Nathan's Birthday Party-

Nathan isn't technically 1 until Wednesday, but, we had his birthday party with Rich's side of the family this past Sunday. In attendance was: grandma, Maryann, Robb, Marsha, Sue, Susie, Joel and Danielle.

I didn't get around to making Nathan his very own "smash cake", but he still got a yummy piece of his cake...



Tyler enjoyed his cake too!!



Nathan had fun checking out all his new presents - as did his brother & sister :-)



After Nathan went down for his nap, Tyler & Kamryn got to have some outdoor fun at grandma's house. Leaves, trees & football were the order of the day... uncle Robb was a great sport with his niece and nephew!!



After a long day of fun, it was time to head home. Nathan had a great day!!

Busy Kids-

Maybe it is because my kids are just starting this whole school & homework thing, but, my one of my favorite times of day is when I pick up my kids and get to open their backpacks to see either a) what they brought home that they did at school or b) their homework - so fun!! I'm sure as the years go by I won't enjoy this quite so much!! LOL

Anyway - we have mangetic strips up in the playroom so we can display the kids work in their playroom...

Here is Kamryn's:


Look closer at her tree, it is made out of her arm and hand!!



And, here is Tyler's... the big tree is his Chica Chica Boom Boom tree. Hanging up are also his spelling work, writing work and math work!



And well, Nathan doesn't have any "homework" he is just practicing standing at this point:

Sit Back & Watch

Sometimes, sitting back and watching is my favorite thing to do. Often, that is when the really great moments are happening. Not big, explosive moments, just quiet, beautiful ones. Our favorite show to watch with the kids is Phineas & Ferb. We were watching it the other night - Kamryn and I on the couch, and "the boys"...

Celebrating Olive's 6th Birthday!!

Most of you don't know this, but Olive turned 6 last weekend. Up until this year, Olive's birthday comes and goes and usually, the only one to acknowledge this special day has been my mother-in-law... her dog Simon sends our dog Olive a birthday card every year.

Well, now we have a 5 year old and boy oh boy does he "get" birthdays. He has been harassing us about when and where Olive's birthday would be.

So, we threw together a little party today.

Tyler and Kamryn helped me bake cupcakes. Then they helped me decorate cupcakes (I frosted, Kamryn sprinkled, and Tyler put the pumpkins on top). Next we arranged the cupcakes to look like a doggy bone. Last, we called the "neighbor boys" to come join us in Olive's little birthday celebration. We even "decorated" Olive for the occasion.

Enjoy the photos!!!

Pretty Spiffy!!

I hope you all like the improvements on the blog.

I have serveral friends with blogs and theirs are always so cute, and mine is always kinda blah... cute stories and super cute kids (if I don't mind saying so myself) - but the page itself has been lacking....

So, I'm learning how to mess with some new things...

Some Videos of the Kids

I sent these out via e-mail, but wanted to put them here too!!

Tyler Spelling:
http://s14.photobucket.com/albums/a344/lovinmysweetboy/?action=view&current=CIMG2527.flv

Tyler & Kamryn's Jeep Adventures:
http://s14.photobucket.com/albums/a344/lovinmysweetboy/?action=view&current=TKFireRescueJeepAdventures.flv

Tyler's 1st Day of Kindergarten

Tyler started kindergarten yesterday. Rich and I took him together... he had a short class... only an hour, and we were able to stay with him. He is very excited about kindergarten, although slightly apprehensive as well. Here are some pictures from yesterday...


Outside his classroom door. His classroom opens up to the side playground.


There are 3 computers in his room. This is the computer he will be working on this year. He kept saying he was getting a call (what a skype addict!!).


Every year Tyler's teacher has her student put together a book - kinda like an alphabet book, but, this is to work on sounds to start reading - they already know their letters. This is Tyler working on his page... he is writing his name here.


Last, but certainly not least, it is super important to know where the bathroom is and get accquanited with it.

Themed Pajamas/Chicken Salad

I'm not sure about all kids, but my kids L-O-V-E themed pajamas... for my viewing pleasure tonight, I got Superman and a Ballerina - what more could a mommy ask for... I don't remember my pajamas coming with capes and tutus....



With Rich being out of town this week, I'm making the kids all their favories for dinner, that daddy doesn't consider "dinner food" - for example - chicken salad.. my kids love, love, love chicken salad... even Nathan... gotta love chicken salad faces :-)

Keeping Busy

This week Rich is at Camp Geneva in Holland Michigan on continuing education.... so, I'm home alone with the kiddos. The best way to deal with being home alone, is to keep busy!! On Monday, Aunt Carol came out for the day... we went to Monkey Island and I made some super yummy fajitas for dinner! Tuesday, my friend Andrea came over with her twin girls, and we headed to McDonalds for a playdate. Wedensday, my friend Shannon came over with her 2 kids (ages 3 and 1)... we played inside, we played outside... we played in the pool, we played with the sprinkler... it was a fun, busy day! Today is Thursday, and Tyler is next door with his beloved "neighbor boys" (AKA twins Eric and Noah (10 yrs. old), Nathan is napping, and Kamryn is "reading" to herself in the book nook.... and alas, my blog is caught up!!



Be sure to watch for more enteries and pictures soon. Tyler starts Kindegarden next week, and Kamryn starts preschool the following week... so, we're going to have some mega excitment going on at our house!!

I'll end with this final picture... my kid's having "tea time" - my mother-in-law will be thrilled!!

Backyard Fun/Playtime with Cole

After all of our excitment in July, we are taking it easy in August. Rich set up the kid's pool in the backyard on the deck... so they are really enjoying that (as is Olive!)... Nathan enjoys just laying around the backyard watching all the action going on around him.



Cassi and Cole also came in from Arizona for a visit. Kamryn, Nathan and I went to visit them at Aunt Carol's one day, and then the following Monday, our family of 5 (yes, even Rich), Cassi, Cole, Uncle Mike & Aunt Carol all took the train downtown. From the train station, we walked to the water taxi, and took the water taxi to Navy Pier. It was so hot, our first stop was at the foutains right at the beginning of the Pier... when the picture was snapped, the water had just shot up (that'll explain that shocked look on Tyler's face!). We walked, ate, walked, ate a little more... Rich and Tyler went on the huge ferris wheel... shared some dessert.... we missed our return train, so we had to hang around the train station for another hour... not too bad... Rich went and got Cinnabon - there ia always an upside :-) After we got back to my house, we gave the boys (Cole & Nathan) a bath, and then took pictures of them... they were SO overtired, that they were just lathargically happy!!