Happy Birthday!

In many ways, Xander's social awareness is improving. Just as he looked forward to Christmas this year, he also looked forward to his birthday. We're still not sure that Sawyer knows or understands upcoming events, but Xander told us all month about his birthday, about what kind of cake he wanted, what other items he wanted at the party (hats, balloons, candles)! It was fun to see him excited about his birthday for a change.

Xander requested a white cake with white icing. He's still on a big Minions kick, so we opted for a Despicable Me 2 theme for his cake. Sawyer doesn't like cake, so his cake was something Mommy came up with on her own. He LOVES Sour Patch Kids. So instead of cake, my little OCD boy was surprised with Sour Patch Kids sorted by color and surrounding a flashing LED candle. Mommy knows her boy!

Best gift ever, Xander says. He LOVES his "FedEx trucks-es"!

Magnetic letters, coloring supplies, and Play-Doh. Sawyer was also a happy boy.

In yet more firsts, Xander has started showing an interest in toy figures. These aliens are his favorite characters from the Toy Story series. He walks around saying "Strangers ... from the outside ..." all the time.

Happy, happy birthday, my big boys! We got to celebrate with dinner at home, along with our extended family. Grandma and Grandpa from the lake drove up, though they left a little earlier than plan when it started snowing. Grammy, Pappy, Grandma Jo and Aunt Kelly also came over to help celebrate.

Nine, Part I

Nine, Part II

Space Camp

Each year, Connor's Boy Scout troop sells popcorn to support the troop activities for the year. Like most sales projects, there are goals and rewards. One of Connor's rewards was earning his way to Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama with his troop.

Daddy and Connor headed out early (way too early in my opinion) Saturday morning and made it back late (as in 10 o'clock) on Sunday evening. It was a long couple of days, but I'm pretty sure the big boy enjoyed it. Daddy is probably just looking forward to a day to recover.

And as much as I'd love to provide commentary on the photos, I was at home with the twins. The pictures, by Daddy and sometimes Connor, will have to speak for themselves ...

Hello, Beach

Winter vacations. Sometimes they work out, sometimes they don't. This year, luckily, ours worked out great. We drove a little more than half way the first day, spent the night at a hotel with an indoor swimming pool, then finished up the drive on Sunday.

And we were greeted with this ...

Sunshine. Near 80 degree temperatures. And a beautiful beach with bigger than usual crashing waves.

And we enjoyed a week of mostly great weather, with lots of beach and swimming pool days for the boys. They say Grandma and Grandpa have the best ideas ever, and the winter beach trip is one of their favorites! We are so fortunate they invite us down to share it with them.

Three brothers going in for the first time this trip.

The boogie boarder, Connor.

 Pool time with Daddy.

 Happy water boy, Sawyer.

 Riding a wave, Connor.

Outrunning the waves, Xander.

 Jumping over the waves, Xander.

 Writing his name in the sand, Sawyer.

Good-bye, beach. We're going to miss you and your warm sunshine as we drive back north.

Family shot before we start home.

The rest of our beach photos are here.