Oh yah, and I had a birthday :-)

That's right I turned the big 3-0 last month :-). As always, Joe made it a great day. We started off the day by opening presents (what better way to start a birthday?). The kids are always sooo excited about birthdays, they helped decorate the living room with balloons and streamers (although you can't see them in the these shots...) They also get very excited about things they have not clue what they are...like the cake decorating tools that I got.

One thing that Joe did this year that I thought was very fun, was talk to the boys and have them each pick out something specific that they wanted to give me. He didn't prompt them or give them ideas. Sam wanted to get me lipstick and Andrew choose and shiny necklace. I thought it was very special and I really appreciated it.

After the presents, we dropped the kids off at my parents and went out for breakfast and shopping. Joe really dislikes shopping, so spending three hours shopping was a HUGE deal.

Later on that night, Danny and Jessi came and babysat for us while we out to dinner with some friends. It was a fun evening, we don't go out with friends often enough so that made it especially fun! We came home and watched a movie (some sort of chick flick, I think, can't remember now). It was a fun day and I felt spoiled, thanks honey!

One other funny thing that I thought I'd mention. For several weeks leading up to and after my birthday the kids made it a point to tell EVERYONE that we talked to that I was turning/just turned 30. We're talking about random people at the park, grocery store employees, people at church...basically anyone they talked to. Yep, that was fun, I got a kick out of it and they were so excited to tell people!

We Love Carrots!

This was just a random day on the way home from the grocery store. The kids saw this big bag of carrots that I'd just bought and got really excited about them! They all wanted carrots to nibble on for the drive home. Silly kids! Abby was actually the one who ate the most of hers, she's like a little bunny rabbit, loves her veggies!

Favorite time of day

At our house, this is the favorite time of day for the kids. (My favorite time is about 20 minutes after this when they're actually in bed and the house is quiet....) They all gather to ready stories with daddy before bed. On nights when he's not around and I take his place, it's just never the same. They LOVE story time with Daddy! Every night, when I watch this ritual I'm reminded yet again of what a good husband I have. He is such a good daddy and I appreciate him so much!

A bit chilly, but FUN!!

As many of you know, we have not had much of a summer so far this year in Spokane. The weather has been warm at best with a few hot days mixed in here and there. Well, warmish is all my kids need to go and jump into the icy cold wading pools! That water is seriously freezing, but they love it!

Abby is by far that bravest of the three when it comes to the icy water. She'll go and plop down like its no big deal. Then, when the boys see her, they can't let their LITTLE SISTER show them up! So they jump in too and jump back out a second later screaming from the cold...it's pretty funny!

A Historic First....I'm Sure!

Joe took Sam to a real (par 3) golf course to have his first experience with golf. He had tried to show him the basics in our backyard after he got the clubs for his birthday, but Sam was never very interested. But, when came down to actually GOING to a golf course, just him and Daddy, that sounded like fun! Apparently, he got a pretty frustrated at the beginning and only made it through the first one and a half holes. Then he decided that he was done....or maybe just taking a break. At about the fourth hole Joe remembered that he hadn't taken any pictures, so he talked him into trying again so that he could get a couple of shots. On that hole he had a great shot and that got him really excited and finished off the nine holes! He ended up having a great time and came home SOOOO excited about it. Here's a couple shots, Joe happened to get his "best hit" on video...we'll see if I can get it to load here...but don't hold your breath. Here are the pictures...

As Joe says, it was a historic day because he is, of COURSE, going to be the next golf prodigy. Even if 6 is a little late to be getting started :-)