a few more birthday pics

These were taken on Jace's actual birthday. We were in Perry that night for the start of our Omaha weekend (more pics to come later!)

 

Jace loves his Nonnie Kathy.

 

For some reason I am never in pictures! I think I take them mostly. But I got a special pic with my boy on his first birthday.

jace is one!!!

It seems crazy to me that my little boy turned one year old already. It hardly seems like a year has gone by. We celebrated his birthday on a Saturday - with a Cheerio themed party. Why wouldn't we go for Cheerios, it is one of the only things he really loves to eat!  My mom got him a cute Cheerios onsie but of course, I didn't get a good picture of it!

I have a desire to make good cakes for my kid's birthday parties. I can't really explain where this desire came from- maybe the fact that my mom used to do all amazingly decorated Wilton cakes of anything we wanted growing up- Popples, Alf, Care Bears, Barbie- anything. So maybe that is why when birthdays roll around, suddenly I wish I was talented in this area. Reality hits though- as I try my best to do what I can. For Addelyn's first birthday- she had a homemade cake with no sugar. This time around, I gave up on that idea. This year my plan was for a homemade, yummy cake with homemade frosting- ended up with box made cupcakes and a last minute screw up of homemade frosting. So I ended up with canned frosting too. I had a few minutes of adult tantrum before the party started and then I got over it. I know, I know- there is absolutely nothing wrong with using a box mix or canned frosting! And Jacers didn't know the difference. I can't explain it, my own desire or obsession to do this cake thing well. It would probably help if I tried to meet this goal not just on birthdays. So friends and family, be expecting some "practice cakes" this year while this momma tries to perfect her cake making!

 

"Jacers is One" - (One is with the Cheerio). Thanks Pinterest!

 

The Great-Grandmas hanging out with Jacers on the porch. I love that my kids have the opportunity to know some of their very special great-grandparents!

 

The Papas making ice cream. Don't those smiles just look like trouble?

 

Mark- the grill master. Thanks babe for taking on the grilling for our party! Made the "cooking" much easier.

 

Papa Marvin pushing Jace and playing around.

 

Jace, the boy who really doesn't like lots of food, tries his cake. Don't you love his face? This is the face he gives most of the time when trying foods.

 

Addelyn helped him warm up to the idea of cake.

 

Hmm, playing in cake is kinda fun. Not sure I want to eat it though.

 

Okay, this is FUN! Loving making a mess!

 

Why not go for the hair?!? And guess what? Jace did end up eating some cake. In fact, I had to take it away from him. Yes, I think this boy has a sweet tooth.

 

After a quick bath, it was present time! He liked the bows!

 

Good thing uncle Ben, sister Addelyn, and neighbor boy Alec were there to help out with gift opening!

 

Loving the new hat for this winter!

 

A scooter= too much fun for everyone. Addelyn is now obsessed with this scooter and it is a daily fight over who gets to play with it.

 

Addelyn got her chair for her first birthday- and now Jace did too. Fun times! And of course, had to end the pictures with Daddy, who gets to put everything together (Papa helped). 

It was a fun first birthday celebration for a sweet little one year old boy. We love you Jacer boy!

 

my kiddos

My friend Bryndi from high school is an amazing photographer. She came back in May and grabbed some photos of our kiddos. Jace wouldn't smile for ANYTHING but she did get some great shots! If you are looking for someone to take pics, she will be back again in July and this fall. Check her out at

http://www.brynmarae.com/.

(This may seem like a funny pic of Jace but it is SOOO HIM!!!)

tiger fun day

The Tiger Fun Day is such a great event thrown by the CF track coach and students. It is a free event. The kids got a t-shirt and had fun for an hour, doing "track" activities. Addelyn was nervous at the beginning- this was a whole new thing for her! But after awhile, she warmed up. She was in a group with her friend Avery so that helped a lot. First event, the hurdles!

Second event, the balloon toss. The best part, the girls stood and passed their balloon back and forth- never really threw it!

 

Third event, the long jump. Too cute to watch them run and jump. And be kinda confused about what they were supposed to do!

 

Last, the relays. This event was confusing for the kids. Batons? Passing to each other? Waiting to run until the person before you comes toward you? What?? Kids running everywhere!

 

The last race- run to the finish line! (While all the parents yell and scream and cheer!)

 

All of the little Tigers and also the high school track kids who helped with the day. What a fun time!!! (Also a great "event." Addelyn is NOT ready for a consistent sport or activity at this point!)

first tractor ride

Growing up, I would enjoy my time riding in the tractor or combine with my dad. I know he has been hoping and waiting for the moment when Addelyn would agree to go on a tractor ride. She has always been too scared but finally the other day, she seemed pretty excited to go with him. I think we have started something! (So Papa Marvin hopes.....)

dollar days

We joined our friends at the Youth Pavilion for Dollar Days a few weeks ago after afternoon naps. It was the perfect time- a beautiful day outside and no one was inside. We had the run of the place!

Oh the fun the girls had dressing up and singing and dancing their hearts out, performing on the stage.

 

Our girls did some cave exploring too!

The babies did some exploring of their own....

 

Our matching green strollers!

 

Jace trying to steal some food. Oh Jace, you aren't going to eat it anyway!

 

If you are looking for something fun to do this summer, I suggest checking out the Youth Pavilion!

influential photos

I loved the idea to take pictures of your kid's "influential people" during seasons of their lives. Here are two that I really have seen impacting our sweet girl Addelyn.

Top picture- Miss Kim. She has been Addelyn's Sunday School teacher. An amazing woman that has loved on Addelyn. She welcomes her with the biggest grin, encouraging words, smiles, and hugs. I truly believe she is making the church a place that Addelyn wants to go because she feels loved and encouraged.

 

Second picture- Ilene. Ilene started to babysit Addelyn when she was around 8 months old. I worked full time until Addelyn was two so you can imagine how much time Addelyn spent at Ilene's house. And now she is there part-time. Ilene has been amazing- more than daycare- but a place where Addelyn has felt loved, has grown as a little person, and has learned so many things.

I know that it takes a village to raise kids. Here are two of the many, many amazing people we have in our community of support. I'm so thankful.

blank park zoo

 A few weeks ago, Mark ran his Toughmudder race in MN, so rather than take the kiddos and attempt to watch a 3-4 hour race, on Friday, we headed to Ankeny to stay at Jill and Levi's apartment. We had a fun little night away, slumber partying at their place. Then on Saturday, Jill and I packed up some picnic lunches and headed to the Blank Park Zoo with the kiddos. We had a blast. It is a great zoo- fun stuff to see but you can do it in 1/2 day if you want (you can stay much longer if you'd like but with Jace along, missing a nap- this was a perfect amount of time.)

I had to get a picture with the kids and the giraffes. I could watch these amazing animals all day long. Definitely my favorite. Have you ever watched them poop? The weirdest thing to watch. Just saying...

 

And then the monkeys. Addelyn could have watched them all day. They made us laugh out loud a bunch, as they picked things off of each other and ate them. My favorite moment of the day- Addelyn was right up against the fence. A monkey sauntered up, sat down right next to the fence in front of Addelyn, and stared right back at her- inches from her face. Hilarious.

 

Big boy- we tried to get him to do a little stroller nap but of course, that was not happening. My kids officially (as babies at least) have not been ones who like to sleep places other than their beds!

He did great though. After our zoo fun, we got some ice cream and then headed home to be ready to see our "toughmudder" who successfully completed his race. He had a blast and only came home with a few good scrapes (and a sweet mohawk). Good job honey!!!