Nick is Eight

I can't believe how time has flown. My little "Nickers" is eight. Right now, he and his dad are visiting the bishop for his baptismal interview. Wow. We had a quiet birthday party for him. We took him out to dinner at his choice - McDonalds. Then we went to Nathan's soccer game and went home to eat cupcakes and blow bubbles.

Nathan spotted the "bubble blowers" at Walmart and wanted to get them so much ... I thought it would be fun to have as a party favor for Nick's birthday. It seems like Nathan asked me about those bubble blowers every hour until it was time to get them out. I'm glad we bought them the day before Nick's birthday so I didn't have to hear about them for too long!

Nick blows out his birthday cupcakes


the boys playing with their bubbles


Nick shares his bubbles with his baby sister


Aleza is happy to watch her brothers and get her picture taken. I'm having fun playing in Photoshop.

Zeke has a messy dirt bubble face while playing with Nick's new toys. (Got to love little brothers!)

We Love Aleza

Nick adores his baby sister. He wants to hold her any chance he gets.

Grandma LeeAnn holds Aleza.

This is how Aleza likes to sleep: all bundled up with her binkie.

A Visit to Grandma

I love Grandmas! They tell the best stories, they love children, and they have laugh-lines! Also, call me strange, I actually enjoy my cheeks being patted, pinched, kissed, whatever ... I think I must be perpetually attention starved. Anyway... we got to go visit Mark's grandma on Easter Sunday. Isn't she beautiful?

Grandma loves Nick and Zeke. I love the light in her eyes in this picture!

Grandma patting Nathan's cheeks.

Who Created this Tradition?

Obviously someone who thought it would be a good idea to combine a five-year-old, a two-year-old, food coloring, eggs and stickers. Well, they did enjoy it. Zeke only colored his right hand. Nathan, who can dismantle or reverse-engineer anything, only shredded the egg coloring kit. All in all, it was a successful endeavor. (Nick informed us that he only wanted to eat the eggs - not color them)

Egg-coloring in its innocent phase.


Getting more involved.


Zeke experimenting with salt while Nathan helps open eggs he has no intention of eating.

Time-Out Zeke!

Zeke is two-and-a-half. Please don't forget the "half"; he never lets us forget it. Zeke's recent misadventures include pouring a whole container of honey on the couch, coloring on the walls, and habitual cat-sitting (the literal kind). He also throws tantrums, rocks, sticks, toys or whatever he can find. He spends quite a bit of time on timeout (the top of the bathroom sink - not yet installed). Two questions might come to mind: How does he manage to survive the wrath of his desperate parents? - and - Does the kid EVER sleep?

Zeke asleep on time-out.


Zeke in his element

Bat Boy vs. The Tooth Fairy

I think the Tooth Fairy wins hands down. Nathan didn't want to be left out playing dress up with his best friend Karissa. This picture could also be entitled "Future Blackmail". When I asked Nathan what he thought of this picture ... he said he wants me to buy him a "Peter Pan boy fairy costume."

Nathan the Fairy