37 Never Looked So Good!

37!!!

Luke is 37! And, what a stud at 37.  We do birthdays big here in Colusa, and so for Luke's 37th birthday, we spent the weekend doing fun things for Luke.  On Saturday, we ventured into SF to go to Luke's cousin, Jenny's, housewarming party in the Castro. It was a fun excuse to get out of town.  Luke and I especially like getting our coffees on the go, and so we stopped to get a Peet's Coffee and then hit up the Tiburon Ferry to SF.  Oh, right, before that, of course, we headed over to the Urgent Care clinic in Terra Linda because Ryan had an infected, red, and swollen finger.  It seems that our little boy pricked his finger on something while he was crawling, and the cut just got infected! He ended up being fine, and going to urgent care was probably overkill.  But, it allowed us to enjoy the rest of the weekend without worrying it was something really serious.

I grabbed us some baked goods at Rustic Bakery so that we could nibble on the boat.  Clay, of course, loved the boat and ran up and down the stairs between different levels.  Ryan crawled, and then walked, and then crawled around the ship as well.  The ferry could have been the main event! Once in SF, we explored the ferry building, and then ventured down Market Street to get closer to Jenny's house.  We lasted 2 miles, before we decided we needed to take muni the rest of the way.  Boy, was that exciting as well! Clay just loves public transportation.  

Jenny and Sasha's house is amazing, and we had a fun time visiting with family there for a good three hours!  Longest party attendance yet.  Then, we backtracked our steps to make our way back to Tiburon for the long drive home.  It was a VERY long day, but we had fun together every step of they way.

The next day, for Luke's birthday, we made Luke bacon and eggs, and then enjoyed the morning with coffee.  That afternoon, Cindy, Leo, Anna, Em and Chloe came over to a birthday party, full of swimming, burgers, more cake and ice cream.  I got Luke a paperwhite e-reader, Clay got Luke flip flops and Ryan got Luke white undershirts.  Ryan is so thoughtful.

We are looking forward to seeing what 37 brings Luke!

Say cheese!

Cindy brought over some delicious appetizers: guac and chips, with triscuits and cheese (Luke's favorite!) 

It's the dad cake!

Here's Clay folding his arms defiantly.  I'm not sure why.  Which reminds me: I had Clay with me when I picked up Luke's birthday flip flops from Yuba City.  I told Clay is was a very special present for his Dad's birthday, and to keep it a secret.  When we got home and saw Luke, Clay couldn't contain himself and told me, "I'm just going to say one word to Dad."  I told Clay that was fine, not really thinking what that meant.  Then, Clay went up to Luke and whispered, "Flip Flops."  

Happy Birthday Luke! We love you!

1 year old and 4 year old monsters

Birthday Boys!

Clay was SO excited for his birthday!

 Finally! The birthday month is here! After what felt like months and months of anticipation, the boys' birthday is here.  Clay has been counting down to his birthday forever.  We've been discussing his cake design and flavor, birthday party theme ideas, birthday party attendees and birthday party gift ideas for months. I hope the day of celebration did not disappoint!  

We started the birthday weekend with cupcakes at school.  I made Ninja Turtle cupcakes for Clay (pinterest fail?) and white/blue sprinkle cupcakes for Ryan.  It was also Ryan's last day at Jodi's daycare, and so we were a little sentimental about having him move on.  Jodi took care of Ryan when Ryan was so little and hard (6 mo. - 12 months) and we appreciate all her love and care to Ryan during those months!  Ryan ate his very first cupcake and Jodi's. And, from the pictures, I can see that he LOVED it! Although, I'm not surprised.

That weekend, we went to Butte Meadows to celebrate a very special 70th birthday for Grandma Cindy.  It was a fun weekend with all of Luke's siblings and all cousins!  Uncle Eric held a tennis clinic for the cousins, and the cousins all listened to their coach.  Kyrstin made a gourmet bbq shrimp and steak dinner Friday night, and this was after all the grandkids lined up to say their favorite thing about Grandma.  It was so cute.  Clay said, "I like making cookies with Grandma."  

