Happy 31st Birthday!

It's the beginning of a wonderful year! I am truly blessed. Three beautiful children, a handsome and loving husband and an all powerful Savior who loves and protects me. Wow!

My day began with my amazing mom coming up to watch the kids so that I could go get an hour long massage (a Christmas present from Brad). It was divine. After that, I went to Starbuck's to cash in on my free birthday drink, and then headed to Target with the intent of buying a baby bicycle seat. My plans were changed when I stepped through those automatic doors and saw the dollar bins. There were so many fun Easter items that I decided to use my gift card to get the kids Easter presents. Very fun! I do plan to go back, though, and pick up that baby bike seat.

That afternoon was observation day at Cadence's dance class. It was such a treat to watch her dance. Some of my favorite Cadence dance moments were: 1)every time she spins she tilts her head to one side and closes her eyes, 2) when they were running through their routine, Cadence did all of the moves, but I could tell she was waiting for the part where they got to put their arms in the air and jump up and down. Her face lit up every time they got to that part. She is a beautiful dancer and I love watching her do something she enjoys.

Next, Brad came home and our date night began! Before leaving, though, Cadence and Brad sang happy birthday to me (Finn and Aria were napping) and I blew out the candles on the brownies the kids made for me with my mom. Cadence frosted her half in pink (Finn was going to frost his in blue).

Cadence made me this birthday card. Isn't it wonderful! She drew our whole family, including Pugsley (he's the circle). Aria is sitting on Brad's shoulders. Cadence and I have the long hair. What an artist!

We headed to Boulder to eat at my favorite restaurant, The Cheesecake Factory. The food was delicious!

From there, we walked a couple of blocks to Dushanbe Teahouse. The tea was warm and inviting, but more importantly, the conversation and time with Brad was wonderful. It was so nice to be able to talk to each other without interruptions. I love spending time alone with Brad and am so thankful God gave me such a perfect companion.

It was a wonderful birthday filled with tons of love and I am so happy to be 31!

Fort Maston

We felt that Fort Collins did not have enough protection, hence, Fort Maston!

Phase one consisted of building a tunnel. Subsequent phases simply consisted of expansion. The kids wanted me to go on and on, all day, but we ran out of space and chairs. Once our fort crumbled, (I'm afraid we were our own worst enemy and broke down our walls from the inside out) that was that. I just didn't have the energy for another building project. I have to admit, I'm only an amateur builder. Our professional builder, Brad, was unavailable. His excuse...working; bringing home the bacon; earning a living for his family...or something like that.:)

Next, our apprentice builders, Cadence and Finn, moved on to a slightly smaller scaled project...cushion hills. Aria loved this! She was Queen of the Hill. She climbed to the top all by herself.

Hear her mighty and victorious roar!

Loco for Locomotives!

For about a month now, every time we would pull into the garage Finn would see this Thomas the Train set we got from Joe and Martina and ask to play with it. I kept putting off taking it out because I knew that Aria would just knock it down and he would get mad...drama, drama, drama. Well, yesterday, I caved and set it up while Aria was napping. I have to admit, I quite enjoyed connecting all his pieces and making our very own "Island of Sodor". Once Aria awoke, we had the expected drama, but we are dealing with it.

Finn loves to carry this cardboard background around (in the above picture). He lays it down and points out and names all the trains he has and those that he doesn't. He has made it quite clear that he doesn't have James or Gordon. I wonder if he's hinting at something?

To combat The Monster of Sodor, aka Aria, we decided to set our island up outside on the deck (thank you Lord for the beautiful weather), so that when the slumbering giant wakes this time, she won't be able to destroy it. Bonus = I don't have to keep setting it up every 10 minutes!

Just a day at the vet

Look at this cute, post-surgery pug. If he had a purple bandage on his other leg they would look like wrist warmers and he could go for a jog. Brad dropped Pugsley off at the vet, bright and early, at 7:30. He went in for a much needed teeth cleaning (Aunt Jenny would be so proud) and growth removal from his eyelid. All went well, and he was out of surgery and coming out of the anesthesia by 10:30. He stayed at the vet until 3:30 for recovery, and then came home to us with this big smile and cute bandage. That was actually the first thing I said when I saw him, "Oh, he looks so cute with his ankle wrapped up." So, his eye looks much better, his teeth are pearly white, his breath smells great, and he's back to lying around on the couch. Good ol' pug! We love him!

Things

Cadence has been asking me to make her a Canopy for her bed ever since we moved here. She had one at our townhouse, but it wasn't very secure and she pulled it down. So far, this one is still up! Granted, she is older and understands not to pull on it, like she did the last one, but it still gets little tugs and has not fallen. She is so cute. Every night, she closes the canopy around her head to block out Finn and all his noise and go into her private little "room" to sleep.

Cadence made these tissue paper flowers with Grandma and wanted to put them on the canopy. I think they are the perfect addition.

This is her view, looking up, from inside the canopy.

I found this pretty sheet, which MomPom said she used to have the same set, at the thrift store when Brad and I were on our date. I love these kinds of flower prints.

Can you tell which side is Cadence's and which is Finn's? Maybe Finn needs a camouflage canopy.

Here's our happy family, hanging out on the couch, watching "The Berenstein Bears" before bed (our normal nightly routine).

Finn needs to text his peeps.

Still texting his homies.

Aria was enjoying some delicious dinner, but got some of the "peek-a-boo" napkin stuck to her nose. An occupational hazard when you wear your food on your face.

Me: "You have something on your face." Aria: "Who, me?"

Eating is fun!

Aah, a sweet sister cuddle. Serene Cadence.

Creepy "Heeere's Johny!" Cadence.

Cuddly Cadence.

Smoochy Cadence.