Rhys Turns Three!

In the last year we've watched Rhys transition from a toddler to a little boy.  It's amazing how the changes feel minute when you witness them day to day but are huge when you look back at videos/pictures from a year ago.  Three year-old Rhys is very different than two year-old Rhys.  

We were so excited to celebrate Rhys' third birthday in our new house.  It was definitely a challenge to host a big ol' party just three weeks after moving in, but I'm so glad we did.  Rhys had such a fantastic time at his party and Brian and I loved having all of our friends and family over.  It felt so luxurious to have space for everyone! 

Rhys is all boy.  He loves cars and trucks and tools and trains and construction stuff.  Nearly every gift he got was something along those lines so he was in hog heaven.  It was a real challenge the next day figuring out what new toy to play with.  (Tough life, I know).

And, now, on to the pictures!

Before the party, Rhys got to help Dada with some cake prep.

I love this picture of Rhys.  It's perfect for the Christmas card.  However, it doesn't reflect his real personality at all...

...this is a much more accurate representation of the real Rhys.

Rhys was SO good about not digging into the cake before the party.  The same cannot be said for Lorelei.

I probably should've just let her eat some - take some pressure off on the whole weight gain situation.

Rhys is a huge fan of cousin Norah.  Huge.

A rare moment of Rhys interacting with one of his parents during his party.  I thought wanting nothing to do with us didn't happen until the teen years...? 

I think it's safe to say that Rhys absolutely loved it when everyone sang happy birthday to him.  It's somewhat hard to see in the video but he is in awe and is whispering the song to himself.  It choked me up a little watching him.  The near-tears were quickly replaced by laughter was I watched him extinguish his candles with spit rather than air.

The morning after the party, Rhys had a little downtime reading one of his new books with Uncle Coco.

So sweet.

I am not sure who has the goofier grin.

After the Spokane contingent went home it was time to get outside and get some work done with his new tools and tool belt from Uncle Dave.

All in all a fantastic birthday weekend.

This picture has nothing to do with this post.  I just wanted to put it up.  Isn't she beautiful?