Appy Burffday!

Fordy is 3! 

We had a great day celebrating! 

Popcorn store for looking at toys, picking up dinner and of course grabbing our favorite snack! 

The crew before we grilled burgers for dinner! 

Presents!

Seth decided to give Ford his ipod since he got a Nintendo ds for his birthday.  The only stipulation was that Ford had to share it with Kane.  

And then we had a Mario extravaganza! 

Figures!

Plush Mario! 

And all the way from Nona and Papa in Pennsylvania..

Koopa Troopas! 

Last but certainly not least, by request, doughnut cake! Yum! 

Happy Birthday Ford!  We love you!! 

Motivation

This is what happens when Evan and Seth want to earn extra gaming time.  

 

Floors swept and counters tidied. 

Dining room table, cleared, wiped and arranged.  

And this. 

 Look at that pillow placement!!  

Needless to say, they were playing DS before bed. 

Annie 2.0

Kane and Ford's Rendition of How Animals Eat Their Food

And here's the original if you haven't watched it yet.  

100 Month Birthday

I think he was in Kindergarten when it started. I was telling someone how old one of the little guys was in months when Evan asked, "How many months am I?"  

So began the count to 100 months.

And as it turned out, his bike broke a couple weeks before his "birthday" so we decided it was the perfect time to get him a new one!  

Isla and I went on a girl's shopping trip to pick up Evan's bike.  I didn't think through how I was going to walk the bike and carry Isla to the front of the store. It was a long, tedious walk but we made it! 

Then as we were leaving, a huge rain storm unleashed its fury.  Being trapped in Walmart is one of my worst nightmares.  

But it was all worth it, the next day when we gave it to him.  Jed surprised Evan when he came home from work and rode it through the backdoor.  

At last they can ride bikes together again! 

They're ready to roll! 

I asked Evan if he wanted something other than cake for his birthday dessert but his only request was that it be homemade.  I guess some of my kids still like cake! 

Ford wanted to make sure everyone knew who the birthday boy was so he pointed at Evan while we sang.  :) 

Happy 100 Months Evan!!

 We love you and are looking forward to the next 100!  

And of course he's already calculated the month and year of his 200 month birthday! 

Seth's Birthday Part 2

We were still camping on Seth's birthday and our campground was near our favorite bakery.  

So we let him pick out his own pastry!  Yum! 

Later that night we were home, we opened presents and had birthday cake.  I always forget to buy the correct number candle so we added these up for his age.  :)  

Happy Birthday Doodles! 

As it turns out, Seth and Ford, aren't big fans of cake. Who doesn't like cake?!

Donuts and/or ice cream for them, from now on, I guess. 

It has been such a blessing these last 7 years being the parents of this sweet boy!  

Birthday Questionnaire: 

1. What is your favorite color? Green

2. What is your favorite toy? Nintendo DS

3. What is your favorite fruit? Watermelon

4. What is your favorite tv show? Ninjago

5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Carrots 

6. What is your favorite outfit? Star Wars Shirt

7. What is your favorite game? Mario and Sonic London 2012 Olympic Games

8. What is your favorite snack? Fruit Snacks

9. What is your favorite animal? Turtle

10. What is your favorite song?  We Win! By David Crowder

11. What is your favorite book?  Narnia

12. Who is your best friend?  Matthew, Magnuson, Ella, Silas and Owen

13. What is your favorite cereal? Cookie cereal

14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? catch worms, frogs and toads

15. What is your favorite drink? Mt. Dew

16. What is your favorite holiday? Christmas

17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? Luigi

18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? Cookie cereal

19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? Steak and Shake

20. What do you want to be when you grow up? A Policeman 

21. What's your favorite dessert?  Brownies

22. What's your favorite subject in school? Art

23. What's your favorite movie? Monster House

We love you Seth! 

Second Time's The Charm or Not

Two weekends ago, Jed took the boys for their annual "Men's Camping Trip".  

The week prior, Seth and Ford had been sick and when the boys head out, I was still cleaning throw up out of Isla's pack and play.  

I'm not sure why we assumed Evan and Kane were immune, it was foolish.  And our folly led to a very stressful Saturday morning for Jed, as his eldest born was up before the sun, puking all over the camper.  

Fun times.  

He called it a weekend and came home.  

Miraculously Kane actually avoided this bout of sickness and by Tuesday everyone was well.  We decided to try a family trip.  

Unfortunately Florida decided it was time for summer to commence so our lovely 70 degree weather became high 80s with humidity so intense that Kane and Ford's hair looked like they stepped right off of the set of an Ogilvie commercial. 

