Colton's 6th Birthday

I still find it hard to believe my boy is 6! He is getting too old! Before we left for Oregon, we planned his birthday party, at his insistence, up at the Column. (For those who don't know, the Astor Column is in Astoria. Oregon... a tall lookout. Very cool) And despite his *injury from the night before, it went off without a hitch.   
The cake looked and tasted fantastic, the burgers were yummy, and all the sides were yummy that people brought. Colton enjoyed opening up his presents, and heading up to the top of the column to release some planes.
Thanks everyone for making it a great day for my wonderful boy.

*His injury happened at bedtime out at Grammy's house. He was running after Shelby, the dog, and tripped (?) and fell on a jagged rock (of course!) and sliced his brow open. Tyler and Grammy took him to the ER for 9 stitches! He was so brave!

Dress up

I absolutely love when the kids play dress up...

I try to give them free reign on anything in the house, and Ayla grabbed onto my lovely Navy hat (I hated wearing that thing during my Navy days!!)

Colton saw Tyler with a walkie talkie one day when he came home for a quick lunch, and right away he had to make one... too bad it was bedtime (he was really bummed). But the moment he woke up, he was ready to make that thing! I only taped his for him, and he figured out the rest. 

Ayla took the easy way, and asked her daddy to make one for her!

It was so cute when Colton was asking me about it though. He said, "Mom, will you help me make the honkey donkey?" with a look on his face that said he knew he wasn't saying it right, but he was close!! 

So funny! I was laughing so hard!

Colton's second ball game

First of all, I just have to say I LOVE MY OUR NEW CAMERA LENS!

It is taking such great pictures of my our adorable children... just saying.

Yesterday, I bribed (yes, bribed with a sucker :)) Kellen to ride the Scuut bike (which has been a fabulous balance teacher to all the kids). He did, and now he LOVES it! He begged to bring it to Colton's tee-ball game.

Here we are on the blanket, watching our Colton play. It was a little chilly, and threatening rain, so we brought rain jackets and hats... Ayla was feigning extreme coldness.

Hmmm...

It is so funny. Colton loves to run, like actually says he loves to run. But during practice and games he gives such a lame effort! Tyler has been talking to him about it, and he decided to step up his game today. So glad he doesn't run like a t-rex anymore (you know with his elbows tucked in and wrists sorta limp...)

Oh, my. This hat reminds me so much of Kellen, it isn't even funny.

What do you think?

Bleacher fun... this is what they do. Every practice. No one has been hurt yet... we will see what will come of it.

I told you, this camera is good! Love this little love.

Isn't he learning so quickly? He looks like he is trying to get something....

Bribery, yes.

Love that Ayla peeks over his shoulder to get in the picture.

That girl LOVES the camera.

It was also Soren's first taste of sucker, courtesy of Ayla, and caught on camera.

we are in trouble.

Look at him fielding that ball... like a natural.

And a good batter to boot.

Colton's love of the game

Tyler couldn't wait until our boy was old enough to play ball... and finally, the time has come! He has had a couple practices, and seems to be doing really well. Tyler says he is really good at ground balls... I really don't know much about the game. I did watch Moneyball last night. Brad Pitt is so dreamy.

Anyways, I digress.

I think we have a ballplayer. 

Or a pilot.

Or a aeronautical engineer.

It is yet to be determined exactly.

45-60 Picture a day

45'365:: a little Valentine's gift courtesy of The Original Tree Swing Company!

46'365:: I love me some grubby kids (mine are ALWAYS grubby)

47'365:: Texas in February= lots of outdoor fun

48'365:: Oh, how I love this man.

49'365:: Love the shoe shot... these are See Kai Run's.. LOVE!

50'365:: My Flamingo lover

51'365:: An almost 2 year old fit.

52'365:: LOVE! (and yes, this isn't from this day, I cheated. So what!)

53'365:: wrist rolls... who DOESN'T love these?

54'365:: I love everything about this picture. The sprinkler, the umbrellas, the suit (on Colton), the dress (on Ayla), the birthday suit (on Kellen), and the random cooler in our backyard. Totally explainable, I assure you.

55'365:: colored carrots. delish.

56'365:: remember that random cooler from above... this is Ayla's picture of what's inside. Shells from our Florida trip!

57'365:: Chomp, chomp!

58'365:: he was in a measuring phase that day.

59'365:: Look at this ADORABLE hat made by one of my best friends up in Montana?! Isn't it just perfect?!

60'365:: My bunch.

Well, that covers February.
I have been so bad at blogging lately. We are sorely lacking sleep around here, due to babies and being sick with something or another.
But I believe we are on the mend!
Kellen had a birthday the other day... totally low-key and fun for a 2 year old... we plan to have a party for him this weekend :) He is such a special little guy!
Ayla and Colton just finished up swimming lessons tonight. And my, am I proud of them. Ayla is our resident fish, she loves the water... Colton has always had a healthy fear, especially putting his head under water! But due to kids not showing up for the last two classes, they had the teacher all to themselves! It was fantastic because he really worked with them, and was very patient. Colton started jumping off the side, into the pool... a new thing for him. So proud :)
We also all took a trip down to Austin, more to come soon. It was a blast!

Thanks for putting up with me, guys!