More 2010 Birthday Pics...

Party time!

Sam kisses the rapping "It's your birthday" dog.

Jack shows how a 4-year-old rides a bike.

And here's Sam showing how a 2-year-old rolls.

This super-sized card played, "Celebrate good times, Come on!" which Jack insisted was "Celebration time, chilla!" When I corrected him, he shook his head and said, "No, Mom, that's Spanish."

2010 Birthday Pics

Cupcake-faced Karate chop!

Dueling blows!

Birthday (pan)cake!

A new ball!

Cupcake? Get in my belly!

Happy Birthday, Sammy!

By the time you turned two:

1. You loved choo-choos, pointing out carwashes, eggs, your brother Jack,and anything blue.
2. In the morning, you would greet Dad by saying, "Hey, Dad" in a low, monotone voice that sounded more like an adult man's. I think it cracked us up so much because it was so different from your brother's greeting.
3. I would give you "seat treats" as an incentive to get into your carseat all by yourself. You started calling all candy "seat treats," which confused a lot of kids and adults around you.
4. You gave your pacifier a name, Boppy, which scared the crap out of your parents who were trying to figure out a way to get rid of the pacifier. Now that it has a name...well, needless to say, you still suck on that darned thing at bedtime.
5. Loved all men. I'm not sure why, but you bonded so quickly with them--strangers, family, friends--it didn't matter. I am, however, sure that you suspected most women were going to snatch you out of my arms.
6. were the most polite child ever. You learned to say "thank you" and "excuse me" at 18 months and used them appropriately without prompting.
7. knew exactly where the pharmacy was at every Target store, and began asking for a sucker when we were within a 3-aisle radius.
8. basically potty-trained yourself. People were amazed that such a little guy was trained so young, and I tried to give you all the credit because you really deserved it. Now you are a pottying expert!
9. You would go along with almost any scheme Jack dreamed up, and Jack loved you for it. You were Robin to his Batman, Mini-me to his Dr. Evil. When you got out of line, he middle-named you, but you always kept your cool.
10. Were a bright spot in our day, with your sweet smile and faux-hawk hairdo you marched to the beat of your own drum. We love you, our little Sam-Sam! Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday Jack!

The Birthday Boy

By your 4th birthday, you:

1. Loved the movie Toy Story, so much so that when you were in a sassy mood you quoted a line from it saying, "Mom, 'you're a sad, strange little man.'" I did not appreciate that, and I made you return the movie that afternoon.
2. Requested that Dad tell you a "story about Jerry" almost nightly. Daddy made up Jerry, a little boy that he talks to at work. Then, at bedtime he would tell you all about Jerry's crazy adventures. You loved it.
3. Sang "You've got a friend in me" with gusto. It made me smile.
4. Prayed at top volume at mealtime, no matter if we were at home at the dining room table, outside on a picnic blanket, or in a restaurant. You rarely remembered to thank God for the food, but you rarely forgot to ask God's blessing for someone you knew who was hurting.
5. Made elaborate plans out of the blue that sounded like so much fun. "Mom, after nap, let's go to the beach!" "Mom, last morning, when we went to the Airzoo in Michigan? That was fun. Let's do that today." "In the morning, let's go camping with Daddy. How 'bout that?"
6. Used phrases like "last morning"--which pretty much stood for any time in the past, "my city"--a place where everything exciting happened, "that's repossible," and "when I grow up to be a big girl..."
7. Learned memory verses that started with the letters of the alphabet. When you'd get to "C," you'd say, "Children, obey his parents in the Lord for this is right," and you'd point to your rear end when you'd recite "F," "For the wages of sin is death, BUTT the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
8. Listened to a lively, upbeat Disney Christmas CD your dad made for you during the Christmas season every night at bedtime. It was 90 degrees this past Tuesday, but you were in the Christmas spirit.
9. Are everyone's friend. More than one of your friends spoke your name as their first word. You are empathetic, compassionate, mischievious, and playful. As your dad would say, you're "kind of a big deal."
10. Rock as a big brother. You are inclusive, fun, helpful, and loving. Just the other day, I watched as you helped Sam up each level of the play area at Chik-fil-A. You grabbed his legs around his knees and hiked him up three different times until he reached the top and could play with you.

Dad & Mom love you very much, big man! Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday, Aunt Stacey!

We love your new nosering, you wild woman, you! Just don't go tattoo-ing that cute little boy of yours;) Hope you had a great birthday!

Nice to meet you, Cousin Isaac! AKA Party Weekend

Bear with me, the events of this weekend will appear in reverse order. Be assured, however, that all three--yes three!--parties that we packed in will be covered. We love a good party!

Jaida's eyes were sensitive to the bright lighting at the church...or she's just this cool!

Jack & Averi test out the couch at Isaac's post-dedication lunch. Yup, definitely jump-worthy!

Traci and I get some snuggle time with the star of the show at Party #3.

Sam and Lucas were unable to both be happy and play at the same time. Even so, neither wanted to stop playing, so I guess, in a way, they were happy?!?

Isaac's dedication. He did so well! When the pastor picked him up, he woke up and just looked around, so curious about everyone looking back at him.

Sam and Lucas play with the 50,000 balloons!

All the grandkids (minus Jordan & Jake). What a hand--er, couch-full!

Party on! (party #2)

Nice to see you, Cuz! Lucas gets a big hug from Jack at Averi's, Jack's, and Sam's birthday parties hosted by Uncle Randy, Aunt Stacey, and baby Isaac. They went all out with a three-theme party--Princesses for Averi, Diego for Jack, and Thomas the Train for Sam! Talk about customization...three cakes, three sets of decorations, three sets of puffed-out cheeks ready to blow out those candles!

Uncle Randy makes the introductions. (Party #1)

Finally! The boys and I got to meet the newest member of the Goetz family, Isaac. Randy's and Stacey's little boy is a good-looking guy with big, curious eyes and a cool little personality. We had so much fun celebrating Isaac and his parents at his sip-n-see and his dedication, we packed in a whole lot of partying in one weekend. He probably thinks he was born into a family who knows how to have some fun! Personally, I think he'd be right;)

Happy Birthday, Papa W!

Have a happy, happy birthday! Thanks for the ride:)

What's Cooking?

I finally replaced my toaster oven (it was long overdue), and before I could get the old one out to the garage, the boys confiscated it. Before long they were "cooking" cans of mushrooms and tomato paste with some Goldfish crackers sprinkled around them. Yumm!

My Future's so Bright...

Sam found Rick's sunglasses while he was playing in the car. Here he is leaning out the back window of the Tahoe showing me his "new" shades.

Pants on the Ground

Sam and I took a break from one of our many stay-at-home-while-we're-potty-training activities (this one happened to be Play-Doh) to pose for some pics photo-booth style. Since he didn't have any pants on, we kept the photos above the belt:) Of course, now that I think about that...when has that ever stopped me from taking pictures?