Layne's Birthday

Layne had an awesome 4th Birthday!! He opened his presents from us right away in the morning. He got a rocket launcher and a book. After opening gifts he chose to donuts for breakfast, so Matt and Layne went to the local donut shop and got donuts. We played for a while before going to meet my parents for lunch.  Layne wanted to go to one of his favorite places, Burger King. After we got done eating we came home and he got to open his presents from Grandma and Papa. He got a bulldozer and a steamroller, a Remote Control Gravedigger (his favorite!), and some pool toys.

In the afternoon, Matt's parents came over as well as a few of Layne's friends and we had a small pool party. The kid's had a blast and were all worn out by the time everyone went home.

Layne's Construction Birthday Cake

Opening Presents!!

Excited about getting a rocket launcher!!

More Presents

Layne and his RC Gravedigger. He was so excited!!



Layne and his friends trying out the rocket launcher!!

Matt put the pvc carwash sprinklers in the pool. The kids had a blast!!

All of the Kids in the pool having a blast!!

Dear Layne ( A Happy Birthday From Mommy and Daddy)

Dear Layne,

   I can't believe that today you turn 4! I can still remember like it was yesterday waking up in the morning and finding out my water had just broken. Your Daddy and I were so excited that the day had finally come that we were going to meet you!! After 9.5 hours of labor, we got to meet you!! I was devasted that you, my sweetie, were having such a rough start to your beautiful life. My emotions were all over the place but I knew you were getting the best care from the nurses and doctors. During your short time in the NICU, we barely left your side. There was no way I was going to go home without you!! We were overjoyed that you only had to spend 5 days in the NICU!! Since bringing you home, 4 years ago, you have been the biggest blessing of our lives!!
 

Layne and Mommy in the NICU

Our Little Family

    You are such a special part of our family and I just can't remember what life was like before you were born. I have enjoyed watching you grow and learn new things. Watching you grow from such a little baby to a very strongwilled, independant 4 year old has been the biggest joy of our lives. You spread laughter and happiness wherever you go with your great personality that you have. I can't wait to see what this next year will have instore for you!! You are such a blessing to our family and you are loved so much by so many people!!

Mommy and Daddy love you so much, Layne!! We hope that you have an amazing birthday with many many more in the future!!  We love you!!

4th of July Lake Fun

It is a tradition in Matt's family that everyone comes to the lake each year for a get together on my MIL's side of the family. We spent four days at the lake relaxing and having fun in the water!! Layne loved getting to play with all of his 2nd cousins.

Layne and one of his cousins driving his gator around the yard.

Layne and Daddy enjoying the lake. Sadly Layne lasted about 10 minutes like this and then proceeded to scream in the water for about 15 minutes.  Daddy decided to take Layne out of the boat and hold him. Layne thought Daddy was going to feed him to the "sharks" Oh the joys of an over dramatic 3 year old!

Jetsking, Tubing, and Swimming. Such a Fun way to spend the 4th!!

Layne driving his pedal excavator. He loves this thing!!

4th of July Parade

We had a great 4th of July this year!! Our 4th of July Celebration lasted 4 days this year!!

To Start out the festivities, we went to the parade in our little town. This is a big deal in our town. They have a bunch of activities every year on the 4th. We just went to the parade though. Layne loved watching the parade!! His favorite part was the Land o Lakes truck that was handing out ice cream!! Layne also got to see lots of old tractors in the parade. It was a hot morning to watch the parade as it was almost 90 degrees out at 10:30 in the morning!! I'm thankful that the parade wasn't in the afternoon or I don't think we would have gone!! After the parade, we went over to my parents house and had lunch before heading off to Lake Kampeska for more celebrating.

Layne, Grandma, Papa, and Matt waiting for the parade to start. Layne didn't sit down much during the parade, he was to busy looking around at all the stuff!!

Eating his ice cream that he got!!

Layne and Papa waiting for more floats to come by!!

