Special Birthday Surprises!

On Friday, October 4th, I was a part of two very special birthday surprises!  Derek's birthday was on the 6th, so I surprised him with a trip to Denver to see one of his best friends.  I was hoping to surprise him just a few days before he left for the trip, but ended up telling him a month sooner.  It's a long story.  He & Evan only see each other a few times a year, so Derek was SO excited to get to spend a few days with him!  Derek flew out early Friday morning, and returned late Sunday night.  They golfed at a different course each day, went to a hockey game, did a lot of eating, went sight seeing and drank beer.  A perfect guys weekend! So glad he could have a weekend away from work and the kids & I.  It was a well deserved trip for him! Next time, it's going to be a couples trip because these picture he took are amazing!

My grandpa Harold turns 80 in November, but he and my grandma spend their winters in Texas so we celebrated his birthday a little early this year.  On Sunday, the 6th, we had an Open House celebration for him in Colman, but the birthday surprise for him happened on the 4th too!  My grandpa's best friend (and cousin) Curt passed away almost 7 years ago.  Curt and his family have always been extra special to all of us, so when we decided to have a special party to celebrate grandpa's birthday, I made sure Curt's children knew of the celebration.  His son Tim, who lives in Oregon, decided to come to SD and surprise grandpa!  It was such a fun thing to witness, and my heart was so full seeing my grandparents so surprised.  We all were so appreciative of Tim taking the time to make the trip to SD.  It had been 38 years since he was last year, so he enjoyed seeing my grandparents old farmhouse, how things had changed in Colman and reminicing about all the fun that Tim's dad and my grandpa had.  Such a fun weekend!

Friday evening, Oct. 4:  Grandpa answering the door to his surprise!    

He was so shocked that it took him a minute to figure out who it was!

 Grandma in tears.

 I think I finally impressed my grandparents with my much improved cooking skills!

Grandpa's Birthday Open House was on Grandma's actual birthday, so it was really a party for the both of them.  Love my grandparents SO much!

 My mom, her sister Karla, my grandparents, and my mom's brother Kelly. 

 Tim with the family!

 The community center was full of little ones running around.  There are lots of great-grandchildren, and more being born in 2014!

 Tim & I with my crew of boys!

 Brigs & Holdyn

 Bronx was full of smiles for his great grandpa.  It was so cute watching these two.  Bronx just kept cooing away!

 The boys sharing more cake!

 Aren't they cute!

 Grandpa & Tim

 Grandma & Grandpa took off for Texas the morning after the party, so the great grand kids got to take all the balloons off the tables & let them fly away outside!

 So much excitement!

Back In Business!

Bronx was 12 weeks old on Tuesday, which means my maternity leave has come to an end (insert sad mommy face).  Monday was opening day for my daycare and although I was dreading it, the first two days couldn't have gone any better!  Dana & Mason brought me a salted caramel mocha from Starbucks on Monday morning, and Bronx slept from 8:30-5:30!  It was the perfect way to start off the week!  Mason has been coming the past two weeks, so he helped me slowly get back into the swing of things.  I was a little worried about how some of the younger ones would do coming back after being at another daycare for the past 3 months, but so far they have come right in and made themselves at home!  So thankful!

Bronx has been doing really well at night!  Last week he started drinking 4-6 ounces before bed, and sleeping until 4:30-5:30!  He eats, and then goes back to bed until around 8!  It's great, and that long stretch of sleep for me has been fantastic!  However, the last 3 nights he has not been himself.  He has a cold, so is stuffed up and not sleeping or eating well.  I've been letting him sleep in the swing, bouncy seat, boppy and sometimes even in bed with me.  Hopefully he gets back to a better schedule once he is feeling better.  He has started to really like a paci and I am not entirely thrilled about it, but for now I am fine with whatever makes him happiest.  Neither of the other boys really took a paci, so I am having a terrible time remembering to bring it with me when we go places, and I am constantly losing them around the house!

Monday, September 30:
5:30 am.  This sweet little boy knew his mommy needed a good night of rest and slept 8 hours!

Otto, Brigs & Me

 Otto, Brigs & Mason:  Handsome boys!

 Otto

 Mason

Brigs deep in conversation with his little brother.  Bronx looks concerned!  

He's getting to be such a big boy!

 'Get me out of this Bumbo!'

 Brigs wearing his daddy's shoes around the house.

 Bronx gets so excited when he sees his bottle or hears me shaking it up!  He has even attempted to hold it himself!  I don't normally set him in the bouncy to eat, but there are times when the other kiddo's need me ASAP and this is the only option for the little man to eat when he's starving!  

Tuesday, 10-1:  Oaklee

 Gracie

 Owen

 Brigs.  He didn't want to be left out of the picture taking!

 Gracie wanted Bronx to snuggle with her bunny all morning!  

She kept bringing it to him or setting it on his tummy if it would fall off. 

 Little Mr. is getting some more hair!

 Otto sharing his lego with Bronx.

 Bronx surrounded by Oaklee's doll & Gracie's bunny.  

And this is milk in the play shopping cart.  Brigham has started to spit out his drinks..  Monday night it was apple juice all over Boston in the living room, Tuesday it was this, and Wednesday it was milk all over the deck.  I told you this kid was a hand full!  He is no longer allowed to have any drinks outside of the kitchen..

A few days ago I posted that Brigham had NO desire to potty train... well the next night he told me that he was pooping in his diaper, so we quick ran to the potty!  He peed a little and even pooped!  It was the littlest poop you've ever seen, but it's a start :)  

He was so excited & so were Boston & I!  

Here he is looking to see what's all coming out!  Ha!

Such a little snuggler to his blanket.

 He loves to snuggle his mommy too :)

9-26

Wednesday, 10-2

Thursday, October 3rd.  Bronx was up several times during the night.  Poor baby just isn't himself.  I am exhausted!

 Smiles for his daddy even though he isn't feeling well!