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.