Here are the kids reciting what they love to do with their Grandma Cindy.

All of the kids here are participating in Uncle Eric's tennis clinic.  Clay is here in the front walking around the ball in his hand, as instructed. 

The next morning, Luke made pancakes for the boys' birthday morning, and then at lunch we did birthday cake and ice cream celebrations.  I made two homemade funfetti birthday cakes for the boys.  Clay was definitely not disappointed with this birthday cake choice - he especially approved of the colorful sprinkles.  

I cannot believe I have a 1 year old and a 4 year old.  Ryan started walking two weeks after he turned 1.  He is such a funny little kid.  He loves little cars and drives them all over our living room.  He also loves animals, and squeals when he sees dogs in public.  He is such a fun little kid.  Clay is the best 4 year old! He is so curious, and is such a good talker!  Clay is still so interested in baseball, and asks his dad to play every day after he gets home from day care.  Clay also looooves swimming in our pool and is becoming a better and better swimmer as the hot summer continues.  We are having so much fun with these little guys.  As they get older, they continue to become more interested in each other.  When Clay finds what he is doing makes Ryan laugh, Clay will do it again and again and again (tickling Ryan's neck? making a weird noise? Clay will do anything to make Ryan laugh!).  
  

Ryan's birthday presents!

Grandpa Leo helps Clay open up his present, along with allll the other cousins.

Do you like the cake Ryan?

Yes! You do!

Luke got Clay this present here.  Luke carefully wrapped the golf club in paper.  Clay apparently had no idea what the present was until he got to the verrrrry bottom. 

Clay was very slow in unwrapping this.

Still don't know what it is, Clay?

Ryan got whiffle golf balls. (For Clay's golf club, but he didn't know that).

Ryan and his cake with one candle.

 

Hey you big boy!

This picture is unrelated to birthday weekend festivities.  A few days before his birthday, I walked into the kitchen and found that Ryan had busted into a bag of rice and sprayed it all over the kitchen.  He was pretty happy with himself.

Our Sweet Baptized Boy

Here is Ryan in his baptism outfit - complete with lace frilled socks and a bonnet.  I couldn't help myself!

  Ryan was baptized July 30th at the St. Anselm's Church in Ross, California.  This church has special significance to my family.  It's where my grandparents, my parents, my sister, and Luke and I got married, and it's recently where we had the funeral mass for my Grandma Erin.  My brother has also had a couple of his kids baptized here, and so we thought it was a fitting place for Ryan to be baptized!  It's such a beautiful church - it's fun for us to come back and visit.

Maile and Eric are Ryan's godparents, and it was fun to share the occasion with the two of them and their families.  After mass, the priest gathered our family towards the front of the church.  Although it was a small ceremony, with both Luke and my family there, there were around 14 kids!  The priest did a great job - he included all of the kids in Ryan's baptism and asked the kids to bless the holy water.  

After the ceremony, we hopped over to the St. Anselm's hall for a chinese chicken salad and chicken okasan lunch (yay! Comforts!).  It was fun having everyone there!  

Plus, we had birthday cake to celebrate the Birthday Buddies (Maile, Clay & Ryan) on 8/5 and also Cindy's birthday on 8/4.  

Ryan actually loved his fancy outfit, as you can see.

Here's the holy team!

Even with our small family gathering, we fill up the first three pews.

Cousins!

Here are the cousin's participating in Ryan's ceremony.

My mom made this delicious carrot cake for the birthday celebrations.

And, I made this delicious chocolate cake for the baptism!

Grandpa Tim and Katherine, who also happen to share birthdays (11/7).  Our family has a thing with shared birthdays.

Grandma Beth and Uncle Jack getting ready for the birthday candles. 

Everyone loves the birthday song!

Ryan went a little crazy after the party. No nap. No shirt. Wet diaper. Dirty/snotty face.  But still crawling and happy!