Birthday Date

4 years ago today, the 2nd love of my life came into my world and I keep falling more in love with him every day. He's loving, funny, smart, cute and can be the biggest "noodge" ever. We were reminiscing tonight about how just one year ago Nick was still wearing diapers and couldn't put on his own pajamas. He had a slight flip out session during teeth brushing and then 10 minutes later said, "I am sorry I was being naughty and was crying", totally unprompted. It's amazing what can happen over the course of a year. We can't wait to see what Nick's 5th year brings. We are so lucky to have you and love you so much Nicholas Ryan!

I took the day off today and basically let Nick do whatever he wanted all day:
Breakfast - Lucky Charms (aka "cheerio letter and rainbows" - this is a "special treat" cereal)
Wii marathon - probably played for a total of about 2 hours today (the usual daily limit is about half an hour)
Bowling - Nick is always asking us to go bowling since we took him this spring. We always tell him that you can only go bowling when it's raining or when it's winter time because in the summer it's too nice to do something inside.
Movies - I showed him the trailers from the 4 family movies that are out right now and he picked "Cats vs. Dogs - Revenge of Kitty Galore". It was pretty terrible but he liked it so that's all that matters.
Lunch - Popcorn and skittles during the movie.
Nap - 10 minutes in the car
Dinner - Chicken nuggets at Wendy's. Every time we drive by Wendy's he asks us if we can eat chicken nuggets there. Tonight we delivered.
Dessert - cookie dough. Homemade, Nestle Toll House cookie dough. Yum.
Bedtime - 7:25. A little earlier than usual but a 10 minute nap and a busy day = one tired birthday boy!!!

Not quite like Wii bowling!!

Nick 68, Mommy 59. And I was trying!!! So sad.

Who doesn't smile for movie theater popcorn and Skittles???!!!

Nick's 4th Birthday Party

Last weekend we celebrated Nick's 4th a little early with a jumpy house, a slip 'n' slide and a bubble machine. Lots of kids and lots of fun!!! The jumpy house was a Halloween theme...the pumpkin head bobbed out while it was being blown up and I was mortified. But the best thing about it was it was free!!! And of course the kids couldn't have cared less (neither did the adults who took a few jumps - Christen and I got in a few russians and hurkies). Some pics below...(I will save the emotional dedication to my favorite 4 year old for Monday).

My beautiful birthday boy

Mikey and Zoey

Ben and Ryan and the Slip 'n' Slide

Diggin' deep!

Jack, Megan, Golan and Eliza

Monster Pete

I was kind of disappointed that Nick requested "a giant chocolate chip cookie cake" this year. I was looking forward to making another "masterpiece"

Chocolate face Ryan

Chocolate Face Ben

Chocolate Face Mikey

Chocolate Face Eliza

Emma is too mature to have a chocolate face!

Chocolate Face Lee Lee

Totally astounded by the Wii we bought him. He didn't know what to say. Then finally, after 2 minutes, it dawned on him and in this picture the direct quote is, "after all these people go away can I play bowling?"

Mommy, Chelsea and Chris rockin' the jumpy house

Jellystone Park

We completed our first successful "camping" trip last week. A two night stay in one of Jellystone Park's "deluxe cabins". Not exactly roughing it but close enough! The Daley Clan had the cabin next to us and the kids had a blast. They played mini golf, splashed around in the kiddie pool, went for a boat ride on the river, played games in the arcade, rode around in the golf cart, went on a hayride with Boo Boo Bear, stayed up late, etc. Some day we will go back and sleep in a tent (maybe).

Watch out, these two are going to be trouble some day

Man down!!! Daddy was a trooper even though he blew out his knee a week and a half before the trip

Beautiful cabin #150 (it's still camping if you have AC right???)

The gang in various stages of saying "Yogi" for the camera

Quiet time until 8am at the campground = movies for these early risers

The girlie girls. Em is laughing hysterically because Chelsea insisted on walking around with her blankie wrapped around her neck/head

Posing with Yogi before a "real" Yogi came to raise the flag

Group shot (minus Uncle Pete who was picking up the golf cart)

Two dudes in a basket

There's Uncle Pete! Got the golf cart so we could cart around injured Daddy.

Hugs for the "real" Yogi

Crazy pool girl. She LOVES to go under water. Total maniac.

Nick getting douced by a bucket of water. This was an AWESOME kid's pool. I took a couple of videos but the kid in the black shirt kept getting in the way of Nick. I think he's a little too big for the kiddie pool!

Silly Papa Songs

These will bring back memories for some of you...

Warning!!! Don't let kids watch these if you are discouraging "potty talk"!!!

Nick's first catch

Forgot to mention that while were were at Lake Wini, Nick caught his first fish. Make that catches numbers 1 through about 10. These fish just kept coming back for more, he definitely had a few repeat catches.

He says, "That's the giantest fish I ever seen in my whole life."

Lake Wini 2010

We were very lucky to spend another 4th of July up at the wonderful "Honeymoon Resort" at Lake Winnipesaukee this year. We had tons of fun with Uncle Tommy, Auntie Maggie, Owen, Nan, Grampy Gary, Aunt Chris, Cathy and Paul. The kids loved jumping off the dock into the lake, playing on the beach, playing on the big lawn, blowing bubbles, feeding the ducks, etc, etc!! Thank you for having us!

At the parade

Waiting for the ducks to wake up

Powdered donut lips!

Obvi they weren't into the group picture

Hanging with Nan

Waiting for the ducks (again)

Cathy brought mini bubble machines for the kids and they LOVED them