Colt & Daddy Day

Last weekend I went away for a girl's weekend with some friends from soccer.  I did this last year had a blast and vowed to go again.  I'm so thankful we were able to coordinate something.  Pictures are coming soon.

Brad and I have been talking about making more of an effort for one-on-one time with the boys (especially with him).   We thought this would be a good weekend to try it.  So Brody spent the weekend at Fafa & Grammy's and Ollie spent part of the weekend at Papa Bob & Grandma Shari's.  Colt spent the weekend with Brad.  I left the camera with them and these were the pictures and stories they had.

After breakfast at Starbucks (petite vanilla scone and chocolate milk) they went for a "hike" at a park near our house. 

For lunch they had pizza and cupcakes (x 2).

Brad helped Colt build this mid-ocean naval base with the aircraft carrier and ramp for the cars to get to.

They took a trip to the downtown REI and browsed the store.  Colt was excited to be in the "biggest camping store ever". 

They also went to Krispy Kreme.  (what a surprise!) 

The conclusion of their first day together was the building of an epic fort (pictures to come later).  

Brad can't stop talking about the great time he had with Colt and what a sweet, excited little boy he was the entire time.  I'm glad they had the opportunity to spend the time together. 

Brad's Birthday Party

Brad celebrated his 44th birthday last Friday.  He had to work for most of the day but we tried to plan a few fun things to help him celebrate.

We started by decorating the door.

After he was done with work we went to the Issaquah Coffee Company for a treat and a drink.  Although the pictures look like it was a relaxing fun time for everyone it ended up being a little more hectic than the birthday boy (or I) had envisioned.  Oh well that happens sometimes.

After we got back from the coffee shop we finished getting ready for a few guests to help us celebrate. 

Eugene, Ed, Uncle Brian, Aunt Angie, Abi, Andrew, Grammy & Fafa joined us for pizza (& bratwurst) dinner and some cake. 

A family picture.

Singing Happy Birthday.

Happy 44th Birthday Brad!  We Love you!

Ollie's prayers

We almost always say prayers with the boys before they go to bed.  For the most part it has been me or Brad, but we try to ask the boys if they want to pray.  They usually say no.  But now that Ollie's vocabulary is getting more complex he said he wanted to pray a few weeks ago.

The first time he prayed was just about the cutest thing.  I had to keep myself from smiling/laughing but we made it through the first prayer.  Now, every night he is so excited and happy to pray.  Our new problem is now Brody & Colt also like to pray. 

I was able to get this video but it cut off before we finished praying.  We usually end it praying for Grammy & Fafa (I think he says half of it in here) and then praying for the baby in Mommy's tummy and praying for a great night of sleep.  And of course an Amen. 

*Ignore the mommy voice

Now he has advanced his praying by putting his face in his hands and closing his eyes. 

34 weeks with #4

When I was pregnant with Ollie I posted a picture of me in my favorite outfit at 34 weeks. I'm wearing almost the same outfit (different yoga pants) and here I am at a few days over 34 weeks.

I have already been the recipient of common questions and comments.
 Are you sure you aren't having twins? Are you sure you have the due date right?  You are ready to pop, any day now right? 

I am not having twins. I still have a month to go.  I'm just very pregnant.  And to give me a little slack this is my 4th pregnancy in 6 years.  So here I am, belly and all.  Although it gets me down a little to be so pregnant I am SO excited to welcome this baby into our family.  And I'm praying he/she stays in there until we are scheduled to go in.

Homemade Pasta

My friend Lori and I went to a cooking class (as a way to celebrate our February birthdays). We came home with recipes and tips for making gnocchi and pasta. Lori had all the pasta making stuff and we decided on an evening to make it.

We were able to get the kids involved by letting them hang the pasta on this nifty little pasta drying station.

The pasta was very tasty and it actually took less time then I had envisioned. I think we just might have another pasta night and try our luck with ravioli.

Karate Birthday Party

Brody and I snuck away from Andrew's birthday party to attend another party. This party was for Owen, one of our friends from our PEPS group (we have known him since Brody was 6 weeks old).   The party was at Karate West.  When we first arrived Brody did not want any part in the activities.  He was super clingy to me.  I asked him if we should leave and he said no.  He finally warmed up and was back to his usual self when he ran across the floor and knocked over a few mats.

The next game involved wearing these foam helmets and using the foam noodles to hit the adults.   He loved it! 

He also did this obstacle course.

I love this video of Brody going through the obstacle course. You will notice him doing his dance/karate moves while completing it. What a funny kid!

