Happy 9th, Little Dude!

Hard to believe that Carter is 9 today! We had a fun day celebrating him. We started with 9 mini pancakes on a stack before school (with a tea light on top because I couldn't find any candles. Mom fail!)

He opened his presents and headed to school. After school, we picked him up and we went to the Carlisle Sports Emporium where we played the arcade and some mini golf. We let him pick wherever he wanted to go for dinner. We were not expecting him to say Cracker Barrel, but that's what he picked because he wanted french toast.

We love you so much, bud. You are growing up into such a sweet, kind and loving young man and we are so proud of you! Happy birthday, Carter!

Happy birthday(s), Addison and mommy!

Little Miss is 6 years old (and I won't share how old I am!). Addison woke with the traditional decorations -- streamers on her door, a giant balloon and her choice of breakfast. Because we're gluttons for punishment, and because we let her brother do a fun activity with friends, we let her choose two friends to go to Build-a-Bear and for a play date back at our house after. She was VERY excited. But first was presents at home from mommy and daddy! She got mostly clothing, shoes, and hair accessories...ALL her wishes! Such a girl!

Once the friends arrived, it was off to B-a-B! Carter and daddy stayed home so that it could be a girls' day out. There was MUCH excitement in the car, as you might imagine. My ears are still a little broken. ;) 

We let each girl pick a bear and clothing/accessories. I thought they'd take forever choosing a bear, but they each picked one in 10 seconds flat! (Choosing clothing was a different story. The worker was so very patient with us/them as they painstakingly dressed the bears and then promptly undressed them again because "that outfit isn't right."). Addison named her colorful bear "Cutie Pie."  

After B-a-B and a play date (complete with cake and ice cream), we had some "down time" in the afternoon before heading out for mommy's portion of the birthday fun....Houlihan's! It's 30 minutes away in Hershey but we didn't care because mommy NEEDED those amazing fish tacos! HA! 

We had great birthdays and we even managed to snap a pic of the birthday girls, too! Love my sweet birthday surprise. :) 

Happy 8th, Carter!

8. years. old. It's hard to believe because I'm pretty sure it was just yesterday I was arguing with a resident about whether or not I was "actually" in labor. This little boy brings immense joy to our family and I am so thankful that the Lord entrusted him to us. His love language is cinnamon rolls so we started off the day appropriately. He opened his gifts, which included a new Catan game (much! excitement!).

His choice of activity for the day was bowling, which was fun for our family to do. We also gave him the option to pick the dinner location and he picked....where else?!? ISAAC'S! His fav! (This cracks me up so much...he's like an old man there, getting pickles and salad.)

Then the next Saturday, we headed out for his "birthday party" which was a day out at Hersheypark with three friends. Boy did we have fun (and boy were we tired!). Five kids 8 and under sure keeps you on your toes. The day was mostly nice but we got hit with some serious downpours throughout the afternoon. That just made it more fun according to the guys. :) We had pizza, played lots of games, rode many rides with NO lines due to the aforementioned rain, and closed out the park. 

We love you so much, Carter! You are growing up to be such an empathetic, kind, happy son and friend. You bring so much joy to everyone you meet.

Celebrating the April birthdays

One thing that is common in my family is birthdays - it seems like everyone in the family (minus a rare few) are born in April or June. My mom, brother, dad, Ashley, Michelle, me, Addison, McKenna, Elijah, and my grandma are all born in April or June. It was getting crazy for schedules to celebrate all of them differently, so we opted to celebrate my mom, brother, and dad all in one evening. We went to the Millworks in Harrisburg (YUMMM!) and loaded up on apps, drinks, yummy food and amazing desserts (pictured below is beet cake, which is AMAZING and tastes like carrot cake. Carter was none the wiser either!) 

 Happy birthday.....everyone!

The month of birthdays

A couple weeks ago, my mom celebrated her birthday. We decided to do a fun "girls night in" this year at Michelle's house. We planned a light dinner, cake (of course), a craft and general hanging out. There were about 15 people there and we had a great time. We made a lemon sugar scrub from Pinterest (if you had any doubt) and it turned out really cute!)

I made a 4 layer chocolate cake with peanut butter icing, mostly because I thought the 2 layer cake looked too skinny. Soooo I made another cake and made it super high. Mmmm. 

Mom and her daughters and DIL

(Brad's birthday was in here too but I don't have any pics--whoops!! We celebrated at their house with burgers, wings, cake and homemade ice cream!)

This year was also my dad's 60th birthday. He didn't want anything big so we did a steak and seafood night at our house. We had steaks, grilled garlic and lemon shrimp, bacon wrapped scallops, and a baked potato bar. 

We opted for a birthday "pie" because we are all caked out from the previous birthdays! HA! 

After dinner we went to the driving range. Since my dad loves to golf, we thought this was a great option! Those poor other people at the driving range who were trying to focus and practice with 5 little kids running around. :)

Well, that summarizes the April birthdays, but we don't get too much down time. Carter's is just next week! :) :) 

The birthday girl(s) celebrate!

Well, Miss A is officially 3--and I am...not telling. :) Our birthday fell on a Saturday this year which was a nice change! We went to Hersheypark and out for dinner on Friday as part of Addison's celebration. Then, on Saturday morning, we headed to the kids' favorite--Build-a-Bear. Both kids had gift cards which allowed them to choose a bear, outfit and some extra add-ons. Since she was the birthday girl, she got a special sticker and was on the board. (Sidenote: the precious little thing told everyone is was also my birthday when they wished her one). 

She picked the brightest bear in the entire store, of course! 

Adding the stuffing and bathing their bears!

Cute kids with their final products!

We spent a lot of time playing outside and hanging out for the day. Later that night, Seth and I were able to step out for a couple hours for a date to celebrate my birthday. We couldn't get into the Melting Pot but I called 30 minutes before our other reservation and they had a cancellation so we were able to go after all! YAY! 

We ended the day with chalk and relaxation before the littlest birthday girl headed to bed and fell immediately asleep. Seth and I rented and watched a movie in peace (never happens). All in all, a wonderful day with my birthday partner-in-crime! 

On Sunday, Seth sent me, my mom, and sister for a day out -- we saw a movie, painted pottery at Color-Me-Mine, and had dinner. Thanks, love!