Ahhh...Summer

Hunter and Hayden were living up the first day out of school. (I'm shocked I got a picture of Hunter with a straight face. They're such nuts!)

The kids and I rode our bikes into town. Steve stayed home with Tate and then met us at the park for a picnic and a ride home. :) A few of us could have made the uphill trek back home, but...

Happy Birthdays!

 We've had a couple birthdays [3 months ago] that we would love to honor!

...Gage turned 7...

 This is a Yoda "Fathead." Turns out it has some freaky-deaky eyes that stare at ya while you're trying to sleep. It's hanging out in the package again for a while longer.

 His own iPod touch. A win-win for all!

 Grandma Susan got both boys new batting helmets that Tate couldn't wait to get his hand son.

 Victory!

 Hunter turned...gulp...14. His birthday olives and box of cereal.

 A new Yankees hat.

 Shorts

 And a new 32 G iPod touch.

 The big candle blow-out!

Happy Birthday Boys...again! :)
Love you both!

V-Ball

Hayden is playing volleyball this year and really enjoys it. She has had 2 tournaments and has 3 more to go.

{Serving}

Love this one. It can't be easy to serve so gracefully.

The team. (Minus 2)

The tournaments usually last about 4 hours. 4 hours! The girls make their own fun in between games.

The Bus

I love my kids very much! That being said, I dread school mornings while they wait for the bus! They argue over who watches for the bus, who goes out the door first, who gets onto the bus first, etc. Hayden and Gage are the main offenders, but Hunter enjoys sparking the fire...So, we told them if they couldn't work it out, we would help them. And that we did...

It's hard to tell, but Steve very kindly walked them out to the bus holding their hands. I tried taking pictures but they're blurry due to my laughing.

Did it help? Kind of. Hunter laughed the whole time and Gage and Hayden still argued over who was going to have to sit by him after they got on. No, Steve didn't ride with them, but now they know...

We {heart} Basketball

 Hunter played basketball...

 (His 8th grade team took 3rd place at district.)

 Gage played basketball...

 

 Hayden dances at basketball games...

 And Tate loves anything basketball!

Fun in the Snow

With what uncommonly little snow we've had this year, I asked for a snowman...

 ...and this is what I got! Definitely one of those "let's humor mom" moments!

 And then came the fun for Hunter! He took Grandpa's snowmobile out in the yard/field for the afternoon.

 And Steve just couldn't resist!

We also went sledding with cousins at a favorite place just a few miles from our house. I forget from one year to the next how fast a kid can get going down this thing! Yeek!

 Sometimes they make it the whole way and,,, sometimes they don't. Strangely enough, this one Gage made!

 And this one he caught a ride with London!

 And let me tell you how nice it is to have this guy around!

 Hayden gave the snow boarding a 3 foot chance.

 Even Tate got in on the fun with Annie! (This picture did not capture the expression on his face the majority of the way down. Those were some big ol' eyes on the little guy!)

 But this is what he spent most of the time doing. (Unless he was digging through the other people's actual food bag...Little stinker!)

 I had to try to get a picture with all of them.
SiTtInG with Tate...

sItTiNg with Gage...

SiTtInG with Hayden...

And StAnDiNg with Hunter!
(I'm stickin' to the story that he's standing on a hill...)

{Two}

HaPpY BiRtHdAy LiTtLe MaN!!! Tate turned two on Wednesday, January 11th. Why do they keep doing this to me?!?!

The big kids each picked him out a gift of their own and he opened their presents before the kids left for school. Hayden picked out a Sesame Street puzzle celebrating Cookie Monster's birthday!

Hunter picked out a couple Toy Story 3 figures.

Gage gave him a Sesame Street counting DVD.

f

Gage also gave him his big orange tractor with the ripper and his road grader. This was very special (to me) because I know how much Gage loves his farm stuff.

We had family come over that evening to help celebrate and they were so kind to bring (and make) gifts!

It took him a couple tries (and some help) to get all those candles blown out!

Tate's stats:
   Weight: 26 lbs
   Height: 32 1/2"

Favorites:
   Shows: Sesame Street, Jake and the Never Land Pirates, Signing Time, basketball and football!
   Color: blue (according to Gage)
   Food: Microwave popcorn
   Toys: basketball and hoop, tractors and trucks, pretend vacuum, wooden puzzles and books

Dislikes:
   *The drive to Driggs (another BIG dislike by the rest of the family) CaRsIcK!! :P
   *Having messy hands and/or clothes
   *Washing his hair in the bath tub
   *Nursery

Happy Birthday Baby! I love you so much!!!!