{AyDen'S biRthDaY weEk}

We started celebrating Ayden's birthday the Saturday before his special day!  We went to Island's with Jeremiah's parents and Uncle Kirt and Aunt Stephanie....Ayden's favorite restaurant! 

Almost a 5 year old.....

They brought Ayden this AMAZING hot brownie sundae with ice cream and whipped cream!  This was his face when they placed it in front of him....

It was ABSOLUTELY delicious.....he ate the ENTIRE thing himself!!  Just kidding....we passed it around the table and I have to admit that I think I ate the most of everyone!!

After lunch at Island's, we went to Grandma Brenda and Grandpa Gary's house for presents and MORE cake and ice cream!!  Ayden LOVED his Star Wars cake....that he had been requesting for MONTHS!!

His birthday revolved around Star Wars of course.....from the cake to the decorations to the presents!!  When we first got to the house that morning, Ayden was disappointed that the house wasn't decorate for his birthday!  So Grandma Brenda ran out and got lots of Star Wars decorations.....made his day!

More Star Wars legos.....

Another light saber from Uncle Kirt & Aunt Stephanie......his 4th one to be exact....he now has a red one, green one, blue one, and a double red one!!  I'm not sure I love having all these weapons around....at least 3 times a day, I am yelling at Ayden to stop hitting someone or something with a light saber!!

The night before his real birthday, Jeremiah and I blew up about 60 balloons to spread across their bedroom for Ayden to see when he woke up....

And decorated the house....since we knew how sad he was that there were no decorations put up at Grandma Brenda's house!

Finally......the birthday boy celebrating #5!!!  Waffles for breakfast on the red plate.....

Ayden really wanted a party this year....Mommy really didn't want a party this year!  So instead we planned a fun day of the water park and McDonald's for lunch with our good friends.  James and Jakey came over to our house first to give Ayden his present....Star Wars again....everyone knows what Ayden loves best!!  :)  And this toy from James was his favorite one.....he carried it around all day and slept with it that night....

The kids had fun playing at the water park on a hot summer day.....

Cute Jakey....

It was a challenge getting all 4 kids to take a break for a picture....but we did it....

Playing catch with a football...

Touchdown.....

Ayden and James.....BEST BUDDIES!!!

Off to McDonald's to fill some hungry bellies....

That night we went to dinner at Panera.  We asked Ayden where he wanted to go for dinner....he said Island's AGAIN....but we decided not to go there again since we had it 2 days before!  His 2nd choice was Panera.....MY FAVORITE....so I wasn't complaining!!  We came home and had cake and ice cream for dessert and Ayden opened MORE presents.

Zoe got Ayden a lunch box and a Boba Fett t-shirt....he was SO excited....

THANK YOU ZOE!!!!

Another light saber....this thing is GIANT!!!

Some Star Wars action figures to keep in his lunch box...

Star Wars cake #2....

Make a wish........

{hAppY 5th BirtHdaY}

I just wanted to wish a HAPPY 5th BIRTHDAY to one of the most special boys in my life!  I am having a hard time with this boy growing up.  He is the sweetest little thing I know and I have been telling him for months that I am gonna give him a shot of medicine that will make him not grow anymore.....he will be my snuggly, cuddly, lovable, hugable, kissable 4 year old FOREVER!!  Last night he told me "It's ok Mom....I'm gonna be the same tomorrow....I will just be 5!"  I made him pinky promise me that he will let me snuggle, cuddle, love, hug and kiss him when he's 5 too!  So far, he has lived up to his promise!

There's something about Ayden that is extra special.  I have been saying that for a while, but I can't seem to pinpoint what it is.  The older he gets, the more and more I see it.  He has the most fun loving personality.  He is such a happy boy.  He likes everyone.  And he is liked by most everyone.  He has so much energy that it is hard to keep up with him at times.  He is very compassionate and wants everyone else to be just as happy as he is....if they are not, he will do what he can to change that.  He is a little genius in the making....and he knows it!  :)  This boy just has such a sweet, special Spirit about him.  I love it and I love to be around him.

As we've taken a short break from our fun day of celebrating, I have been sitting at my computer for about an hour looking back at the hundreds, even thousands of pictures that I have taken since the day Ayden was born.  It was hard to not get emotional looking at pictures of him when he was born and remembering all the good memories we had the first year of his life....as first time parents....experiencing so many special moments with such a special little boy!  Maybe the reason that there is a special place for Ayden in my heart is because he is the one that filled that gaping hole.....the heart that had ached for so many years for a little baby!  I will always treasure that special bond that I have with Ayden (and of course Zoe is oh so special in her own way and the bond we have is just as special)!  :)

Here is a look back at this special day that we have celebrated for the last 5 years!!  Happy Birthday Buddy!!  We love you!!

My sweet little, drooly, blue eyed baby.....

Happy 1st Birthday!!!

Happy 2nd Birthday!!!

 

Happy 3rd Birthday!!!

Happy 4th Birthday!!!

Happy 5th Birthday!!

I saw this idea on another blog and decided I was gonna do it for my kids each year so I can always remember what they were into at that age.

20 Questions with Ayden:

My favorite thing to learn at school:  Nursery Rhymes

I am really happy when:  Daddy builds Star Wars Legos with me

I am really sad when:  Zoe hurts me

My favorite book:  Star Wars

My favorite vacation:  Utah

My favorite bedtime song:  Rain Drops on Roses, You are My Sunshine 

My favorite sport:  Soccer

I like my Dad because:  he gives hugs

I like my Mom because:  she gives hugs and kisses

I like Zoe because:  she's crazy

I like my family because:  they love me

My favorite things to do:  play with Daddy, build Star Wars legos, ride my bike

My favorite food:  meat, fruit, apples, chicken nuggets, apple juice, rainbow sherbet ice cream

My favorite restaurant:  Island's

My worst nightmare:  when I had a bad dream about a bounty hunter lion trying to eat me and Cayla

Who am I going to marry:  Cayla

I like school when:  it's play time

Things that make me mad:  when Zoe hurts me and bites me and pinches me and pushes me

If I had 1 wish, I would wish:  that Daddy would build me a Star Wars ship that was so big that I could get inside of it and ride it to school.

One word that describes me:  "What does describes mean?!?!?" 

{He'S PooPeD}

I'm not sure if this guy is exhausted because we have had a busy 1st week of summer......

....or if he's just exhausted because his routine of going to school every single day from 12:30-4 pm didn't happen this week.....

......whatever it is, he has fallen asleep twice in the car this week with a sucker in his mouth!!!  :)

{sPlaSh pAd}

We've been loving that summer hit and so did the summer weather!!  Hopefully the "June gloom" is gone for a while (even tho I am sure we will be wishing it back by August)!  We've been staying cool by swimming and going to the water park!  We've had a great 1st week of summer and can't wait for all the other fun things we have planned that are coming up this summer!

{LikE FaTheR, LiKe sOn}

For the past 6 weeks, we have been going to watch Jeremiah race his mountain bike every Tuesday night.  This last Tuesday was "family night" and the kids ages 3-5 got to do a race before all the Daddy's did!  Ayden was excited for his bike race for kids!!

My two biking boys.....

Lined up and all ready to go at the start line....you can see Ayden with the bright green bike!  Right in front of him was a little boy with a kick bike....a bike without pedals.  Poor Ayden had a slow start cuz he had to wait for this little guy to get out of his way....

After he crossed the finish line, he said "Did I win?  Did I get 1st place?"  And we said, "You sure did, Buddy"!!!  :)