My baby is 2

It took me 2 days to get all the pictures I wanted uploaded for this post!  Thank you Blogger for making things easy.  If anyone has suggestion for an easy way to upload let me know. 

Okay now onto the post...

Seriously I can't believe that my Baby is 2 already.  Time really does fly by.  Gavin is getting so big and SO independent.  Just the other day I bought him new shoes and he would not wear them.  When we finally got them on him he just screamed.  Not because they hurt his feet but because he did not want THOSE shoes.  We eventually returned them and got a different pair that he picked out.  And he wears them every day.  We are officially done with the Binkie as well.  Can I get a Halleulah?!  We did a day or two relapse when he found a binkie at Grandma and Grandpa's house but that was quickly hidden and he hasn't asked for it since. 

This year for Gavin's birthday we invited just family again.  Winter birthdays are hard because we don't really have the room for a ton of people so small parties is what he'll get.  When he's older we will definitly have a friend party. 

For Gavin's actual birthday activity Deanna and I took our kids to the The Dinosaur Museum at Thanksgiving Point.  It was so much fun!  The kids had a blast running around and looking at all the dinosaur bones.  Not sure which was their favorite part.  Zack seemed to really like the water part where he got to play in the sand and the water and build islands with trees and dinosaurs on it.  Gavin not so much, he hated his hands getting dirty.  Gavin and Kairi did seem like they liked the dinosaur that you could build your self.  The parts of the dinosaur had velcro on it and they had fun there. 

Picture with the boys and I.   Thought it fitting to get a picture of the Utahrapor... since we live in Utah... LOL.

Gavin with the head of the dino that you can build yourself.

Zack playing in the sand... Gavin not so much.

I just found the bones very interesting.  I've always liked seeing the dinosaur.  It's fun to imagine them alive.  All in all we had a really good time.

For Gavin's party we a Dr. Seuss themed party.  It was very fitting since Gavin was born on Dr. Seuss's B-day!  I found so many cute ideas for Dr. Seuss party.  In the end I went with Red, Blue and White for the colors... very 4th of July but the blue was light enough that it was fun!  I made Cat in the Hat hat's for each family member and tried to have a hat for each kid that came.  Food we had: Green Eggs and Ham (of course), Baked Potato Bar, Pasta Salad, I made a Pretzel Salad but forgot to put it out for anyone to eat...oops, Goldfish, Thing One or Two Cupcakes topped with blue cotton candy and marshmellows dipped in chocolated then sprinkles.  It really was a lot of fun.  I should have done some games but it's hard with such young kids and then all grown ups.  We Ate, Sang Gavin Happy Birthday and Opened presents.  All in all it was a fun night.  I'm really glad that everyone was able to come it was fun to get together with everyone and Gavin loved everything he got, even if he just threw the clothes.  LOL.

And now pictures from the Party

Birthday cupcake.

Gavin's new bike.  He's pretty excited to have somewhere to store things as he rides.  Still working on the pedals though.

Happy 2nd Birthday Gavin. Please don't grow up too fast. 

 

and on that note I'm going to go cry... my baby can't be two!

Zack turned 3

Just writing the title for this post I think how did this happen.  It was just yesterday that Zack was born!  It's truely been a crazy three years with this little guy.  He's such a smart kids.  Zack started walking at 9 months, was talking full sentences by 2 years (and hasn't stopped yet).  He's always been well above average in height, weight and development.  Zack loves to play sports and is such a quick learner in everything that he does. 

This year for Zack's party we wanted to do a Waterslide with Family and Friends.  We invited our family over for dinner -- hot dogs and salad at 5:30 on his Birthday.  Well the weather wasn't really cooperating for us.  At about 3:00 a storm rolled in and it downpoured.  But that didn't damage our spirits or the party.  I ended up decorating the inside of the house with crepe paper and balloons and once the storm stopped a bit I put up some balloons outside.  The sign I made for Zack was already outside before the storm rolled in.  We still had  our BBQ, and most everyone ate outside.  By the time we ate it was just drizzling.  But we had a plan and it wasn't going to be spoiled by Mother Nature.  Plus it still felt pretty nice outside even with the rain.  

We asked everyone to bring a side or salad, and I put together an Italian Soda Bar. 

I even made a Watermelon Shark (which I got the idea from this website)

Here is a picture of Zack's sign that I made and also Bob grilling in the rain.

And the fun part of the evening was definitly the Slip and Slide.  Bob was worried that no one was going to try it but Deanna had already said Rain or Shine she was going to slip n' slide. 

