Teddy's baby pictures : )

When we adopted Teddy he was 4 months old (he's now 6 1/2 months). We rescued him from a rescue that we found online. We couldn't resist his adorable baby pictures. I think these were taken when he was about 2-3 months old.

Isn't he handsome? Look at our sweet boy : )

It's funny looking at these photos b/c now his legs are double that in length. He's really gotten tall and grown over the last few months : )

He's super sweet and thinks he weighs 10 pounds instead of the 40 or so (not sure of the exact) that he does : )

Happy Easter!

I typically take the boys to Church on Easter, but we didn't make it today. I have had a really crazy week - so things have been a little off. My other surprise for the kids is usually Easter baskets that the Easter Bunny leaves out on the table as well as eggs hidden in the house. I was a total slacker this year and actually do feel bad about it. The Easter Bunny left the boys a note that said "I left you baskets in a special place. I couldn't hide your eggs in the backyard b/c of rain (it did rain). Your parents will hide them." I left the note and not the baskets, b/c I didn't want the boys to wake me up at the crack of dawn. Selfishly, I wanted to sleep in b/c I am tired. With my crazy week and Andy's birthday party yesterday - I wanted some rest : ) Ben and Will ended up waking me up at 6:45 am, and David and Andy slept in (boo!). They had to wait for Andy to get up and then when he did - I brought out their baskets/buckets.

Ben and Will were very excited about the Nerf water guns and Andy was excited about his new toothbrush and toohpaste : )

Will ALL chocolatey :)

We waited until the afternoon and then hid the eggs. LAME - I know : (  The boys had fun : )

Like our fence? Wind blew it down so it's barely hangin on. Gotta fix that soon : )

Ben looking for eggs on top of the swingset : ) Silly boy!

David taking pictures of Will, Kuma and Andy. They are all looking for eggs : )

We found all the eggs and then we played in the backyard. Andy loves to play w/Teddy. He LOVES Teddy and Teddy LOVES him. He's such a great dog! We are so lucky to have him. He's such a gentle, sweet, smart dog : )

Our foster/adopted dog, Ralf. We haven't officially adopted Ralf - but we do plan too. We love him so much. He's sooooooooooo super sweet : )

After our egg hunt, playing in the backyard and a little resting - we dyed Easter Eggs. The kids really loved this part of the day : ) Don't have a lot of photos of this - but I do have 25 minutes of video : )

David and Andy : )

Andy, David, Will and Ben

Andy and Ben : )

A few of the finished eggs :)

We had a fun day - consdering I was a slacker. I promise to be better prepared next year :)

Happy Easter to all my friends and family! We love you guys and hope your day was special!

Happy 4th Birthday Andy!

Today our baby turns 4. I can hardly believe it. I know everyone says that and feels it. But it's so true. Where does the time go?  Andy is the sweetest, coolest kid ever. And we love him to the moon and back.

We were fortunate since his birthday fell on a Saturday that we were able to have his party on his actual birthday. So fun! Our theme for the party is Toy Story, but mostly Buzz Lightyear - and a costume party. Andy LOVES Buzz. It's all things Buzz for him.

Our babysitter and friend, Jamie, was in town so she came by to help and wish Andy a Happy Birthday! So Thankful for Jamie. Love, love her!

Jenna (Jamie's sister) came also to help and hang out. Andy LOVES her! Their family lives down the street, so if Jenna is outside in the afternoon - then Andy is down there w/her. She's helping Will & Andy w/their sunscreen. Thanks Jenna : )

My great friend, Eric and his son, Eli came by for a visit. We missed Erica - she was w/a friend and couldn't make it. We always love a visit from Uncle Bubba : )

I armed Eli w/a squirt bottle b/c Teddy (our 6 month old Airedale) kept jumping on him. He pretty much stayed clear of him. Giving him the squirt bottle was a bonus b/c he watered the plants, the grass, the porch : ) Thanks Eli : )

More helping shots from Jamie (in the fort) and Jenna. I love this photo because Andy is helping Will w/his sunscreen. Those two truly are bestfriends. Will and Andy love each other so much. It's so great to see the bond between them. Will woke up and immediately started taking care of Andy. He told him Happy Birthday and that he was 4, and he loved him. He was really doting over him. It was the greatest thing to see. Took him outside to teach him how to ride a bike (in the back). It was soooooooo special. Love these boys : )

Ben w/the squirt bottle threatening Teddy away from Eli : ) and Uncle Bubba

We had the party in the backyard - so I left the gate open and put a cute little sign on it. I also made this photo banner of Andy that has photos from birth - age four. It was really great to see the progression of how much he's grown.

Andy and his AWESOME cake by our cake lady (and friend), Terri.

More decorating. Jenna and Jamie helped out so much. So thankful for them and their family. They have been the biggest blessing to us. 

We, of course, had a tattoo station w/Buzz, Woody, Alien, and Woody tattoos.
Here's David, Aunt Claudia, Ben, Uncle Ray and Andy .... getting some tattoos : )

Three Buzz's (Andy, Edison, and Zach). Our friends loaned us this bounce house for the party. It was the perfect addition. The kids loved it. Thank you Shauna and Dwayne : )

Party guests. Everyone had a great time.

