Rudy Ray, the Birthday "Bay!"

I couldn't help but use "bay" to rhyme with "Ray" in the post title...when we were little, my brother Andy used to say "Bays and Grills" for "boys and girls." Still funny, even now.

Anyway, Rudy Boy's birthday was last week on the tenth and we finally got around to celebrating it this past weekend. We had a small group of family over for pizza and cake and just enjoyed celebrating our second little guy who somehow managed to let another year of his life pass by. It's moving too fast, I tell ya. We sure do love our Rudy boy and are so thankful for his sweet, gentle soul. What a blessing that God has entrusted to us!

We didn't do too much on the actual day of Rudy's birthday. Mark took him for his annual "special morning with Dada" to go get a donut, go to the book store, and go to the sports store. When he woke up from his nap there was a special cookie bouquet waiting for him from Uncle Brian and Aunt Cristi! Those cookies are so huge, all it took was about a third of a cookie cut in to little bites to satisfy him.

At his little party, pizza was enjoyed by everyone. I would have tried to make a little more effort with the menu, but this was on the same day that Mark and I spent HOURS painting and finishing up the house before it went on the market.

After singing "Happy Birthday" to Rudy, he insisted on watching the playback from our HD video camera on the big TV. Both of those guys are fascinated with seeing themselves in action!

Mama and Kolbe enjoying the party.

Checking out a new puzzle from Uncle Mikey and Aunt Casey with Kolbe, Shelby, and Kinsey.

Enjoying a little chips and hot sauce. Is it crazy that both of our boys LOVE hot sauce!?!

Reading one of their favorite books, The Giving Tree, with Papa Jeep. I can't wait till their old enough to fully understand that book!

Enjoying some pizza at the kiddie table!

Aunt Mandi made him a sweet "2" shirt. Rudy's favorite gift of the night was the sweet fire truck that Pinke and Pa sent him. In Love!

"Happy Birthday to Ru..."

Look at that face! He was so tickled!

G-ma brought a set of cool cars that they had fun racing down the coffee table with Mr. Joe!

Even Baby John got in on the festivities despite his little cold. :(

One of Mama's favorite gifts of the night was the art work that Aunt Abby made for him. The one on the left is from Kolbe's birthday and has the words to the Our Father on it. Rudy's has the words to the Hail Mary and both are surrounded by pictures of their first years of life. The big letters throughout spell our their names. So cute and creative!!!

And Dada had to end the evening by finally tearing up and replacing the broken tile by our family room. I think he was a little intimidated at first but really enjoyed doing it!