Adam is 7

I tried to talk Adam into staying 6 or maybe aging backwards to 5. Although two 5 year olds might not be the easiest. His birthday fell on a Sunday and despite my best efforts Adam is now 7.  We had our typical decorations and Happy Birthday breakfast with an extra friend Ryan here. Dad and Ryan's dad were hiking in the woods, but Adam still had a great birthday. We had lunch at Buffalo Wild Wings and then we went to the 3M picnic and there were lots of rides with our friends Nate and Josh.

Adam's birthday is so close to the 4th of July that I struggle planning a birthday party for him in a timely manner. This year he instead of wanting to invite everyone and their brother Adam decided he just wanted his friend Nate and his brother to come (along with my parents and brother Henry). He watched Hook recently (my favorite Robin Williams movie) and decided on a Peter Pan/ Hook theme. With only having one family over it was pretty simple party to plan that we literally threw together in a couple days.

The party was hosted at "Neverland". Pirate swords, sling shots, tinker bell and a pirate ship pinata and pretend food cake, plus snacks and pizza rounded out the party.

The pinata was so cool looking we almost didn't want to break it open. Okay no the boys love hitting the pinata and so did Gretchen!

We made the boys walk to plank! And then of course it ended up being sword plank fights and the plank had to go away. 

So they changed into swim suits and had a water balloon fight! And that "as seen on TV" balloon filler is worth every penny.

Adam we love you and enjoy watching you grow up and mature. Happy 7th Birthday!

My Baby isn't Much of a Baby

Last week Isaac turned two and my last baby is not so much a baby today. He's full of so much excitement for life. He knows what he wants and tells us exactly what it is. We love this little guy so much and he will always be my baby!

We decided to celebrate all the birthday boys this weekend in Dave's hometown. So we spent a lot of Isaac's birthday driving in the car through Wisconsin. So we made sure we had a breakfast treat with a "2" candle and a "Happa Birfday" song. The flame from the candle was too much for the Isaac but once it was out he was back to his happy self!

Eli is 5

On April 27 2011, 3 days before my due date my water broke on the exam table and one c-section later I got to meet Eli David for the first time. His birth is totally "Eli Style"- surprise with a side of unplanned excitement. On April 27th 2016- his actual 5th birthday we picked him from daycare early and went to celebrate with a little bowling, some years it's warm and nice enough for golf, but 2016 was more of an indoor event type weather.  He then decided he wanted to go out to eat at Buffalo wild wings with his brothers and the staff cheered for Eli when they brought him a cake 

We were too busy in April to host a party, but in May we invited Eli's friend Josh and their family and "surprised" him with a little birthday party after work and school. We had DQ ice cream cake, nerf guns, homemade pizza and a couple fireworks to finish off the party.

No More Preschooler

For the first time in 4 years I don't have a preschooler in my house. Eli graduated on Thursday night from preschool and I swear it was just a few days ago Adam graduated from Preschool, but back then we were a family of 4.

You could tell the two big brothers were proud of their little brothers and enjoyed watching the graduation ceremony.

 First the preschool graduates come out and sing some songs. Eli really rocked the guitar. It was hard to keep from laughing when his preschool teacher Ms. Rhonda gave me a look, like that's your Eli! I had tears running down my face from held in laughter.

Grandma Denise, Grandma Rose and Grandpa Dave made the trip for the special graduation. After the cake and balloons and running wild with the other kids we asked Eli what he wanted to do and he decided on eating a McDonald's Happy Meal and going flower shopping. 

We are so proud of you Eli and know you will make a great kindergartner next year! Even if we can't get a great family picture. 

Hiking with Friends

I am really sad our friends moved away from Hutchinson. They were our people and now they are nearly 2 hours away, but instead of impromptu evenings- we get weekend visits filled with lots of fun. We had a double date Friday night to the Habitat Hammer & Nails Dinner. Saturday morning the guys went golfing, the kids played and Brooke and I caught up over coffee. Then we took the kids to the driving range to practice golf. After the little's took naps we took everyone to Stahl Lake County Park for a quick hike in the woods to get outside and out of the wind. Then Qdoba for dinner and our friends had to head home.

Next visit I promise will be at their house in Oakdale. Can't wait to spend more quality time together!