Guess who just turned TWO?

That's right, our little Michael just had a birthday! He turned 2 this past Saturday, Oct 23rd. We celebrated on Friday late afternoon with a small pumpkin patch party. We then headed to a local pizza spot for dinner. It was a wet day that day but the kids did not seem to mind. They made pumpkin crafts, went on rides, enjoyed birthday cake, and even picked out a pumpkin of their own to take home. I have posted a few pictures from Michael's party for you.

I figured this post would be the perfect time to give an update on our little guy. Michael continues to have such a sweet little personality. He is so silly and loves to laugh and make others laugh too. He cracks himself up all the time. Michael plays so well by himself and really does not need to be entertained much. That being said, he likes to take off on his own quite a bit too. At a park you have a keep an eagle eye on this boy. Within seconds he will stray from the fun play structure equipment to the more exciting soccer fields where all the birds are hanging out!!!

At 2 years Michael...........

loves to ride his tricycle (aka his "bike"), he does not pedal yet but he is fast on his feet

has mastered riding a scooter

loves to jump

likes to color and draw (sometimes on other things that paper)

could play outside ALL DAY

is a good sleep and eater

likes anything with wheels... cars, trucks, trains,

likes dinosaurs

has a least a couple hundred words he can say (Gracyn, Macie, Michael, No, Eat, Bike, Outside,

Mommy, Daddy, car, truck, train, etc........)

copies EVERYTHING big sis does

has been to Illinois, Lake Tahoe, Yosemite, South Dakota, Iowa, Colorado, Mexico, Maui, Disneyland, Bass Lake, and Santa Barbara.

is still a big kid but has slowed down on growth 85% in height and 80% in weight.

is happy, happy, happy boy.

can count to 7

is starting to learn colors but always guesses pink first!

can sing the ABCs (sort of), itsy bitsy spider, twinkle twinkle little star, and jingle bells

loves to make dinosaur and lion noises, very loud!

I'm sure there are many more accomplishments I could add to the list and this list seems to grow with everyday. We are so blessed to have this little boy a part of our family and than God everyday for him! Happy Birthday Baby Michael!!

Yosemite Family Trip

We just got back from a trip to Yosemite National Park. What an amazing and beautiful place. We stayed in a 4 bedroom cabin/house inside the park near the south gate entrance. We went with Dave's parents and brother for our annual Ard Family trip. The weather was perfect. We only had a little rain the last day but other than that is was very warm and sunny. We saw as much as we could, hiked as far as we could with the kids, and also enjoyed some relaxing. Here are a few pictures. Enjoy!

Mariposa Grove

Half Dome

Our silly and very dirty kids

Little explorers

Yosemite Valley

The past week

I'm just posting a quick update and a few pictures of the last week.

Thankfully it seems fall is finally here. We had 100 degree weather for about 4 days straight last weekend so I have been loving these 70 degree days! Below are some pictures from the Down Syndrome Buddy Walk and a play date with our neighbors. Everyone is doing well and I am now 20 weeks pregnant! It's crazy to believe that we are half way there. Enjoy the photos!

First Days of School

Last week was Gracyn's first day of school back at Meadowlark Children's Center. She loves both the school and the teachers so much. She is now in the 4 year old program and goes 3 days a week. She also started a Jazz/Tap class at Next step Dance Academy in Danville, CA. Here are a few pictures of her big week.

Michael loves to color..............

On everything but paper!!!!! Last weekend it was the table, our newly refinished kitchen table. We had a babysitter and Michael was coloring with an off brand "washable" marker and he decided our table may look better blue. Our babysitter tried and tried to get the color to come off with no luck. It is still there, hiding under a placemat!

Well today we found another work of art. Dave found Michael in the process of making a lovely mural with a pen on our flawless WHITE bedding. Needless to say that little boy got a big time out. I was so angry! I am very protective of my lovely white bedding. Michael had found a pen and marked up my coverlet, 2 shams, and my sheets!!!! I instantly hit the internet for advice. So, out came the hairspray and spot cleaner. I first applied hairspray to the mess. This only made the blue in brighter and more noticeable. I let it dry and then sprayed it with Spray and Wash. Again, it only made it look worse! I was hopeless. I put the items in the wash and used lots of soap, warm water, and bleach. I head the wash cycle end and hung my head as I walked the laundry room. I opened the washing machine and to my surprise..............SPOTLESS!!!! Yes, that is right! The good ol' hairspray worked!

Swim School

We just finished up swim school a few weeks ago. This has been our 3rd year with our instructor Hillary. The kids both LOVE the water. Gracyn is such a good little swimmer and Michael should have it down by next summer. I have posted a few pictures and a video from our last class of the summer

Bed Time

Everyday at about 6pm I start thinking...... is it 7pm yet? When is bedtime going to get here? As a stay at home mom, I'm usually very ready for the little ones to be tucked into bed because then mommy time begins. I'm usually in such a rush to get everyone fed and bathed, clean the kitchen, pick up toys, get pajamas on, read stories, and finish up the bedtime routines that my patience can become a little short. All in need is just 10 minutes of complete silence.... will it ever get here!!!! Then it s time to tuck my little ones in. Everything slows down, I take deep breath and I realize this may be the best part of the day, snuggling with my kids one last time before the drift into dreams. Here is what this part of my day looks like.....

GRACYN

Once the lights are out and she is all tucked in ( with her 500 stuffed animals) we either talk about her day tomorrow or we say our prayers. She wants to give regular kisses, eskimo kisses, and butterfly kisses too. Then we tell each other how much we love each other and I wish her lots of sweet dreams. Such a sweet heart!

MICHAEL

After his book we turn out the lights and I put him into his crib. Then he makes sure he has all his "things" and he has to tell me what they all are. Baba(his lamb), keykey(sock monkey), neyney (his horse), bankie (blanket), two(his other blanket), and a-fly(the butterfly musical thing) I tell him I love him and good night and then he repeats "a-night" and "ah-voo." Precious!