The boys still enjoyed themselves, as they always do but it solidified that this was in fact our final hurrah until the fall.

For our first evening we didn't have time to find firewood or even make a fire so went to Sonny's for dinner.  Isla noshed on her first rib! 

  

The park had several nice trees to climb, keeping Seth and his brothers busy! 

After Isla learned to climb the stairs we bought this baby gate and when it arrived we realized it'd be perfect for camping!  She loved being able to crawl around and I loved not having to hold her 24/7! 

Happy girl teething on a sweet pepper! 

One of the nice things about having mini children!  

Fishing is there absolute favorite thing to do! 

Can't wait until next year!  

Keeping Me On My Toes

I caught the two younger boys making some bad choices so I sent them to the bathroom for a timeout.

  I wanted to speak to each one of them individually about what they had done so I said to Kane, "Go outside and wait for me." 

 I had a good chat with Ford, sent him out and called for Kane.  Nothing.  

I went looking for him to find an empty house and the front door open.

 My first thoughts were of course irrationally terrible so I shoved those down and ran to the door.  

There my four year old sat on the porch, sucking his thumb. 

 I said, "What are you doing?"  He said, "You told me to go outside."  

"I meant outside of the bathroom, like in the hallway, as usual."  "Oh, hahaha, oops." 

Ford: (sternly, with brow furrowed) "Mom, we don't eat money."

Me: "That's right." (Then I remembered that earlier he had a penny which was now no where in sight) "Ford, did you eat your money?"

Ford: (no longer making eye contact and looking sheepish)

Me: "Ford, did you eat money?"

Ford: (squirming and trying to look anywhere but at me)

Me: "Ford, look at me. Did you eat your money?"

Ford: (Can't keep a straight face, and finally nods)

Me: *sigh*

Ford (In a quiet sing song voice while rubbing his tummy) "It's in here... it's in here..."

Seth's Birthday Pt. 1

Side note, I can't handle that he's going to be 7.  

That being said, his school has today and Monday off so we celebrated yesterday with his class

And what better way to celebrate than with delicious doughnuts! 

He didn't know I was coming so his teacher blindfolded him and brought him out. 

 Then we started singing happy birthday!  

And his teacher spoiled him with a sweet card and CASH! Yes!  

Yup, he's the birthday boy! 

Yum! 

Happy Birthday Doodles! 

Isla at 11 Months

She's a picky eater (although not as much so as Ford) and her favorite food is bread, she'd eat it all day if I let her.  I discovered yesterday that she will eat avocado but still gags on, strawberries, bananas, peas, and tangerines.  

She's reserved for the most part but on occasion she'll chat your ear off and if she doesn't get what she wants she'll let you know, with an ear piercing shriek.  

She likes her personal space, especially when it comes to her brothers.  Seth, with his tender heart, has won a place in her heart though, so he can get away with more snuggles than the others. 

She loves when others sing for her and/or pat a beat, she can't resist shaking her booty. 

Clapping and peek a boo are some of her favorite games.

She figured out that she could climb the stairs and has made every effort (despite gates and many watchful eyes) to practice this as often as possible.    

She still wears 3-6 month clothing.

Just recently she learned to enjoy her baths instead of screaming through them. Yay!

She's a joy! 

When Seth saw Isla with the tulle, he said, "Look Isla is a beautiful bridal!"  

Isla wasn't that into the the tulle so instead I got out her shoes, she loves to go through her shoes! 

"Hey girl, I found a sale at Macy's, you have to check it out, they have the cutest shoes." 

Pure Joy! 

Celebrate!

My birthday and Easter fell on the same weekend!  

Friday morning the kids and I read the Passover story and then Jesus' crucifixion.  Seth said, "When you read the part about Jesus dying my eyes started to get water in them." Mine too buddy, mine too.  

That night Jed took me out to dinner and gave me my gifts, a nice shirt and a milk glass, chalice. Thanks babe!  

Saturday was my actual birthday and we had a relaxing day at home with the kids.  We got a cake from Target and dyed eggs.  It was a blast dying eggs with all the boys.  It was the first time Ford really got into!  

Jed and I spent the night putting together the boys Easter gift, the Police Station Lego set and stuffing plastic eggs with candy.  

Sunday, Jed read about Jesus' resurrection and ascension. 

We had our Easter hunt and then went to Lowe's to purchase plants for our yard! 

I think spending Easter gardening is a great new tradition!  

Birthday dinner! 

Duck rolls for an appetizer!

Milk glass!

Lets dye some eggs!

They're old pros!

My boys!

Then we had cake!  

Easter morning, ready, set, hunt!  

And my baby girl in her first Easter dress on her first Easter Sunday!  So fun!