11.11.11

I turned 29 this year. Which isn't the most exciting birthday. But it fell on 11.11.11 which made it awesome!

Matt and I had big plans for a dinner out to one of our favorite places in St. Louis.  I had no idea that he had been planning and plotting a surprise for months.

He ordered this seriously amazing cake pops from a friend. And she sent instructions to have them grouped in sets of three to read 11.11.11 in their glasses. Aren't they beautiful? Let me assure you, they tasted like little bites of dark chocolate heaven.

Some friends came and surprised me, my mom brought a tiara, and G told me I was a princess for the following week. He begged me to wear the tiara every day, not kidding.

I was so thoroughly surprised that I didn't even clean the bathroom. I always clean the bathroom if people are coming over. Matt really out did himself for me. I'm a lucky lady for sure.

Thanks friends and family for blessing me, thank you family for helping with all the details, and thank you Love for loving me through another year. I hope this next year is full of as many laughs and hopefully less tears than the last!  XO

Dressed and ready to go.

G did this during his nap time.

Everyone has a hat and their own pair of boots.

Silly little boy.

Twin 2 Year Olds

T and C turned 2 at the end of October. And they love trains. Not just any train, they LOVE Thomas the Train.

So what better way to celebrate them then to go ride a little train? It was a gorgeous Sunday afternoon to ride through the colorful mid-west fall woods.

They were in heaven for the entire 45 minute trip. Watching each wheel turn over the tracks, watching the conductors and the steam engine.

We love you T and C and are so thankful for your smiling faces and sweet little voices! They're talking so much now and how they say my name and Graham (they call him Gwup) would make anyone melt.

Happy birthday you two!

uh oh.

I turn my back for a second and this happens. 

Gotta love a curious 3 year old.

3 Years Old!

Who's ready to have a PARTY!

We had G's third birthday party at The City Garden in downtown. We had hoped to have it there but were hesitant to plan it because you know, his birthday is in October.  We lucked out though with warm weather and gorgeous sunshine.

G spent most of the time sprinting through the fountains. Every picture but this one was just a blur of him.

When did he get so big? He was even mature enough to stand next to his cake while we all sang Happy Birthday to him.

And he blew out the candle all by himself. (We had been practicing all week!)

We are so in love with our little Graham. He has more personality and emotions than a room full of teenagers.

He would eat yogurt (only from Trader Joes), cheesits, and an apple for every meal. He never puts down his little police man guy - not even in his sleep. He prefers to stay in his pj's most days and always asks to "dress in B clothes" if I tell him we have to get dressed. "B clothes" are jeans, a plaid button down, and his brown chucks. This kid cries buckets if I make him wear a regular long sleeve shirt. So most/all days he is all dapper in a plaid button down.

And I saved the best for last - this little guy is wearing undies. That's right. As of the beginning of December he's been consistently using the bathroom. Can you believe? Join me in my shock and major excitement! It all started on our long road trip in November (pics coming) where he realized how disgusting it was to use his diaper in his carseat. He hated it. The next week he was all about the pull-up and then he wanted to go big. His motivation wasn't the candy we were bribing him with, or the toys, it's to be a "big boy" by the time B gets home from the army. G loves him some B. Plus, who wouldn't be excited about Pixar undies?

We love you sweet Graham. Your tender heart, your passion, your intense focus. We know that God has big plans for you. And we are so excited to see Him work in your life, even at this young age!

Sad Face

I don't think he thought it was as cute and funny as we did.

The Queen

Remember our cat? She hasn't made the ol' blog anytime recently. It's because she's usually hiding from two certain little boys.

Isn't she beautiful? I love her. And all the hair she leaves everywhere. Everywhere.

a 'tory by Graham

G walked up to me just now and asked if he could tell me a 'tory (story). I couldn't resist such a sweet request.

*it must be noted that he's wearing a hard hat, green croc boots, and carrying a gun, a tiny police man, and a tool box.

And the story goes like this:

"Once upon a time there was a police man. And he had a gun and a tool box.  And he was really good and brave.  And he shooted some bad guys and monsters.  And there was a cowboy standing next to him. And then they walked to his car. The end."

so grown up

my little cowboys.

G always makes everything a costume. From head to toe.

the fire house

We were walking by and just stopped. They were nice and let us wander around the garage.

G was in heaven.

Boys in their room.

 The boys love their room. They play back there all the time.

J thought those slippers were the funniest thing ever.

And while he was jumping around, our little architect had other plans.

He is crushed each and every time J "plays" with his buildings. I can't wait for them to be able to really plan and create together!

Fountains in September

There is this amazing park in the middle of downtown. With the nice weather, we went to enjoy the fountains.

 

 They LOVED it.

I looked away for a split second and J found the only patch of dirt around.

Of course.

Boys...

I suddenly love food

I heart this army guy.

four eyes

I love him.

Apple Picking

We did our usual apple picking on Labor Day weekend. Our sites were set on the Honey Crisp but those darn apples ripen so fast that we missed them. 

Picking apples is fun, but not something I'd suffer through one hundred degrees to do. 

We definitely enjoyed our much much cooler temperatures.

And how fun to be able to visit the goats!

Boys and sticks.  G always finds the only big, dangerous stick around.

We loved spending our morning at Eckerts with Mimi and Papa!

And who doesn't love 20 pounds of apples, right?