Let's {PARTY}

We celebrated Easton's 5th Birthday on Wednesday and it was such a fun day. Full of not stop fun and he was so much fun to watch and he really was into his birthday this year. He has been counting down for weeks now...

so the day began with breakfast in bed... orange cinnamon rolls and strawberries... he woke up so happy and then we went to his preschool where they made a hat and a card and put on birthday music and danced around and played. He also got to pass out a treat to his class. Then it was off to Chuck E. Cheese with a few of his best friends. They had sooooo many tokens and it was Easton first time there- of course it was so fun and they are just the perfect age for it. It was so fun to see him interacting with his friends and I loved seeing how special he felt that they were all there for him.

We spend the afternoon with just the three of us and opened presents and played..then ended the day with friends over for cake and ice cream.

All our friends and family were so generous and thoughtful. He really enjoyed all the packages and cards and has had so much fun with his new toys. This kid is so loved.

The night before his birthday Derek was in the office studying and I was baking the cake, hanging decorations, ad wrapping presents and I just felt this overwhelming rush of emotion come over me.

My little boy is growing up.

How did this happen?

I went into the office to talk to Derek and quite literally just started sobbing. I love this little man in our lives and I just can't believe how much at times. Motherhood is hard, and I had no clue what I was getting into here... I never realized how fast the years would go. They are flying. i never understood the word bitterweet more clearly. I am so proud of who Easton is becoming, yet I miss my baby boy and just want his to STOP GROWING. I asked him if he thought our parents felt this way... he was so loving and then he just started laughing at me and taking my picture...{"blog about this"} which I am not posting on my blog {you're welcome}. That is why I love Eastons dad. He is so loving and can always make me smile.

I made a promise to myself to play with him more. Hug him tighter. cuddle longer. cherish the moments of his childhood more.

Like I said... This kid is so loved.

October without you.

You know... my sister has made a habit out of visiting in October since we moved away.

Only this year she didn't and I was sad about it. REALLY SAD.

I so wanted to take her to the Pirates Cove and Walk on the beach and make sand angels and stand on my head.

I wanted to watch Easton tackle her and tease her about her snoring {sorry}

Carve pumpkins and and stay up way too late talking about life and solve everybody's problems but our own...

Happiness arrived in the form of a flat rate box.

You missed me to!

And you are so thoughtful Mel... the most thoughtful person in the world. You custom made me this jar {twice-- the fist one was broken when her boys played mini golf with it} after we pinned all year long over the one we didn't buy last Halloween. I love your stinkin' guts sis. you are the best ever. ever.

pom poms,hunting and dissapearing spoons...

he's gone hunting. :(
Thanks to the mad crafting skills I have acquired via marthastewart.com I these value colored pom poms for decorations at our Young Women in Excellence program... I forgot to take picture of the final decorations... but you get the idea right??? thanks for the idea Bekah!

Derek informs me that he has successfully completed another dear hunt. I guess they shot a deer today and I think Easton was more excited about it than Derek. (although Derek was excited -it was a small deer=better eatin') He is seriousely so excited to go hunting someday... I am counting down the days until he comes home and I have been keeping myself busy by rearranging the furniture at my house... I am glad he and his dad and brothers are out thought...seriously he needs/deserves it.


Also..random thought of the day... why do small spoons disappear out of my silverware drawer? Where do they go and why? I do not understand this phenomenon. do you?

Upside to our economy problems:

I think gas will be below $3 a gallon by the weekend.

Here's to hope.



p.s. for a funny story about Easton click here:
http://rayfamilycharm.blogspot.com/2008/10/on-heartbreak-and-love.html

Falltastic!!!

I had to take some pictures of my fall decor because a lot of people who would appreciate it won't be coming to my door anytime soon...

Easton had fun trying to figure out why I was tying ribbons around pumpkins...

as for Derek: it took him two days to even notice. boys. boys.

I told him that he didn't fully appreciate my domesticity...

Easton added the spiders. they're a nice touch I think.

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This week we also had a Field trip for Eastons pre-school to Lakeviw Farms Pumpkin patch. It was by far the best pumpkin patch experience to date. They had a boat ride out to the patch and a train ride back. It was so fun to see Easton with his friends and it ended up being a PERFECT fall day.

waving to teacher Laurel..

I only wish you could better see her fantastically fun star wellies...

pumpkin surfing. you should try it.

i love this... once again with Brynn. Here he is explaining to her that they are about to enter the "haunted shed" portion of the train ride and that he will hold her hand so she won't be scared.

he did. she wasn't. so cute. so funny.
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See this woman??? well as if she weren't before she is now my #1 hero. I spent a week with her 5 children and Easton so that she could go on a much deserved Cruise with her hubby. I just have to say that I was so exhausted when I got home and I just can't believe how great of a mom she is and how hard it is at times. I am in awe. Most of you probably know that she went from 3 to five recently with the adoption of my new nephews and there house is so full. love. noise. chaos. toys. laundry. what an amazing woman my sister is... wow. are you sure we're realated?