Time for Cake

The very pale Buzz cake.

Dan was so excited to get a Buzz cake this year, even if it wasn't decorated too well. When it was time to get the candles out I realized we were all out. Such a disappointment. We found a few waterproof matches (they burn longer) and used them instead of candles. He was very impressed with the blaze they made. He also really liked that the fact that he got the entire Buzz head. It's so cool being the birthday kid.

I'm not sure what this face is all about, but I just thought it was so cute.

He was a little unsure about his candles at first.

He was really surprised by the flames and thought it was cool.

Blowing out the candles.

He was so excited to get the entire Buzz head all to himself.

Eating time.

Happy Birthday Dan

Dan with all his presents.

My little man turned 5 in June. Dan has always been such a quite boy who likes to watch, but over the past year he has really come alive. He's become extreemly funny, he loves to tell jokes and to goof around with his siblings. He will play video games all day, everyday if I let him, but as I've forced him to play outside more, he's learned to enjoy being outside as well. He still really, really loves the water and anything out in nature. He's great at giving hugs and kisses and hes just an all around sweet boy.

For Dan's birthday this year he got to go to Build a Bear with grandma and grandpa Gass. He got his shark, named Batman Newbry who plays the theme from Star Wars, and he had to have it with him while he opened the rest of his presents. We threw a little party at home for him with presents and a cake. He loved it and even though he's not going to school this year, he's still very excited to be turning 5.

His favorite present, Dash for the Disney Infinity.

Opening his magnifying glass.

Opening up his circus Lego set.

He was very excited to get the Lego Movie.

Look Whose 4!

Dan with his presents.

We celebrated Daniel's 4th birthday on June 23rd. I can't believe how big this kid is getting. He is such a fun boy to have around. When he was little he was always very serious, quite, and did a lot of watching. The older he gets the more he is coming out of his shell and becoming a very funny and awesome little boy. Daniel absolutely loves video games, He likes to tell jokes and make people laugh, and he is always good to give me a hug and a kiss and tell me he loved me. When you get Dan outside he really comes alive. He likes to hike and swim and camp and run around. He is such a joy to have around and I love watching him grow up.

Opening presents.

We had a simple party for Dan this year. He got a Jake and the Neverland Pirate ship and some characters from the show. He got a butterfly net and a Skylander from mom and dad. I think my favorite part about Dan's birthday this year was the fact that his 4 older brothers and sisters put their money together to buy Dan a Skylander because they know how much he liked them. It's moments like that that make a mom's heart a little bigger.

Opening his Jake and The Neverland Pirates.

He liked his bug catching net.

Daniel LOVES Skylanders

I'll be the first to admit that Daniel's cake this year was the worst cake I have ever made. I have no excuse, it was just awful. I made him a Mickey Mouse cake because he loves all things Disney. I thought I had chocolate frosting, but I was wrong. Not only that, but I didn't have white frosting (only cream) so it just turned out really bad. Good thing he's only 4 and he didn't really care. He loved it and that's all that matters. I guess it's good to have the worst, awful cake out of the way. It's only up from here.

Blowing out the candles.

Yummy!

Boys Picnic

My 3 cute boys.

Picnics had become the thing to do around here when summer hit. The little girls loved to take their blankets out on the deck and eat a snack. On June 5th they had left their blanket outside and as the sun was going down behind the house, I was cooking dinner and really just wanting a little peace and quite. Ben, my very awesome and helpful boy, noticed mommy was a little stressed and took it upon himself to take the little boys outside for a picnic on the blanket that Gracie had forgotten to put away. The little boys loved their picnic time with their big brother Ben and once again Ben surprised me with his willingness to be helpful without being asked. He is an amazing boy and I am one lucky mommy.

Silly faced boys.

Helping Daddy Build

Daddy found some old pallets of wood at a nearby business. He checked with them and they were find with us taking them home so he's been busy building bike ramps for the kids to ride on. In March, our back yard was full of old pallets that Kenny and the big kids were taking apart and putting back together to for big bike ramps. The little boys wanted in on the action too and had fun hammering the wood and nails.

Adam showing me his hammer.

Dan and Adam hammering the wood.

Adam saying cheese.

Squibilly Hands

Daniel showing off his squibilly hands.

Daniel loves to take baths. He'll sit in there forever with his little brother or with Gracie and play and play and play. He even likes to take showers. However  when he gets out he has a really problem that he calls squibilly hands. For awhile it would freak him out that his hands got all wrinkly but I managed to convince him that they would be okay that they would go back to normal. Still every time he gets out of the bath tub he runs to me and whines that he has squibilly hands. I think it's so cute and I love his name for it. Maybe one day he'll be okay with the squibilies.

