the family party

better late than never, huh?  

hendrix got to drag out the fun festivities of his second birthday as we split the celebrations up into two separate weekends this year.  we celebrated with all our family the weekend before (labor day weekend), and all his friends the weekend after; and then of course we did some special things ON his birthday which fell in the middle of the week ;)

while it was fun to have a huge backyard party for him last year, this prego mama was really thankful that nana offered to host and prepare for the family party this year, which took a good deal of stress and planning off my plate.  

while dinosaurs was the theme to his party and a huge passion of his right now, he was equally interested in every kind of art that he could work on.  he likes to 'practice his letters' and is becoming very adequate with a pencil.  he was happy to show off his skills to his great-grandma ;)

he loves all of us uncles (he has four of them, the lucky lil' guy), and pretty much jumps around to each one trying to act big and keep up with them.  fortunately they all seem to like him just as much, and are willing to follow him around and do whatever he wants.....

one of the first presents he opened had some colors in it, and became a huge distraction for him to want to open anymore presents.  his aunts and mom had to take over for a while, while he enjoyed his new dino coloring books!

he does really like opening presents though, and he did a pretty good job telling each person thank-you (with a little prompting from mom and dad).  i think christmas is going to be a blast this year!

he got some dino slippers that he has enjoyed wearing these last couple days since it has gotten chilly.....

and one of his favorite gifts was this umbrella.  he has used it at least a dozen times since he got it (and i think we have only had one rainy day........so yes, we do like to use it even when it is sunny!)

and it was perfect, as it started to drizzle towards the end of the present opening, and he got to try it out right then and there!  

he was a very happy little boy (which is surprising since he didn't take a nap. at all.  all day.)

he had dino shaped rosettes, and while he was a pro at blowing out his own candles, he was more interested in the m & m's that were to be a topping for the ice cream than he was in any of the other parts of the dessert. 

he has a serious sweet tooth like mama.....

it was fun to see the newlyweds, back from their honeymoon and looking as adorable as ever!

he got this little pillow/bed from his nana and he loved it so much he had to try it out with a movie that afternoon.  it has since been a bed, a sleeping bag, a chair, and even a climbing tower.  what a cool gift!

here he is hamming it up with the big boys, after a nice big game of climb on everyone's backs.

oh, and hannah and i got a few 'bump' pics together.  gotta make sure the cousins get photographed together right from the start!  can't wait for blaire and annalise to meet, and bond and have girl time ;)

  

the day was wrapped up with a bath, jammies, and a little family game time before we headed home.  what a perfect day!

hendrix is a very independent, fiesty, energetic, and well-loved little two-year-old. ;)