A Very Mater 3rd Birthday

Can you see a theme in our family? For Dallin's 2nd birthday, he had a Lightning McQueen birthday. This year's birthday was very different because it wasn't about McQueen but Mater. We are branching out. Incidentally, Dallin's Christmas presents revolved around Mater. For his birthday though it was all about Monster Truck Mater. See, he is branching out. We just invited family over for dinner and cake because when we all get together, it is loud enough. Maybe next year we will have a separate friends party.

Cute picture of the birthday boy with the cutest baby ever!

The weather turned unexpectedly warm over night, so the kids ate outside and then played.

Everyone helping open the presents

If you sing Happy Birthday to Dallin, then he will follow it up with blowing out candles even if you are singing to him on the phone or at a park and no candles are in sight. He has been practicing for this moment!

It was a yummy Mater cake!!!

What I love about Dallin:
His energy level wears me out at times, but most of the time, it means Dallin is such a fun kid. There is never a dull moment with Dallin. I love how excited he is about everything. He is full of personality.
There is also a very sweet side to Dallin. He loves to get hugs and kisses and to give hugs and kisses. I will never get enough of either.
Dallin cracks us up. He can pull me out of a bad mood so fast and keep me laughing.
I love the way Dallin loves Gavin. When we picked Gavin up from the hospital, it had been such a whirl wind for Zane and me and we were still very unsure of everything. At the hospital, we were with Gavin, but really we were focused on his birth family. We hadn't had time to adjust or even think about having a second child. We had Dallin's and Gavin's car seats right next to each other. When we put Gavin in, Dallin immediately reached over and held his hand all the way to the hotel. Gavin was his brother. He never questioned it. They belonged together. Dallin is still Gavin's favorite person. No one can make Gavin laugh harder then Dallin and when Gavin is alone with me in the car, his head is turned towards Dallin's car seat the entire time I'm sure wondering where his big brother is.
Dallin has brought so much joy to our lives. We are so grateful we were chosen to be his parents.

Dallin's favorites:
Disney cars and monster trucks (Toy Story and Buzz are on the list somewhere)
Jumping
Being told stories (all day long he asks me to make up a story about him)