cousin weekend

Last month we had a cousin weekend. My family that lives in Oklahoma came down for a visit. So of course we made them all stop playing to pose for a picture. I had this grand idea in my mind of how it was going to turn out. Goodness me you know how things go when you plan. As you can see they were totally into it.... Oh well, this is what memories are made of. I love these kids. 

half birthday

Well, we made it to the half year mark. It's pretty amazing how fast everything is going. I love this little boy more and more everyday. He is already crawling, and showing his personality. I've got the feeling that i'm not going to be able to keep up with this one. With his older brother running around he's got a good teacher. Just wait next thing he will be flying around the room in an iron man outfit fighting bad guys with linc. We are going to have so much fun. I almost can't wait.

This month we and our closest friends and family had the privilege of dedicating our sweet boy. As Quakers this is Elliot's first rite of passage. He is dedicated to God and our church with a sense of shared responsibility for helping him along in any way possible. It really brings everyone together as one with one purpose, to love God and to love Elliot. 

Elliot was not the only little one being dedicated on this day. That in it's self is pretty amazing, considering the size of our tiny church.  It's marvelous that the boys got the chance to share such a spiritual moment. It is something that will bind them together for the rest of their lives. I pray they will continue to go in the light of our Lord together. 

The day could not have been more perfect. 

4 Years

How in the world is it possible that 4 years has gone by so fast?! Today we got the chance to celebrate my sweet little guy. He asked for a hulk smash, spiderman and robot party. I could not quite get with the robots so he got a hulk spiderman day. Luckily we already had all the decorations. Last year he had a spiderman party and we already had tons of hulk stuff. Last year we bought this ridiculous "Happy birthday" sign from a party store that was completely over priced, but we just HAD to have it and since then I've decided to use it until he is 30. I'm sure at some point it will turn into a funny family joke and will hopefully show up at his kids parties. 

I can not get over how much fun today was. Of course, we made all these plans to play outside and have spent countless hours all summer getting our little backyard ready and guess what... it freaking  rained most of the day. So plan B, and it was a huge hit!! I found the sweetest little bird houses to paint at a craft store for like a dollar.  Best $10 I ever spent. The kids LOVED it and I loved watching them. 

I hope you enjoy a few pictures from today. 

 By the way I'm a master decorator... Just slap a toy on the counter an call it good. ;) haha

I tried to get creative and make purple and green cupcakes. Well I did and they looked more like easter than hulk smash. Completely delicious and completely wrong.

I let linc put his candles in. 

His favorite toy from the day. "The batman robot was berry cool." his words. Maybe next year we will add batman to the list. hulk spiderman and batman robot... Sounds like a blast to me. 

My dear sweet boy,

 I cannot imagine a life without you in it. Know that I will love you forever,  even on the days that you do not care and hurt my feeling.  You have made my life worth it. Thank you for being mine. 

Love, mama

Welcome/ Retirement party

Month 4 was a busy one. First off, Elliot learned to roll over, get stuck in crazy places, and trying his best  to perfect the art of sitting up (he finally gets the hang of it in month 5). He is doing things so early. Well with all the help and advise from his wonderful big bro how can he not. His smile is getting easier to come by and is totally infectious. It's not so hard to make him show his gums. I love that gummy grin! He is kinda a hard laugh like Linc was, but every once in a while he lets it all out. It's music!! Lincoln is usually the one to get him really going. I am just so in love with my two boys, and the love that they feel for each other is undeniable. 

This month we had a small welcome party with Jarrod's sides of the family. It was also a cover for a surprise retirement party for my wonderful in-laws. Both retired last year and refused a party. So you know what happened... They got one anyway. That's what daughter-in-laws are for.. right!! The day was amazing, family came from all over, conversations were had and memories were made. A day I will likely not forget.

As we drove up to the party this sign was hanging on the gate. It made my heart skipped a beat. 

Yes, I made everyone stand in the hot sun to get a group picture. The first one I took caught me running trying to join the group (i'm a little slow). I love a good group picture!!

The young schooling the old. Lincoln was an amazing teacher. It must run in the family. 

We got the chance to visit my mother-in-laws work for her retirement party the school threw for her. It was fantastic hearing the stories that were told. I mean we know how special she is, but it's always nice to hear it for her peers. I loved seeing the joy she brought to the school, I know she will be missed. I'm sure she will miss them just as much. 

I can't believe how fast everything is going. I'm having trouble keeping up. These boys are keeping me on my toes and i'm loving every minute of it!!

Everything goes in his mouth... 

Oh this happy face!! I just love it so much. I'm so proud he is mine.