Nate loves his big brother!

Can't take his eyes off of him!

Fuller Park

Today we went to Fuller Park as we kick off summer playdates. Now that people are done with school and all the things that keep them busy and the temps start warming up, we will be spending a lot of time outside playing. It was Chris' last day home, so he got to come along and entertain the kids. The moms love it when he is there! I know it is really special for Xander that he could be there to play with him.

Looking like such a big boy on the teeter totter!
Ava and Xander taking turns down the slide. She looks so cool in her Diego sunglasses!

Giddy-up!

(what the hell is that thing supposed to be anyway?)

Running up the hill! A Fuller Park tradition

Nate is crashed out on Chris while he takes a break from the action

Xander gets so excited about "ring around the rosie" that he is grinning like crazy! Amazing how one little song/activity can bring him so much joy.

Lew and Daniel relaxing before it is time to head home.

Happy 3rd Birthday, Xander!

My little Peanut turned 3 years old today! Hard to believe that he is this big...seems like just yesterday.... Anyway, it has been a long couple of days. His birthday party with friends was yesterday and with all the excitement of today, we are all a little worn out. I have about 500 pictures to weed through just over the past two days! But I thought I would at least start with a few to post. I have a lot more and will try to get them up soon.

Opening presents this morning

Trying out the new mower
His very own bouncer?? No, he is not spoiled at all! :)

Turning 3 means a newer and even bigger car seat. And it is HUGE! This thing is the deluxe, it doesn't get much safer than this, super hard to find Britax car seat that has a 5 point harness and is for up to 80 pounds. Nothing but the best...!

Just like daddy!

New sandbox from grandma Linda! That little lady bug sandbox just wasn't cutting it anymore.

Time for dinner at Buca! Three year olds get to dish up their own salad. Being the birthday boy means getting to sit at the special booth in the kitchen. Great for Xander, not so good for Nate. All the banging of pots and pans had him quite startled. But he hung in there and made it through the experience like a champ!

family photos

Singing "Happy Birthday"

blowing out the candles

ice cream with chocolate sauce - yum!

showing off his gooey hands and face

smiles for grandma

time to head home in the HUGE car seat

Xander's birthday party

Today was Xander's first birthday party with his friends and he had a blast! We had it at Edinborough Park and invited a bunch of friends to come and play and eat cake. Xander could have gone all day and was sad when his party had to end. I have so many great photos that it was hard to narrow it down.

Our little birthday boy, sporting his new Diego t-shirt

Edinborough is all about climbing...and he is good at it!

Such a neat indoor park! It is so tropical in there because of all the plants, trees and water.

Sitting in a swing..not sure why

The ladies hanging out while the kids climb around and have fun

Xander's adorable cake. Look familiar? It is the same one that we ordered for his first birthday. We let him pick this year and he wanted this one again. That is a whole lot of frosting!

The kids eating a snack before the cake is served

Xander getting ready to pick out what piece of cake he wants

Making sure that no frosting goes to waste on those candles

Nate got passed around quite a bit (thank god) and eventually got a little crabby from all the excitement. But over all, he was very good. I was just lucky to have so many people willing to hold him for me. He looks pretty content in Patti's arms!

Hanging out at grandma's house

Got milk??? No doubt about that!

look at that Buddha belly and chipmunk cheeks!

when he isn't listening, I call him my little pork chop. don't want to give him a complex

needs to be on mommy tonight

Lilli Putt

Another great suggestion suggestion from friends led us to Lilli Putt mini golf for a little fun in the sun. It is one of those things that we wouldn't have thought of to do on our own, but it was a good time. Xander has been asking to go back and I know it is something that we will be doing again very soon.

Before we left, Nate was hanging out with daddy on the couch. At 7 weeks old, he is such a strong baby. He was determined to climb up Chris! He scoots quite a bit and has tried to roll over several times.

Chris and Xander making a lap around on the go carts

Viet and Ava giving us a wave

Wonder if they are getting ready to spray Chris and Xander?

Those sprayers go a long way!

They managed to hardly get wet...imagine that!

Xander is trying to be sneaky and grab onto Ava. She is onto him and goes for the hand block to deflect his advances. Xander still has to learn about personal space!

Chris and Viet getting ready to race. Captions should read something like...

Viet: "I am going to kick your ass!"

Chris: "You want a piece of me? Bring it!"

No, Chris is not winning. He is doing everything to make sure that Viet doesn't lap him. That girly purple car was way faster than Chris' whimpy yellow car!

While the boys were racing, Lily decided to challenge Xander to a race as well.

Body language says a lot... Can you tell who won?