James' 3rd birthday

James is VERY excited about dinosaurs these days, so we had a dinosaur themed party. We invited all James' friends to a really neat park in a nearby neighborhood, and everyone seemed to have a blast, especially James! I made James a red stegosaurus cake and the kids' goodie bags were full of dinosaur fun (tattoos, stickers, masks, coloring books, dinosaur figures).

We cannot believe how fast James is growing up! He is so loving, especially to Audrey, and he is so funny. We are impressed by his silliness or kindness or intelligence or creativity countless times each day. He is such a blessing to us, and we are so lucky to be his parents. Happy 3rd birthday, James! We love you!

Opening presents from mama and dada first thing in the morning...

It's Woody!



And dinosaurs!



James is not excited AT ALL!



Brother and sister cruising together. I wonder if James will be as excited to drive Audrey around when he's 16?



Party action shots...






James' red stegosaurus cake... he initially wanted a T Rex, but I convinced him he wanted a stegosaurus because I knew I could make it. The color red was always a given.



Dinosaur masks! Roooooar!



Family photo.



What in the world was so exciting?



Roooooaaar! Rooooaar!



Cute girl!



Birthday boy!

Ranger's game

Last weekend we went to our first Ranger's game of the season. James told me he wanted to take Dada to a baseball game when I asked him what he wanted to get him for Father's Day. I told him that we should leave Audrey at home with a babysitter, but James insisted she go to the game too. So, we went to a game, about a month early because if we waited until Father's Day it would be really hot. The game was a lot of fun, but of course with two toddlers, it was difficult to focus on the actual game, which the Ranger's lost. But it was all about the experience of being there, right? I will add in the Ranger's defense that they are currently ranked #1 in their division. They were just having a bad day, or maybe we are bad luck. Anyways, here are our pictures from the game:

We're on our way to the game!  James has refused to wear any sort of hat his entire life, but on this particular day, he wanted to put on Dada's hat, and he wore it from the time we left the house until we got home after the game. 

Audrey could not get enough cotton candy.  James was not as excited about it.

James looks so big in these picture.

James was very excited about his strawberry icee. He almost ate the entire thing!

He was kind enough to share with Audrey.

Family picture.

James and Nolan.

The Fresh Beat Band in concert

James has been a huge fan of The Fresh Beat Band (a fun little show on NickJr.) since he was first able to watch TV.  Before he could talk, he asked to watch the show by wiggling his little hips and pointing at the TV.  Once his speech started to develop, he asked for the show by requesting "the dance show".  And, of course now he knows the actually name of the show as well as the names of the 4 main characters.  He has also assigned each of our family members to a character.

When we saw that FBB was going on tour, and would be in DFW, we knew we had to get James tickets.  So, we did.  They were an early birthday present for our growing too fast little boy.

The night before the show, Dave and I stayed up late making t-shirts for each of us.  We based the t-shirt design on James' assignment of characters.  James' shirt had a picture of Twist on the front, and his catch phrase. "Sweet!" on the back.  Audrey had Kiki and "Kickin'!", I had Marina and "Hip hop and pop!", and Dave had Shout and "Cool Beans!".

We didn't tell James anything about going to the concert until the day of. He was excited, but I don't think he fully understood what we were doing until we got to the Verizon Theater in Grand Prairie.

When the show started, James cheered and cheered.  It was so sweet seeing him so excited!  Audrey was terrified by all the noise and hid behind me in my seat.  She was quickly intrigued, and slowly started peering out from behind me.  Eventually, she was clapping and dancing.  James sat on the edge of his seat,and mostly just stared and smiled.  He danced every once in a while, but his joy seemed to paralyze him into a trance for the most part.

It truly was a great day!

Uncle Mike is home from Afghanistan

Dave's brother, Mike, returned home from a year long deployment in Afghanistan in late March. James' bedtime prayers have included a prayer for Uncle Mike's safety every night since he left, and James was so excited when his prayer changed to a thank you for Uncle Mike's safe return.  A couple weeks after Mike came home, we drove down to Copperas Cove (about 3 hours away) to visit him.  Nana drove up from Buda, and we had a little Stoner family reunion!

Aunt Amanda made us fajitas for lunch, we went on a short hike behind the apartment, James and Audrey blew bubbles (you'll notice in the pictures that Audrey had a wardrobe change), and we had a wonderful time catching up.  We are so happy that Mike is home safe and sound, and we are so proud of his service in the US Army!

Audrey put on James' shoes

James can hardly contain himself!

Stoner boys

James made it to the top of the hill!

James and Audrey with Nana, Uncle Mike and Aunt Amanda

James is upside down

Cute Audrey

Easter celebration with The Warner's

The evening before Easter, we had a last minute get together with The Warner's (Matt, Lauren, Cole and Kate). Here are some pictures of the kids enjoying their time together...

James and Cole drinking chocolate milk

Hunting for Easter eggs

James and Audrey digging in their Easter baskets

Sweet Audrey

Kate the Great

A day out with Thomas the Train

Last weekend, we went to Grapevine and rode Thomas the Train. We had a really fun day! James got a James train tattoo, ate rainbow colored popcorn, jumped in a Thomas bounce house, and played in a giant sandbox. Audrey tagged along as little sisters do, and had a little fun too.