Andrew's Birthday Party

Last weekend we celebrated our cousin Andrew's 2nd birthday party. It was an Elmo party and we had lots of fun playing with the cousins. I didn't get very many pictures but here are a few of them.

A picture of all the kids. 

Abi, Brody, Ollie, Andrew, Colt

Uncle Jason, Dave & Ganesa

On my birthday I was pleasantly surprised to get a phone call from my brother, wishing me a happy birthday.  (He -- and my dad -- have it a little easier when it comes to my birthday since it is also my moms.  They would be in double trouble if they forgot both).   I was even more surprised when Jason suggested coming over to our house to cook us dinner.   He also invited my good friend Ganesa and her fiance' Dave.   The biggest surprise came when my brother actually remembered to come over to our house.  

He is a great cook (not so good at cleaning up his mess..but I'll take it) and made us manicotti.   After we ate dinner the boys had a blast playing with Uncle Jason.   He is the big bearded man on the left in these pictures.  He may be the scariest looking mountin man but he is a big sweetheart.  I'm so glad they were all able to join us and I hope they do it again soon (especially if it involves cooking dinner...I won't mind cleaning up).

The Silly Face Picture

(aren't Dave & Ganesa great sports?)

Valentine's Day

We did celebrate Valentine's at our house, but I did a poor job of documenting it.  When the boys got up in the morning I reminded them to wear red for Valentine's Day.  (I picked out Ollie's red shirt).  Colt wanted to wear green and dressed himself so that is what he wore.  Gotta love it! 

Brody had a party at preschool and we did a few Valentine's activities with Sweethearts.  We also got some great Valentine's gifts from Grammy & Fafa.  All the boys received John Deere cars and they couldn't be more excited.  Brad and I got a Starbucks card which of course we love. 

These gifts in the pictures are from us to the boys. (They are just matchbox cars, but they were excited to open up another gift). 

Brad and I were also fortunate enough to get a babysitter for the night so we went out to dinner and walked around the mall.  It was another fun time spent with my Valentine.

Boxes

When we were at my parents (for my birthday) the kids got in this box.  I tried to get a picture of all of them but there was always one out of the picture, looking the wrong way or covered up by a hat.  

or the shot came out a little blurry.

But they sure are cute!

Leaves & a wheelbarrow

Ollie loves going outside and is always asking too.  The other afternoon/evening Brad agreed to go outside with him.  Ollie quickly became Daddy's helper. He was so pleased with himself when he put the leaves in his wheelbarrow.  (The pictures are very dark)

Colt finally decided to go outside too and helped with the raking. 

Birthday Party - Day 2

On Sunday we went to church and then decided to spend the rest of the day as a family.  It's hard to plan a family activity when I am 8 months pregnant and the weather is unpredictable.  We did our best.  After church we went to an indoor track meet at the University of Washington (one of Brad's runners was racing).  I didn't know what to expect but now I know it is not a very kid friendly environment....but we survived.

After our short stay at the track meet we headed over to Gas Works Park.  I was a little busy playing to take many pictures but I got a few. 

I really wanted to go get ice cream and we had talked it up all day.  After our visit to Gas Works Park, Brad (especially) and I were not liking the idea of something cold. A warm beverage sounded a little better.   We knew we had to stick to all the hype we created and still went to Baskin Robbins. 

It was a fun outing with my family and I'm so thankful I was able to celebrate my birthday with them. 

Birthday Party- Day 1

My 34th birthday was last Saturday.  The boys decorated my door.  We were a little low on supplies so I have to give credit to Brad for being a little creative. 

I also got these gorgeous flowers from my neighbor.  I know I have mentioned this before but I just LOVE my neighbors.  They definitely made me feel special.

Brad had his annual poker tournament on Saturday (I know what you are thinking how could he plan something like that on my birthday, but I gave him the approval and actually encouraged him to stick to that date.  The other date that was proposed was the same day as our friend's wedding and I didn't want to miss it). 

The best thing about my birthday is the fact that I share it with my mom.  So, even though Brad was busy hanging out with the guys I still got to spend time with my mom and dad.   And as always the boys had a blast at their house. 

My sister and her husband and kids were also there.  My Aunt Pede & Uncle Mark also came over with a cake to help us celebrate. 

Blowing out the candles.

After cake and ice cream we spent some time hanging out.  Colt loved drawing on this magnetic pad and was so proud of himself for all the drawings he finished.

I wanted to make sure I got a picture with my mom and dad and the boys when we were celebrating our birthdays. 

And another one with just Grandma Shari and the boys.

This is their silly face picture.

Although I didn't spend most of the day with Brad I knew I had another day to celebrate my birthday.  I love it when they last a little bit longer than one day.