Last Tourists Game of the Season (for us)

     Last night, a friend offered us free tickets to the Asheville Tourists baseball game.  Who can pass up FREE BASEBALL tickets, right?  So after we served supper at Kids Kitchen at our church, the three of us headed to McCormick Field for their game against the Savannah Sandgnats (interesting name, right?).  Even though Mark had been up since 3:30am and it was approaching Marcus' bedtime, we went nonetheless.  Much to our surprise, it didn't matter, because Marcus was super well-behaved and we had a GLORIOUS time.  The weather was perfect, the baseballs were flying off the bats, and our tickets were free.  Could it get any better?  Oh yes, it could.  We got free drinks when we signed up to be part of the Designated Driver program AND Mark caught a t-shirt, too!  We were so thankful to have a fun evening together and not have to have to break the bank to do so.

I love living in a town with a baseball team.

Mr. Moon - Marcus kept his distance from this guy.

Ted. E. Tourist - Marcus would wave to him, but that was all.

Marcus' silly face

He wanted to wear the t-shirt that Mark caught.  It's still a little big.

9pm and going strong. :)

Marcus Goes to Work with Daddy

     This past Saturday, I drove to Mt. Airy for a family baby shower and drove back in the same day.  But while gone, Marcus had the thrill of his life and went to work with Mark.  He got to ride in the big box truck, help Daddy push the trays, and overall just thrived spending time with the one he admires most in this world.  Here are a few pictures from that day and his latest adventures.

Recently, Marcus has been asking to sleep with his glove.  We're ok with that. :)

No matter what we say, he always eats with his toes on the table.

He moved his couch outside just to sit and enjoy looking at the birds.

Marcus is "painting" in large plastic bags and it didn't make a mess.  Brilliant!

"Finger painting" the clean way

Marcus' first day at work with Daddy

He LOVED riding in the box truck.

Clearing out the truck

Marcus and his good buddy Jackson, reading books together.

Train up a child...

Our boy is almost two

     It's hard to believe that our sweet boy will be two years old in a month.  So many of those cliche sayings you heard as a child become real when you become a parent.  Things like, "time flies," and "wait until you have children" play over in my head daily.  I think back to when I was a child and the memories my parents made with me.  Now I'm on the other side, with my sweet husband, and we are blessed to have a child of our own.  The tables are now turned and instead of being the one receiving the fun times, I'm the one making the fun memories for our boy. 
     Every day is different with sweet Marcus Paul and his ability never ceases to amaze us.  He speaks in full sentences, carries on regular conversations, and is a real, genuine little man.  If there was ever a boy with an extra dose of testosterone, Marcus is him.  He continues to love baseball, trucks of all shape and size, and being rough with everything.  He is a destroyer of many things, player of all games, and a lover of most all people he meets. 
     Currently, we're working daily on potty training.  Some days he pees EVERY TIME in the potty, while others (like today) he's been too busy having fun to take the time and go pee.  He's quite the little parrot as he repeats every word he hears (whether that's out of our mouths, tv, radio, etc).  He even knows the words to the whole song, "10,000 Reasons" by Matt Redman.  We LITERALLY listen to it a minimum of ten times a day.  He'll say, "I wanna wissen to da Hoe-wee Name song, Mommy."  Here's the link if you want to listen yourself as we praise the Lord together:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&feature=endscreen&v=9jYLTn4fKYQ

     For whatever reason, it's taken me a while to get back on a regular schedule and pace since returning from Canada.  Either way, we're back now and I'll try my best to blog once a week (if not more).  Thanks for following and enjoy the most recent pics of Marcus Paul.  (**NOTE** He's naked or semi-unclothed in many of these pictures due to the potty training and excellent weather.  Consider yourself warned).

Helping Daddy take out the trash.  No clothes, but at least he wore his boots.

We're continuing to work on trying new textures and eating new foods.

Daddy pushing Marcus and Matthew at church.

Marcus got a visit from Granddad last week.

Marcus enjoys hiding under the covers in our bed nowadays.

Playing with a bus from one grandma on the rug from another grandma.

He LOVES painting nowadays. 

Marcus made his own "reading nook" behind the couch.

A friend from church's child outgrew this workbench and Marcus has enjoyed the hand-me-down.

Another friend from church had given him tools, so he is all set now!

Today our, "Moms in Prayer" group met and as always, a great time was had by all.

Marcus and Dane - 2 years apart, very similar in some ways

Marcus' other buddy is Jackson.  He's so sweet with him!

In this picture, Marcus and Dane were time-out buddies.  They kept throwing toys off the front porch after being told not to.  Stinkers!

Our Final Day in Canada

     Dearest blog followers, I apologize for the length of time between day 3 and day 4 pictures.  We've been busy to say the least, but hopefully now we're back on track! :)  I'll try to post recent (back home) pictures tomorrow as it'll be Marcus' 23rd month birthday.  It sounds funny, but it's the last monthly birthday for our little man!  After 2, he'll just be 2 until his next birthday.  We're done keeping up month to month.
     Anyhow, back to our trip to Canada.  On our final day there, Tuesday, we had SO MUCH FUN next door with many of Mark's cousins and their babies.  All and all I think there were 17 children!  They played so well together, too!  The mamas got to visit, the children played, then we all ate lunch together before wisking our little ones back home to take afternoon naps.  While Marcus was sleeping, Mark and I were packing up our stuff.  We were going to get a head start on the drive and leave after the Schuurman Greenhouses cookout.  Once our car was completely packed and he woke up, we had supper at Uncle Ralph & Auntie Audrey's home, out in their back yard, which is directly in front of the greenhouses.  It was nice to eat outside and talk with others before our long trek.
     We went back to Greg and Lisa's and said our goodbyes to all five of them and Mark's parents.  We then drove around three hours before stopping just south of Erie, Pennsylvania for the night.  The next day was a long one as we drove the rest of the way home.  All and all, Marcus was an AMAZING traveler.  We were grateful not only for that, but for the fact that we got to see and spend so much time with the family that we love so dearly.

The pool was a BIG hit with all the children.

Marcus enjoyed the water hose.

The kiddie pool was nice for the smaller ones.

Always with a ball or car in hand.

Sweet Rachael

Precious baby Abigail

Sweet cousins (sort-of) saying, "Hi Aunt Leah!"

I had the BEST TIME snuggling with sweet Peter!

Lori Ann had an assembly line of hungry children to feed. :)

Aunt Lisa knows how to throw a kid party.

Here's the whole gang, minus Lor.

Nadia pulling Alyssa - both fearless little girls

Marcus wanted to get in, but NOT by himself.

One of my favorite pictures of precious baby Alyssa.

Reuben chillin in the kiddie pool.

A popsicle and an airplane.

Marcus wasn't the only one who enjoyed Sam's T-ball set.

Jackson and his loader at the Schuurman Greenhouses bbq.

Marcus and Uncle Len

Eden and Mark

Grandpa joined the kiddie table to help Marcus finish his supper.

Alyssa thought it was funny to bounce on Grandpa's belly.

Uncle Ralph reading some scripture.

Mark and his dad, throwing football like always.

Emma and Eden

Marcus sure loves his Aunt Lisa.

If it has wheels and moves, he'll find it.

Me and my sweet Sam

Alyssa smiling at Aunt Ran (she probably gave her candy).

Another vehicle

Greg & the kids on the Kabota.

Grandpa and Marcus took the tractor for a spin.

He even got up in Grandpa's truck cab.

Precious Emma Grace

On Wednesday morning, Marcus woke up before 7am and slept another hour in our bed.

Someone was MORE than ready to be out of the cars seat.