Annual Half Birthday Celebration!

A couple weeks ago we got together with my best friend Rachel, and her daughter Molly, to celebrate the kids half birthdays! Brett and Molly have the exact same birthday, December 24th (just 3 years apart), and since the holidays are such a crazy time of year, we started this tradition last summer as something special to look forward to later in the year.

Our first stop was the Cupcake Station for some yummy birthday treats.

Seriously, how sweet is this girl?! I could just eat her up, she's so cute!

After filling our tummies with sugar, it was time to head to Gallup Park for presents and more fun! Both Brett and Molly loved feeding the ducks and could have stayed there all day!

After going through half our stash of bread, we were finally able to pry the kids away for presents!

Molly carefully took her time opening her card and gifts :-)

And then it was Brett's turn.....he ripped through the wrapping as fast he could! 

I somehow forgot to get shots of the kids with their opened gifts afterwards! We gave Molly a little bracelet, a miniature bedroom set for her Calico Critters, and some baby Calico Kittens. Brett's present was an awesome Dinosaur kit with all sorts of crafts to do (which we did as SOON as we got home!), and a neat sketch book of how to draw dinosaurs. Great gifts all around!

After opening presents, the kids played on the play ground for a little while, we ate our picnic lunch, fed the ducks some more, and did some exploring. Such a fun day!

I love this tradition we've started and look forward to many years of celebrating our great kids!!!

Fourth of July Fun!

We had such a great 4th of July this year and Brett enjoyed it more than ever! We started out the fun at our neighbors house for a BBQ and play time. The kids ate up their hot dogs, devoured their ice cream sandwiches and then were off to play. I love watching the friendships form between all these kids and look forward to seeing them grow up together throughout the years ahead. Childhood memories are the best, and I feel so grateful that we live on a street with so many kids the same age as Brett, who's families are not only friends, but extended family :-)

After hanging out at the Klinks for a few hours, it was finally time to head out to see the fireworks! Kyle and I usually go out to Manchester where my aunt and uncle live to see the fireworks there....but it's gotten pretty crazy over the years so we were ready to try something new. Cathy had taken Carolyn to Gregory last year and was really impressed and said how easy it was to get in and out (a huge plus with young kids!), so off we went to Gregory to check them out!

Brett and Carolyn goofing off with excitement before heading to Gregory!

We literally drove right in to this huge field, parked our car, and were THERE. No walking through huge crowds or anything! If you wanted, you could walk across the field to hear live music, buy snow cones, lemonade, etc, and play on the playground. It wasn't a long walk at all, so Cathy and I took the kids over there for a little while before it got dark. I wish I had taken my camera because the playground was a huge a hit!

And of course, the 4th of July wouldn't be complete without some sparklers!

When it finally got dark around 10pm, the real fun began!! FIREWORKS!!! Brett was in awe and over and over I heard his little voice yell out..."Wow!", "Awesome!", and "That one was my favorite!". He loved every minute and his excitement was all I needed to see to know that this was one of the best summer nights so far. 

After the fireworks, we let the kids play in our cars for a few minutes while we let some of the traffic subside. Brett and Norah's smiles say it all......it was a darn good night that we hope to never forget!

T-Ball!

When we asked Brett in early spring whether he wanted to play soccer this summer or T-Ball, I couldn't even finish the sentence before he enthusiastically yelled out "T-Ball!!!" I kinda figured that would be his answer considering he wasn't too fond of  soccer last fall, while the last time he played T-ball he loved it....but I had no idea he would be that excited! Kyle quickly signed Brett up, but soon realized he was put on a waiting list because they needed to find more coaches. Fortunately, about a week before it was suppose to start, Kyle got the email saying he was in! Yeah!

The first couple weeks were just practices, and Brett did great! Most of the kids were a year older than Brett and had played quite a bit before, so he wasn't the most talented on the team....but definitely the most enthusiastic :-) As you can tell by the pics below, he was all smiles while out on the field and during practice! He listened to directions well and tried his best. We were so proud!

A few weeks into the season, the kids were finally able to play their first game (after 2 or 3 had to be canceled due to the weather!). Brett couldn't wait! Practice lasted about an hour, and usually about 45 minutes in, Brett would start to get tired and ready for something else. Well, then came the games, which lasted close to an hour and a half! Brett did great when he was doing something - up to bat, in a good spot on the field where he could catch some balls, etc - but the waiting around was tough for him. He needed lots of encouragement to wait it out until it was time for something exciting to happen :-) He stayed and participated through every game though, and got so much better in his skills! 

His hat was huge on him so that's why he didn't wear it very often. The kid wanted to be able to see...ha!

 Up to bat!

And he hit the ball...so he's off to run to first base! Go Brett!

Hanging out on 3rd base, waiting for the run to home!

 Brett (#7) and some of his teammates waiting for bat.

Overall, it was a great season and we are so proud of our son for trying his best!!!