Andrew's Birthday

Today was Andrew's 3rd birthday. He woke up very excited to open presents and eat cake. Traditionally, Darrin and I hide the wrapped birthday presents the night before in somewhat obvious places around the house. As the birthday boy wakes up, they come downstairs, find all their gifts, and proceed to open them. Andrew's birthday was no different, and he loved looking for his presents. We gave him some new play dough toys, a transformer, a floor puzzle, and a gum ball machine.

The day was mostly spent playing with play dough, helping mom clean up and make the cake, and asking when it was time for his party.

For dinner we went to a local pizza place with toys and a big play structure with some friends.

Then we come back home to have cake and ice cream. Several months ago, Andrew saw this swimming pool cake in a cooking magazine. He decided then and there that was the cake he wanted for his birthday. So we made the swimming pool cake, and I think it turned out pretty good! He was very excited about it to say the least!

Here's the cake with some labels, just in case you can't tell what it's "supposed" to be!

Andrew eating his cake.

Opening presents with friends and cousins.

Happy Birthday Andrew!!

Rice Cereal--YUM!!

Tonight we fed Luke rice cereal for the 1st time. He actually really liked it which surprised me because he's very picky about what goes in his mouth. Most babies don't mind Tylenol or gas drops, but man, he cries and screams when we give him that stuff! I thought solids would be the same way, so I was pleasantly surprised when he liked it!

I will go, I will do...

I received a new calling on Sunday...it was a calling I knew would come eventually. I am a mother of 3 boys, so scouting is undoubtedly in my future...but never in my wildest dreams did I think I would get into it this soon. I am the new Webelos Leader in our ward. Do I know how to build fires, tie knots, and lead a flag ceremony?? No, but I'm willing to give it my all, and I know the Lord will make up the difference! As I put on my nice yellow scout shirt last night to go to my first den meeting, I couldn't help remember the movie Troop Beverly Hills starring Shelley Long. She was disgusted by the 'wilderness girl' uniform that she had to wear as a leader, so she had someone redesign the uniform to look classy and flattering...to bad I can't do that! And, no, I didn't just gain 30 pounds... it's just the shirt!

Luke's 4 months old

Today Luke is 4 months old! Here are some things he's been up to:

• Luke is still a good sleeper for the most part. He goes to bed around 8pm, sleeps until 4:30am to eat and then wakes up about 7am. He takes 3 naps a day and starts to get tired 2 hours after he woke up last. He still sleeps swaddled...*sigh* If it's not broke don't fix it, right??
  
• When Luke is starting to get tired and his arms are not swaddled, he grabs his left ear...it's very cute!
  
• Last night we moved Luke into his own room (he had been sleeping in our room). At first I was sad and felt like someone was missing...but as I sat in my bed and read my scriptures with the light on and brushed my teeth with the bathroom door open, I realized I was free! I think we'll all sleep better this way!
  
• Luke loves to lay under his mobile and reach for toys. If you hold a toy out in front of him, he will grab it and put it in his mouth. He loves to play on the floor. He still hasn't rolled over again since the one time he did it, but somehow he gets around. He loves grabbing his toes and chewing on his hands. Who needs toys when you have toes and fingers??
  
• If Luke is fussy and crying, he loves to look in the mirror, have his diaper changed, or be rocked in the rocking chair. He still won't take a bottle and likes the binky we got from the hospital, despite mom's efforts to switch him to a different kind.
• Update: At his four month appointment he weighed 16 pounds 8 oz. and was 27 1/2 inches long.

Happy 4 months Luke!!

Video of Luke

Labor Day Weekend

To celebrate Labor Day weekend, we decided to rent a beach house with Darrin's brother and his family. We packed up and left Friday afternoon and headed to Oceanside, OR. The beach house had plenty of room for everyone to sleep, a FABULOUS view, comfy beds, and a funny smell. After we arrived Friday, everyone got to make a little pizza for dinner.

Here's Josh with his pizza.

Saturday we got up and played on the beach. The weather was cool and a tad windy but no rain. Josh had a great time playing in the water...which kind of surprised us for two reasons. 1)In the past he's never really liked to play in the cold ocean water, and 2) For days leading up to the trip he kept asking if the sharks and crabs could see him when he was in the water. We reassured him that they were super far away and would not get him, and I guess that kept his fears under control.

Josh playing in the water.

Lukie took a nap while the kids played.

Andrew preferred to play in the sand and really didn't want anything to do with the water.

Saturday afternoon we drove into Tillamook to go to the Cheese Factory. This was our first time going there, and now it will definitely be a tradition when we are in the area. We got to taste cheese, see how they make and package the cheese, and have ice cream.

Andrew and Daddy eating ice cream.

Josh eating his plain chocolate ice cream...not just chocolate ice cream...PLAIN chocolate ice cream!

Saturday night we had a bonfire on the beach, which we had never done before. It was super windy and cold, but we had fun roasting marshmallows and making smores.

Daddy and Josh roasting marshmallows.

Andrew was freezing to death, and he was super tired. He mostly just sat on the blanket staring off into the fire.

This was the view from the beach house.

Sunday we got up and went to church, and then later that afternoon we went to a lighthouse. It was a small one, but still fun!

If you look you can see Darrin at the top of the lighthouse waving out the window.

After the lighthouse, we walked up another path to see what's called the octopus tree. It was pretty funky lookin'! Some how the coastal winds made the tree grow this way.

Andrew and Daddy by the octopus tree.

Monday Darrin took the kids to play on the beach one more time while I packed up all our stuff. We had such a fun time and will definitely do it again. Thanks to Chad and Julie for all the fun times!

Labor Day Weekend Video