Another Birthday Boy!

Today is JJ's birthday!  I really can't believe that he's 4-years-old already!  Time really does fly.  We had a great relaxing day at home today.  Owen had a horrible night last night, so we stayed home from church today to allow for naps.  JJ opened presents, snacked all day long, and ended the night with cupcakes and apple juice.  He had a great day.

JJ waited patiently watching videos on the iPad to open presents.

First present, Batman shirt from mom, including cape : )

Thanks to Oma for the Spiderman "hand"!

Brian taught JJ how to be a professional web slinger.

Owen was super excited for JJ's birthday.

He did enjoy JJ's new car track.

After a relaxing morning at home, our friends came over to play, eat dinner, and enjoy cupcakes.

Owen enjoyed his third cupcake in 2 weeks.

Don't mind Brian's face . . . isn't Owen cute though : )

It was a great birthday.  JJ's already excited to turn 5 though!

Birthday Party.

We had a joint birthday party for the boys last Sunday.  JJ invited some friends from school and church and we all had a great time.  Unfortunately, it poured down rain in the morning so the kids couldn't go in the pool, but they all got along really well playing inside the whole afternoon.  We don't have very many good pictures because Brian and I were very busy the whole time!

JJ and his girlfriends took a break from playing to do some coloring.

Then they went and played "family" in his room.  It's a game they play at school and this time JJ was the "baby" : )  His "mom" and "sister" are hiding in the tent.

JJ requested a cake and cupcakes.

Birthday Boy!

Owen turned 1-year-old today!  He didn't seem too phased by it though : )  We had a nice day of swim lessons, JJ opened a few of Owen's presents, and we had cupcakes.  Overall, it was a pretty successful day.

In the last month he's gotten another bottom tooth and has 2 top teeth about to pop through.  He's still a way better sleeper at night than JJ was, but is a way pickier eater.  He started standing and he took his first steps on July 25, but is still only taking a few here and there, which is fine with me!  

See those two little teeth : )

He takes standing and walking very seriously.

Current Events.

So, since my parents left . . . .

Brian made a fort for JJ using a fan and duvet cover!

JJ finished his summer homework.

We've been relaxing a lot : )

Owen learned how to drink out of a sippy cup.

Although he tends to water board himself a lot.

The boys just keep growing.

Owen finally learned how to clap!

Owen is now obsessed with Eggo waffles.  When he hears the toaster go off in the morning he starts yelling and pointing his arms at the kitchen.  He also stops eating whatever else he's eating, which is normally yogurt, until he gets his waffle!

The summer is just flying by.  We started swim lessons this week, which is great for the boys.  JJ is able to be in the preschool class at the same time that I do "baby and me" classes with Owen.  It's lots of fun.

The only annoying development lately is that JJ now refuses to nap : (  I guess it's good that we made it until he was almost 4, but I was hoping for a little quiet time each day.  I try to make him stay in his room and relax, but it doesn't always work.  

Our biggest excitement lately though is that Brian made Chief!  He now has 6 weeks of Chief Training until the big pinning ceremony on September 13.  He's been super busy and it's been really hard on JJ, but we'll make it through.

Rome.

One of the last days my parents were here we took a day trip up to Rome.  They had taken a day trip on their own and gone to the Vatican, so on our trip, we did Eataly, the Colosseum, and the Trevi Fountain.  It was a great day.

Since my parents have been gone over a month now, this will be my last post about their visit.  We had a great time with them here and as always, it was really hard to see them leave.  Hopefully they'll visit again before we move back : )