The Next Two

Birthdays two and three this week are up next.

Monday, November 11th......

1 week/2 years

Can you even believe this little boy is TWO??! I just reread the post detailing his birth. I laughed and cried. Never would I have imagined life would be so different two years later. I love his happy, busy self and am so grateful for the bright spot he is in my life. He's talking more and more and it's the sweetest/funniest thing. The other day I drove over a speed bump a little wild and in a split second he said, 'Whoa mommy!'. We all cracked up!

On his birthday I had an appointment during his nap. My friend was teasing me about all of our family's birthdays in one week and asked if we get sick of cake. Um, yes! I confessed, we usually end up throwing it away. I also mentioned I might buy Owen's cake this year. I never buy grocery store cakes but I was going to make an exception this year. He covets a tiny cake with Lightening McQueen on it every time we walk through the bakery at Yoke's. It was such a casual conversation I had no idea she would grab on to what I mentioned and then act on it.

About a half an hour after she left, she knocked on my door with the cake! Owen was so happy and truthfully so was I. He even slept with the car for a few days. We're grooming him to work at Pixar one day, he's their biggest fan!

I guess I didn't take very many pictures of him on his birthday. I do remember he celebrated without pants on. I decided, it was his party and he could go pants-less if he wanted too, ha. He loved opening presents, chowed down on his cake, learned how to say, 'I'm two' and fell fast asleep at bedtime. He's a popular member of our family. Everyone loves Owen!

Thursday, November 14th......

3 months/13 years

I have to say it again. Can you even believe this girl is a teenager?? I can't either! Honestly, I think she might be the happiest teenager ever. Of course she has her moments but they are small in comparison to stories I hear. She's a gem and I love being her mom (9 1/2 years now).

The main item on her birthday list and one she repeated over and over was a BYU jacket. When I pushed her to be more specific she knew exactly what she wanted. A navy hoodie that had the cougar on it. I didn't show her the jacket before her birthday but once Nathan opened his (he asked for one too) she knew hers was coming. One of the things I love about Kathryn is that she is happy with whatever she is given. No fits because she didn't get what she wanted or had a different expectation in her mind. She is genuinely happy to be thought of on her day.

Look how cute....they like each other! Kat also mixed it up this year and asked for coconut cream pie for her birthday treat instead of cake. The recipe makes two pies so she knew exactly what she was doing because the three youngest in the family wont even try it. This morning she had pie for breakfast, more tonight before bed and I bet she eats it again tomorrow morning. Smart girl.

It has been a busy first half of November around here. We've had a crazy conference schedule I wont bore you with, Nathan's ordination, my school work and a friend party for Nathan (soooo glad this only happens every four years!). Add in life in general with five kids and it's been non stop. This year I realized celebrating  three birthdays in a week is exhausting, emotional, fun, busy, loud and most importantly...worth it. They love being recognized and loved on their special day. I also realized we have one more birthday this year and then we're out of business until next September. Both good and important thoughts.