalen's 1st birthday, which made for a fantastic weekend. Here are a few photos of the weekend activities.

It was a never-ending party at our house...Daddy and Jalen partied until the sun went down on Sunday evening.

Playing with his new toys.

He got a kick out of the noises his new truck made.

Mesmorized by his Old McDonald moving and singing tractor.

Where's Ellie?

New bath toys!!!!

Steph and Annie with Abby and Ellie

Bumpa and Papa with Jalen at Players arcade.

Jalen keeping himself entertained while waiting for dinner.

Neenah at the bowling game - showing the grandkids how it's done.

" Watch where you're going Ellie :-)"

Auntie Annie and cousin Ellie

Players is a local bowling/arcade/bar & grill where we spent Friday night. Uncle DP is pretending to be the party animal (note the diaper wipes are in the way...how "partying" has changed since pre-kids).

Dance-off between Neenah and the grandkids.

Happy 1st Birthday Jalen-Todd

We can hardly believe that our little bundle of joy is one-year-old! I swear we blinked and a whole year passed. Jalen-Todd has blessed our lives in so many ways - making this the most amazing year for our family! He's a very busy boy, walking (a little unsteady still, but doing great), babbling, laughing, and playing all the time. Since the day he was born he's been a very curious and active boy - always interested in how things work and watching intently at the world around him. One of our favorite things now is when Jalen looks at us with the most serious face, babbles on and on with true intent, and keeps going louder and louder until you acknowledge his very important comment. He'll then continue with what he was doing, as if releaved to get his thoughts off his chest.
We celebrated his special day with all of his favorite things...blueberry pancakes and fruit, swimming at the pool, Gymboree, and a visit to our neighbor's Chris and Catherine (he LOVES their dog Bella).
Happy Birthday Little Man - We love you!!

Special breakfast for the birthday boy.


Jalen woke up to a little birthday surprise on the back patio.

"Where does this go?"

He loves playing with the little boat.

A little pool-side picnic with mommy.

A little "Happy Birthday" song in honor of Jalen. He also got a sweet birthday kiss from the little girl Hayden on the far right...lucky boy!

Jalen loves Bella so much we have to contain him.

So excited to pet Bella he can hardly stand it!