Par-Tay!!

I've learned my lesson. Less is more. Nathan had a GREAT birthday party and it was so low key, I might be okay throwing one for each of my kids for every birthday if I can keep it this simple.

First, I made invitations that were supposed to look like a Popsicle. Aaron thought they looked like headstones. Um...not the goal. Not the goal.

Nate took them to all twelve of his friends. I also just realized that the invitation implies that he turns 6 on the 14th. Like I said, I wasn't going for perfection on this one. When I asked Nate what he'd like to do for his birthday, rather than come up with some theme myself and spend a ridiculous amount of time making all the final touches to make it just perfect, he said, "I just want a water party mom". Awesome! We had a super duper water slide. Did it matter that today is the coldest day we've had in weeks? and the wind has been blowing non stop? Na! It really was cold, but the kids still got wet.

We played duck duck goose and dodge ball.

Tied died shirts

 

And then it was on to opening gifts and eating cake and ice cream.

 His best buddy, Gavin Dayley

 The girl we'd choose for Nathan if only arranged marriages were still practiced. Isabel Wilson

Sweet sister Hannah.

 Dallin and Nate

Cute Cousins - Hannah and Lydia



 

LOVE all the kids faces as Nate blows out his candle.

Nathan and Hayden

This was one happy boy! He has such nice friends and cousins, who give so generously. It was sweet to see his excitement with each gift and his genuine gratitude to everyone.

And the real excitement came when the chickens "accidently" got let out. The kids sure thought it was fun to chase them around.

Such a fun day for such a fun boy!

Loud Abigail

Abby has one volume. Loud. Even her whisper is loud. Most days I can tolerate it just fine and can quickly remind her that we are inside and she should not yell or talk so loud. Other days I completely want to lose my mind and shoot her a look, that she knows all too well, that says, "you better quiet down or else!" At our swim camp, my cousin Tracy read a book called, "Loud Emily". Oh heavens, it was Abigail to a T. I must find and purchase that book and reread it again and again. In the end, loud Emily's voice turns into such a blessing that saves peoples lives. Could this be the future for my Abigail too? Could her voice be used someday for something tremendous and possibly even life saving? Who knows, but I am desperate now to channel her loud voice in a way that is both positive and complementary of who this precious girl is! Or I very well could lose my mind in all reality.

Popsicles

Joe has had a bad case of the painful gas lately. We're talking, up SCREAMING all hours of the night, kinda bad. The first night it happened, Aaron was at the father/sons campout and Joe screamed, literally, from 7pm until 5:30 the following morning. Dumb mom had NO IDEA what was wrong and was in tears most of the night herself. The next time it happened, smart dad was home and he knew just what to do. The crying only lasted about an hour this time and the gas was relieved. Phew! Thank goodness because I know I would not be able to survive another marathon night of crying, and I don't think the little guy could either.

So what does this have to do with popsicles? Absolutely nothing! :o) But it's been popsicle weather here for sure! And we are eatin' them up!

Nate the Great!

Nathan turned six on the 7th. Boy this boy was named right...Nate the great! He is growing up and so darn much fun! His hair is long, his face is almost always dirty, he wears the same outfit multiple days in a row before I am able to get it and wash it. He still loves his blankie when he sleeps, he LOVES to help me cook in the kitchen. His new found freedom in riding his bike has become a right of passage into true boyhood for him. His laugh is contagious, he's smart, funny, sweet, spunky, kind, aims to please, and melts me to the very bone! I absolutely love to have him wake me in the morning with his, "good morning mama". Oh we love him so much and are so thankful he came to our home!

Opening presents from us

Cooking in the kitchen with his mama!

Waffle Love on his birthday...yummy and sickening at the same time!

Went to the Rodeo as a fam.

 sibling love! a rare thing to see between these two.

 cute mug!

What could be more American than a Rodeo? I always get so darn emotional when they bring out the flag and sing the anthem! And look at our view!

Nate enjoyed going to the Father/Sons campout with the Stake. Aaron had the whole camp sing to him that night. Nothing makes this boy of ours happier, than to be camping and being all boy.

What would we do without our Nathan in our family? I know for sure that his daddy is sure happy to have his boy to wrestle around and do boy things with. Happy, Happy Birthday sweet boy!

SuMmEr

We long for summer! We pine away during our long, cold, winter and spring, for summer! We dream about the long nights and warm days of summer!

 

These are the days of bed head hair, popsicle stains, finding SNAKES (which I hate), riding bikes, sleeping in, staying up late, reading books in the shade, SWIMMING, camping, having the windows open, and playing with friends. Welcome Summer!

Joe's 1st Birthday

Pool. Tired. Dinner. Tired. Cake. Tired. Poor baby was so tired while we celebrated having him apart of our family for one whole year! I can't imagine this little Lombardo family without our Joe Joe. Aaron said while we were away in Idaho last week, Joe crawled around looking for the rest of his family. He was confused and missed us. And we missed him!

Swimming

Dinner - aftermath

Cake

The things you do at 1 years old:
- crawl everywhere fast
- talk a lot
- say da da
- nap like a champ
- smile and will go to just about anyone
- cuddle and give GREAT kisses
- you love your stuffed bear that Grandma Lombardo gave you and laugh when you have it.
- crawl to the bath and yell until I will get you in it.
- wave bye bye
- point and grunt
- love to open and close doors
- laugh while being tickled

Sweet, Sweet dreams handsome boy! I'm so glad you came to our home.

Birthday

This little guy had a birthday while I was in Idaho. Boo-hoo! We will celebrate tonight, but his stats are as such.

weight: 19# 7.5oz - 7%
length 28.8" - 19%
head circ. 45.2cm - 17%

We lovingly refer to him as "fat baby", but really his weight is only in the 7th percentile. How can that be? look at those thighs!! He's a mover these days and can crawl like nobodies business. Everything goes in the mouth. And although, I don't have any pictures of him smiling, he is a super duper happy little guy!

Good golly, miss Molly, this year has flown by! Love Love Love you baby Joe!

*oh and he's FINALLY sleeping through the night. Hooray!