You came into our world at 7:43 am on a Monday morning with more spunk and enthusiasm than I ever knew was possible. Little did we know that would be an indicator of your personality when waking up nearly every day during these last 2 years.

You are our crazy, silly, hilarious, smart, funny, handsome little firecracker. And we wouldn't have it any other way.

Daddy started the celebrations today by making you a message in your favorite food on your placemat at the table. Yes, those are broken graham crackers spelled out into the shape of a 2. He always likes to do something special for his boys on their birthday.

Since it's your birthday, I treated you to a cake pop from Starbucks at Target on a stop to pick up some diapers. You were quite excited. I would be too given that it was not even 10:00 in the morning!

You and I hung out and played for the rest of the morning and then went to pick up Will from school. After we changed your shirt, of course, because cake pops can be a little messy. 

The 3 of us stopped at Culver's for lunch. You had a corn dog and Will had a burger.

You also got to have some frozen custard, which you very much enjoyed.

Will thought his was pretty good too. It's fin getting to celebrate your little brother's birthday!

After lunch, its still time for 2 year olds to take their naps so off to bed you went. Don't worry, Will did too. He just got up in time to help momma frost your special rice krispie cake with homemade buttercream frosting and sprinkles. Since we celebrate so many birthdays this month I like to try to do something special and different so we're not always having birthday cake (not that you boys would mind one bit!)

I also decorated a little bit with some fun colored plates and tablecloths and a happy birthday banner.

You and Will decided to try the frosting on your rice krispie "cake"

 Happy Birthday to you!

You are pretty funny when trying to blow out the candle!

Daddy was there to help you :)

After your birthday treat it was time to open your presents! Will was more than happy to help you.

A fishy book!

And your very own race cars so you don't have to steal from your brother!

Time for a few pictures with mommy...

...And then with Daddy.

 Oh no, a farm puppet attack from Daddy!

Check out Part I here 

Check out Part II here

The day after we returned from Charleston we did what any normal people do after vacation. We slept in, relaxed and did nothing. Just kidding, of course we went to Costco! Will picked out the rug he wanted for his birthday list. Solar systems are cool.


John went to bed with his baseball hat on. And a billion toys in his crib.


Riding bikes! We missed them on our trip!




Someone may have gotten a hold of the hose while mommy was on the other side of the house. I'll give you 2 guesses.





 What mom? I was just over here mowing the mulch.



How many pictures can I take of one cute baby wrapped up in his blanket? A lot apparently. And I'm posting all of them.










 I like to think of this area as the "pit of despair" - It's torture having to look at it when we are outside playing. It's a combination of our original "fire pit" (aka the part of the lawn that we were sure was going to start our house on fire the first summer we lived here) and years of Christmas trees, brush, and yard waste that we continue to dump in this area.


Our tree trimming company's owner actually complimented us on our yard once when he was over doing an estimate. He noted just how much work we've put into the yard and how impressed he is with how well we've taken care of it. And he followed it up with "except for this part right here. It would look really nice if it was cleaned up." I wish I was kidding. And he's a really nice man and meant no harm in the comment. He was just stating the obvious!


Anywho... I made my dad a blueberry pie for his birthday dessert. He loves blueberry pie. I used the Pioneer Woman's recipe because I love her recipes. And I bought the pie crust because I hate making pie crusts.


We spent Will's last day of freedom before school started at the zoo with Erik's cousin and her grandsons. It was a beautiful day and all of the boys had a great time! Will finally sat in the canoe in the Primate building (something he doesn't usually get to do because it's so crowded whenever we go in).


This time of year if the train is running we ride on it.



Waving to the random passers by!





Haha, love the photobomb from our train car neighbor!




The zoo is always a great way to wear out the boys. I love sleeping John and his multiple chins. Cutest thing ever!


 We ordered a table for Oktoberfest next month. I took a photo of the computer screen to send to Erik. We're both very excited about it!


We picked up this desk from Erik's cousins. It belonged to his Uncle and has been in his cousin's house for years and they have no room for it anymore. The plan is for me to refinish it and use it in one of the boys' rooms in the future. We'll see how long until I have a post of it being complete!