Baby "Collie"

Last week was "getting to know baby Collin" week. And by pure accident, Collin has come by his nick-name, which will probably be with him for quite a while. Ben started calling Collin "Collie" even before they met. I would show them pictures of him, and my kids went crazy! I want to hold baby Collie! I want to kiss baby Collie! All in good time.

So when Collin arrived, the kids had way too much fun with him. I mean this in the literal sense. When we were making s'mores in the back yard, we turned around to find Ben helpfully "feeding" Collin a giant marshmallow. And by feeding, I mean shoving it into his mouth. Yeah. I'm pretty sure Margaret is relieved to be away from the crazy giant toddlers that love to attack her tiny 10 pound son.

Magelby's Fresh

On Saturday we went to Magelby's Fresh as a big, giant, crazy, loud extended family to celebrate my Aunt Bonnie's birthday. For breakfast, I can't imagine anything better than delicious all-you-care to eat french toast. (Well, maybe except Nate's wonderful breakfast hash, but this way, neither of us has to cook!) Anyway, we all stuffed our faces, talked and laughed, and sang Happy Birthday to our Aunt Bonnie. And I took some pictures. Because that is how I roll.

Sylvia's 4th Birthday Party

Sylvia is officially four years old, and here's the clincher--I'm officially just old. I can't believe that I'm the parent of a four year old who has her own ideas and feelings and moods. It is really crazy, and this may seem nuts, but she seriously matured overnight. She seems so much OLDER today than she did the day before her birthday! Anyway, we made a special birthday breakfast for Sylvia with heart shaped pancakes. Then, we had a very fun Tinkerbell b-day party, and this is the first year that both sets of her grandparents were able to attend. This is also the first year that I've been brave enough to decorate a birthday cake all on my own. I was so relieved that it looked decent. After the party, we went with Grandma Becky and Grandpa Ben (and aunties) to Brick Oven Pizza for dinner. What a wonderful day!

Happy Anniversary

This picture just describes our relationship in a nutshell. (It's a couple of years old, but whatever....) Seven years of insanity, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Happy Anniversary, hon.