Nathan's Preschool Pictures

Here are Nathan's first set of school pictures! I can't believe they came out so good. I guess I thought he wouldn't cooperate and would act silly, since he isn't always so candid with the camera, or maybe it is the delay on my camera that doesn't always capture the image I am trying to get. I totally forgot that Oct. 1st was picture day, we had just gotten back from Disney that Saturday so had I remembered he would have been wearing a collard shirt. He is loving preschool and making friends. Colin, Julia, and Sydni are the same three names he always says when we ask who his friends are. Colin is sitting right in front of him in the class picture, and Julia is wearing the black shirt, I am not sure which one is Sydni I will have to have him point her out. I would have had more posts between October 5th and now but my camera has been acting up and according to HP tech support it is a malfunction and I need a new camera. The only way I was able to add the school pics was by scanning them. I guess I have to have the rest of the pics on my camera card printed out so I can then post them. Needless to say I will have to take a blogging hiatus for the time being until we resurrect the old camera or get a new one. Until then, I will do what I can!

Nick's 3rd Birthday

October 2 was Nicholas' third birthday. We had a birthday celebration, just the four of us. Nicholas is crazy about cars and that is all he kept asking for. We saved that present for last, he could barely stand the suspense, he pretty much knew which present had the cars. When he finally got to open the cars he was so excited. To him it probably seemed like an eternity to get the cars out of the box. Once they were all out Dan and Nick lined them up so he could get a good look at his collection. He kept saying "I love cars" and enjoyed discovering the types of cars they were. Next up was ice cream cake. He loved the singing and being able to blow out the candles, but probably not as much as diving mouth first into the cake (I guess I better work on some table manners). He devoured his piece of cake in no time at all, either he really enjoyed it or he was anxious to get back to his cars. Either way he was happy!

Disney World Vacation 2008

Animal Kingdom LodgeViews of Wildlife from our balconyNick excited to ride in the Disney Fire TruckWaiting to meet the Characters

Meeting Mickey for the first timeMeeting many other favoritesPluto is Nathan's favoriteThe Coffeys and the GangRafiki at Animal Kingdom ParkThe Rapids at Animal Kingdom Park


Here are some pictures from our Disney Vacation. We stayed at the Animal Kingdom Lodge which was amazing. We had a wildlife reserve right outside our room. We got to wake up to Ankole Cattle, Zebra, Giraffe, Kudu, Ostrich, and some other species from Africa. However, I think the highlight of the trip for Nick was getting to ride the shuttle bus, and for Nathan was bunk beds which he wanted to take home with us. We visited The Magic Kingdom on Monday. We were told that the park opens at 8am and that the buses start running at 7am. So I managed to get everyone up at the @#$ crack of dawn so that we wouldn't have to wait in such a long line to get in. Many people had breakfast reservations with certain characters so they were able to enter the park early. We arrived at 7:30am and were asked if we had a breakfast reservation to which we replied that we did not, the guard notified us that the park does not open until 9am. We were told to speak with a park representative who asked our names and where we were from. At this point we are clueless as to what is going on, thinking we are going to have to hang around for an hour and a half with a 4 year old and almost 3 year old, which if you know our boys, that is no easy task. We were instructed to sit and wait and we would be picked up by a driver, (we are still unaware of what is going on at this point) The representative brings out two autograph books and pens for the boys and explains that we are the "First Family" and will get to help Mickey and the other characters Open the park. Our driver arrived and took us over to Toon Town where we got to meet several characters and get their autographs and have our pictures taken with them (both boys were a little uneasy meeting the characters at first but soon warmed up to the whole experience). If you have ever been to Disney you know that you usually have to wait in line to meet any of the characters so this was a pretty big deal. We then proceeded onto the train and rode it into the train station where we were introduced and asked to help Mickey with the countdown for the park to open. After the opening, we proceeded to the rides. Nathan's favorites were Goofy's roller coaster and the go-carts, and Nick's favorite was the go-carts. Dan and I probably scarred them for life on the Pirates of the Caribbean and the Haunted Mansion, although I think they were more petrified with the Mansion. All in good fun! The next two days we just relaxed around the pool, ventured over to downtown Disney, and the Boardwalk. On Thursday we went to the Animal Kingdom theme park. We went on the safari and a few kids rides, as well as the raging rapids which Nicholas was not to happy that he got wet, but Dan and Nathan got right back in line for a second go around. Both Dan and I took a ride on "Everest" the roller coaster. Our last stop for the day was a showing of "It's tough being a bug" which is an interactive 3D show with characters from "A bug's Life". This pretty much freaked both boys out, luckily it was a short show! The food was good, the weather was sunny and hot, and it was definitely a Magical Vacation which I know I won't soon forget!