At the Carwash

What happens when you find old pvc pipe laying in the grass at the back of your property and a handyman for a husband who likes to build stuff?? Your child gets a carwash sprinkler!!

Matt constructed this using pvc pipe and fittings. He poked holes in the pipe and then rigged up a hose. Now Layne has his very own carwash to wash all his toys in. And boy does he love it!!

Washing his wagon in the carwash!

Catching drops of water on his tongue. Silly boy!!

(I'm slightly jealous that I didn't have one of these when I was little!)

Need a Tow?

Layne has a new obsession. He LOVES to tow things around with his trike. If I let him, he would tow anything he could get his hands on! He loves using Daddy's bungy cords as tow ropes so he can pull his stuff around the driveway.

Towing his wagon filled with toys and his bike hooked on the back. That was quite the setup he had going on!!

Posing for a quick picture.

I just love watching him play. He has such a good imagination. Some of the things he comes up with just amazes me. He is so stinkin' funny!! I love my little tow man!!

Memorial Day Weekend 2012

We had a nice relaxing Memorial Day weekend. We left for the lake on Friday night after Matt got off work. The lake is only about an hour and a half away from us so it's not a very long drive at all. Sadly the weather was not the nicest while we were up there. It was cold, rainy, and windy most of the time. We did a little shopping while we were there at our favorite farm store ( Runnings), went on a boat ride, and to the races. My highlights for the weekend is that I got to take a nap and I started reading Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Killer!!

Daddy showing Layne how the gator's box lifts up so he can dump things out of it.

Tater swimming in the cold lake water.

Retrieving his dummy.

Layne driving his gator.

Layne taking the race very seriously.

Swimming Fun

This weekend we are spending the weekend up at Lake Kampeska in Watertown at the inlaws cabin. In preparation for some (hopefully) nice weather, I thought I would share some pool pictures.

                                                                  More "Cowboy Noodle"

Layne loves swimming in the pool. Last week we went swimming every evening!! So much fun!

"I'm going to get you, Daddy!" Layne and Matt were having a water fight with each other.  So cute!!

Have a great holiday weekend!!

My Birthday

I had a great Birthday!! It was very relaxing which is exactly what I wanted!! Layne and I did a little shopping in the morning. Then we spent the afternoon in the pool because it was so hot outside!! For dinner, we went out to eat at with my parents at one of my favorite restaurants, Braccos. They have the most amazing nachos there. So Yummy!!!

                                                    

  Mommy and Layne in the car!!

                                                      Layne on his "cowboy noodle"

My parents spoiled me this year with presents. I could not believe it!! I got a cute centerpiece for our coffee table, Twilight Breaking Dawn Part 1 on DVD, and a gift card to AMaVo!! I can't wait to do a little shopping today!!

Backpack Obsession

Layne has an obsession with backpacks. It all started a couple weeks ago when two of his friend at daycare started going to preschool. He wants to go with them so bad. But for many reasons we decided to not send him to preschool this year. Everyday when the kids go to preschool, Layne helps walk them out to the bus. He has to have his backpack on just like they do and he almost always tries to climb on the bus. His backpack is almost always filled with toys. I think It is just too cute that he loves carrying around his backpack.

Posing for a picture with his backpack. ( This day he told daddy that he had to bring his shotgun with him incase he had to shoot any geese.lol He is such a nut!)

Cheese!

Trip to Omaha Zoo

This past weekend Layne and I took a little day trip with my parents to the Omaha Zoo. Layne just loves zoos and was so excited to go!! His favorite animals at the Omaha Zoo were the gorillas, seals, and the tigers. We spent almost the whole day walking around the zoo and seeing all the animals. We had such a blast!! Thank you Grandma and Papa for taking us!!

Layne looking at the tigers. Most of them were sleeping but one was actually awake and moving around!

Trying to find the gorilla. Layne loves these bubble window things that they have in the gorilla area.

One of the parrots they had at the Zoo. Almost looks are our parrot Morgan.

A family of Bongos. The baby was born on Aug 19th...Layne loved watching the baby.