Fun At The Park

I think this was the first time I did NOT have to give the boys a few pushes to help them get up the hill to the park on their bikes - they did it all by themselves!

I think Allison was so happy to share the Chariot with someone other than her brothers - who probably tend to squish her!

Allison and cousin DJ swinging at the park.

Allison's First Birthday

Allie Grace turned one today, and so we of course had to celebrate.  We sang Happy Birthday to her several times during the day, and at one point she actually said something that sounded a lot like "Happy Birthday" and she always got very excited and happy when we sang to her.  Merrily and Tiffany offered to make dinner while I finished the cake, and they picked perfectly.  Allison had spaghetti for the first time, and boy did she enjoy it!  She had seconds and thirds, and was a complete mess!

Allison blowing out the candle on her flower cake.

Between cake and presents, Allie had to take a quick shower because she was such a mess.  Once she was in her jammies, we let her open her presents, with help from her brothers, of course.

We are so lucky to have Tiffany, Don, DJ, Merrily, Natalie, and Nicole here for this special day!

Bye Grammie, We Miss You Already!

We took Grammie to the train station yesterday and said goodbye.  The kids waved goodbye as the train pulled away, and have already said several times that they miss Grammie.

We love you Grammie!  Thank you for visiting!!!  

(And. . . . thanks Grandpa for letting us have her for a week!)

Grammie and her newest grandbabies

Allie and DJ are four months apart - Allie is four months older than DJ, but DJ wears clothes four months bigger than Allie.  Too funny!  Keir and I have always had children on the smaller side, so it is so fun to have adorable, chubby DJ around!!

Party For Mom

My Birthday was on Thursday, and we went out to eat at one of our favorite places.  When we returned home, Conner and Cayden were very concerned that we did not have cake and ice cream.  They were actually so upset that Keir put a candle on an ice cream sandwich and they sang to me.  Such sweet boys.  Then on Sunday Keir made dinner, Grammie made my favorite cake, and we had the "party" the boys were anxiously waiting for.  Since I always let them pick the kind of cake they want, they kept asking me what kind of cake I wanted.  They are referring to the shape of the cake, not the flavor.  You know, a Curious George cake, Nemo cake, dump truck cake, etc.  They told me that I should have a princess cake, so Grammie made my cake in a bundt pan and we called it a princess crown.

They were so excited, they couldn't help but blow the candles out for me.  Does my wish still count?

I think it is great that our kids remind us to have a little fun and make sure we celebrate!  Thanks for the party!

Visit from Grammie, Tiff, & DJ

We are so lucky to have Grammie, Tiffy, & DJ visiting us, and are having such a fun time!  Grammie brought a present for Allie's birthday, and of course, Cayden helped her open it.

Allie loves her cousin DJ, and DJ is sooo patient with her climbing all over him! 

We've had such great weather that we took out all our summer toys and Allie tried out our swing for the first time.  She loved it!  And, Cayden loved pushing her!

We went to Hickory House for Oprah's favorite ribs, and Allie enjoyed her first rib.  What a mess!

Falling asleep at dinner.  Eating ribs is hard work!

Matching Scars

Conner thinks it is so cool that Allie now has a scar just like his!  Here are pictures of their scars.  Allie's is one week old in this picture.  

Allie's surgeon promised that it would "disappear", but I think Conner's surgeon said the same thing.

Here is Conner just after surgery five years ago, and then below what his scars look like now.  He is so proud, and just yesterday told someone he had two belly buttons, and lifted up his shirt to prove it. He wanted to show off Allie's belly as well, but she had on a onesie, and he couldn't get her shirt up.  :)