A Trip to the Zoo (May)

We decided to head to the Zoo early this year before it got too hot. We went on a perfect day with my sister and her family, and the kids had lots of fun. Luke loved riding on the little pony, Socks. The Columbus Zoo has a train ride, small boat ride, merry-go-round, playground, and a petting zoo that the kids love! Of course, they enjoyed seeing all of the animals as well.

Jeeps!

This is what Jeeps are for, right?! The kids LOVED this! This is thanks to my creative, multi-tasking husband!

Sweet Brothers!

I love this picture! Nothing is sweeter than boys who get along!

Bathroom Remodeling

My brother, Seth took on the huge undertaking of remodeling my Mom's bathroom this Spring. Among all the transformation pictures, we have a few random, funny ones of it.

Birthdays Continued...

Here are more pictures of Luke and Grant's Birthday party. We have so many it is hard to narrow it down! This was the "back up" cake, it ended up working out well. They both had their own. Some where I have pictures of Grant eating his birthday cake. I think my Mom took them with her camera. I need to get them! Can I just say I have the cutest boys in the world! Grant loves riding in that jeep, it is so funny to watch him. He usually will get in there and try to drive it or wait for someone to come along and give him a ride. Both the kids think it is the coolest toy and since my Mom has a huge yard, they pretty much go on their own little adventure!

My Baby Turned 1!!

Way back in April, Grant turned 1 and I never posted pictures of him! He is such a busy little guy who loves his brother and family more than anything! He loves having so many little cousins nearby. He follows all the other kids around...nothing slows him down! He is a complete dare devil and has no fear! I don't know how it comes in the genes like it does, but he is a true Arnold! Luke and Grant had a joint Birthday party this year. Luke was really into Ninja Turtles, so that was the theme. Dan told me all along that he wanted to be in charge of the cake. Well, the day before the party I asked him what he was going to do for it. He said he had it covered. Since I knew he had not purchased a cake pan or anything to decorate a cake, I was nervous about it. Being the control freak that I am, I went to the store and ordered a Ninja Turtle cake. (I did not want Luke to be disappointed since he was planning on having one). The day of the party I came home with the cake I had ordered and see Dan in the kitchen making his cake! He didn't want to be in the dog house!! He actually had a really fun time making it and did a great job. Neither of us are bakers, but it's the creativity that counts, right?! We probably won't win any awards for it, but the kids loved it. Imagine that! Everyone had a great time. The kids all wore masks for awhile. Grant would have nothing to do with his. He snapped his head with the elastic and that was the end of it! Luke and Grant got too many presents, some of their favorites were a wagon and a used Jeep from his older cousins. It's seen some better days, but it's a man's jeep (besides the fact that it is pink)...rough and tough!

Catch Up Time!

So, I don't know what it is with me, summertime, and blogging, but we all do not get along! Somehow every summer I get so far behind in blogging that I don't know where to start to get caught up. It must be all the time that we spend outside that takes me away from the computer. I wish I had a good tan to show for it...somehow I don't tan very well anymore! It's depressing! Getting back on track...I am going to attempt to catch up (we did so many fun things that I want to post pics of) as well as try to keep up with what is currently going on. We'll see how well it goes!

Part of Luke's 3rd Birthday!

Luke saying, "I just did it!"

Grant enjoying the air in his hair!

Luke, Emma, and Dan blowing the ball to make it go faster, or to make it go at all!
Luke is really into Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and was very excited about this gift.
Luke turned 3 this week. I can't believe he is already 3!! He really is such a sweet, caring brother and son. He has grown up so much this past year. His speech has taken off (there is hardly a time that he is not talking and gets mad when I talk to other people and not him!), he loves to sing now, he is so independent, and he watches out for his baby brother. He fills the day with laughter and happiness (although he does have a little attitude that shines through every so often). He is very busy and is always thinking.

The other day I was putting Grant to bed and Luke was downstairs with my Mom. My Mom was working on grading some papers so she was pretty preoccupied. They were in the dining room where Luke was eating some goldfish. He kept telling her about the cat, but she was not totally focused on what he was saying. I came downstairs a few minutes later and found the cat COVERED in goldfish and crumbs. I asked Luke what he was doing and he said he was putting Lucy's (the cat) Halloween costume on her. I asked him what she was supposed to be and he said a dragon! It was the funniest and cutest thing ever!! I love my little boy so much.

For his birthday he wanted to go to the movie theater and bowling. We saw Horton hears a Who, which was pretty cute. Then we went bowling, which Luke had never done, but for some reason was very excited about doing! He scored a 54, which I thought was awesome for such a little man. He spent the day with his cousins and aunts. Later that evening Grammy came home with lots of presents and a huge arrangement of ballons for the birthday boy. We had a small party with my Mom and just our little family. We are having his real birthday party in a couple weeks when we celebrate Grant's as well.

Here are a few pictures of us bowling. My camera's memory cards were full, so my Mom took pictures that I need to get. Happy Birthday, Luke!

Easter 2008

We had a very fun Easter this year. Luke was really into coloring eggs and Easter egg hunts. I think we went on at least 3. We also enjoyed being with all of our family. We had a big dinner with lots of delicious food. It was nice to be home for Easter. This was the first year in many that we were here for it. The kids all had fun playing with their toys that they got in their baskets.

Grant's First Haircut

Grant had his first haircut in March. He was so good the whole time. He now has very short bangs, but they will grow. It's better than the long uneven ones he used to have.

Boy's Day Out!

So, I know I'm a little late on the snow pictures...it is spring now, but I had to post some of these. They are just too cute! This is what happens when it snows and Mom is sick! Check out the gloves that Dan used for Grant's feet! Poor guy!