Happy 1st Birthday, Luke!

Sondra made this cute construction cake, which Luke was excited to try!

First bite of cake.

Jonathan really wanted to help rip the wrapping paper!

Andrew and Jonathan made sure all of Luke's new toys were in good working order!

Grandpa and Grandma and the boys

I'm way behind in posting these pictures! We celebrated Luke's first birthday last month. It's hard to believe he is one already! There was lots of yummy food, good conversation and cake and presents, of course! Luke was a good sport considering his cousins were a little jealous of all the attention and presents he was getting! Happy Birthday big boy!

If Little Kids Ruled the World...

I found this in a magazine a while ago, and thought I should post this. I hope my boys never read this! Although it's mostly true already... (You may need to click on it to make it big enough to read. I was too lazy to retype it all!)

Tired Boy

This is what Jonathan looked like the other night at dinner. He was so tired he had to hold his head up while he ate. And yes, he is sitting in a big chair, without a booster. Apparently when you turn 2, you are to big for baby things like booster seats. *sigh*

Stubborn boy and spring-like weather

This is what Andrew chooses to wear when I ask him to put on his own shoes - Keith's ND parka boots. We've been having some fights lately about who should put on his shoes. I gave up the fight this day because he at least put something on his feet. Plus it was pretty funny to watch him attempt to walk in those boots!

Oops, the boot is not cooperating in the climb up the ladder. After this, he gave up and found a pair of shoes that fit him a little better.

Jonathan driving away

Mr. Cool!

Last week it felt like spring was finally around the corner, but this week, we've been trapped inside again. Boo! But we enjoyed our time outside while we could!

Day at the Farm

"Cow! Moo!"

Getting a Ranger ride
The boys found these extra hats in Grandpa's truck and put them on. Andrew said, "Now we are farmers, too!"

Yesterday we went to Grandma and Grandpa's for the day. It had been a little while since we had time to just go and play and run and well, get a little spoiled. We started out by visiting my grandpa and taking him a donut. His birthday is Friday, and he turns 92. He was very alert when we got there and devoured that donut. I don't think I've ever seen anyone eat a donut that fast! Our visit was cut short when Grandpa decided to spit up some of his donut. Andrew and Jonathan were a little freaked that Great Grandpa was "frowing up" on the floor! He has a swallowing issue and sometimes he just spits. But it was good to see him and his smile, even if he wasn't sure who we were.

Then we went back to Grandma and Grandpa's and the boys saw the baby calves. Jonathan kept yelling "Cow! Moo!" and pointing at them. I'm sure in his little mind he's wondering why the cows weren't in a book, where he usually sees them.

After lunch, Grandpa came home and Andrew wanted a tractor ride, so we went over to the farm and took some rides and looked at more cows. Jonathan wasn't too sure about the tractor, but agreed to a ride if I went with him, so I did. Then we went back to the house and had a Ranger ride, looked for chicken eggs, and ran around in the fresh air for awhile.

The boys were exhausted on the way home, but didn't fall asleep until we were almost home and when I tried to transfer them to their beds, they woke up and wouldn't go back to sleep. I'm sure they only needed a 10-minute nap after such a fun day.

More Happy Birthday Jonathan

Sporting his new hat from Grandpa and Grandma

new shades

New books from Aunt Sondra and Uncle Chad

I love his expression. It's as if he's thinking, "I'll act interested in what she's showing me, but there are STICKERS in this book!"

a new tricycle!

Luke was a little jealous of Jonathan's new ride.

Trying to hitch a ride

"Umm, are you touching my new trike?!"

Luke making his move...

Luke and Grandma

Don't Chad and Sondra look cute? And don't miss the little mischievous face climbing on them.

Ready. Set. Go!

Luke isn't quite walking, but he can go fast with the help of the shopping cart!

Jonathan trying to put Luke's sock back on.

Jonathan giving Luke a hug.

The hug started to turn into wrestling...

(Once again, I'm way behind.) Two weeks ago, we had a little family birthday party for Keith and Jonathan, but mostly for Jonathan. Grandma, Grandpa, Chad, Sondra and Luke came over for dinner and presents! We had lots of fun watching the kids play together and they are starting to play together. Jonathan wasn't too sure about sharing his tricycle, which has since been moved outside, but he does love Luke! I think he likes being "the big" for a change. Thanks for helping celebrate the birthday boys!

Peterson's Visit - Exploration Place

On Friday, we met Jill's parents at Exploration Place and let the kids run. There are so many great hands-on activities and the kids all loved it!

Andrew wasn't too sure about the spinning tube.

the water trough

Jonathan loved playing with the train table, all by himself.

Andrew taking his turn on the wooden horse slide ride.

Sydney would've ridden this horse all day if we had had the energy to push her back to the start!

Who's behind the blue curtain?

Brenna and Jill

and Jonathan

Up in the castle galley, Brenna, Jonathan and Andrew fixed a feast.

This picture does not show the true disturbingness (I know it's not a real word, but it works for me.) of what was actually happening. This was an airplane simulator where you could be the pilot and practice taking off and landing. Andrew had a version of landing that I NEVER want to experience. His goal, which he accomplished at least 6 times, was to crash the plane, nose first, into the ground. Followed by evil laughter and screeching that he wanted to do that again! All the while, Jonathan watched in rapt attention, taking notes.

*Mental note, never let them become pilots.

This was Andrew's favorite exhibit of the day. It was a water maze. You created the maze by moving the blue and yellow pieces, which affected the current of the water and the path the red ball would take as it floated on the current. Very fun! We had to drag him away with the promise that we would go back someday soon.

Jill reading stories to all the little Unicorns before bed.
None of the kids chose to nap this day and were exhausted and a little cranky, so Jill created Unicorn school before dinner, which was genius! They all participated and we even got them to eat dinner by telling them it was Unicorn food. And then they ended Unicorn school with a couple of bedtime stories. All the little Unicorns were in bed by 7:20 pm - a new record!