~Jenny and Todd's Wedding ~

This weekend one of my best friends got married! The festivities started early afternoon with some of the maids and bride getting their nails done. Then that evening was rehearsal at church. Ethan and I were both in their wedding, we felt so blessed and honored to be a part of their big day! I was a brides maid, and Ethan was a ring bearer. My dear Friend Ashley ( who was also a maid), son Timothy was  a ring bearer.  I really liked how all of us bridesmaids and bride have been very close friends for many years, some since elementary! It was so sweet that Timothy and Ethan have always been friends, so watching them grow up together has been fun. It was definitely a special wedding party. The rehearsal dinner was next that evening. The entire night before the wedding went really smoothly and we all had a blast. The next day was AMAZING. The wedding was perfect and so was the bride and groom. Ethan and Timothy walked down the aisle so nicely. They did such a good job, I was so proud of them! Not one of the boys even paused..... they walked down the aisle as if they did it every day ha! It was both of their first times being in a wedding:) A big thank you to my wonderful hubby and family for helping out with Ethan all day, it meant the world to me!
Jenny and Todd had a beautiful reception. We all had so much fun dancing the night away. My family and friends were all their to celebrate!!  Congrats Mr and Mrs. Laux!!! Here are many many pictures....

                                                                      Practicing walking down the aisle..............

The Beautiful Bride ~ To~ Be

Playing in The Fountain before the Rehearsal Dinner

The Bride and her Maids before Rehearsal Dinner..

The Handsome Groom...

Timothy and Ethan so Handsome preparing to Walk Down...

My little man....

I love this picture Grandma looks so pretty, Ethan is so happy!

The BIG WALK.... Melt my Heart. They look all grown up!

Loving on my Little Man after the wedding I was so PROUD of him!

Introducing Mr and Mrs. Laux

The Bride before her Reception... STUNNING!

All of us Girls! Love them!

Family LOVE

LOVE these girls! Hanging out after the reception!

A Special Day

Most of you all know that Ethan has had a nephro tube draining his kidneys for the past 2 months. A few posts below, you can read why he had to have the tube. Having the nephro tube in, PREVENTED Ethan from having another scary surgery, A TRUE BLESSING. Last Friday, we were so blessed.. Ethan finally got his tube out!!! This tube had such a huge impact on the way we lived our lives for those two months. Ethan could not go in water, he could not be in the heat..so no outside, he was uncomfortable when he slept, his dressing changes ruled our days, he was limited to a lot of physical activity for the most part (his birthday party was an  exception..we protected him "extra" that day..it was a must). Not to mention, the heavy medications and non-stop hospital visits because of the tube. Ethan was a completely different "Ethan" with his tube, honestly it was really sad. He was not himself at all.
Now that the tube is out "hooray" Ethan is ready to be Ethan! He now spends his days in water, being very active, and sleeping like a champ. At times, he will feel his back (back is where the tube was placed) and say "no more tube or tape (tape means bandages)" and will have this confused look on his face. We just remind him that he is doing so good, that the tube went bye bye. I thank the lord he is still so young while going through all of this. So far, since the tube has been removed Ethan is doing great!!!
Thank you all again for praying for our little guy. He loves you all! We thank god for the prayers, love, and support. We pray that Ethan continues to do well:) We return back to his urologist in October.
Today my mother, sister, Ethan and I celebrated by going to a place called Inflatables. It was Bounce House Heaven. All I can say is, the smile on Ethan's face the entire time was simply priceless. He was so happy and enjoyed himself tremendously.  He really is a Special Boy full of love and laughter. We smiled and laughed the entire time we played there, it felt so good to be so happy. Just watching Ethan be so happy to be active was such a good feeling.  Thank you Aunt Shannon for planning such a Special Day:)

Here is a video and some fun pictures.

Ethan's 2nd Birthday Party~ Part 2 "Picture Post"

Click here to view these pictures larger

Ethan's 2nd Birthday Part 1

Ethan's Birthday was on Friday, It was a very fun eventful day! He started his day very early with his favorite breakfast Starbucks Oatmeal and fruit! After breakfast ,we headed out with my mother  shopping for his party this next day. After shopping we met up with my Dad at Olive Garden and had a Birthday Lunch. I wanted to totally spoil him with all of his favorites on his Special Day:)

Unfortunately, Ethan's medicine wasn't making him feel so well, so after lunch we came home and layed low for the rest of the day. I wanted to keep him well rested for his big party the next day. After Ethan's nap, he opened a Birthday package in the mail from Nathan's Father and his Step Mother. Ethan Loves getting mail....especially toy tools in the mail. He loves TOOLS, and he loves to  fix everything. Thank you Pa and Grandma Arnett.

During the late Afternoon my Parents aka Ja and Grandma brought over Ethan's Birthday Present...

Ethan Loves his New Rides! Thank You Ja and Grandma

A little after this Uncle Robert and Kari came from out of town to visit for his Birthday. He loved his trains:)

Aunt Shannon and Uncle Adam came extra early for Ethan's Birthday. Ethan was so excited to open their gifts! They got him the most handsome Fall Clothes, Rain Coat and Boots, Shoes, Books, and Jungle Book DVD.  Oh and Aunt Shannon gave Ethan his 2nd Haircut, he looks so grown up.

The next day was Ethan's Birthday Party, and it was a blast. We did a Choo Choo Ethan's Two Theme. Since the heat was so nasty we had the party inside our house. We made sure the fun could be inside as well, we had a ride on train- Bounce House- and Pull String Toddler Friendly Pinata! It was cool and the kids had a blast! Here are a couple of pictures of the decorations and cake.

                              Ethan's Birthday Conductor Hat, Train Whistle, and Train cup

Party Favors for all of the Kiddos!

Thanks to everyone who came out to share Ethan's Special Day, birthday wishes and gifts in the mail and at the party. Another thank you to my dear friend Ashley who surprised us and came to Ethan's birthday with her son Jack "Ethan's close buddy", and her Mother. I had no ideal we were going to see them, what a sweet surprise. I miss my far-away friends:( My sweet Friend Brandi offered to take pictures of Ethan's Party , Another Big Thank You and we cannot wait to see them!

We are extremely thankful for our family and close Friends! Nathan and I decided that instead of buying Ethan a gift for his birthday, we are donating money to Riley Hospital! We want to do this each year. Later this week, I will post more pictures form his Birthday Party! Thanks Again to Everyone!