Cumpleanos Feliz TRES!

Grandpa and Grandma came for the day to celebrate the Big #3 with Bubba. They came bearing many gifts including 2 new games which we tested out during SBG's nap. Bubba beat Grandma & I at both CandyLand Wheel and Cooties.Bubba loves his new Spiderman Big Wheel and did a great job breaking it in all afternoon.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=83668953948645133213 more candles to blow out after he licked quite a bit of chocolate frosting off the cake and his fingers. Thanks for a great day G'ma & G'pa!

It's finally warm enough for a sun dress...

... so here we are in our Sunday best.

Dare I share - The cutest buns ever

We have a picture of Bubba like this so pre-bath yesterday I had Thad take this one (actually I wanted to show off my beefy forearm from my time at the gym :)

Today it's your birthday! NaNaNaNaNa It's Bubba's Birthday Too yah!

My faithful blog readers are probably thinking "Hey- wasn't it already his birthday?" Well - yes and no. We did some celebrating last weekend but today is the real thing. I know today is supposed to be about him but all day long I've been reminding myself I am now the Mom of a "3" year old. It's been the best three years of my life. An incredible blessing and privilege to be the mother of such an incredible God creation.

Last night as we got him ready for bed, I cuddled him and asked him if he would just stay two forever. He said no that he really wanted to be three but that we could always cuddle. And in my mind I thought - it might seem like always to you but it will be such a brief time to me. May I treasure every moment!

So here is how we spent this raining gloomy day! It began with many phone calls for the family to sing happy birthday (in this order - Aunt KT, Aunt Klions, UncaScott & Mini, Nanny & Papa) and many birthday hugs. Bubba's favorites were from SBG.

Hey - whose head is bigger :) ??

The day would not have been complete without breakfast at our family's favorite greasy spoon. Bubba enjoyed at Mickey Mouse pancake complete chocolate chips. Bubba & SBG were a little distracted by the rousing conversations of the other diners. Atleast Mommy's looking at the camera.

Tonight we went to ChuckE.Cheese for a dual purpose - birthday #3 and pooping on the potty :) Bubba's buddy Lydia and her family joined us. Here's Bubba demo-ing the cool microphone they got him. (An instant fave for Bubba - thanks Lydia & fam) He's sporting a purple Rockies jersey from his Colorado cousins. Thanks Aunt Wendy, UncaTodd & kids! Lydia & Bubba barely sat still for pizza. They loved everything including the games that were a little mature for them. Fortunately the dads were happy to demonstrate. I'm not sure who had more fun on the JetSki game - the Dad or the kid.Hank made a new friend? And here's one of Mike & Holly that I couldn't resist including.

All in all a fantabulous birthday day. Thad explained to Bubba as he went to bed tonight that we are all done with his birthday for this year. I don't think he really go it. Fortunately he doesn't have to quite yet because we are having a final day of celebration on Sunday with Grandpa & Grandma.

Swimming Party - Day 2

After a brief respite at home for sleep Bubba was ready to go bright and early for Day 2 of his Swimming Birthday Party. Aunt Klions, her booty, and Uncle Lee came to observe (to understand the inside joke see her blog at http://www.allofthecoolkidsaredoingit.blogspot.com/and Cousin Soren and his new baby sister Norah Jean (3 1/2 days old) came to swim. Proud Grandpas with their cute baby girls (Uncle Don & Norah - Papa & SBG)Then we took a swimming break and watched his next present, an Arthur DVD starring Arthur's Pen Pal H--K! Next it was time for singing Happy Birthday (and blowing the noisemaker if you're Bubba) and blowing out the candles - blowing is the key word here because in the past it has been more like spitting. http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7718857804051812980
A SBG Saturday close up! Nanny & Papa - thanks for such a great brithday present. Love you guys!

Swimming Party - Day 1

Nanny & Papa gave Bubba 24 hours of swimming for part of his birthday present. Last night he was in the water for 4 hours straight. Nanny taught him many new "skills" including how to splash well with ducks and noodles. (I'm counting on Amelia to set him straight when we get to AZ.) http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1536980017663701890



For her first spin in the pool, SBG floated around like the Princess of the Nile.



Cousins Lloyd, Karla, Kassie, & Cameron used the hotel room for a much needed getaway and joined us for swimming later in the evening.

Arrival at the New Marriott

Due to Aunt KT's weekly time of slaving away at Divots, her family is able to enjoy the fruits of her labor with great rates at Marriotts. SBG says "Thanks Aunt KT! I love the pillows!" "And the pool too!" "Yes - these are my real legs!"

Making Cookies

Bubba and I made sugar cookies on Friday as a part of the week of festivities to celebrate his #3 birthday. He loved rolling the dough (although after one pan full he took a break for Diego), using the "H" and #3 cookie cutters and shaking the sprinkles. I loved spending SBG's morning nap with my sweet boy. (Sorry about the dark pictures - gotta love the spring morning sunshine!)

An Early Birthday Gift

Bubba received his first 3 year old birthday gift from our good friends the Karams - his first fishing pole with Shakespeare the orange fish. He's been fishing ever since.
Here he is casting it out and reeling it in - notice the determination on that face! Speaking of faces - here's a cute one of SBG with her current fave from Last Chance (thanks to super shopper Aunt KT).

Here's the 4/11

Snow is APRIL!!!! Here's what I saw when I let the dog out first thing this morning. Why does it always snow when my husband is out of town? We're on our way to Bible School for Bubba (BSF - Bible Study Fellowship) and 4 month shots for SBG. Don't worry - I will be driving very slowly and carefully.

He is Risen Indeed!

Happy Resurrection Day!


What a whirlwind day we had today! Believe it or not, all 4 of us were only a few minutes late for the 8:15 service. We think SBG is going to be a music lover because she let out a series of squeals during "He Arose" - makes a mommy proud. (Shown here in her Easter finery with Nanny)
Then we headed to Nanny & Papa's for brunch and the annual Battle (aka Easter Egg Hunt). All of the "kids" have such competitive spirits - Bubba, Aunt Klions, Uncle Yee and Lance. Bubba analyzing the egg contents and quenching his thirst from all the sugar :)The big boys enjoyed Bubba's new Easter game - Let's Fish - thanks Easter Bunny aka Nanny (and Tara for the idea). Nanny the Bunny also gave Bubba a very loud toy - electronic drum sticks, complete with crazy music to drum to. For a live rendition check out this video.

We headed home for naps and then Grandpa and Grandma came for a visit. We watched the final round of the Masters and cheered and even shed some cheers when Zach Johnson won!
Bubba and his Dad are now enjoying a rousing game of Let's Fish.
Well - that's our Easter rundown - hope you all had a blessed day.

The Coldest Easter Egg-Stravaganza Ever

This morning we went with our pals Lydia and Tara for our second annual Easter Egg-stravaganza! Last year we wore short-sleeves. This year we were bundled with hats, coats, and mittens in 29 degree weather and that's not factoring in the windchill. Our kids were brave with their pink cheeks and the incentive of candy at 10 in the morning. A little pre-hunt picture with the mascot for our local minor league team Last year Bubba and Lydia were some of the smallest "hunters". This year they were the oldest two year olds so they fared well. (Aunt Klions I think you are going to have a real rival this year!)
Squiggy aka Bubba in the midst of some serious egg gathering The goods A pose on the steps from last year (Tara your last year's pics got me all nostalgic - can you believe how grown up our big kids are?) and now here they are this year - you can see the difference in their attire. The long walk back to Nanny's