Birthday fun!

Saturday, we had some family and friends over for a little birthday bash! I kept it very low key and just let the kids play. I have some pictures to download, but I don't feel like doing it right now. Here are the pictures of the madness!

Dylan's cool Transformer's cake! (He only ate a little icing off the cake, he didn't want a piece to eat! Silly boy!)Ethan LOVED his cake! Here is the progression of how his cake got demolished!Chole and Dylan BFFEthan had a blast!
The kids enjoyed the Cars pinata. They each took turns pulling the stings until the candy came out. I guess Ethan didn't like the candy so much!Grandma with some of the grandkids! So cute!
We found out on Friday that Ricky is going to South Dakota for about 6 weeks, with only a couple of days off. He leaves on Thursday and will be gone for a week. I am going to try to keep myself and the kids busy so the time goes by faster. It doesn't seem like it will be too long, but who knows. He is helping customers switch to AT&T and helping the employees learn the new system while he's out there. He is going to a small town called, Belle Fourche that only has 5000 people. It is only about 90 minutes from Mount Rushmore, so if he has any spare time there is something neat to see! I would love to see Mount Rushmore! It seems like everything is falling into place and he is going to have a good time. He will be missed a TON!

Ricky took the past couple of days off, since he will be gone most of April. We have really enjoyed spending some time together as a family. Dylan is on spring break from school, so it's been nice having something to do! Monday night we checked out a place in town called Snapperz. It is free from 5-8, so I thought it would be a great way to spend family night! It is like a mix of bouncy houses and McDonald's playplace. Dylan had a blast, and Lauren sat with Ethan, Ricky and I. She is still very timid around big places. I don't know exactly why, but it takes her such a long time to get into something. Right before we were ready to leave, she started playing on the gym. Silly girl! I'll update more as time allows in the next couple of weeks!

Ethan's one year stats and misc.

Today we went to the doctor for Ethan's one year check up. Poor little guy had to get shots in both legs! Luckily he has some chubby thighs to get the shot in. Here are his stats:

Weight: 21 lbs. 11 oz.
Height: 29 1/4 inches
Head Circumference: 47.7 cm.

The little chubster lost weight and is taller than the last time we went in! (One of the many times he was sick and at the doctors office (which Lauren now calls the doctors house and asks me if we can go instead of going home). I am really sick of being sick and having sick kids. One of us has been sick almost every day of this entire winter. Not fun! Other than being sick, Ethan is growing up too fast! He is cruising along everything, not quite walking. He will let go and stand on his own if he is distracted. He is very mischievous. He likes to get into things like the cabinets, the bathroom, the pantry. He goes strait for the stairs if the gate is not up! The little stinker! He likes to be around others and is very determined. If he sees something he wants, he will do anything in his power to get it. He started waving bye and will mimic sounds. He is such a cute little guy!
One of the days he wasn't feeling good, he fell asleep on the floor by the couch. It was too cute! I took him up to his bed and he even stayed asleep! I love his chubby little cheeks!
Over the past couple of week, a few things have happened around here. I cut Lauren's hair. It was getting really long and stringy, so I evened it up in the back. I think I like her without bangs (as long as she will let me do her hair and it's out of her face).
Before:
After:
Speaking of cutting, I cut Ethan's hair, too! I was kinda scared that I would mess it up, but the back was way too long. I cut the back and then the sides looked like wings, so I trimmed them, too. It looks good, but he's going to need more cut soon! I'm sad that I didn't get a before and after picture, but I guess that's how it goes for the third kid. Sorry Ethan! I still love you!
Before:
After:
The Monday after Dylan's birthday, we invited a couple of his friends from school over for a play-date. He is always talking about Gabbie, Dylan K., and Alyssa from school, so I thought it was the perfect time to have them all over. It was really fun to see how the kids interact with each other. We had some cupcakes and the kids had a blast! It was a great little "party" (without actually throwing a party) for Dylan's 5th Birthday.

My parents came up here for dinner last Sunday and my dad and Ricky fixed the fridge. The water line in the back cracked all the way down, so I finally figured out which parts I needed and it got fixed! Yeah! I love having my ice maker back, too (just in time for summer)! Thanks dad! Love you!

We are getting to enjoy this nice weather. I think we spent the last 4 days outside walking, playing on the swingset, or jumping on the trampoline. Dylan and Lauren play really well together! I think this is going to be a great summer! Now if Ethan could just walk, we could all go outside all day long!We are ready for the nice weather to stay!

Happy 1st Birthday Ethan!

Today, my little baby is turning one! I can't believe that it's been a whole year already! I don't know which is more traumatic, Dylan turning 5 or Ethan turning 1! We have spent most of the day just chilling at home. Ricky made some yummy pancakes for breakfast. I think Ethan ate 2! He is a great eater! I figured that since it was Ethan's birthday, we would let him take good naps at home today. He slept really well, and the kids had fun playing with his new toys!
We went to Chuck 'E Cheese to play some games after pizza at home. Luckily we didn't try to eat there, because a school had a fundraiser night and the place was PACKED! It was busier than a Saturday night! Crazy! We still had fun and Ethan enjoyed the rides! Dylan played the Jurassic Park game, so Ethan and I sat there with him. Ethan started laughing because the seat was moving! He laughed so hard he got the hiccups! So cute!
Can you believe that one token can keep all 3 kids occupied for a few minutes? Fun, huh!
We came home and let Ethan open his last 2 presents, some yummy yogurt bites and a new sippy cup! I love his cute little face in this picture!
Happy 1st Birthday to my cutest little one year old!

