Ian's 4th Birthday Party!

Since Daddy was home the birthday could actually take place and wow did it ever! We had his party at Bouncin' Bears in Anchorage and it was just wonderful! The kids all had a great time and I had little clean up, so it was a win-win! Ian was so happy to be able to be with his friends and know that his Daddy was home too! It was a great party, even if it was 3 weeks after his actual birthday!

My How They Have Changed!

Welcome Home Daddy!!!!!!!!!!!!

So it's been approximately 51 hours since Ryan has returned to us and we couldn't be happier! I was amazed at how I felt, standing there waiting for them to come through that door. I was like a giddy little school girl! The boys did so well for being woken up at 3:20 am to go get there dad. Especially since we got there at like 3:45am and they didn't get to the gym until 5:15am! I was a little worried about the boys reaction to seeing their dad again, but there was nothing to be concerned about! Ian was cautious but it just took one look, to make sure it was him and then the hugging began. Declan, as usual, watched what Ian did and then gave Daddy a big hug! It was just such an awesome thing to see!



















We haven't done much since then but I'm sure I will be posting more soon. I do need to send a special thanks to my wonderful friend Ginna Van Zandt for taking pictures for me. I know I would have totally spaced if it wasn't for her! Love you Ginna! : )

Happy Valentine's Day!

So this Valentine's Day was not what I expected but it ended up being kinda nice. I woke up with some sinus pressure that would drive a person crazy but I pushed through and was determined on making pink chocolate chip pancakes for the boys for breakfast! Ian loved them and ate 4! There is something about oddly colored food that seem so exciting when you're a kid! They did turn out pretty good if I do say so myself!



While I was cooking the boys opened all the Valentine's cards from the grandparents and they were thrilled with the stickers and the lolly pops! Thank you guys! Can you just see the excitement on their faces! hahaha! Declan was actually growling at me for taking pictures! So funny!



After breakfast the boys let me take a nap for like 2 hours (completely unheard of!) without doing to much damage. Shortly after I woke up, they saw the neighbors outside playing in the snow. You all know that means, they have to do it too and I wasn't getting out of it! So we all got bundled up and went outside to discover that it was 35 degrees outside (heat wave!) and amazingly beautiful! I tried to work on the driveway again but the lack of energy prevented me from getting much done but the boys loved being outside! As you can see, Declan really loves to help but when one refuses to put their thumbs in the thumb hole of the mittens it makes shoveling difficult! He's so cute!





Surprise surprise, this is the only picture I could get of Ian. He just really can't be bothered by getting his picture taken. And the hat is killing me but at least he'll wear a hat!



Did I mention that Declan loves to eat snow. I was talking to a neighbor and looked around to see Declan and there he was with his chunk of snow. He must have sat there for a good 10-15 minutes just looking around and eating his snow chunk! Needless to say, this was the closest he came to a nap, unfortunately! But he slept so good that night!

My Big Boy Turns 4!

Ok, so Ian is now 4 years old and his birthday was last Saturday, but the child refuses to accept that. He says "it's not my birthday yet cause daddy isn't home!" He's 4 and I'm totally letting him have that. We'll get to have the party later this month and that includes all the presents that go with that. I can't believe that he actually didn't want presents until "his birthday". Ok, that means I have more time to wrap them. I love that he is at the age that it is more about doing something fun with the people he loves than the presents. He was just totally content with the little 5 minute cake I made in a coffee cup compliments of instructables.com and playing outside in the snow with his friends. It was a wonderful day and completely low key! I am looking forward to the party later this month, but only because Ryan will be there too!

My Big Ian! I can't believe he's 4!

Showing off the new shirt from Grandma and Grandpa! He just had to wear it that day!

Declan was totally doing a Happy Birthday to Ian thing and singing about cake. He's such a character and totally loves his big brother!

Ian was telling Declan something that I can't quite recall now but I just love the facial expression.

Ok, so this is totally random but before the cake was served Ian was over in the play room doing something that I didn't notice until later. This is what was going on. Apparently the dinosaur was trying to climb up to the pirate ship to eat the pirates. I love the imaginations of little kids!