An up close picture of his squibilly hand.

Fixing The Trailer

Daddy keeping a close eye on Daniel as he puts holes in a board.

We bought our little trailer 4 1/2 years ago and it has been very useful for us.  Our van has such a small back that if we go pretty much anywhere we need to take the trailer to carry our stuff.  Kenny built some sides and a roof for it when we bought it, but over the years they've seen some wear.  He decided that before he put the trailer away after we went to pick up our Christmas tree, he was going to fix the trailer sides.  On December 8th he pulled the car out of the garage and went to work on the trailer.  The little boys found him in the garage and wanted to help.  It took him probably double the amount of time, but Kenny got the trailer done and did a great job of letting the little boys 'help' in the process. They had so much fun working with their Daddy.

Adam using the drill.

Dan poking holes in the wood with the drill.

Adam using the hammer on the side of the trailer.

Daniel's turn with the hammer.

Santa Bubble Face

Daniel's Santa face.

Daniel has learned that if you use a lot of soap in the bathroom it creates lots of fun bubbles.  I'm constantly telling him to stop washing his hands and stop making bubbles, but they're so fun that he doesn't listen to me. On December 8th I walked down the hall to my bedroom and discovered Daniel in the bathroom making a bubble mess.  When I asked him what he was doing he told me he was being Santa Clause.  He was having so much fun and it was so cute that I decided to grab the camera and take some pictures. Oh, the simple joys of being a kid.

I lobe this one with the huge bubble.

Hanging Out

Sometimes being a parent is the best!

Since the big kids went back to school I've been able to spend more time with the littlest 3.  I have to admit it's been really nice.  Gracie has done a wonderful job being the big sister and the boys have really enjoyed playing with her.  On November 6th I had just made lunch and stepped away for a few minutes.  When I got back I found the 3 of them on the deck with their food having some kind of conversation   It was so cute, so I took a picture.

Where to Sleep Tonight?

How I found Dan, sound asleep in front of the pantry.

I woke up early the morning of August 31st.  When I wake up I normally check on the little boys and close their door before I do anything else.  This morning I went in to check on them and Dan was missing.  My heart skipped a beat, because my heart always does that when something is out of the ordinary with the kids, but I quickly calmed it down.  I walked into the kitchen to find him laying, sound asleep, on the floor.  I vaguely remember a noise during the night that sounded like Daniel being awake, but I guess I was too tired and so was he to really notice.  My guess is he had gotten up and headed to the kitchen to get himself some chocolate milk.  I was just glad the fridge was still closed.  Silly boy.  I of course picked up the camera and took a picture before waking him and putting him back in bed.

Waking up thanks to the flash.

Cake for Dan

Because of Adam's foot and the long Saturday that we had, we weren't able to have Dan's birthday cake until the following day.  He didn't seem to mind and it worked out nice for me (considering I had to make the cake.)  I went with a Buzz Lightyear cake because Dan is really into Buzz and Woody right now.  He has some little Buzz and Woody guys that go pretty much everywhere he goes.  It turned out pretty good and he was really excited about it.  Happy Birthday little man!!!

Dan putting 3 candles on his cake.

Blowing out his candles.

You know when your part of the family because of how you eat your cake.

He has the greatest smile.  You don't see it all that often, but when you do it's totally worth it.

Adam say cheese.

Ben's gotten big enough he mostly eats with a fork now.  What's happening to my kids?

Gracie, Sarah and Dan.  Crazy kids.

Hannah eats her cake both ways.  Here she's eating it with a fork.

The kids enjoying their cake.

Dan Turns 3

Dan with all of his presents.

After our trip to the zoo we came home with enough time to open presents and have pizza.  Dan was very excited to open his presents.  It's always fun when the kids start to remember what birthdays are and look forward to them.  I can't believe he's 3.  Time sure has gone by quick. 

Opening his animals at the zoo.

Dan got some animals at the zoo, 2 dinosaurs, some knight guys, a water toy that sadly didn't work very well, and a Mater remote controlled car from Grandma and Grandpa Newbry. He was very happy and all of his toys have gotten a lot of use (all but the lame water toy.)  Those are the best kind of birthdays.

Dinosaurs for the little man.

Dan and Adam playing with Dan's toys.

A yummy pizza dinner for the birthday boy.