Birthdays

The end of January is birthday central in our family.  First we've got Preston's, then four days later it is mine, and four days after that, it's Steve's.  It's over a week full of party time!

Preston's birthday was on a Saturday this year.  Best day to have a birthday I tell you!  I made him a pancake breakfast, with balloon shaped pancakes, of course.  I spent the rest of the morning working on his birthday cake.  Every year when I ask him what kind of cake he wants for his birthday, (meaning what flavor) he tells me, "A choo choo train!" or "A tractor cake!" or "A race car!".  I am not a cake decorator.  Not in the least.  But his heart is so set on it, what else can I do but try?  So this year he wanted the race car cake.  He could care less what flavor it is, mind you.

 We spent a fun afternoon at Jump Street that day.  It was our first time there, and the kids loved it!  Preston especially.  I think every picture I have of him is slightly blurry because I couldn't get him to hold still for even a second!  He bee bopped all around that place.  I have never seen such rosy cheeks.

 I think this was his favorite.  Taking running jumps off a trampoline into this big pit of soft foam blocks.

After Jump Street, we came home and had a spaghetti dinner per the birthday boy's request.

 Then of course cake and presents.  Funny story... When Preston woke up the morning of his birthday, we asked him how it felt to finally be five? (He's been wanting to be five for so long!)  He told us, "I'm not five yet!  I won't be five until I have my birthday cake and blow out my candles!" 

 So here he is.  Officially 5!

 It was so cute... He got all sorts of shy while we were singing "Happy Birthday" to him.  Oh, another funny story.  Right after he woke up that morning I turned on the song "Birthday" by The Beatles for him.  I think we listened to that song no less than 30 times that day.  He loved it!  Even still he calls it "his" song and wants to hear it at least once a day.

 These kids look like they're ready for some cake and ice cream!

Present time!  He flew through those presents like nobody's business!

All in all, I think he had a great day.  We sure are grateful for the day our little Buds came into our lives!

Like I said, a few days later it was my birthday.  I had a quiet day at home while all the kids were at school, and that night we went to Olive Garden for dinner.

And of course, the balloon launch.

Trent's dad turned the big 6-0 this year.  We spent a fun night at Hacienda Colorado eating yummy, yummy food.

This little girl LOVES her grandpa.

Mom and Dad.

Butter Cheeks and dad.

Mom, Colson, and Trenton.

Trenton, Sean, and Elena, who we got to meet for the first time that night.  She's a keeper!

Janet, trying to get Dustin to smile for the camera.  I have mentioned before what a turkey he is about letting us take pictures of him.

Ha Ha!

Buds and dad.

Dad hamming it up.

Finally, a smile from Dustin, along with Buds, and Mom.

Happy 60th!

Dad singing "Happy Birthday" to himself. :)

Buds helping out with the candles.

Me, Trent, and Jilly Bean.

The next night we had a birthday get-together at Mom and Dad's.

60 balloons!

The balloon launch with all 60 of the balloons.

It was a great week and lots of fun celebrating all the birthdays!