Self!

Kolton has distinctly entered the "self" months.  Everything you try to help him with he adamantly says, "self!" So when he asked me to read My First Alphabet book for the 1,000th time before 8:00 am, I responded, "self!" and he listened :)

Ekco's birthday

For Ekco's birthday we through her a surprise party, went to Xiana's dance recital, went to Epic, the movie, and went to Olive Garden with Grandma and Grandpa.  It was a wonderful day!  Ekco got an origami owl necklace which she has been pining after for a while.  It's hard to believe she's 12!  She is officially in young women and long since officially a teenager :) We are proud of all the great choices she's made and know that she will continue to do so! 

Bday party!

We had our family party on Kolton's actual birthday where he was ridiculously spoiled by his uncles and aunts and grandparents.  He got real metal tools, the car he so desired, a motorcycle, a chair, a computer,  and... his favorite, a baseball and bat.  He was so excited when Brian got it out and immediately asked, "hit it ball?" Brian pitched it to him and on his first pitch, Kolton drilled it!  It was priceless.  I guess it's in his blood!

Birthdays always get me walking down memory lane.  It's hard to believe they happen so very fast.  I'm going to do a Kolton alphabet... after all, we wouldn't want him to be jealous of his big sister :)

Adventurer

Busy Busy Busy!! (and buddy)

Crazy

Doesn't like anyone to help him with anything

Eager 

Funny

Gives the best smooches, especially when he's in a teasing mood

Happy

Independent

Jumps really well and high for a two-year-old

Kolton James Andersen

Loves his family

Makes my days brighter

Never wants to come inside

Older than his age

Perfect exactly how he is

Quirky

Reader... nonstop... all. day. long.

Smiles and says hello to everyone (social)

Two! (and trusting and trickster and tries to be just like his daddy)

Understands EVERYTHING

Very strong willed

Weighs 24 lbs

Xiana's best brother

Yearns for candy morning, noon, and night

Zany (he loves to make silly faces which are hysterical and loves nothing more than making other's laugh at his zany antics)

Kolton, Happy Birthday!  I love you so very much and simply cannot imagine this life without you.  You hung the moon, little man, you simply hung the moon!  xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

Early water fun

We decided to get a head start on summer and bust out sprinklers and Popsicle before May arrived!  That might be a first.  It's been a hot year already so far so it's never too early to call in for water reinforcements!

For Kolton's birthday bash we had a get together at Kate's and did a little double celebration.  It's hard to believe that two years ago we were dodging the giant rain drops as this year, the weather was perfect! The kids played on the water slides and Kolton embraced his inner dare devil on the toddler roller coaster.  He also drove the little car around relentlessly while barefoot.  We didn't discover until leaving that all ten of his little toes were bloody.  He didn't even complain about them, but he screamed bloody murder about leaving that little car behind.  Kate generously gave it to us and he opened it for his birthday the following day.He is all boy through and through.

In other news, Xiana can hula hoop... like really really well!  I found out when I picked her up from school one afternoon.  I decided that any girl who could hula hoop that well deserved her own.  I grabbed one from Walmart before she returned home for the day.

Women's Conference

I had the most fortunate opportunity to go to Women's Conference with my sisters and mom.  It was spectacular!  It was spiritually uplifting, entertaining, fun, and, best of all, kid free!  Brian took one for the team and kept the kids for an entire 5 days!  We went to two days of conference, out to dinner and out for pedicures, went swimming at my cousin's house, and then Cami took me to one of my life dreams, Les Miserables...(not the movie:).  It truly was an amazing experience.  I came back feeling rejuvenated, uplifted, and loving my family.  I missed the kids so much that it only took me a day or two before I felt like I needed another break :) Just kidding... it really was just what the doctor ordered.  The speakers were funny, intelligent, and the musicians talented.  One of the performers got a standing ovation and all were delightful.  I am so grateful I got to experience this and hope to make it a tradition!