Happy 5th Birthday Dylan!

(This picture was actually taken on Sunday. We got home too late on Saturday, so we had Transformer cupcakes after dinner on Sunday. I just love this picture, so I had to add it)
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I can't believe that my little guy is already 5! Time sure does fly by way too quickly! We have had a wonderful day celebrating! We started the day off by making blue pancakes and bacon for breakfast. Dylan picked it out! Then, he wanted to open his presents, so I told him he could open 2 at breakfast, 2 at lunch, and 2 at dinner. He was really excited. He got a transformer and some bakugan guys. He is really into them these days. He played with them most of the day.
After lunch, Ricky surprised him and took him to see Gnomeo and Juliet at the theater. Dylan is just like Ricky and LOVES to see movies at the theater. When they got home, I asked Dylan if he would rather go to Jump It (the old Monkey Joe's) or Chuck 'E Cheese and he picked Jump It. I had never been there, so it was neat to see the huge jumpy slides and bounce houses. Dylan had a blast and was sweating in the first 5 minutes of being there. Lauren was terrified and would not let go of me. Ethan loves seeing everyone and the big colorful bouncy things. I took Ethan into the smallest bouncy thing and Lauren joined us. She got up and bounced when no one else was in there. She didn't like other people bouncing her! Ricky and I got to enjoy the obstacle course with Dylan since they weren't too busy. It was fun to go somewhere new for Dylan's birthday. Dylan had a blast and was off as soon as we got there!
This is where Lauren, Ethan and I spent most of the evening. We still had fun!Everyone was hungry and tired after leaving, so we got some happy meals on the way home for dinner. Dylan got to open his last presents, a Tag reader and books, which he absolutely loves! It is great that it teaches him how to sound things out and will read to you. Great gift! It was a long day, but totally fun! Happy Birthday to my big 5 year old, Dylan!

Happenings

Oh my gosh! All 3 of my kids are sleeping at the same time! I can't even remember the last time this happened! I almost don't know what to do with myself and all the quiet! J/K! I am blogging! It is really nice outside today, so I am in a better mood and happy! I love nice weather! I am so looking forward to spring and summer weather! I feel so cooped up in the house and don't know what to do (or don't want to do it, either way!). I am really ready for spring cleaning and getting rid of a ton of junk sitting around my house! I'm also looking forward to getting rid of these nasty runny noses that the kids can't get rid of!
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I've been in a decorating kick lately. (Pictures soon, still in progress!) Let me know if you have any good ideas! I would love them! We finally got the piece of wood for our entertainment center we bought back in January! One more piece and the whole thing will be put together. It has taken way too long to get this put together. (mostly because the box was missing a piece of wood! How does someone forget to put the wood in a box for a bookcase?) I love how it looks so far and I can't wait to get it done! I'm also working on a fun banner for birthdays. Hopefully it will be done for tomorrow! Now, on to the fun stuff!
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On Tuesday, Dylan got to drive a 4 wheeler for the first time! He is getting so big! I got a little video of it, but I haven't downloaded it from my phone yet. He had a blast! We went to my friend's house and the kids had so much fun playing outside. Ethan even did great and took a nap for me! Yeah!
Last week, Dylan and I went to school, where he will be going to kindergarten next fall. I can't believe that he will be going to school! I feel a little bit out of the loop with what to do to get him ready!
Lauren is still having her physical therapy once a month. She is doing great, but still needs to work on her muscle tone. Our next step is walking up and down the stairs with alternating feet. She will learn soon enough and is such a good trooper. Dylan loves to play with all of the "new" toys that her therapist brings to our house.
Ethan is almost weened. I am only nursing him twice a day. He started whole milk and seems to like it. The doctor said that the tubes are great and working well, so we are in the clear! Yeah!
Yesterday, Ricky and I got to go to the mall. I needed to get something for Dylan's birthday, and actually found a couple of shirts for me! I love bargains and I got 3 shirts for less than $10! And then I found some clearance shirts for $2.50 and jeans for $5 at Target! I love finding great deals especially when they actually fit me well!
The kids are starting to wake up, so I gotta go! Check back soon for pictures of the cuties!

New Computer room

Ricky told me a few weeks ago that if I would buy paint, he would paint the computer room. Guess what happened last weekend? We have a beautiful new computer room! Yeah! I think Ricky likes it as much as I do! We also sold our old desk that was just taking up space, so now we actually have room in here! It's nice since Ricky is working from home some days. Here are the after shots:
It's kinda hard to tell in the pictures, but it's a green color that looks really nice with black. I am hoping to get some pictures on the walls soon to give it more of a homey feeling. What do you think?