Nathan's Big Boy Day

2014 is turning out to be a busy, exciting year for our family. Although we make vacations a priority in our family, Matt and I both decided that with a new house, a new car, and a new baby all happening in 2014 there wasn't a place for a big vacation in our budget or in our schedule for the year. Instead we planned a couple of day outings that would be special for us without breaking our already depleted bank. This past Saturday we took Nathan to Frontier City for a Big Boy day. It's no Disney World, but for a three year old, it was still pretty magical. We decided Samuel would have a better time hanging out with my parents than being strung along in a stroller, so he stayed home, and we focused all our attention on our Big Boy for the day. It was an incredible day. All three of us had the best time and made some really special memories. We kept it a surprise from Nathan until the day of our trip. He had no clue what we were doing but he couldn't wait to have his Big Boy Day!

We made it to the park around 11:00 and went nonstop until after 4:00. He lasted way longer than Matt or I thought he would, and he loved every single ride he rode. Of course the very first ride we went on was the train.

I love his grin!

The train dropped us off near this ride. Surprisingly Nathan was tall enough to ride it as long as Daddy was with him. He called it the Dizzy Train. No fear or motion sickness or anything from that boy.

Then we stopped by the Ferris Wheel. Nathan liked being up high but kept worrying that his hat would blow away.

One of his favorite rides from the day was getting to drive the old fashioned cars. Daddy and I are glad he has 13 more years before he can legally drive :)

They had a big fun playground in the kids' area of the park, and Nathan played on it for a good 30 minutes. I don't know where he gets all his energy.

Afterward he got to ride the all the attractions in the kids' area. He liked all of them.

We stopped for a quick lunch and then were back at it. Nathan saw the ship and begged to ride it. I've never liked the ship ride, but it was his favorite ride of the day I think. He and Matt rode it four times while we were at the park. He kept asking to ride it again and again.

We rode a few other rides that afternoon. When he saw the carousel, he exclaimed, "I didn't know Frontier City had a carousel!"

He told us the best part of the day was getting to be the conductor and drive the train. Really all he did was sit in the engine and pull the lever for the bell, but he thought he was big stuff. Isn't he adorable as a train conductor?!

The flying dragons were another hit of the day.

He played some more on another playground and wanted to ride the "Dizzy Train" one last time before we left. He was absolutely exhausted. We stopped at a gas station a block or so away from the park for some drinks and I looked back and saw this.

He was so well behaved and such fun to spend the day with. I just love being his mom and watching him experience all these fun things. It was sweet to see him and Matt having so much fun together too. He definitely was a Daddy's boy on Saturday.

We ate dinner at Pops. I've never been and thought it would be a fun treat after a fun day.

We also splurged on dessert. I promise the picture just looked like a big cookie sundae, but this is what they brought us.

All of our mouths dropped open when we saw it. Matt calls it a pregnancy craving. We managed  to make a pretty good dent in it, but we needed a few more helpers to eat the whole thing.

After dinner, we stopped to see some good friends. The Shondelmyers moved back to Oklahoma a few months ago, and we had been itching to see them for awhile, and were so glad it worked out to see them on Saturday. Nathan has been talking about Wyatt and playing at his house constantly since Saturday. They were so cute playing together. I'm hoping they'll be good buddies growing up, especially since they live so much closer now.

Nathan was Samuel's age the last time he saw Wyatt.

We are so glad they won't have to go that long without seeing each other again.

And Matt and I just love Wyatt's parents. They are due with twins very soon and it was fun to talk about pregnancies, and babies, and raising toddlers. We're looking forward to having matching families and our kids growing up together. We stayed longer than we planned, but I knew we would. We were having such a good time visiting and watching the boys play that we hated to say goodbye. Hopefully we will see them again soon!  It was late when we finally made it back home, and we were all exhausted after such a fun day. When we got back in the car to head home, Nathan asked if he could have another Big Boy Day tomorrow. Hearing him say that and talk about what a good time he had was the best part of the day for his Daddy and me.

Easter Weekend

We had a really fantastic Easter weekend filled with lots of family time enjoying the gorgeous weather.

Friday morning, Nathan had a friend come over to play for the morning. He and Kiyah played outside for most of the time she was here. She left at lunchtime, and we ate quickly and then headed to the zoo. We were thankful Daddy had the afternoon off so we could enjoy some zoo fun.

Nathan had gotten some money in his Easter card from Granny and Grandaddy to ride the train, and he couldn't wait to use his own money to buy his train tickets and ride it. It was the very first thing we did at the zoo :)

We rode the train, watched the penguins swim (Nathan had been asking how they swam), played on the playground, saw a few animals, rode the train again, and visited the petting zoo before calling it a day at the zoo.

Samuel called every animal we saw at the zoo a dog.