Preperations for the slip n' slide:

We borrowed the 1/2 billboard from a friend in the neighborhood.  Luckily we live next to a park because there was no way that was going to fit in our yard.  Bob built two sprinkler systems out of PVC and sprinkler heads so that we would have water on the entire slide.  We took out some of the slats in our fence so we were able to go from the backyard directly to the park. 

Most of our guests didn't think we were going to do it, but we totally did!  And it was so  much fun.  Bob was the first to slide down the slip n' slide.  There were a few people who didn't even bring their swim suits but couldn't resist the fun and ended up sliding in their clothes!  Zack didn't really enjoy the slip n' slide like we hoped he would.  He still doesn't like water in his face so the sprinklers on the whole slide didn't work out too well with him.  We tried pushing Gavin down the slide on a tube but he didn't like that either.  So it was mostly the big "Kids" and some of the neighborhood kids that went down the slide.  Here are some pictures of everyone (taken by my Mom).

I had some pictures of neighbor kid too but for some reason STUPID blogger keeps trying to turn it the wrong direction.  I will work on the problem and try to post those pictures too.

Happy Birthday Bob

It was Bob's birthday at the beginning of the month.  Luckily his birthday fell on a Saturday and I took that day off.  He was able to go fishing with my Dad and Brother in Law.  Fishing for Bob is a perfect birthday present in itself.  While he was fishing I decorated the house so when he got back it would look festive.

We went out to dinner with his best friend Scott and his family. We went to Texas Roadhouse.  It was yummy as always.  Bob and I have been getting one of the combo plates, he gets the ribs and I get the chicken.  I ususally get a side salad so Bob can also get a salad and bake potatoe (loaded of course).  After dinner we were meeting up with our group of friends for the Drive-In.  We saw Cars and Green Lantern.  I made BTS cake so we could share with everyone.  It turned out perfect! 

Happy Birthday to an Amazing Dad

and a Great Husband!



Happy 1st Birthday Baby!

Seriously can you believe it's already been one year since Gavin came into our lives. What a trip! I love that little guy so much. I can't even imagine him not in our family. He has a such a wonderful personality.



His 1 year stats:
30.7 inches tall (between 75 and 90th percentile)
25.3 pounds (between 75 and 90th percentile)

Verdict he's a big boy! And we love every inch of that little guy!

For Gavin's birthday I took the boys to the park. Yes I realize it's only March but they are getting tired of being in the house and it was warmish. The trip didn't last very long because Gavin fell on the slide and cut his lip. He was bleeding ALOT! So we ran home and got the blood to stop. Probably not the best start to his birthday.

When daddy got home we went to Famous Daves for dinner. (I'm not a fan -- still not.)



Afterwards we went to Grandma and Grandpa Speakman's house for Grandma's traditional first birthday train cake. Gavin was a little hesitant in making a mess with the cake. For the most part he just picked off the candy from the cake. But after we gave him a piece he really got into it. Oh yeah and the little stinker would not look at the camera. GRRRR.





It was a pretty low key day, but we knew that Saturday was going to be the big day. Gavin's first birthday party with family.

I got to admit I get a little crazy with parties. I have big plans and a lot of ideas but in the end I'm rushed because I'm a procrastinator and try to get everything done the night before. This party was no exception to the rule. I've been planning his party in my head for over a month now. In my mind it looked amazing. The party still turned out amazing but just a little different then I had planned.

For dinner we had Sliders (mini hamburgers), pigs in a blanket, salads and chips. The food turned out really good. It was fun to have the little hamburgers I think. I just thought it was appropriate to have little food for our little birthday boy. I originally wanted to have the party to be a car theme but it ended up being more of a color theme. I found some fabric to make a banner for Gavin's birthday and the party pretty much centered around that. But it was perfect. Hopefully Gavin likes the color green because that's what we've pretty much picked for him :).


I made the banner for behind his high chair, cupcake toppers and his t-shirt. I must admit I was pleased with how it all turned out. I wish I knew how to make the cupcakes look more professional but I tried. One day I'll take a Cupcake decorating class... yes that is my dream. But until then these will have to do.



After dinner we had Gavin open presents. And when I say Gavin I really mean Zack opened the presents, quickly showed them to Gavin then moved onto the next present. Poor Zack didn't quite understand the concept that it was Gavin's birthday and not his. Luckily Gavin is good at sharing for now and allowed Zack the opportunity to help him with his presents and even let him play with most of them.



