General Conference Entertainment

Well, let's face it, General Conference with a toddler is not very spiritual. I think I can count on one hand the talks that I heard in their entirety. But, that's okay, we kept Marshall happy and we'll be sure to read the entire May Ensign.

So, this is how Marshall entertained himself for quite a while during the Sunday morning session. Very interesting...

I got out his wooden blocks to entertain him. There are two blocks that are rectangles, but they have half circles cut out of them. Marshall discovered that they fit perfectly around his neck.



While Marshall was entertained with this block, this is what Richard created...


And, we also had the pleasure of watching Conference with the Rabes. Their computer is broken so they spent Sunday at our place. All the boys played great together and Marshall and Luke definitely had a great time. Two cute boys, that's for sure!

Easter Celebration

We did the Easter Bunny and egg hunt on Saturday morning. Thanks to grandparents and our great friends, Corey and Bekky, Marshall had an awesome Easter. We got everything set up on Friday night so that it would all be out for him on Saturday morning. We've decided to go with the tradition of hiding the Easter basket, which will be a lot of fun. Not that you can really hide a basket for a one year old, but it was still fun.

Nathan and Nina, I have you to thank for these swords. :) Occasionally Richard will mention the swords that you guys have and try to tell me how cool it would be to have them. Well, a couple of weeks ago I sent Richard to the store to grab a couple little things for Marshall's Easter basket...this is what he came home with. Richard was so excited, and I was less then thrilled. :) So, we put them out for Easter, but within just a few hours he was hitting me with them and refused to stop. I have nos hidden the swords and he hasn't seen them since Saturday. Maybe I'll bring them out again in a few months. :)


A new ball...he found it!


And his basket...


Easter was good to Marshall. :)

Fun Friday

Last Friday we met some friends at an amazing park in Whitefish Bay. The park is huge and has many, many fun toys for the kids. Marshall had a ball running around, climbing, and going down slides. It was great!

After lots of playtime and a picnic lunch we walked across the street to Lake Michigan. We took Marshall to the beach once last summer, but he was just barely crawling and didn't really have any interest in the water. Well, this time was a different story! If I wasn't holding him back he would have walked straight out into the freezing cold water without any fear. By the time we left he was wet up to his knees and didn't even seem to be bothered by the cold waves soaking his little legs.

I showed him how to throw rocks out into the water, which he loved. He got a kick out of throwing a rock, which obviously wouldn't go far, and then watching the waves pick it up and move it. So thrilling for him. Ah, the simple joys!

It was a wonderful Friday! Thanks friends for a great outing!

So Grown Up

Richard took these pictures of Marshall just last week. He looks so grown up! I think its because his hair is a little spiky. So enjoy!

Easter Egg Hunt #1

Marshall experienced his first Easter egg hunt last Thursday at playgroup. Here are all the kids just before the excitement was to begin. As you can see, Marshall looks a little confused and I'm sure he was wondering what all of the commotion was about.

Anyway, it was great weather so we were able to hide the eggs outside. We let the older kids go first in the front yard and then finally it was time for the younger ones to find their eggs in the backyard.

Marshall was, of course, very eager to finally get outside, but all he really wanted to do for a while was stand by this basketball hoop. After a few minutes he finally started to notice the eggs around the yard so he ventured away from his basketball hoop.


I was so excited that he finally decided to pick up an egg and I held out his basket for him, but he wouldn't put his egg down. Instead he picked up another one, said "ball", and headed back to the basketball hoop.

What a cute boy. :) By the end of the whole Easter weekend he started to understand the concept of picking up an egg and putting it in the Easter basket. We'll see what next year holds!

Stonefire Pizza

Last week Richard finished his family medicine rotation, so to celebrate we took advantage of the extra family time and spent the afternoon at Stonefire Pizza. We had a great time, enjoyed all-you-can-eat food (for the lunch price, even better!), and Marshall spent three wonderful hours running around, going down the slide, and playing on all the toys.

Marshall loved the cars and trucks, a typical boy. :)

Slurping down some root beer. Marshall has recently discovered straws and how fun they can be. Richard and I have recently discovered how messy straws can be, hence all the napkins.


Such a big boy, going down the slide sitting up. The whole time we had been there he had been going down this slide on his stomach. It was a little bigger then other slides he was used to, but one time he decided to sit up and he did great. It was even more of a thrill for him. Ah, the adventures of being one!

Funny Marshall Face

A couple of weeks ago Marshall started making this silly face. He opens his mouth really big and then covers his teeth with his lips. It is so funny! Well, I finally manged to get this crazy face on camera, so I thought I would share.


And lastly, a great laughing picture. Wonder who he gets this from???