Birthday Celebrations

This kid was so excited to turn 5 years old!  It has been almost 2 weeks ago, and he is still talking about it.  He had some serious birthday plans, and we enjoyed some great celebrations!
On his actual birthday, Cole was up bright and early to open up his new birthday shirt...of course, it was orange!  How about that hunting hat from Dad?

For lunch, I let him choose the place...and of course, it was Chinese chicken at Hyvee.  He was thrilled when his most favorite person (DAD!) could meet us there.

Then it was off to preschool where he got the birthday crown.

Cole was such a patient guy...waiting all day long for the girls to get done with school and activities, so we could finally open presents!

He wanted Jordan to hide the presents around the house for him, which of course, she did! (Have I mentioned that this kid has his sisters wrapped around his little finger?)

He loved all of his gifts...still so into anything that has wheels!

 Loves Berenstain Bears and Legos!!!

When all the presents were opened, he thanked us so nicely.  I heard him say under his breath, "I didn't really need a bike anyway."  So dear.  Then I told him that actually Dad and I had one more thing for him, and Tod brought the bike up from downstairs.  He was pretty excited and happy about finally having a bigger bike.

Even though it was cold, he took his bike for a cruise.

He wanted his favorite neighbors to come over for a lasagna dinner.  And since they are everyone's favorite neighbors, it was perfect!  Seriously, it is so great to be able to share birthday celebrations with people who adore your kids...especially when you are away from family.  It makes for special times.

This boy doesn't like cake or cookies, so we went with some ice cream!  It was a fabulous evening...all about our Cole!

The next day, we had a special surprise planned for Cole-man.  After school, we loaded everyone in the car and started driving...we ended up at the Iowa 80 Truck stop, which is indeed, the largest truck stop in the world.  Since Cole is so into trucks, we knew he would love it there.  They had a cool museum and gift shop...and of course, lots of semi trucks to look at too!  Oh, how I love having a boy!  His choice for dinner...Taco Bell!  It was a really fun adventure...he is already asking to go back!

A few days later, it was time for his friend birthday party....his first actual party with kids his own age!  And he chose a monster truck theme.  I had a lot of fun planning it, and Ashton and Jordan were such a big help.  I never could have done it without them.  Thankfully, it was spring break, so they were home...we were running around like crazy trying to get everything done.  But it ended up being a big success, and Cole was really happy.  Here he is just waiting for the party to start!

Jordan had a check in area where everyone would come when they arrived.  They received their "license" to fill out while they were at the party.

We had different areas with different games that the girls were in charge of.  I love having such great older kids!

It was such a fun, energetic bunch of kids!

Regan is always up for a good party...especially when her buddy can come along, too.

We had some yummy treats, and a version of the famous doughnut cake that always seems to surface in the Snarr household!  It was such a fun party!

There are so many things to love about Cole at age 5:

-He is such a good little buddy to me...we have such a good time together during the days...he knows what I like and I know what he likes...he likes to sleep in, have a bowl of cereal for breakfast and take the girls to school.  He doesn't like to run errands or have his routine mixed up.  During Luke's morning nap, he watches TV on my bed while I clean up the house.  He breaks the "house rules" by drinking apple juice and eating crackers while he lounges in my room.  Then he plays with his trucks and legos for a while before preschool. We have lunch together and then it's off to school.

- He has really started to love preschool.  He likes to see his friends and has been working hard to learn his letters.  He is looking forward to going to kindergarten at the big school.

-Cole loves to play outside, and he gets so annoyed when he can't get outdoors.  He is happiest running wild in nature.

-He loves trucks, cars, construction equipment, motorcycles, boats, 4 wheelers, tractors, airplanes, balls, and tools.

-He loves his neighbor Aiden and wants to play with him every single day.

-He can be super rough and hyper, but he can also be very sweet and tender.  He tends to get into trouble fairly often...but after I get on to him, he always tells me he is sorry.

-Cole doesn't know what he wants to be when he grows up but has it narrowed down to a car guy, garbage man, farmer or doctor.

-He misses his grandparents and talks about them a lot.

-He has a special relationship with each sister- he loves to play with Ashton and thinks she makes up the best games....Jordan is so patient with him and will play sports with him...and Regan is his best buddy but watch out because they can argue a lot and be super naughty together!

-He is already good at understanding women- he will ask me why the girls are pouting or tell them to stop being sad or bad!

-Cole is learning to be a good big brother...he really adores little Luke but doesn't want him to get into his things.  He is also working on "being soft."

-Cole loves Dad and waits for him to come home and play or do a project together.

-I love this kid so much...he is so much fun to have around.  He is very helpful and loving.  He is full of energy and goodness!  He is such an important part of our family.  Happy Birthday to my Cole- Man!!!

February Days

The rest of the month of February flew by with some highs and some lows....

A highlight was going to the Nauvoo temple with my friend Tanise for her first time.  It was a very snowy day, but such a beautiful experience...and to be surrounded by friends we love made it even more special.

The temple is a place of peace and perspective....it is a place where we can be reminded about why we are truly here and what needs to be important in our lives...this day was one of my very favorite days.

We had more snow....and more snow days!!!

We got a ton of snow one day, so the kids built a fort in the backyard...then the next day it was really warm so they took me outside to take some pictures.  Crazy weather this year!

We tried to find things to do around the house to keep everyone entertained.

      A cute puppet show:

     Playing with balloons:

     Making blanket forts:

     Playing pirates:

    Playing with Little People toys:

Luke turned 10 months old and started crawling.  He is loving being able to cruise around the house.  He puts everything in his mouth, so we have had to be diligent at picking things up!  It is a big adjustment.  Good thing he is oh so cute!

We are all experiencing a bit of cabin fever...it makes getting a long a little bit tricky.

Found this note Regan had typed up...things she is supposed to work on for tumbling.

More basketball and indoor soccer!  Jordan did a great job playing goalie for her team, and she also learned a lot playing basketball this season.  Ashton's soccer team improved a ton over the season...and she did really well...even scored 2 goals last weekend!  Her basketball team has also improved and won the Midwest Invitational tournament yesterday.  (Hard to get good pictures of indoor sports!)

Ashton has been working really hard on her violin solo.  Last weekend was solo festivel, and she was so nervous.  But her practice paid off, and she performed so well!  I got to accompany for her which I really enjoyed.  She left the judge speechless (in a good way!) and walked away with a gold ribbon and a ranking of 1+ (very hard to achieve that ranking!)

We all got hit with a bad stomach bug...it was terrible as it swept through the family one by one.  When Regan and I were sick, Jordan made this sweet sign and hung it in the bathroom for us.  It made things a little better!  I am not good at dealing with sickness....so grateful we are all healthy most of the time!

I love being home with these 2 boys...boys are so much fun and lots less drama.  Our days are happy and calm.  Can't believe that next year Cole will be in kindergarten...trying to hold on to these days of having these 2 brothers home together.

Love this winter sunshine streaming through the windows...hoping that March is full of sunshine!