Then it was time for cake. Not really sure why it's so exciting to have a one year old devourer a cake but it's tradition. Gavin didn't really get into it too much. I know my mom has better pictures then I do of Gavin but these will have to do for now.




Like I said all in all the party was a wonderful success. It was for a one year old who won't remember a thing about the party but I wanted it to be perfect for my little man. He's a wonderful guy and we are so lucky that he's healthy and chose to be a part of our family.

And some more pictures from the party. These are our party guests (minus my dad, Debbie and Lori who had to leave early)





Gavin also enjoyed playing with the decorations when the party was over. I think this was his favorite party of the entire night. Poor guy had people overload and didn't want to be put down for more then a few minutes.

Birthday post

I can't believe that it's already the end of July and I still haven't posted anything about Zack's birthday. I may be running for bad mom of the year or I could just be super busy being a mommy to a toddler. I'm going for the second, just to make myself feel better.

We had a great time for Zack's birthday. We invited family and some close friends over for his party. We barbequed hot dogs and hamburgers and everyone helped out with salads and chips. It's nice having a birthday in the summer because your guarenteed to have a party outside. The downside is IT'S HOT! Next year there will definilty be water involved in his party.

Zack seemed to have a good time. We had the party at 2:00 pm so he had his afternoon nap and was ready to go. When he got up from his nap he walked into the living room to find his grandma holding a bouquet of 30 balloons. And if you know Zack HE LOVES BALLOONS. He squeeled with excitement and ran to greet his grandma and the balloons. He loved them! That could have been his whole party and he would have been happy.

We ate food, opened presents and of course had cake. At first Zack was very neat with his cake. But once Mom showed him to how stick his hands into the cake it was game on. He demolished that cake. And he had such a great time doing it!

A before and after of the cake

Birthday post

I can't believe that it's already the end of July and I still haven't posted anything about Zack's birthday. I may be running for bad mom of the year or I could just be super busy being a mommy to a toddler. I'm going for the second, just to make myself feel better.

We had a great time for Zack's birthday. We invited family and some close friends over for his party. We barbequed hot dogs and hamburgers and everyone helped out with salads and chips. It's nice having a birthday in the summer because your guarenteed to have a party outside. The downside is IT'S HOT! Next year there will definilty be water involved in his party.

Zack seemed to have a good time. We had the party at 2:00 pm so he had his afternoon nap and was ready to go. When he got up from his nap he walked into the living room to find his grandma holding a bouquet of 30 balloons. And if you know Zack HE LOVES BALLOONS. He squeeled with excitement and ran to greet his grandma and the balloons. He loved them! That could have been his whole party and he would have been happy.

We ate food, opened presents and of course had cake. At first Zack was very neat with his cake. But once Mom showed him to how stick his hands into the cake it was game on. He demolished that cake. And he had such a great time doing it!

A before and after of the cake

Happy Birthday!

Today is a very special day! It's Zackary's birthday!

I can't believe our little guy is already one. It doesn't seem that long ago that we got to hold him in our arms for the first time. The first year really flew by and I can't believe how grown up Zack is already.

Unfortunetly I have to work today and Zack is at the babysitters. I'm really glad that I only have to work a 1/2 day so that we can spend the rest of the day together and when daddy gets home we can celebrate! We also think Zack may be getting another tooth. He has been a little crabby the past few days; yesterday I noticed that he is drooling a ton and had a fever. I feel so bad for him and I hope that he starts feeling better. He work up this morning at 6:00 am just crying.

I'll do another post just for Zack when I get some pictures of him for his one year and when I'm not so tired.

I love you little guy and I'm so glad that you are a part of our family!
Happy Birthday!!

Happy Birthday!

Today is a very special day! It's Zackary's birthday!

I can't believe our little guy is already one. It doesn't seem that long ago that we got to hold him in our arms for the first time. The first year really flew by and I can't believe how grown up Zack is already.

Unfortunetly I have to work today and Zack is at the babysitters. I'm really glad that I only have to work a 1/2 day so that we can spend the rest of the day together and when daddy gets home we can celebrate! We also think Zack may be getting another tooth. He has been a little crabby the past few days; yesterday I noticed that he is drooling a ton and had a fever. I feel so bad for him and I hope that he starts feeling better. He work up this morning at 6:00 am just crying.

I'll do another post just for Zack when I get some pictures of him for his one year and when I'm not so tired.

I love you little guy and I'm so glad that you are a part of our family!
Happy Birthday!!