Nathan's first day of Preschool

I have been slacking a bit on updating the blog lately, so I apologize to those who enjoy reading the posts and seeing the pictures. Nathan had his first day of preschool on Sept. 9. It was more or less a get acquainted day with all the other kids and their parents. It was nice for Nathan to have a couple of hours to meet and play with his new classmates, as it was for Dan and I to get a chance to meet some of the parents. Nicholas also had a blast playing with all the toys and kids. He seems to think that he is the one going to school! Neither of them wanted to leave when it was time to go. Wednesday was the real test for Nathan. Dan brought him to school, and he walked right in and put his backpack on the hanger with his name on it (which we pointed out to him on Monday). His teachers Miss Debbie and Miss Chicken say that he is doing well and that he is a very busy little boy, which we already knew! He seems very comfortable with the preschool and asks me every day if it is time to go to school yet. He also makes it a point to tell Nicholas that he is going to school all by himself and that Nick can't go. I think he enjoys some time away from his brother, as I think Nicholas is liking the fact that he gets to spend some alone time with me as well as all the toys!

Birthday Party 2008

We had a joint birthday party for the boys on August 30, 2008. We do this because Nathan's birthday is August 3 and Nick's birthday is October 2, so we try to do it right inbetween the two birthdays. This year we rented a bouncy house and all the kids had a blast. Nathan practically spent all day jumping, and Nicholas was pretty timid at first but at the end of the party he actually got in with Dan and started jumping around and enjoying himself. It was a warm day and luckily the rain held off so we were able to enjoy the party on our new deck. The boys definitely enjoyed opening the presents and inhaling cake and ice cream. Nicholas was hording all the gifts that were toys and wouldn't let anyone else play with them. I guess we will have to work on sharing. Nathan played so hard that he ended up regergitating whatever he did eat towards the end of the party. He also was still getting over a cold and had a belly ache all day so basically he was a bit dehydrated. Once we realized this we pumped him full of water and he crashed as soon as his head hit the pillow. However, he vomitted again the next morning but that was the last time. I think everyone had a good time, and enjoyed the food and company. I think Nathan said it best (while I was jumping in the bouncy house with him before the party even started), "this is the best birthday ever!" I guess the bar has been set, we will have to start brainstorming to try and compete with Birthday 08'

Some of my favorite Pics

Well I haven't had many blog worthy activities lately. Old Home day in Gilford was the only day that was eventful and I had to go and forget the camera. Either way the boys enjoyed the parade and I enjoyed my fried dough and cotton candy! I just thought that I would post some of my favorite pics since I hadn't blogged in a few weeks. For some reason I was not able to find the pics of Nick's birth so I could post a picture of that but I found some others of him that I love. The ones were we are all dressed up were taken at my sister Ashley's wedding back in January. The where Nathan looks like "Joe Dirt" was taken at Halloween, this one I think is hilarious. I guess this is how his hair might look had we let it grow long! Well I hope you enjoy these oldies but goodies!

Look at me!

I couldn't resist posting these two pics. The first one of Nicholas is what happenes when you let a 2 year old eat a fudgecicle. The one of Nathan was taken while Nicholas was having a nap, he was very happy to have the Gator all to himself!

Happy 4th Birthday Nathan

Happy Birthday Nathan! Well he turned 4 on August 3rd, over a week ago and I am just now getting the pictures uploaded. It was a great day for a birthday. Dan's mom "Grammy" came up to help us celebrate, as well as Aunt Princie and Uncle Mickey. We went out for dinner, then came back for ice cream cake. Nathan enjoyed having everyone sing to him and being able to blow out his candle. Looking at the pictures you would think that is was Nick's birthday. He preferred to eat the cake without a fork. It reminded me of the Brady Bunch episode where Peter is in the ice cream eating contest and can't use his hands, need I say more! I think Nick was wanting it to be his birthday because when I was putting up to bed he said he wanted a birthday party. I remember when I was younger and it was one of my sister's birthdays I always wanted it to be mine too. He only has to wait a month and a half before it is his turn. I can't believe our oldest son is 4, the time has gone by so quickly. Before I know it he will be 18 and off to college, so I better not blink!

John Deere Gator

So sorry it has taken me so long to post something new, it has been a bit busy lately, but that is no excuse. Anyway, This John Deere Gator is a Birthday gift for the boys from "Tickle". They were so excited to get it and the first day they were very good about sharing it. Since then we have had some ups and downs with taking turns. Nathan is a good driver, and Nicholas, well not so much. In fact we had a few collisions when Nick drove it for the first time. And Nathan actually fell off of it while Nick was having his turn. Since it has been raining they haven't had a chance to drive it. So the other day while there was a break in the weather we headed outside. Both boys wanted to drive it first of course, and some bad behavior took place. There was biting, head butting and pushing. I had to intervene and drag them both off of this toy. I declared that they would not get to drive it anymore that day, and then we had some meltdowns. Thankfully Dan arrived shortly after and took Nathan with him to the store while Nicholas went up for a much needed nap. This was not a productive lesson on sharing and hopefully they will be better about it in the future. You can be sure that I will let you know!