Las Vegas trip July 2010

Decker and i went to Vegas the weekend before I was to fly to Missouri for more Continuing Education training. First stop Michelle's:

Decker loves dogs and Murphy, their Golden Retriever loved him and gave him tons of kisses. Michelle and Steve

He was also very interested in her turtle and kept going back to take a look

Gotta get exercise in for the dayI love this picture of mom, me and Michelle and my grandma---in the painting on the wallSince we were in heat that was over 100 degrees everyday, we went swimming a few times at my brother's and sister's places. Decker warmed up to the swimming by the 2nd visit and when he discovered he could swim on his own using his arm floats, he no longer clung for dear life to Mike or me. FREEDOM!! ;)

Watch the video below to see his cute little legs kicking away and how happy and proud he is when he gets to the side of the pool! So cute!

Ready to go "WIMMING"!

Four Cousins

After swimming for many hours = tired kids... Mom was going to watch Decker for a few days while I was in Missouri and in addition to this little 2 year old, she got to watch my neice, Abigail who is 6 weeks old. Tell me this isn't good practice for Decker. He enjoyed helping feed her with the bottle.

Walking to church on Sunday with Uncle Mike and cousin Breez

We tried to take a family picture...but didn't succeed in getting one where all of us smiled...Decker was pretty ready for a nap. I think he's so cute anyways.

Pepper was an object of Decker's affection. She was such a sport, she took all his love and naming and pointing out all of her body parts like a pro...of course he fed her way too many doggie cookies! ;)

Decker watching his Favorite: TOY STORY! Grandpa said, I know what Decker wants to name his little brother---Buzz or Woody! :)

Decker also adored his older cousins...Breez and Isabelle

Sometimes, he was the odd man out and would just have to watch them play...

Does this look familiar? He does this at home with our refrigerator doors..the little Spiderman!

Thanks Grandma and Grandpa for playing with us for the week!

Just the boys...

Tomatos, Tomatos, Tomatos

We bought some tomato plants off the side of the road. 3 different varieties. We got some great chicken manure. Decker liked helping dad load it off the truck. Such a big help! (See video below.)

Happy Birthday Decker! Part 2 Sat, 7/10/10

It's Birthday Time! Woody and Buzz style!

We decided to do a Birthday Party/Open House. We haven't had many people come to check out our new digs, so we were excited to show it off! :)

I gave the camera to Ireland to take pictures... please don't feel left out if she didn't take yours...I had to wake Decker up from his nap for his party. There were already a few guests here and it made him a little shy. He followed us around for about the first hour till he warmed up to all the people. He's carried his Woody around to keep him company...
Grandma in the kitchen helping out with everything...What a life saver!
Quin was our drink collector. He went around to everyone with a sheet with everyone's name on it and took orders for drinks. We had a choice: Lemonade or Water

Kendra, one of Decker's biggest fans came to play...

April, Devin and Gavin

Jen and Shelly...

Rob and Jen, little Logan is running around somewhere and Krystal and Gordon, their little Kylee must be playing with Logan. ;)

Ann Black with daughters Kendra and Charlotte--who is 5 days older than Decker...

Troy with sons Dallon and Josh

Mom and the Birthday Boy...

The BBQ: Hamburgers, Hot dogs, Chicken burgers, Potato Salad, Mac n Cheese, Veggies, Chips and Baked Beans...

Jon, the BBQr... taking a break

Mom and Dad...(27 weeks along, heading into the 3rd trimester) YEAH!!

I went to a service auction in my ward and bid on a cake with any theme. I won and Mara made this cake for us.. White cake with a chocolate mousse filling and buttercream frosting on top. It was a Hit! Thanks Mara!

Decker in his Woody Hat..getting ready to blow out the candles. All the kids got to wear sheriff badges like the one Decker's wearing...

After all the food, and tours, we headed OUTSIDE. There were a few that stuck around to the very end...I love seeing kids on the Big Toy!

There were wagon rides...Josh is pulling Decker and Dean, the two youngest at the party...

The Campfire for S'mores got started...

The kids filled their plastic water guns in this pool and anything else they could find that would hold water, It became a game to get the fire wet.

Or just drank the water out of their guns...

Or completely immersed themselves... ;) Eventually, we drained all the water out...Decker and Dean liked walking on the empty pool...Roasting S'mores

Blowing lots of bubbles...

With Dirty Faces...

And Hands...

Then we went inside to get Decker all cleaned up and open his gifts...

His little man tie from April...Gavin brought the gift in the house and immediately told me what was inside the package! I love it! (Gavin's 2 1/2)

Cars for Decker...

He recieved some fun gifts that he has spent hours playing with already. Flashcards for learning his letters, Dolpin Squirt toy, Buzz Lightyear phone for learning his numbers, Buzz and the Alien Pizza truck Legos set, Play-doh, a little Thomas the train engine that goes around on it's track, a dump truck, Dinosaur books that teach colors, numbers and how to clean. ;) Monkeys in a Barrel, jolly ranchers, A little book on things that Go, and a book to help you learn your colors and shapes.

What a fun day! Happy Birthday Decker! Wow! 2 Years has gone by fast!! Thank you everyone for helping make this day GREAT!

From 2009:

To see more pics from his First birthday, click on this link. http://julieandmikewood.blogspot.com/2009/07/one-year-older-and-wiser-too-7709.html