Happy 2nd Birthday Zac!

Wow! I can't believe my baby boy turned 2 years old on Sunday, September 27! These 2 years have flown by! I still remember the night/morning I had him... 5 lbs. 2 oz. at 3:41am! I woke Zac up at 6:30am on his birthday, hoping he would take a nap before his party. Of course he didn't! I don't think he was ready to get up yet!

He's not happy with me at all!

His birthday breakfast Daddy made him: French toast w/ strawberries and bananas.

Reading his Elmo birthday card from me and Daddy.

Big smile! Just like his SpongeBob balloon!

I LOVE Valerie's smile! She's on the left this time.

We're getting ready to go to Tunnel Town.

It's party time!

Me, Zac, Quen, & Brandi. At least the Moms are smiling! The boys didn't want to stop playing to pose for a silly picture!

The boys riding the teeter-totter.

Zac is driving Dad in the Jeep.

Zac is pointing at me through the tunnel!

His SpongeBob birthday banner.

Present time- and Grandma B got him SpongeBob PJs.

Mimi Donna got him this huge pillow. I think Zac likes SpongeBob, don't you?

He had to stop and take a quick drink!

Silly Hannah and her orange teeth from the icing.

Zac wants to eat the candle.

SpongeBob birthday cake- and I didn't put the candle in backwards. The host did!

His cool balloon arrangement!

Of course he's wearing his farmer hat on his birthday!

Dad & Zac playing in the ball pit. I should have had Ryan take the camera in with him, since the mesh is blocking them.

I think Val (on left) and Nessa like SpongeBob too...

Birthday Boy is worn out! Good, that means he had fun!

He didn't move at all after I laid him down at home.

Thank you to all our family and friends that came to celebrate Zac's birthday with us! Happy 2nd Birthday Zac! Mom and Dad love you more than you'll ever know!

Zac & His Hat

Helping Dad in the yard.

Zac sees Dad coming home from work!

Watching TV

He must take this hat home! He loves it!

Silly boy! What a fashion statement!

Zac got this hat from Grandma Linda's less than 2 weeks ago. As you can see, he loves his hat! He looks so cute in it too!

6 Months Old!

Wow- today the girls are 6 months old! I can't believe how fast time has gone by! I thought time flew with Zac, but it's going even faster with the girls. I am so fortunate that I am able to stay at home with them for a few more months before I go back to work in January. There are so many changes in their first year of life. I am blessed to be able to experience their "firsts."

I got half a smile from Valerie.

Birthdays!

Sunday we celebrated September and October birthdays at Grandma Linda's. Uncle Randy, Uncle James, and Zac's birthdays are in September and Uncle Dan's is in October. There are so many of us now (19!), we just do presents for the kiddos. Zac had a blast opening presents, but his favorite was eating the chocolate cake! Well that, and playing in the ball pit once Dad blew it up at home. Thanks a LOT Uncle Nick, paybacks is all I have to say!

Fall Fun Fest

Ryan had to work on Saturday. So Grandma Beth and I decided to take the kiddos to Fall Fun Fest in Blue Springs (think Santa-Cali-Gon, but smaller). We didn't realize how warm it was until we got there. There was NO shade! Surprisingly the kids did really well. The girls slept in the double-stroller- I should have taken a pic of Grandma pushing it! Zac walked, because I didn't think he would sit in a stroller. I hadn't been to Fall Fun Fest in years! I saw several people from high school/facebook there. There were a lot of mommies pushing strollers, haha. Next year will be a better time to go, since Zac will be older and the girls will be a year and a half. Wow- now that will be a fun time! Zac feeding the animals in the petting zoo area.

Weekend with Loved Ones

Zac snoozing in the car. We had a busy weekend with family! Saturday morning Ryan and I loaded up the kids (and the trunk picnic table, diaper bag, toys for Zac, snacks...) and headed down to Osceola for a family reunion (my side). It was a 100 miles each way. The kids did great! We were both kind of nervous- we even packed earplugs, haha! The girls slept the whole way and Zac did for the most part. There was a rented shelter at a park. The weather was so beautiful! The kids played on the playground while the adults visited. It was great seeing everyone. Unfortunately, the reunions have gotten smaller and smaller... Afterward we went to the Lowry Cemetery to visit Grandpa Settle and Aunt Charlotte. We pulled weeds and Mimi Donna, Aunt Becky, and Cousin Karen put new wreaths and flowers on their headstones. I'm glad we were all their to pay our respects. On a side note- you gotta love Hannah- whose 9 or 10 years old. It was all quiet when all of a sudden she blurts out "Daugherty's dead?!" There was a huge headstone with someone with that last name on it. She has no filter whatsoever! We loaded back in the car and headed home. I was so exhausted, I could have gone to bed when we got back. Of course, that didn't happen! Sunday we did our grocery shopping. On the way to Ryan's folks, we decided to go to Park Lawn Cemetery to visit Ryan's grandparents. That is a huge cemetery, but also very beautiful. The road winds around and there are ponds throughout. We saw even saw geese wandering on the grass. The spot is so peaceful where his grandparents are buried, by the water. We then had dinner at my in-laws. Zac and his cousin Matt have so much fun playing together. It's fun to watch to boys play together! It was a great weekend spending time with family, those here physically and spirituality.

Photo Shoot @ Portrait Innovations

Last week I got the kids' pictures done at Portrait Innovations in Lee's Summit. My friend Melissa came and helped me. The occasion is for Zac's 2nd birthday and the girls' at 6 months. I did it a few weeks early, but that's ok! I'm surprised at how well they turned out. Vanessa was the most smiley, Zac was hit or miss, and Val was pretty cooperative.