Hangin' with the Haverlahs: Marshall's 4th year (first half as only child)

We had a busy summer while trying to get settled in at the new house. Our first trip was to Sarah's wedding at a beautiful bed and breakfast north of Austin. Marshall was very excited because he got to stay in a hotel. Sarah looked stunning and it was so much fun to see everybody. Marshall also discovered that he LOVED to dance. He is still very shy and timid, so it took him awhile to want to try it, but once he got his feet moving, he thought it was the greatest thing ever and could not stop. Apparently there were a couple moves he learned at Mrs. Kim's house that he was hiding from us including the "scorpion."

A trip to the circus

We also got to take a coast trip with the Perry family. The beach was the ugliest we have ever seen it. There was so much seaweed that you could barely get in the water. An ugly beach does not stop the kids from having fun though.

Marshall and Emma enjoying watching the river to the ocean Clay made for them

Feeding the birds

Watching a movie at night

Enjoying the gift shop with the waterfall in front of it.

Helping Daddy mow the new yard.

4th of July in Schertz

Marshall decided he was big enough to ride the horses that moved up and down on the carousal.

Enjoying the fire works.

So, Marshall went through a little of a "glove" stage. I think he always saw his Daddy put on work gloves, so one day he ran inside and said he needed his gloves to help Daddy. All we had were winter gloves, but he did not seem to care.

Helping connect the boat to the truck

Helping Daddy with mixing cement.

He even improvised with his socks for gloves when he was playing in the "elevator" (closet with sliding doors).

After we moved in and got settled in, we decided it was time to potty train. We were in no rush with the change of moving and Marshall was in no rush for any kind of change. The biggest challenge was getting Marshall to pee not in a diaper for the first time. He would not have accidents in his underwear, but would refuse to go in the potty, so he would just hold it until nap/night time once we put a diaper on him because that is how he went to the bathroom for 3 years. It took us making him run and play in his birthday suite until he was absolutely miserable. He then decided it was better to take the chance and go pee in the little potty then to be that uncomfortable. He did it, realized it wasn't bad, and was very proud. From then on, he was pretty much trained. It took a week of taking the little potty with us everywhere because he was not sure of the big public restroom potties. He then decided he could do it standing up after a couple of weeks and then he was done with only a couple of accidents. He also night trained really fast and we have not had to change the sheets once. All in all, it was a good experience and I am glad we waited until he was absolutely ready.

Marshall in his "boxer briefs"

He was never into glasses until he got these in a birthday party goody bag.

We also got a Sea World pass this summer. He loved the water park,
but was way too crowded on the weekend.

We took our annual family vacation with just the three of us in August and stayed in North Padre. We were really happy with the condos we stayed at because the pool was amazing and kid friendly. Marshall discovered he loved to build sand castles and it was quantity not quality that mattered to him, so Daddy would cheat and dig out around the castle to make it even bigger. We also discovered that we loved to go to the beach at sunset. There was always no canopy needed and a nice breeze. Marshall had a big fall a couple of days before, so his chin is a little beat up.

Ready to go.

This is what the beach is supposed to look like.

Fishing in the evening with Daddy.

This was as big as it gets

The fun has to end sometime

Marshall riding his tractor in the evening. Clay let him pick out his hat
and he wanted the black felt one in the middle of summer.

On the way to Port Aransas for the Kunz family vacation. We had a beautiful house to stay in and HORRIBLE weather. There was a tropical depression pretty much the whole time we were there. We kept on attempting to go to the beach and then it would rain on us and we would have to pack up.

First afternoon when we got there and pretty much the best weather
we saw right before the rain came that evening.

Attempting to go to the beach in between rain storms.

At the Corpus Christi Aquarium trying to stay out of the rain.

In the morning going to Mrs Kim's house with his new boots he was so proud of.

At Sea World with Mommy and Daddy enjoying the Halloween shows.

Daddy and Marshall building a treasure chest.

I turned 32 this year and was pleasantly surprised with my husband. He has really made the effort with Marshall to be a good influence in giving to others. I came home to a present, flowers, balloon and Clay making a crab boil. He then surprised me with an ice cream cake with all 32 candles.

My friend Amy was so nice and threw me a "Sprinkles" shower for my second baby boy. It was just a simple small get together with my close girlfriends, but was greatly appreciated. Here is the cupcake tree she made for the event.

Erin and Emma came down for fall break and we left Clay in charge of babysitting one night. There was a little incident which was more like a big collision of two 3 year olds while they were racing on the driveway. Poor Emma hit face first and got a big scratch to show for it.

Kids taking a break from shopping at The Shops

Judson game - I conveniently had a red maternity shirt to show my Rocket Pride

Clay took Marshall with him and Papa to haul the dozer to get it fixed. Marshall was fascinated.

Showing off his new real work gloves.

My little Cowboy dressed up to go to Mrs. Kim's house.

The Kramers and Nana and Papa came over to the house for the Halloween trick or treating. The cousins are finally at the age where all three can pose for the camera.