Friday evening, Bryan and Becca came for a visit. Nathan had fun showing them our house and all our toys and especially his play house outside. We had a fun visit with them. They slept in on Saturday morning, so the boys and Daddy and I had a few hours just the four of us. We made pancakes and played in our jammies for most of the morning. Matt and I both mentioned how fun it was to have a lazy Saturday morning with the boys. The boys usually stay at my parents' house on Friday nights, and although we  pick them up on Saturday mornings, we usually have plans and projects on our to do list, and we don't usually have lazy family time at home in our jammies. This was a fun treat. We headed to the mall for lunch and playtime with Bryan and Becca. They left later that afternoon.

Saturday evening, we had the pleasure of watching this little lady so her parents could have a date.

Sarah is the sweetest thing, and the boys were absolutely smitten with her. Nathan talked to her in baby voices and held out toys for her, and Samuel couldn't keep his hands off of her. He was constantly beside her when she was in the rock and play. (He was disappointed Sunday morning when he woke up and the rock and play was empty).

I felt like this was also a glimpse of our future. I think Matt and I handled feeding, bathing (2 of the 3), and putting everyone to bed pretty well.

Matt just held her during her evening nap. He said he was afraid she would wake up if he put her down. I have a feeling Elisabeth is going to be a Daddy's girl :)

Sunday morning, when the boys woke up we gave them their Easter baskets. I kept things simple, and they just got a few new things. They seemed to love their new stuff. Samuel won't let go of his Cars cup, and the color changing bath tablets have been a huge hit. Nathan tells me in advance what color he wants his bath to be that night.

We had cinnamon rolls (from a can) for breakfast. It was easy but still special for the boys.

Matt had deacon of the week duties on Sunday, so he had to leave early, and I was on my own dressing the boys for church. I think their Easter outfits were just precious. Little boys in matching outfits do a number on my heart. And even without Daddy's help, I managed to get one sweet Easter picture

and a few outtakes.

Our Easter service was wonderful, such a powerful time of worshiping our risen Savior. When I picked Nathan up from his class, he told me his verse, "He is not here. He is risen!" It was such a great morning at church. Matt had to stay late to lock up the church, so the boys and I headed home and ate lunch and played outside while we waited for Daddy to get home. Outside was certainly the theme of the day on Easter. The weather was just beautiful, and it seemed that unless the boys were eating or sleeping they were outside the entire afternoon/evening.

We did go in for naps. A Sunday afternoon nap just makes everything better for this pregnant mommy. After naps, the boys had a little egg hunt in our backyard.

Samuel was more interested in his cup and the slide than the Easter eggs. I know next year will be a different story.

We went for a walk to our neighborhood park after the egg hunt, and then came home for dinner. Matt grilled burgers and we had strawberry shortcake for dessert. We all agreed that a good grilled burger beats an Easter ham any day :). After dinner it was more playing outside and then baths for some very dirty boys and bedtime.
I was constantly reminded all weekend of the precious blessings in my life especially the best blessing of all, a risen Savior. It was a great Easter 2014!

Easter Fun

We did our big Easter celebrating a week early this year, since my parents are going to be out of town next weekend. We had such a fun and special day!

I'm in love with this picture of my two handsome boys we took Saturday morning before we headed out to celebrate!

We started our day of fun at an Easter egg hunt that my parents' neighborhood hosted. The boys loaded up on eggs and candy.

Getting some loving from the Easter Bunny before the egg hunt!

It surprised me how well Samuel understood what to do. He was good at reaching down and getting the eggs and putting them in his basket.

And Nathan is a pro. His basket was overflowing by the time the hunt was over.

Samuel was a little grouchy that morning (a missed nap and teething will do that to a toddler), and he didn't want much to do with the Easter Bunny. Nathan was excited to take a picture with him though.

After the egg hunt, we went back to my parents' house for lunch and fun. The Miller's joined us for the day. We all consider them to be family, and it was fun to all celebrate together.

I got some cuddle time in with my Baby Boy. The Easter egg hunt wore him out, so we sat and rocked for awhile when we got home.

When he woke up, the boys got to open their Easter baskets. They are well loved and well spoiled by Grammy and Papa Joe. Binoculars, cars, helicopters, toothbrushes and lots of sugar were all included in the fun!

We had a delicious lunch. Barry made his famous smoked chicken and we enjoyed all the traditional Easter sides. So good!

My mom got the boys special Easter bunny cookies for dessert. Nathan couldn't wait to bite the bunny's ear!

After lunch, my parents hid eggs in the backyard for Nathan.

He was really great at finding them especially when he had his binoculars to help :)

The weather was beautiful so we sat outside and visited while the boys played and I got some cuddle time in with this sweet baby girl.

We ate some festive desserts,

and spent the rest of the afternoon playing games and playing with the kiddos.

It was a really great day!