My baby is two!

Two years ago, we welcomed this little angel to our family. There are some days I can't believe that he's already two, and other days I can't believe that he's only two! He is so smart and learns so fast! We have a special bond, and I love that! I love that he loves me so much, and that when I put him in bed at night he yells "muggles! muggles!" and climbs in his chair and refuses to go to bed unless we snuggle. And then I have to tuck him in, sing him songs and stroke his hair until he falls asleep.
I love watching him and Ethan play together. They love each other so much! If I take Ethan somewhere and leave Lincoln home, Ethan will cry and ask where his brother is. When we drop Ethan off at school, Lincoln cries because Ethan is gone. I hope that they are best friends for life! 
I'm so proud to be his Mom, and I hope we stay close forever. I love you little Lincoln! Happy 2nd Birthday!!

Lincoln's Birthday!

Saturday night we had a small birthday party for Lincoln! I can't believe he is two. Lately, he has really decided that he likes Blue's Clues, so we decided to do a simple take on a Blue's Clues party. (After all, he is only two. No need for me to go totally crazy). For the entire week leading up to his birthday, I was sick. I have this major cold, and it has wiped everything out of me. I couldn't even function one of the days, and Mart had to come home and take care of my household. Because I haven't felt well, I decided to tone it down even more than I originally planned and not go too crazy.

Because Linc's birthday was actually on Sunday, I asked his nursery leaders if I could bring cake pops to nursery to celebrate his birthday. If I was already making cake pops for church, why not make a few more for Mart. :)

Here are a few pictures from his birthday party:

His Blue's Clues paw print cake. My original plan was to make a fondant or gumpaste Blue to put on top, and then a big bright number two to put on the front ... but that just didn't happen. Thursday night I baked all the cake so I could decorate all day Friday and be ready for Saturday. Friday morning Ethan opened the fridge and dislodged an entire sheet tray of cupcakes and cake pop balls, and they went all over the floor. Which meant, my plan for the day changed and I didn't get as much time to decorate. I had to re-bake half my stuff. 

As soon as Tyler got to our house, he was totally wired! He was laughing like crazy! He was so excited to see Ethan and Lincoln!

Zack even seemed happy to see us!

Lincoln was so excited when we light the candles on his cake. He even paused long enough for me to take a picture. (Ethan has a hard time with that ...)

And then we re-lit the candles so Tyler could have a turn. And then Ethan. And then Lincoln again. :)

I have been dying to try making a polka dot cake ever since I saw a picture of one. I decided to try for Lincoln's cake. It was fun and it turned out cute. My cake batter was a little runny on the bottom layer so the polka dots rose to the top during the baking process. I'll have to try again!

After we had cake and ice cream, then Lincoln got to open some presents! He was so excited. He wanted to play with all of them!

Sunday morning for Lincoln's actually birthday, Mart made pancakes with sprinkles! My boys were so excited and so wired. Ha ha.

And then, they had fun playing with the balloons. Lincoln kept bouncing on them. We thought for sure that one was going to pop under him.

Happy birthday my little man! I cannot believe that you are two. Crazy how time flies.

Doodles

Mart came home for lunch yesterday and was doodling on Lincoln's doodle pad. He had drawn a few different things when Ethan finally started paying attention.

Ethan: "Why didn't you draw me?"

Ethan takes the pencil and starts drawing, while explaining what he's drawing

Ethan: "Ethan's head. Eyes. Legs. Hands ..."

Mart: *Chimes in for a second* "Do you not have a belly?"

Ethan: *Completely ignores Mart's question and continues on*

Ethan: "Penis. Underwear. Pants ..."

*Mart and I look at each other suppressing laughter*

Mart: "Well, at least he remembered to put on underwear ..."

*Ethan continues to name random things that he draws on himself while we can no longer pay attention ... probably things like shoes, shirt and then I think he ended with an apple in his hand.

Yep ... that's Ethan.

Family Pictures

The fall leaves have been so beautiful this year! I kept hounding Mart and telling him that we needed family pictures in the bright leaves before they all died. We did a spur of the moment photo shoot Sunday afternoon. Kace's family came along too so they could get some new pictures with baby Zack.

I tried to be more mellow this time, so there wasn't so much stress to get everything perfect and everyone goes home mad, crying and super frustrated! They still didn't turn out perfect, but we got a few good ones!

I still can't get over these leaves. They were so bright!

Sometimes this is the only way to keep them under control. :)

My boys love their cousin Tyler!

They are in a screaming phase ... every picture we take, one of them is screaming!

I always get so awkward when the camera is focused only on me ... 

This door was so cool, but it was so bright it was hard to look up!

 

Thanks Traves for always being willing to take our photos!