Seaner is 1!

Last week we went to Duck, North Carolina for our big vacation of the summer/year. It was a perfect time to go as it was the only week Uncle Tyler and Jordan had off all summer long but it was also a packed full week of birthdays and anniversaries for our family. Monday was my birthday, Wednesday was our 9th anniversary and Friday was the Big Day otherwise known as Sean's first birthday. We celebrated with a Duck Donut, glazed with sprinkles for the big man who is allergic to most things. I'm not suer the donut was completely dairy or egg free but it seemed better than a cake with icing that surely would have been full of both. He loved the donut, I will try and post pictures or video later. Duck Donuts are possibly the best donuts ever. Ever. And I love donuts so that is saying a lot. We went 3 times during our vacation. And we only found them on Wednesday. I ate 10 powdered donuts. Yes, they were that good. But back to Sean. We spent the day mostly lounging by the pool or splashing on the shoreline. In the afternoon we went to a restaurant that was overly priced and not so tasty, I won't name them. Afterwards we went to Jockey's Ridge, the coolest place to watch the sun set ever. I've been going there for 17 years and yet I never outgrow that large pile of sand. Here we carried out the rest of our day rolling in the sand and trying to get that perfect picture of our family. We came home with buckets of sand in our hair, pants and shoes, but no perfect picture. Here is an OK one of only three of us.

I know Sean will never recall this first birthday but it was very monumental for me. Remembering that big day last summer when he finally arrived. The joy and sheer happiness. All the perfect days since. All the trying days since. And the perfect and trying days to hopefully come our way. It also marked my year goal of breastfeeding. It's time to wean. And gain 25 lbs. Our at least cut back on the powdered sugar donuts.

Now we are home, unpacked and moving on to the next thing. Seaner's first birthday party. We are having a party this Saturday. It's soccer ball themed and I've been searching for the perfect, OK more like doable, dairy free cake and icing recipes all week. At least he doesn't know what Hershey's Perfectly Chocolate Cake tastes like.

Round and round.

The twins got an electric keyboard for their birthday from their friend Jack.  They love it.  Love it.  I only wish there were two.  I think so do they.

I think I understand why my grandmother always got my sister and I the same thing at Christmas. 

You can’t tell by this picture, so I will just tell you.  This shot is of the two of them rocking out, playing wonderful music together on that new keyboard.

Birthday Week Recap

The twins turned two last Tuesday and we spent the whole week celebrating. Tuesday we had a special birthday dinner and a train cake. Grandma Pam, Tyler and Jordan came over and we let the twins open their big birthday gifts from us. Then on Saturday we went to Chuck E. Cheese in Roanoke with Tyler, Jordan, Dani, Erin, Chris and Xavier. I will say that is was a wonderful visit, busy but perfect for our kids age. Then we went to Build-a-bear thanks to Uncle Scott and Aunt Heather and their girls and made a Polar Bear named Goliath for Cooper and a Bunny named Thumper for Bailey. Then Ed and Charlene met us for some shopping and dinner at Red Robin. But the weekend didn’t end there. Sunday we had a birthday party and lots of Bailey and Cooper’s friends were able to come to their Monkey Party. I will try and post some of the pictures from their party later, but for now here are some from their actual birthday.

In no particular order...
Partaking in train cake. They were topped with candy pieces. Cooper really liked the M&M's which I think was the first time he had ever had them. They didn't melt in his hands but...
Getting ready to sing happy birthday twice.
Birthday dog. Max really, really wanted some cake.


Eating their birthday dinner that actually happened before cake, even though I know they would have liked it the other way around.
The train cake. It was actually a bunch of cupcakes. I was hoping to make it look a little more like Thomas the Tank Engine but I am more a baker than an artist so this was what they got. I also made a butterfly for Bailey but it isn't too pretty.
Two years old!

Tickle, Tickle, Tickle

Bailey's new favorite thing to say is "tickle, tickle, tickle". She really likes to tickle the dogs. Cooper really likes to be tickled.

Also Before I Forget:

HAPPY 3RD BIRTHDAY aNnIe!!!

LOVE, UNCLE tODD, AUNT ALEXIS, BAILEY AND COOPER

HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY BAILEY AND COOPER!!!

We interrupt the christmas posts to bring you more relevent news. Today is Bailey and Cooper's first birthday. I can't believe they are already one, my time has flown. We had their party this past Saturday. For those of you unable to make it:

We bought the cake at Wal-mart and they gave us two free 6 inch carrot cakes that I dressed up a little bit with their names and colored icing.

We sang "Happy Birthday" to each of our children. Our guests looked at me like I was crazy that we were going to sing it twice but I think that each of the children should be serenaded with the song.

The kids had a great time with their cakes. Coop made an absolute mess of himself, Bailey was a little more reserved, but just a little.

They loved it. And went straight from thier high chairs to the bath. I should have taken their clothes off before the cake, but I wasn't thinking.

Bailey just playing in hers.

Today has been pretty laid back. I sang happy birthday to them again this morning but other than that we have just hung out. Unfortunately, I think Coop is getting sick :(

Happy Birthday Aunt Sue!

We tried to be cool like you, Sue. We tried to show you how much we miss you and love you by having our kids do something cute and special for you, here is what is left of that attempt:

This is the documentation of our attempt to get the kids to hold these signs:

Coop wanted to run, not sit.

Then he wanted to crumble and eat the paper, not hold them up for his picture to be taken.

We tried to get Bailey to say 'happy birthday' on tape but all we got was "Red, Bye Daddy".

So then we went on to different measures, that were equally as futile.

So then we tried the old 'how quick can you hand them an object and snap their picture' routine.

Not fast enough.

So we tried a little backdrop pose. Do you like our backdrop? Aunt Sue made it for us several years ago for Christmas.

So we couldn't get the message across exactly as we had it planned but it is still the same,

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SUE! WE REALLY, REALLY, REALLY WISH WE COULD SPEND YOUR BIRTHDAY WITH YOU! WE LOVE YOU!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU AND YOU AND YOU AND YOU AND YOU!!!!

So we are terrible, or at least I am terrible. I meant to get these birthday greetings posted so much sooner but we have had a busy weekend so with the same amount of love but with a little added guilt, happy birthday to the following:

Heather, whose birthday was Sunday.

And Wesley, who turned 16. Sorry our gift was unwrapped and cardless, but we still hope you had a great birthday, all four of us.

My Dad, who turned 70 yesterday.

And our Todd whose birthday is today!

So happy birthday everyone, we love you and miss those of you too far away to see on your birthdays!!!

Before We Forget

Happy Birthday Sylvan!!

Rainy Day Fun

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.