Elliott & Maverick are 3!

Our twins turned 3 in May! This funny, energetic, social, loving, kind and adventurous pair are so much fun and make life that much more entertaining. We started out their special day with a trip to get birthday donuts and then celebrated them at home surrounded by family and friends with smoked chicken, homemade baked beans, caesar salad (honey), pasta salad (nana), fruit salad (great-gram), veggie tray (uncle trav), grape slushie, chocolate cake and adorable Minnie mouse & Thomas the train cookies from nana. The weather was terrible leading up to the party (think rain blowing sideways) but by party time it had pretty much stopped raining and guests were able to be outside if they chose. Mav & Elliott had so much fun opening their presents and partying it up that as soon as the guests left, they crashed out for the rest of the afternoon!  We love you little sunshines!!

 

 

 

 

*Note ~ I thought I had more pics from the party but upon review, it appears a 4 year old brother did most of the photo taking ;)

Baron is 4!

Happy Birthday to the one who first made me a mom!

Baron has turned 4 and I can hardly believe it. How has it been 4 years since this amazing, funny, independent, smart and completely wonderful little man entered our lives?? He was really into his birthday this year and he should have been since we celebrated all week. Monday he had his birthday at school and he brought cupcakes, crackers w/cheese, special juice and balloons. He chose balloons instead of goodie bags and I was happy to oblige. Tuesday was is actual birthday but we weren't having his party until Saturday so we weren't going to do it up big......until he woke up telling me it was his birthday and he needed a birthday donut. Since he had an excellent point (who doesn't deserve a donut on their birthday??) I loaded everyone up and we went to get white donuts with sprinkles. We then went by Honey's and back home where he requested mac&cheese for lunch. He didn't have to take a nap and when the twins woke up we headed to the park to meet Uncle Trav and Brady where they played for over an hour. Daddy met us there and we headed home for dinner where Honey met us with cupcakes for his special day. Then he opened his presents from us with his favorite being his new helicopter. I would say he had a great day! Up next was his Lightning McQueen party on Saturday. We had pizza, caesar salad, watermelon slushy and chocolate cake. We lucked out and had great weather so the kids played and played outside almost the entire time. We were joined by Nana/Papa, Honey/Grandpa, Tara/Bailey, Trav/Katie/Brady, Tia, Uncle Rod/Aunt Carol, Dale/Sheri Neuschwander, Nate/Reid/Reece Neuschwander, Jason/Allison/Grant/Liam Medford and Chris/Donna Cox. We enjoyed a fantastic party where our boy was completely loved! He received many wonderful & thoughtful gifts and he has yet to take off the Lightning McQueen crocs he received :)

 

 

 

And to round out the night:

 

 

 

Happy Birthday Finn!

The kids, Honey and I made an impromptu trip to Aunt Shannon's house last weekend to hang with the kids & Aunt Shannon and play, play, play. The kids had a blast running around their house and playing with Hudson, Finn and Ava while Grace was away for a day and a half at a volleyball tourney but we got some good time in with her when she got back. Maverick and Elliott mastered the stairs immediately which was really helpful since they have a three story house and the twins loved the freedom to play in the basement or upstairs with Hudson at their leisure. Finn and Hudson attempted to teach Baron to play Xbox or Wii but he ultimately found love in a large lightning McQueen toy which he carried around the entire time we were there. Aunt Shannon sent said toy home with him....she doesn't love him at all, does she?! Baron and Hudson spent hours running around the house together, up and down stairs to build train tracks, checking out Russell (beta fish) and during down time, relaxing together. There wasn't much time during our visit that those two weren't together and that made me happy, happy, happy!

Game time!

 

Just relaxing

Love this guy!

Girl Time with Ava



 

The highlight of my trip was getting to celebrate Finn's 9th birthday with him. They moved north when Finn was almost 2 and I think this might be only the 2nd or 3rd time I have been with him on his actual birthday. We were able to have dinner, sing Happy Birthday, eat cake and watch him open presents on his special day. We love you Griffin and think you are a complete Rock Star!

 

 

 

 

 

The Twins are TWO!

Happy Birthday to my completely fantastic, hilarious and energetic two year olds!

 

 

 

We spent 5 days at my wonderful sister-in-laws home in WA last week (the guys were shrimping - more on this later) and the twins birthday happened to fall on the Saturday we were there. This is the first birthday of one of my kids that we have gotten to spend with her & my nieces/nephews and they went all out. Balloons and Happy Birthday banner filled the hallway when we woke up and she had the table decorated super cute. The cousins got the twins more balloons when they were in town and Grace made cake pops! There was a lot of playing inside and out, bubble blowing and just all around fun. We were very happy to get to spend this special day with Aunt Shannon, Gram "Honey" and Grace/Ava/Finn/Hudson!

Baron is 3!

Happy Birthday to my completely fantastic and wonderful son! It has been a whirlwind of a year and I am having a hard time actually believing that he is 3. We had a family party on Sunday and he ran & ran with his cousin Bailey. He then had a meltdown right before and during cake time (I should have sang "it's my party and I'll cry if I want to") and told me he wanted to go to bed. While we were singing I had to hold him (per his request) and he did the whole arched back, mouth open cry which I haven't seen in awhile. He then put himself to bed after we sang and everyone was having cake but I made him get up after about 15 minutes for presents and he bounced back ok. Was quiet during presents opening but warmed up with the help of his cousin. Ahh the memories we make!

 

On his actual birthday he got cake for breakfast and played outside with one of his new presents - a Lightening McQueen bubble blower. We then took him to see some baby chicks and rabbits at the store in town & rounded off the night with presents from us. I think he was a happy kid!

We love you little dude!