NINE years ALREADY?!

I cannot believe that it was nine years ago that my sweet little man was born.  Time has passed by way to quickly and continues to do so.  Aydin has blessed our lives so much and we are so happy he is a part of this family. 

He is a great brother to both Morgan and Liam, a great helper around the house and great friend.  Aydin, I hope you know how much we love you!  Happy Birthday.

Dinner at Kabuki

He was nice and comfy while opening his presents....

Uncle Gary, Auntie Trina, and the girls called Aydin on skype to sing Happy Birthday....
way too cute!!

For dinner- Ronee and the girls and Jimmie and Julianne  came over for dinner and cake.

Aydin's Lego birthday party

This year for Aydins birthday he had a Lego slumber party.  We tried to make it as Lego like as we could... from the gift bags to the cake.  Since his birthday is on a Sunday this year we had the party a few days early.  They had so much fun all night.  I am so happy with how this party turned out and that everyone had a great time.

My friend from work and her boyfriend were nice enough to make the boys name tags and a Happy Birthday banner in Lego block letters.  I think they turned out SO cute! 

All the boys had their own place setting and a gift bag made to look like a Lego block.

Now we all know that I am not a baker BUT my mom is... and luckily for me (oh ya- and Aydin) she was here to help out with his cake.  She made them to look like Lego blocks too...

After playing outside on bikes, scooters and the trampoline and playing basketball, they were starving...

Trey, Ty and Aydin

After pizza, they all went back outside to play some more.  Around 8:30 we called them inside for cake and presents.

 Happy Birthday Aydin!

He LOVED the cake.... as you can see.

 Present time...

He got money, gift cards, Legos, a Lego board game and a sweet dinosaur made out of scrap motorcycle parts... It is amazing!

Inside each gift bag was a Lego box for each of the boys to put together.

They all sat around the table and put together their own Lego set...

Aydin, Jimmie Frank and Mason (Joy in the corner) 

After the boys finished making their Legos, they played a game.

They all needed to see who could suck the most Legos off the table with a straw and place them on their plates in 45 seconds...

Ty and Aydin

Jimmie Frank and Mason

And the winner is.....

Jimmie Frank



The next game was one we played when I was younger.  You get a cup of flour and pack it in a cup.  Flip the cup of flour over onto a plate and place a penny on the top.  Each person takes turns cutting a sliver of flour off the mold.  Whoever cuts too much and drops the penny has to get it out... with their mouth!!

Jimmie lost first...

Trey was determined to NOT eat flour...

Mason went looking next...

And Ty the last time we played...

After the games... it was after 10.  The boys were ready to watch their movie- Captain America and chill out.  By 11:45, they were all finally sleeping and I could finally head to bed.

6:20 AM came around WAY too early.  The boys finished the last 30 min of their movie, ate breakfast and played a little more before it was time for them to all leave.  This was a great birthday party for a amazing child!!!  Aydin- I hope you had the best birthday ever!!

Basketball game....

Today the boys played a great game. I am so glad that they boys played well after their sleep over party last night.

 

DAY 180!!

We made it to day 180! 

WOOT WOOT.

  This means we are now more than half way done with the deployment!  Steve will be home in 6 months and we cannot wait. 

Once again- Auntie Heather, Uncle Mike and Taylor sent an amazing 30 day box.  This box came with all the fun things you would want to have a party... and is just what we did!  We celebrated making it this far and had so much fun. 

 Drake family- We are so grateful for all you do and for your boxes every 30 days.  We look forward to it your boxes every month (and you all can see why).

Lazy night...

Tonight, Morgan went to a friends to spend the night so Aydin, Liam, Mom and I hung around watching a movie, playing games and cuddled.  While watching a movie, we looked over and saw Echo chillin on Liams Cars couch.  I had to take a pic... and Aydin wanted to get in it.

Liam loves his Nana...

We have added...

We have started a reward chart for the kids behavior.  For every time they are good, listen, not complain, etc., they earn a tally mark.  Each tally mark equals 10 cents.  I have to ask myself why I have not done this years ago?!  They have been so good lately, they have earned themselves about $25 combined in less than 2 weeks.  Well- while at the pet store to get Echo food, they saw a tank full of baby hamsters..... FREE. 

Why do I torture myself?!  Yes, they pulled their money together, bought the cage, food, and everything else they need to live and adopted two baby dwarf hamsters that were not more than a week old.  I have to say... they are not the pets I would have wanted... but they are not the worst either.