Kellen's 4th Birthday

Happy Birthday Kellen! I can't believe you are 4 years old.

This birthday we celebrated with friends and family and of course a little camping too. We actually had your birthday party on saturday (since you don't know the difference quite yet). Nana and Papa Slater came for the day and Nana and Pa Dudley came thursday-sunday night with their camper. You spent friday night with them and of course had a great time.

This year when I asked you what you wanted on your cake you said you didn't care. So I opted for a DQ peanut butter ice cream blizzard cake. It was really good!




You also didn't care about decorations either. So I chose for you....toy story. You were really happy when I came home with all the toy story cups, plates....etc.

Getting ready to open up gifts!

Your big present from mommy and daddy was your first real bicycle!

Trying it out with Pa. After you tried it you came back in and said "I don't want the bike....it doesn't match my helmet." I think the real reason you didn't like it was because dad and I opted for the larger bike so you could grow into it....thus making it a little harder for you to pedal. You don't like things to be too difficult. But I'm still glad we got this bike - otherwise you would've outgrown it by next summer!

Keagan was ready to ride it!

Helping close up the camper before Nana and Pa left. They stayed at James Audabon State Park. It was really a nice park.

Wearing your helmet and playing with a paddle???

And we can't forget little Kade. This was his second time camping...and of course loves it like the rest of us.

Dear Kellen, you are growing up to be such a big boy. You are starting preschool this fall two days a week. You are really excited about it. Right now your favorite things are sharks and volcanos. We got you a volcano making kit for your birthday. You also love to wrestle with daddy, play with Keagan, and you are such a good big brother to Kade. You are very loving and are pretty well behaved most of the time. Happy 4th Birthday. I love you son!!

Keagan 19 months

Sorry Keagan - the weekend passed by quickly and I completely forgot that you hit the 19 month mark! (I am a little busy right now though)!!

Oh dear boy I don't know how someone can be so charming one second and then want to make me pull my hair out the next! I understand you are trying to become independent and it makes it hard when your older brother can do things you can't or aren't supposed to do. I think the neighbors can hear you at times when you don't like something.

You have a very large vocabulary and are speaking in lots of 2 and 3 word sentences (or more). You're favorite phrase right now in toddler-ese is "Daddy, are you? You whoo??!! are you???" I love it.





You are VERY loving towards Kade. It really bothers you when he cries and you will run up to him and pat him (a little too hard) on the back or give him his paci. I love that you will be close in age with Kade. I hope things don't get too competitive between you two in the future but they probably will.

I love you my little man! You are getting so big!

firsts

Kade made the oh-so-sweet 6 week mark on friday. I feel like 6 weeks and 3 months are major turning points in young infants.

I have been putting Kade in the little tub that you can put on the counter and so far he has not enjoyed his baths all that much. SO last night I decided to put him in the actual tub and he loved it! He looked around and of course big brother had to put his feet in the water too and try to help.





This past weekend I (or I should say Daddy) gave Kade his first bottle. Things are usually so crazy around here that it's just easier to nurse than to pump and then hand Daddy a bottle when he's being mauled by the other two boys! I can proudly say he took it like a champ! No whimpers whines or any other complaints. I think he just likes to eat so he doesn't really care where it comes from!



And oh that SWEET first smile! I love it and it makes all the sleepless nights well worth it! He actually was smiling at Kellen. Of course Kellen shouted at me "Mommy look! He's smiling! He's smiling!" I love to see the interaction between all these boys. I hope and pray that they will be best friends.



Kade is giving us a good stretch at night from 10pm-4 and then back to sleep until 8 or so. He's doing great and I can't believe he's already 6 weeks old. Sigh...

Kade's first road trip

Last weekend we headed to Springfield. We knew it was going to be a whirlwind trip....but it was a little more tiring than we had anticipated. Let's just say I think it will be awhile before I make a trip by myself with all 3 boys and 2 dogs!!
We wanted Kade to meet the rest of our extended family and also for Aunt Shannon to take Kellen's 4 year pics and Keagan's 18 month pics AND a family picture....we tried to shove WAY to much in this weekend! It took several attempts to get the boys pictures taken because they were very tired and cranky. BUT I think Shannon got some good shots. I am so thankful I have a photographer in the family!

Kade got to meet several family memebers...not that he will remember. I'm sad though that Kade won't get to meet Grandad Dudley on this side of heaven...it had been 1 year since he passed away while we were home.


Here's Grandma and Grandpa Gardner with Ruby


Aunt Shannon and Kade

4 weeks old

Aunt Cheryl and Kendra

Kade and Grandma Dudley. Poor Grandma fell and broke her arm and wasn't able to hold Kade very well. Plus he was pretty tired and cranky by the end of the day and wasn't lying still for Grandma to hold.

Aunt Morgan and Grandma Gardner.

I'm so thankful for all of our family....I'm just disappointed that I didn't get pictures of the Slater side....I forgot my camera in the charger at home!

Kade @ 1 month

I can't believe you are 1 month old already!
You are getting so big and stronger every day. A lot of things have changed in 1 months time! You went from having days and nights mixed up to sleeping at around 5 or so hour stretches. I'm not sure what you weigh right now but you sure do like to eat. You're brothers dote on you but definitely have no interest in holding you (which I'm really okay with!). Having you also introduced us to the world of minivans! Yep, we lasted about 4 days before we caved and bought one. You also had your first road trip to springfield and met your grandmas and aunts and uncles. You did great!




I'm still not sure what color your eyes will be. Right now they are a dark blue still. You have the biggest and longest toes and hands so I expect you're going to be a pretty big boy.
I love you and can't wait to see what the next month will bring!

Camping at Scales Lake

This past weekend Mom and Dad came for a visit and to take the boys camping. When I was in the hospital with Kade, one of the nurses mentioned Scales Lake in Boonville for a camping site that was close by. So mom and dad checked it out several weeks ago and then decided to try it out when they came this weekend. Kade also had his first camping experience and he did great (although I came back with the two younger boys to spend the night at home).

There was a locust tree (or whatever type of tree that is) right next to the camper......you can imagine what a almost 4-year-old boy did with all those skeletons of those creepy looking bugs.....terrorized him mom and his nana - that's what!

There was actually a petting zoo at the campground and the boys enjoyed the animals quite a bit.

When the animals wouldn't come close to Kellen he would turn to me and say "mommy, he won't look at me!!"

There was two donkeys and a pony as well. Pa had fun showing the boys the donkey's teeth.

Kade and his first time camping. He did really well despite the heat. At least the camper has air-conditioning!

Nana and Kade

There was also a small lake with a beach and a water slide! Nana and Pa took Kellen swimming one afternoon when I came back with the boys for naps.

We had a great time and I was thankful for the company and for a break in the day-to-day grind!

He calls is "Go gurt"

I call it ONE BIG MESS!!!

Dear Keagan......please learn to use a spoon properly soon! Love, you're mommy.