More Birthday Fun

Blake has been asking for a barbecue of his own for quite some time. This morning when he woke up, his very own barbecue was waiting for him in our family room. He was pretty excited and told us it was hot and not to touch it.

Watching Blake open some gifts.
After Lil Kickers we headed to Grammy and Grandpa's house for more presents and goodies.

Chad got his birthday present too. Grammy and Grandpa had this made for the ultimate Husky fan. It's made of red and white cedar.

Some new birthday clothes along with a cool new helicopter!

More goodies on the boat.

Happy Birthday Blake!!

Happy Birthday to my sweet boy. It has been quite a year! You have learned so many new things. You formed your own friendships this year (we didn't plan our playdates around Mommy's friends anymore, now we play with your friends). You became a cousin to Georgia and later a big brother to Lauren. You learned how to use the bathroom too! Yahoo! You also have become very curious about our family. "Is that my mom's dad?"(Grandpa) "Auntie is your sister" and "where is my dad's mom?" (Grandma) We love watching you put it all together. You have also amazed me with your coordination! You are constantly tumbling, running, jumping and riding your bike. Your Dad and I love you so much, we are so proud of you.

PS - I took this picture this afternoon when we got home from the boat, I wanted something to post with his birthday note. I said "Blake, think of something you love that makes you smile". He said "I love you Mommy". He's the best!

Healthy Boy

We went in for Blake's 3 year old wellness check today. We had to go in to see his doctor last week due to a very swollen spider bite. For a week now he has been telling Chad "Dr. Schreuder is my favorite man and you are my second favorite man". Chad can't wait for Blake to get some shots at the doctor so he can once again top Blake's list of favorites. Well, no shots today, but he is one healthy boy! 38.5 inches (75th percentile) and 33.5 lbs (60th percentile). As for sleep, (always at the top of my list of questions) most kids stop napping around 3.5 years old. Hmm, so I lost out on 1.5 years of having a moment or two to myself. The good news is misery loves company and all of my friends will be joining me soon! As of this evening, Dr. Schreuder is still the man, we'll see if some birthday presents and cake help Chad move up the list tomorrow...

Lauren Jean

Just a few pictures from today...

Sweet Boy

Blake continues to be an amazing big brother. Evidently he really likes his new role. Today he said "I want to open my birthday presents and there will be a little brover inside, Lauren wants a brover too." Hmm, hope he likes the kids barbecue we got him. No plans for another "brover" or sister!

Family BBQ

My aunt, cousin and her boyfriend were in town for a visit so Alison hosted a bbq for everyone.

Blake enjoying his dessert.

Krista and Steve

Georgia loves Blake. She loves to watch him and when he is close enough, she likes to show him how much she loves him!

Aunt Suzanne, Krista, Blake and Georgia.

Alison & Georgia

The Truck

In our garage sits one of Chad's most prized possessions, his Grandpa's truck. I have never driven the truck (I've never wanted to drive the truck) and I've only ridden in it a handful of times. Mostly, Louis rides shotgun with Chad when he makes the occasional trip to the dump. Well, this past Saturday Blake got to ride in the truck. I'm not even sure it's legal, aren't kids supposed to be in a back seat? In any case, the two of them set out Saturday morning to get some "barf" for the yard. Once they were at the "barf store" a tractor put the bark in the back of the truck. What could be better for a little boy? A ride in the "grown up seat" and a tractor. Blake had a great time and he helped Chad in the yard all day.

(yes, that is a gun rack behind my child's head...)

Proud Papa

Louis trying to get in on the action.

Dethroned, yet again.

Helping in the yard.

"Perfect"

Lauren had her two month appointment on Monday. After our pediatrician checked her out, he said she was "perfect", but we already knew that :) She is 22.5 inches, 60th percentile and a whopping 12.5 lbs, 88th percentile! Blake was always in the 10 - 15th percentile for weight, so it is pretty funny to have a rolly baby this time around, I love it!

From my garden...