Andy and Zach (one of his BFF's from his class). He's trying to get a drink - I think : )

Andy and his AWESOME cake again : ) You ROCK Terri : )

Andy actually saw a photo of this cake while we were searching through some online sites and he said "that's what I want." So I sent it to Terri and she made it better, of course :)

We decided to come inside for cake. Got a bit warm in the afternoon.

David caught the boys playing w/balloons. It's a blittle blurry - but so cute : )

Aunt Claudia (as Buzz : ) and Jay (he's another BFF of Andy's in his class) playing w/balloons

After the party was over, we got a visit from Ben VanMaanen (Uncle Ben) and his daughter Peyton. We always love a visit from them. And of course, Uncle Ben spoils the boys : ) He brought Andy and Ben and Will special nerf guns. We ordered pizza, and then they all had a little Nerf war in the backyard. Total fun! Thank you Uncle Ben!

(Will, Peyton, Uncle Ben, Ben, Andy and David)

Ben and Peyton : )

David holding his weapon

The party was fun and I think everyone enjoyed themselves.

Happy Birthday to you Andy! We are so proud of you and so thankful to be your parents.

Celebrating Andy!

Since Andy's birthday is on Saturday, April 23, and this week is busy at school (Wednesday is Easter Egg Hunt, and Friday is holiday for good friday) - I brought cupcakes for the kids to share today. Andy was pretty excited that he got to share cupcakes w/his friends : )

I brought cupcakes, Toy Story plates, napkins and goodie bags. The kids loved it ..... and so did Andy : )

Andy w/his special hat that his teachers made him. He was so proud of his hat : )

Andy and his school friends : )

He always has his tongue out like that. Pretty funny ... but he's still super cute.

Love my birthday boy!

Happy "Almost" Birthday Andy!

Andy's birthday invitation

Those of you who know Andy - knows he's OBSESSED w/Buzz Lightyear. So of course what kind of birthday party is he having .... Toy Story 3. He's pretty faithful to his obessions and each birthday it's been something different. His 1st birthday was more for me : ) But his 2nd birthday was World World, his 3rd birthday was Dora (I know .... but he really did love Dora), and now his 4th is Toy Story. I'm excited to see what it will be in the years ahead.

I took him to a park nearby and was able to snap a few pictures and found one I was able to put in his invite that I made. Here's his invite .... minus the personal stuff : )

Eli - 3!

I had the privilege of taking my great friends, Eric & Erica's, son, Eli's, 3 year old pictures. We took them at a nearby park (the same place as his two year old pictures). It had rained the day before, so it was a bit muddy - but he did great. We were able to capture a few great "Eli" shots.

Here's a few of my favorites.... I love them black and white. I think it's timeless : )

Happy 3rd Birthday, Eli (on May 9)!

We love you!

The Masters

Masters Weekend is a pretty big deal at our house. During these four days, we watch nothing but golf. It's one of four major tournaments a year, but one of the most important.

It just so happened that one of David's golf buddies (whom we and the boys ADORE), Ben Van Maanen, was coming over to visit and hang out. We ordered Chinese food and David and Ben (mostly David) made a Masters cake to celebrate the occassion : )

Here's Ben drawing the flag on the cake.

David helping to finish it up : )

David and Ben.

Wow, I didn't realize David was so tall : )

Ben and the boys (Ben, Will, Andy, and Ben)

The boys love LOVE Ben. They think he is so cool and totally awesome.

David and his baby, Teddy.

Teddy loves playing soccer : )

Even the moochies needed a little rest : )

Ralf, Kuma and Teddy

Andy saying C*A*K*E

Everytime Ben comes over, he brings the boys a bag of goodies.

Which usually includes poppers. The boys love them - as you can see.

Photos a little blurry, but you can see they are all lovin' the poppers : )

Looks like a pretty in depth conversation about something.

Andy and Will love Mr. Van Maanen

Awh, my handsome husband : )

We moved the party into my nicely cleaned garage : )

Mr. Van Maanen is cracking William up :)

I wish I could remember what he's laughing about

HOL-LY-WOOD .....

Will was lovin' Mr. Van Maanen's sunglasses

We moved the party back inside. Oh, look I was there :)

My traditional fireplace photo.

The inside of the cake was green to symbolize the Masters and Andy's favorite color : )

Me and Ralf : )

And here's Ben talking about dinsoaurs and then coming to get you .... right before bed. Uncle Ben, really?

Probaby not the best idea - as you can see from Will hiding : )

And here he is re-explaining about dinosaurs before bed.

That's better : )

Awh, my handsome husband AGAIN. Love him!



We had a great time hanging out w/Ben. The boys are crazy about him. It's always a perfect time when he comes to visit.

Wondering who won the Masters? Charl Schwartzel. A 26 yr old golfer. Can you imagine such an accomplishment at 26 years old? He finished -14 and shot a 66. I didn't watch all of it. But the hubby said it was a great tournament.

Happy Masters Weekend to all you golf lovers out there : )