Happy 2nd Birthday, Joseph!

Last Friday our little Joseph turned TWO! We started the day with the traditional Larson Family Birthday Picture.

 That morning Ian had taken it upon himself to wake Joseph at 6 am! After I heard them romping around in Joseph's crib I went in there to get the picture. And got a few of Ian as well.

 Since we had such an early start on the day, we got to have a birthday breakfast with Dad! We had blueberry pancakes. Unfortunately I set off the fire alarm while making them. So Joseph covered his "ears".

We also had some time to open a present, which worked perfectly because we wouldn't be home that evening to do it.

Do you think Joseph was excited with his present?

 With all those train tacks you can build an impressively long line!

That afternoon we went to Olive Garden for lunch. Joseph devoured almost a whole adult plate of orecchio pasta. And half a dozen breadsticks. And a bunch of salad greens. He has not yet outgrown his hollow leg.

That night we all went to Kelly's Pond for a birthday camping trip!

 By the time we had camp set up and were ready for cake, it was already completely dark. Here's Scott carrying the cake up the hill from the car.

 Joseph attempting to blow out the candle, and a helpful brother waiting in the wings.

This is about how the night actually looked. There were real bugs flocking around the fake bug cake.

Despite being covered in "buggies", the cake was pretty good.

Cake by lantern light.

All the woodland creatures cleaned up the cake mess by morning. Perfect!

Thanks to some classless individuals who decided to make camp at 10 pm, then laugh loudly, clink beer bottles, discuss Elton John and play music until 5 am, we didn't sleep well. Joseph was also a bit chilly in his pack n play and was restless all night too. He and I both slept better once he snuggled into my sleeping bag with me. The next morning we took a nature walk and packed up. It was actually a really fun quick trip though. And the Shipley's doughnuts and kolaches we picked up on the way home made our sleepless state bearable.

Joseph had a great time "driving" the logs. I think our new family tent in the background is bigger than our first married apartment.

 So far there is no hint of the Terrible Two's. Joseph loves his big brother and is learning to fight back when he is wronged by Ian. Joseph talks beautifully these days and has the cutest conversations with Ian. He's cheerful, observant, nurturing, silly, an excellent sleeper (still 12.5 hours at night and 2 hour naps) and will eat nearly anything in large quantities. He loves his pacifier and yellow "banket". He works his fingers through the holes in the knitted blanket for comfort. He loves animals and babies and trucks and bugs and anything Ian is interested in. He still snuggles and hooks his wrist around your arm when you carry him. Joseph, it is so fun to be your Mom. We are all so glad you joined our family two years ago!