Happy, happy birthday, Jackson, dear!

One of Jackson's favorite songs is the primary song, "You've had a birthday." He has been looking forward to his birthday all year! This year we decided to have a real birthday party with his cousins (minus Boston...we missed you!).

My birthday boys! So cute I could eat them up!

Jackson changed his mind 3 times as to what kind of Birthday cake he wanted his year. He wanted a tractor cake, a fire engine cake and a bike cake. So I decided to put them all together on one big cake! He loved it! 

The finished product!

We played pin-the-dog-on-the-firetruck. They all just loved it and caught on so quick. Bradley even took a turn putting the dog right on the firetruck.

Then they played "firehose." Which was essentially hitting the fire hat with "water rockets." Jackson was over the moon happy and such a joy to be around.

 This is him with his new birthday bike and helmet. He is so loving and cheerful. We just couldn't live without our little ray of sunshine!

Cars 2

John called me from work one day and said that the "Cars" cars were right outside his buidling. Jackson loves the show and I knew he would possible dies of absolute happiness if he could see the "Cars" character in real life. He was beyond excited and in awe that they were actually there. He was even more excited when they let you win free stuff...like a Cars 2 beach towel, gasp! 

Jacks and Mater...best friends! So cute!

Bradley, Jackson and McQueen. Brad wasn't as thrilled as Jackson.

Truth be told Jackson was a little disappointed that Mack wasn't there and was slightly annoyed that this "Mack" didn't have eyes. It's hard being 3!

All was made up when they let you play on this huge blow up spy training center,







...a really cool slide!

From Orphan-like....to just plain Handsome!

I tease my kids and say they look like orphans when they don't have their hair cut or combed. But really who would not take this cute little face for their own hair cut or not! Bradley was a very good boy for his first hair cut and didn't even wiggle free or cry too much. I was very impressed.

Before

I do cut all my boys hair! Crazy, but true.

HANDSOME!

What a looker. Boy he cleans up nice!



Daddy and Bradley at Gardener Village, what a hansome pair!

One year old and wiser too!

Happy Birthday to my sweet 1 year old!

Bradley is so quick and busy that it's hard to get a picture of him holding still. We really lucked out to have this sweet little person in our family.

 

Bradley loved his cake. I made a bug because we call him our "little bug" or "Bradley bug." It's fitting because he is always zipping around exploring everything! 

Before 

 After.

I had to cut him off, I was worried that he would get himself sick and actually eat the hold cake! I was impressed and he did not hesitate at diving in and helping himself. What a cutie!

Bradley's little birthday haul. Grandmas and Grandpas came as well as Aunt Mari and Lily, Aunt Lauren and Uncle Dave, Wes and Mas, and Nana.

Boy you are loved little bug!

Children's Museum

What a fun day! I got a great deal on a family pass for the Children's Museum. I was worried that it might be a little bit too grown up for Jackson and Bradley but I was wrong, they loved it. John had the week off for vacation so we mixed it up with a staycation and a camping trip. It was so fun to have him with us.

Jackson and Bradley were both equally interested in the water exhibit. Thank heavens for the water vest that Jackson wore, if only Bradley would fit in one.

 Jackson loved "riding the pony" he said he was a cowboy.

Bradley has turned into a little clown, he makes cute little faces and is a tornado in any room. He makes the cutest little bull I've ever seen.

And what little boy can resist a turn in a helicopter, John was especially excited to see the kids taking a "ride" in it. Brad thought he should be able to crawl around and check it out properly, but I had other ideas for him.

Fishing

John's co-worker, Brent, invited us to go fishing with their family at Millhollow Lake. It was a fun day filled with firsts for both of our boys. Jackson actually reeled in a couple fish and Bradley even got a chance to hold a fishing pole. As for me, well I kept with my record of 0 fish caught. (For some reason I catch absolutely no fish no matter what tricks we use, go figure!)

Brent and Holly's little family.

 The crew putting worms on their fishing poles.

Bradley and John, he was a trooper to stay in our arms almost the whole time.

This little boy is meant to fish, look at that cute little grin.

Jackson loved every moment of fishing, especially looking in the cooler and seeing what we caught. He even ate some of it for lunch back at the cabin. What a fun day!