Another year down

The big 31.

Yesterday was my birthday.  The weather could not have been more perfect and i have a slight sun burn to prove it.

I dont know why I am doing this to myself and actually letting other people see it, but here are two comparison shots of me holding my first baby  on my birthday in March 2006 vs holding my last baby on my birthday yesterday... My word... 7 years and 4 kids has done a number on me.  Oh youth, where are thou!?!?!
 In my defense, the first one is a the beginning of the day and the second one is at the end of the day... that alone makes a big difference... just humor me.

Bennett (7 weeks) and me in 2013

Hunter (13 weeks) and me in 2006

My brother, Nolan, was supposed to close on his new house on Friday so the boys and I were going to dogsit my parent's dogs so my parents could help him move.  Well, last minute on Friday, the closing got delayed.  By the time I found out about, the boys and I were already packed and half way to mom and dads house.  We decided to just go ahead and stay the night with my mom.

We got home around lunch time where Chad and the boys gave me my present and Chad had made brownies.

The brownies Chad made

Blowing out my candles... cant believe they actually let me do it without helping

And then it was to the soccer fields which was I loved.  The boys are both playing on the same Under 8 team, though Ashton is supposed to be under 6 I moved him up because 1) I didnt want to run 2 schedules by myself and 2) he is just flat out good.  They had a double header and won both games.  2-1 and 2-0.  Hunter scored the very first game of the first game and Ash scored the first goal of the second game.  I was seriously so proud of both of them.  They also had quite a fan base as Mantis, Queenie, Aunt Joan, Grandma, and Julie were all there for at least one game.

Little Ash in a big goal.  He did a good job

Hunter's turn in the goal.  He threw the ball out to Ashton.  You can see Ash running to it

Hunt dribbling the ball down the field.

Mantis occupying Shepherd.

We then headed up to Chad's parents house to have my birthday dinner.  Hub made some delicious chicken and Patsy did the sweet potatoes and a great salad.  Just a side note, Ashton ate a ridiculous amount... like 10 chicken nuggets and a piece of the chicken that Hub made. The boys got to ride on the Trecker with Papa Hub and Grandma and got to play with their cousins and wrestle with Uncle Tommy.

It was a great birthday and I so very thankful for these little men in my life.

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PS- Since I cant blog during the week, a quick weekly update.
Only got 2 days of homeschooling in this week.  I started working out again and need to figure out how to fit that and homeschooling in together plus we had a doctors appt and dentist appt.  However, I am anxious to get the rest of this baby weight off.  It has felt so good to work out.  After I am done, the boys are always amazed at how red my face it! So sad that in a few months you can get so out of shape.

Bennett has started smiling more.  He doesnt just hand them out to anybody... he saves most of them for me, but it is just a heart warming little grin.

Full on smile.  It is rare to get one this big.Bennett was smiling at me and Grandma was ready with her iphone to snap the shot.

Most of the time, this is what he gives...a half grin

  

Another Half grin

He is also started "playing" this week with a couple toys.  He figured out how to play the music on the little overhead hanging toy thing.

amazed with the sound and colors and the movement

He is still the champion sleeper going from about 8:30- to 3:30 and then 4:00- 6:30.  Normally he takes 2 or 3 cat naps (like 20- 30 minutes) and then HUGE 4 hour afternoon nap.  It is glorious!!!

Bennett helping me put Shep to bed

  

Bennett resting on Ashton

Bennett was sleeping on Hunter... by the time that I got the camera, he was awake... still a precious shot.  When I see this, I see how long Bennett is already getting.. sob!

Hunter, Ashton, and Shepherd are doing great and loving the nice weather.  Bike rides, backyard soccer, and swinging has occupied much of our time.

Shepherd, looking cool, while practicing on his balance bike

Ashton rocking the training wheels... hope to take them off this summer

Hunter flies down this hill... no telling how fast he is going

Shepherd no longer takes a nap.  This is not really his choice but mine.  He would bother his brothers at night by being loud, climbing in bed with Ashton.  So I took his nap away.  He goes to bed at 7, when we are home that early and things are running much smoother at bedtime.

First attempt at no nap ending in falling asleep on the couch

Love watching these boys.  I pray that they will always have eachothers back.

Hunter reading to his brothers... yes, Shepherd is pantless. :)

  I am going to try to put together a little "who is who" quiz from pictures of the boys around 6-8 weeks for next week... so until then....