The previous owners of our home must have been gardeners. We have tons of beautiful roses, that I haven't killed yet :)

Jammies

Just some fun pics of my kids in their jammies this evening!

"Um, who is this guy??"

New Shoes

Georgia gave Lauren a pair of shoes today and Lauren loves them...and so do I! Lauren was so funny, staring at her feet this afternoon. Pretty cute, thanks Georgia!

Morning Kisses

Blake really loves being a big brother. He asks if he can hold Lauren and lately he wants to help change her diapers. (I am sure they will both be mortified by this someday :) Here are some pictures of Blake giving Lauren some kisses.

Little Artist

My sister got Blake an easel for his second birthday....I assure you Georgia will be getting one for her second birthday too (payback sista!). Blake loves his easel, but it sure has created some messes around here. I finally tucked it in the back of our closet, until yesterday. We bought some washable paint and Blake had a blast creating some masterpieces in our back yard. He has been asking for some "kid scissors" too, so I finally got him a pair of his own.

We also bought a package of 25 brushes, money well spent.

Easy tough guy....

Already Two Months Old

Happy two month birthday Lauren! Many people told me when you have a second child, time passes very quickly. They could not have been more right! The transition from one to two children has been good, although our house occasionally looks like we hosted a bachelor party.
Lauren continues to charm us all, especially her brother. The other week I got a babysitter for Blake and I was taking Lauren with me to an appointment. Before I left, Blake asked me if I was going to take good care of her while we were gone. If she makes a peep Blake will say "Mom, she needs milk". Lauren is a dream baby, I just can't believe it. She is happy most of the time and get this...she SLEEPS! The last couple of nights she slept seven hours, woke up to eat and then slept for another three hours or so (or until her brother runs into our room asking "where's Lauren?"). Here's our girl in her pretty pink swimsuit. Notice the rouching on her swimsuit matches her rolls :)

(she grew bored of her photo shoot rather quickly :)

Boating

It was so nice to get out on the water today! We headed out this morning so the kids wouldn't get too hot and the weather was perfect. Blake jumped in for the first time, he said he wanted to but when he got in he seemed a little nervous. Once he got out of the water, he wanted to get right back in. When we got back to the dock he kept asking if I would go in with him next time.... Blake entertained himself most of the morning with his Spiderman fishing pole :)

This is how our little lady spent her time on the boat...I'd like to join her :)

Annual 4th of July Trip to Oregon

Every 4th of July we head to Oregon to visit Chad's Grandparents in Roseburg and spend the 4th with his parents on their boat in Newport. It amounts to a lot of fun and a lot of driving. I was a little concerned about how Lauren would do, and how Blake would do if Lauren didn't like road trips. I was amazed at how well my kids did! The first leg of our trip was from Bellevue to Portland and it took FIVE hours. We hit construction, traffic and we had to make a few pit stops...

Not to be out done, Lauren had a major blow out while Blake was taking care of business outside the car. I started to wonder how we were ever going to make it to Portland. We made it in time to celebrate Grandad's birthday.
Lauren and Aunt Lisa

Lauren & Chad's Uncle Robbie (who is very sweet with babies!)

Happy to be hanging out with his cousins.

The Pittman's are a really fun when it comes to birthdays. They light and re-light birthday candles so all the kids get to blow out the candles along with the birthday boy or girl :) As you can see, Blake skipped helping Gage and Jake with the candles and moved straight to the frosting!

Candle lighting #2

The morning after the birthday celebration we headed to Roseburg to see Blake and Lauren's Great Grandparents. We stayed at a hotel this year, which Blake is still talking about. Here are some highlights from the "ho-towel".

Great Grandma Barbara and Lauren playing on the floor.

Next stop...Newport. Blake remembered going on his Grandparent's boat last summer, I guess it made quite an impression. He was so excited to get there and go fishing.
Grandad and Blake going to pull some crab pots.

Grandma and Lauren







Flying Blake's kite at the beach.

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Fishing on the boat.