I see trains everywhere!

Noah's birthday party was a complete success. He has successfully entered the magical age of 5!

Can you tell what the theme of the party was?

It was fun to have family here to celebrate with us. Lolli and Poppi were great at helping us set up and get ready. Aaron and his Dad did a great job with the train tracks up the front step and into the house.

Every year, Noah challenges me just a little bit more with his cake. I really enjoy it though and I think it came out pretty cute:)

Have I mentioned how much I love my Cricut?

It has become a favorite friend when it comes to creativity!

We had a coloring station as everyone was arriving. B was the conductor...but I'm not so sure he was able to keep everyone on course:)

Next, we had cookie decorating. Quite messy and chaotic, but also fun. Noah's mountain of frosting and sprinkles will have him on a sugar rush for atleast the next month!

Our final game was my favorite. It turned out really well. We had different colored boxes of legos (thanks, Katrina!) The object was to build a Train engine with the Legos provided. And we had some pretty good entries:)

And the surprising winner...Lolli and Poppi! Who knew all those years of Lego building would pay off:)

But I gotta say this is my favorite party of any of our parties. I love the feeling of all our friends and family surrounding us, reminding us of how much God has blessed us!

Loved looking over and seeing this. N got this book from Miss Lori and loved it so much he couldn't wait to read it. Love that Bo was kind enough to read it to them.

And after the party, a friend needed some help and we left the kids and Men upstairs. When we came back upstairs, they had lined their chairs up to watch a movie, theater style!

All in all, the party was a huge success and N is a very loved boy!:)

Noah's surprise visitors

For Noah's 5th birthday, Aaron's parents decided to come and surprise Noah. I gotta say, I really had a hard time keeping the surprise. But we managed to pull it off.

Noah was so excited to have them here...

and have their undivided attention:)

(This is how N always talks, with his hands. We have no idea where that Italian part of him came from:))

There is just so much to show Lolli and Poppi when they come, where to start?

We were playing a game and I was trying to take some pictures, but this is the only face B would make for me...such a silly boy

N was in school several of the morning they were here and B was having so much fun getting some undivided attention with Lolli and Poppi for the first time.

Noah also started a new adventure...Soccer! We found a great deal on Groupon and its proven to be a great way to get him some exercise and a place to run the wiggles out.

It may seem silly to say, but not very often do I get to observe his behavior when we aren't around. And I gotta say I was so excited to see how well he followed directions and listened to his teacher. (whew! All that hard work does have a reward!)

And then he'd show his non-athletic side and wave and blow kisses. Super sweet, but A couldn't understand why he wasn't always paying attention:) I do have to say that we have discovered that sports completely undermine all of what we as parents teach our kids-sharing, letting others go first, being nice, not hitting or shoving. N has been having a hard time understanding why the others won't let him take his turn at kicking the ball:)

B LOVES being N's cheerleader

And he loved having Lolli and Poppi to play with while N was having so much fun of his own.

We have had to re-organize our legos. Gone is the tacklebox, atleast for the time being. Maybe when they are older we'll bring it back out. But for now, multiple boxes with lids make a whole lot more sense and help Mama remain sane!

We started up our tradition again this year of unwrapping one book a night until Christmas and the boys love it.

And just for proof...Lolli and Poppi are helping decorate the tree.

(The first time they have ever done it together that they can remember!)

We also had our Christmas with them while they were here we all had fun playing with their gifts for the next couple of days.

How do the boys say Thank You? With a tackle hug!

And I think B is part acrobat. We were playing with his Legos and he suddenly started climbing the entertainment center to stand on his head:)

Thanksgiving feast attire

So, the week before Thanksgiving, Noah's preschool had a Thanksgiving feast (yes, I'm getting further and further behind) and we had a little fun with his costume. (The 3/4 year old class kids were dressed as the pilgrims and the 4/5 year old class kids were dressed as indians.)

Noah needed to model his costume for me since Daddy was the one to escort him to his feast.

Breven couldn't wait for his turn

And then they wanted Daddy to try it on...

And of course the experience wouldn't be complete without the Mama dressed in the costume too.

Gotta say we make some pretty cute indians:)

Happy Birthday, N!

HAPPY 5th BIRTHDAY, N!!!!

Okay, so I'm a few days late, but its been a crazy week-great, but crazy. Lolli and Poppi surprised N by coming in to celebrate with him for his birthday and at his party (pics will come soon).

(2 days old)

N, I can't believe you're 5! It seems like just last week you came into our lives and made it so much richer and more interesting. When I look back at baby you, I can't help but miss those days when I used to just sit and watch you, with nothing else on the agenda all day. But I also wouldn't trade where we are now for anything. I love your curiosity and enthusiasm for anything with wheels. I love the compassion and kindness that you show others. This week you wanted to share one of your motorcycle magazine with Esha (to send back through Lolli and Poppi)-a testimony to the generous, kind heart God has given you.

(1 years old)

I am always amazed at how easy it is for you to talk to anyone. Something you definitely didn't get from me. :) But you remind me that it doesn't have to be a conversation about rocket science, that you only need to show you're interested in the other person and God will give you the words.

(2 years old)

You are getting so independent. I let you go into the bathroom at the grocery store a couple of weeks ago for the first time. I did however stand right outside the store, counting the minutes, prepared to come to your rescue if you didn't come out in time. But you did just fine, came out in one piece, so proud of yourself for doing what big kids do.

(3 years old)

This is also the year you started school. So its only preschool, but its the beginning of a new part of your life that I won't be able to...okay, I'll just say it-Control. I won't be able to control what you hear, read, who hurts you, or what you're learning. Up until now, that has been my job. But I've learned that it has been the best thing for you. You get so excited about all the new songs, stories, crafts and activities you are learning and doing. You are so confident, you don't look back, don't worry about what I'll be doing while you're gone. You are so ready. You'd have opted for the bus option if preschool offered it. You are just that independent, and I'm thankful for it.

(4 years old)

I love how your smile lights up a room.Even though your boundless energy wears me out, I love that you are just like a Tigger in that you bounce every where. You just learned how to skip and you skip all the time!

(5 years old)

Happy Birthday, Lovebug! Mommy and Daddy are just as in love with you now as when we first met you and we're thankful for the ways God is using you to make us more kind, loving, thankful and patient!

And now, a bit of silly N:

He has a huge knitted blanket from a former co-worker of mine and he loves to use it at nap time. And lately, he's discovered a new way to use it. As a cocoon...

Can you find the N in the pic?

All tucked up and warm, inside, with all of his animals around him.

And another time...

I don't know how he gets in there, but he is definitely sleeping, with all of his animals supporting his legs and back. Silly boy!