26

Uncle Evan celebrated his 26th birthday with us yesterday! He went with Oliver to preschool in the morning which made a certain little boy very happy. The boys also helped me make this delicious cake and they could hardly wait to try it.

Uncle lights the candles

ready to blow!

team work!

Uncle makes the first cut

my first four layer cake!

waiting in anticipation

yum! frosting!

and now I'm thirsty

Happy Mother's Day!

Mother's Day 2013: crossfit, walk to farmers market, gardening, salmon, sun and napping kids!

fire engine man

Someone was awfully happy to have gotten a hold of his brother's fireman hat without him noticing. He even managed to snag the fire truck (aka the wooden airplane that magically transforms into whatever particular vehicle is needed at the moment).

backyard fun

As the weather gets warmer, the boys have been enjoying more and more time outside. All it takes is a little water and dirt and they can occupy themselves for hours!

Mr. Cool in his sunglasses

I'm not exactly sure what he's doing here

raking

the teakettle lid makes a nice hat!

Elliott demonstrates hands-free drinking on a tricycle

and again

camera hog

busy mixing mud

fence climbing

hanging out on the slide

They have been enjoying the front yard, too!

naked baby and a tea kettle

Elliott plays with the newest backyard toy, a tea kettle from goodwill! The boys love to fill it with water and pour it into their dirt pit. I couldn't resist these photos of Elliott.

peekaboo!

Watch Elliott disappear as he plays one of his favorite games :)

tails

This happened tonight :) It was Oliver's idea and Nick is out of town.

babies

These babies have been around since I was a little kid and I'm pretty sure I helped make Lindy's outfit below with Binny. A few years ago I passed them on to Oliver and he has loved them dearly ever since. Hi named the one in pink little Elliott and my mom decided it was time he had a less girly outfit. Check out their new outfits below! Their outfits required a one-month stay at Gramma's house and Oliver missed them dearly. When they arrived earlier this week he was so overjoyed that he wouldn't part with them for a full 24 hours.

Elliott and Lindy in their original clothing (from when I was little)

their new clothing, thanks to Gramma!

thrilled to have his baby Elliott back in the moby wrap while big Elliott looks on

and he wanted to go for a walk with both of them (I had my Elliott in a stroller as well)

six

   Our favorite puppy turned six yesterday! She celebrated with a few new toys along with this key lime pie that Oliver and I made (she got to lick our plates :) ) Oliver even convinced me to let Penny sit at the table while he sang "happy birthday" to her.
   I can't believe that our little princess is six already and I wish time wouldn't pass so quickly. Penny has changed my life in more ways than I ever could have imagined. Because of her I'm a dog trainer and manager of the business, and so far she has been spotted on a local credit union brochure, in a published book, on the cover of one magazine and on the editorial page of another, on a local TV show doing tricks, in several vacuum cleaner commercials, and now we are on the radio together every other week. I must say that co-hosting a radio show is one thing I never imagined myself doing.
   We love you Miss P!

Oliver sings "happy birthday"!