Happy 5th Birthday Oliver!

Oliver had a fantastic pirate party today!  Happy 5th birthday to our wonderful son!  We started the party off with a pirate treasure hunt.  The clues were found all over the backyard and the front yard and included a clue that sent the kids searching and listening for a ticking crocodile (aka metronome in a croc hiding in a tree).  The clues sent them to search for hidden toys in the sandbox and it ended with finding them finding the hidden party favors in Oliver's bed.  The enthusiasm was overflowing!  It's so much fun to have kids who are old enough to enjoy party games like this.

Oliver's friend Shane and his brother Luke joined us for the party.  Both boys are very sweet, have similar interests, go to preschool together and are great buddies! It has been so special for Oliver to have a friend like Shane this year.

Finn and Grandpa at the party.

Oliver has been asking for a zip line for quite a few months, so Kent rigged one up in the backyard for the party.  It was a HIT!

The skull and crossbone cake turned out pretty good!

I had lots of fun making the watermelon shark!

Great friends!

Oliver grew up so much this year.  I am amazed at how tall he his, how he joyfully goes to preschool, does small chores around the house, etc.  He has his moments, but they are few and far between.  Oliver tells the best jokes, gives the best hugs and is very tenderhearted.  What a loveable boy.

Perfect weather and lots of fun!

Finn

8 months old and changing so much!  Finn is getting more expressive and also a little more challenging.  He has been whining a lot more lately, I'm not sure why.  Probably just a stage... But overall he is still a very calm laid back baby.  I thought these photos were fun because they show his different facial expressions.  Sweet baby boy.

Sweet Finners!  It's hard to believe you are almost 7 months old!  It looks like he has two teeth in the picture... but nope, not yet!

Brooke had to get in on the action.

The Boys!

I've always struggled finding the right time of day to take pictures in our living room.  We seem to live in kind of a "cave".  But the sunlight has been just right in the afternoons to take a few good shots.  We have had very warm and sunny days with hardly any precipitation.  Not good for the snow pack this year, but nice weather for taking pictures, inside our house!

Such a sweet, happy, easy going little guy. I just LOVE him!

This is the kids' favorite spot.  The Lego corner (which will soon be leaving once Finn starts moving around more) is an ever changing world of creation!

These are the smiles that a four year old boy gives you when you say "dirty diapers!".

This is Oliver's "I'm not going to smile when Mom tells me funny jokes" smile.

And... we're done!

Finn Finn

Finn is such a happy baby that even on his cranky days he can sneak out a smile.

The weather was so nice that we set his entertainment center up outside!

Valentine's Day

It's Valentine's Day!  It's kind of crazy that there is no snow on the ground and the weather warms up to the mid to high 50's during the day.  I kind of like it!

Finn is sitting up pretty well now.  It was warm enough for him to be outside with the big kids!

Homeschooling is going well!  You just can't beat working on schoolwork in the sunshine!

I can't believe this is February!

Oliver wanted to check out Brooke's story.

Hey everyone!  I'm six months old today!

Finn hanging out in one of his favorite spots!

Happy Valentine's Day and Finn's 1/2 birthday!

Happy 5 Months Finn!

5 months has been a wonderful time for Finn.  His personality is developing a little more every day.  He is such a calm, happy, sweet baby.  He has started to reach for everything, and we already lost our first glass measuring cup because his little fingers grabbed it!  He has also discovered his thumb.  It doesn't sooth him when he's going to bed, but he tries to suck on it when he gets tired.  So cute.

Those legs are getting so chunky!

He only rolls one direction... from front to back, and only to his right side.  Funny boy.

He normally ends up sleeping with us, because I have been so tired lately.  If he has a bad napping day, he sometimes wants to wake up and play at 3 or 4am.  Not my idea of a good time!  I look forward to the time where he can sleep more hours in a row, but for the time being, I'm enjoying it!  Oliver said today, "I don't want Finn to grow up, because he's so cute!"  I am so lucky to have two kids that adore their baby brother.  He has been such a wonderful addition to our family!