Thursday, November 21, 2013

Michael #1 Dad

Happy Father's Day to the BEST husband, Daddy, brother, friend and hard working family man!  We hope you felt the love!  Thank you, Michael, for everything you to do make us a happy family! 

Gift basket with fun printables

Michael's portrait

So much love


Watching the US Open - his only request for Father's Day

Luke was spending the weekend with Grandma and Grandpa, we missed him!



Ryan's 2nd birthday

Ryan turned TWO on June 11th!  This spunky, smart, musical, loving, strong-willed, "I hate to sleep but love to play" little boy challenges us every day, but the love he gives back more than makes up for it!  He loves to copy his big brother, play in the sandbox, read books, go to the park, jump at The Little Gym and eat anything from cole slaw to Chinese food.  He loves to "do art" and draw with markers and watch Little Einsteins and Dora (yay!  At 29 months we can finally get thru a full show vs. a few minutes 5 months ago).  The little guy has been known to walk away with a marker and get creative on the couch!  Ooops!  Brushing his teeth, being soft with the dog and getting him to sleep without crying were our biggest struggles at 24 months.  He loves to be out and about...church, carpool, soccer games, story time at the library and childcare at the "big gym".  I love his outgoing personality, belly laughs and watching him wrestle with his Daddy and dance with this siblings.   Thankful for this precious boy who completes our family and keeps us young!

We had 2 small celebrations - the first with friends and Elmo cupcakes the second with family on his actual birthday.  Poor 3rd child... we had 45 minutes to celebrate before soccer...quickest party ever!  Here are my favorite pics to remember his special day! 

Table centerpiece thanks to my sister and Julie! 

Nice to have a few moments to catch up

BBQ spread

And it quickly turned into the kid table.  They love being together!

Playing kickball (well, sort of). Love Ryan's baby curls here.

Jenna dressed up for Ryan's party.  She's wearing the dance recital outfit Hannah wore at age 4.  Ryan thinks she's pretty!

Sissy serving Ryan his Elmo cupcake.  He was very concerned about the fire being so "hot".

Ice cream - yum!

Balloons are the best part of any party


 Group picture time.  Look at Ryan throwing a fit...

My attempt at a digger birthday cake.  I had fun making it!

Playing with cousin Levi

Happy birthday sweet baby!

Blowing out his candle with a little help from Bubba

A neighbor gave us their old sandbox.  Love that his big gift was free!

Presents!


Isaiah and Uncle Ben were at the party.  Ryan loved to play with Izzy.

Aunt Julianna and Uncle Neal came to celebrate too.



Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Ben and Isaiah visit

Michael's brother, Ben and his son, Isaiah, came to Texas!  We were lucky to get to spend a few days with them.  Ben is a teacher in Denver and was ready to see his family once school was out.  Ben and Ryan have their birthdays on 6/10 and 6/11 so we had a lot of celebrating to do!  We celebrated Ben's birthday with a fun family dinner at BJ's and ice cream at Cold Stone.  We had a small family party for Ryan on the 11th (post to come).   Happy birthday to two special guys!  Thanks for visiting!!

Izzy showing us his best Spiderman impression

Luke showing Izzy how to use his straw construction toy "Mr. Thirsty".

These two lived in their dress up clothes during their visit.  Little imaginations at work.

Cheers to brothers!

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream!

Pool time!

Perot Museum


One of our first summer 2013 adventures was to check out the new Perot Museum in Dallas.  Hannah went on a field trip there a month or so after it opened and she raved and raved about it.  Michael stayed home with Ryan so Martha and I could take our big kids.   The Kuykendall family has season passes and generously let us use some of their guest passes!  We were so excited to see it for free with our friends!  Thank you, Martha!!!



View from escalator going up to 5th floor


Best buds since they were babies

Super cool T-Rex

Playing with movement and shadows in one of the exhibits

Hands-on with water

Downtown Dallas?

Our last stop was the sports room - the kids were in their element! 


This exhibit allowed the kids to kick a soccer ball (Luke) or turn a cartwheel (Hannah) and compare their technique to Olympic-level athletes via a computer system.  


And a real track-and-field race to compare speeds.  Science is fun!


Memorial Day


My sister invited us over to her house to enjoy some family time on Memorial Day.  We loved hanging out with the Holden crew and the kids loved all the fun in the backyard!  It's so nice to have a break to just play and enjoy each other.  Family time is the best!

Julianna set everything up so perfectly.  Too much fun to be had!  The kids loved the bubbles!






Ball pit!

A kid's backyard Heaven!


Shoot!  There's Ryan in timeout again.  Probably for hitting Levi...

Uncle Neal let the kids try out the guitar

My pretty little sister!  I love her!!!

Cousin Love!

Always playing these two

Time to say goodbye!

Haha!!!  My girls...