Spring!

Time for the monthly post! Tyler turned almost 30, Kate learned some new tricks, and Cole starting tball in a couple weeks would be the highlights. But we've also done a lot of other super exciting things such as changing diapers and cleaning up toys, so don't think we've just been sitting around :) I also registered Cole for preschool this morning which was an exciting thing for me. He'll start in the fall at Knowlton (where I taught for five years) and I am just bursting. It's such an amazing program and the teachers have been doing it forever together and are my good friends, they are great educators and do so many wonderful things. It's such a highly recognized preschool that they have had to go to a lottery system to determine who gets in, where you register and they draw names and you wait and see if you were lucky. But since I was a former teacher and still sub there, they let Cole bypass the lottery so we're in! Anyway, it's a big step for me and him and I'm excited.

Kate is 10 months old now! And doing so many adorable things. She is sweet and affectionate, she loves to put her head on my shoulder when I'm holding her and hugs soft things like soft animals and blankies. She waves bye/hello, claps, and does this adorable head tilt smile when she has a lot of attention. She loves taking baths and being outside. Hates getting diaper/clothes changed. She is our little sunshine and we can't get enough of her sweetness.

Mom came to visit and took us ice skating for Cole's first time! He was "so essited", he's beeng talking about wanting to go all winter. He loved it and my arms were soooooore after from holding him up the whole time :)
These two play so cute together, he is such a great big brother. We've given him "brother jobs" that make him feel important because it's only things that big brothers get to do, things like throwing the diapers in the trash or getting toys to give to Kate when she's bored. He takes them very seriously and never turns down a job as long as it's called a brother job. Last week we put the tent up for a couple days in the living room, it made for some great times.
Tyler's birthday!! He turned 29 and wanted to go for a hike so that's what we did. We got up early and it happened to be a beautiful day so we were pretty excited. We packed up the kiddos in the backpacks and headed up Davis Creek Trail looking for Pretty Valley. We never found it, but had a great time looking for it! The foot of snow made finding the trail difficult in some parts. We saw a cool waterfall though and enjoyed the sunshiney day. There's just something about being outside as a family with no other distractions that I just crave. We always feel more bonded after.
This kid loved the upgrade from the frontpack to the backpack :) And after about 30 mins....
She took a little snooze.
The boys having fun too.
I saw this on the hike back, I thought it was awfully romantic. Tyler thought it was awfully disrespectful. I think we're both right. (it says "will you marry me")
Birthday pie! A blackberry pie for my birthday boy, made with lots of love.
Cole showing off his new suit, how handsome are my guys?
The fam came over for a Sunday birthday dinner, Kate was completely relaxed with uncle Shane.
For the family birthday dinner we had regular birthday cake. We let the candles burn a little longer than usual, and when Tyler held up the cake in front of me to let Cole help blow them out, he blew candle wax all over my white shirt! Still trying to figure out how to get that out.
We were lucky enough to get to go home for 2 weekends this past month while Tyler did Woodbadge (a scout camp for leaders). Kate loved swinging in grandma's swing while watching the dogs chase balls.
Sorry, out of order...but we had to put the gate up. Kate is moving around so much and so fast it was starting to worry me so we put it up. Aren't they the happiest prisoners you've ever seen?
Just had to share these great rainbow cupcakes we made when we were working on the letter R with Cole, aren't they fun! And they were delicious and easy to make.
Okay, back to grandmas. Cousins Jackson and Josh were also in town on one of the weekends and the boys had so much fun hanging out together. Jack and Josh were so sweet to include Cole and put up with some of his "younger" behaviors like taking toys that he wants or, I guess it mostly was just taking things that they were playing with :) I loved seeing them interact and hope they can have a connection even though they live thousands of miles away.
Nominated for best uncle award!
It's fun going to grandma's because you get to do what you want and have whatever you want!
Dressing up with daddy's do rags.
Ready for tball!! Only 16 days till our first game. This kid can barely contain himself, he's so excited. As I type, he's napping in his room sleeping with his hat and uniform on! It's my dream to have my kids play sports and grow up loving it like we did, so to see him so excited just makes me smile. Of course, if he chooses to do something else, like music or whatever, that will be wonderful too. But I love baseball and am just as excited as he is!!! Go Sox!

Wanted to show you Kate learning how to wave a couple weeks back. What a sweetie!!