ok... who skipped ahead in my life?? I can't be 30... can I?

yep.  30.  Not sure when it happened but it's been a wild ride I've learned so much, met an amazing man, started a family, bought a house and made and lost countless friends. 

 Here's to the next 30 years, and whatever it may bring.

the big 4!!

Yep, my little boy is 4, I can't believe it.  I bet you thought I'd never post about it.  Blogger has been so slow I keep loosing my patience.  I have better things to do then stand at this computer. 

So as our birthday's often do Aiden's Birthday celebration started the weekend before with a visit from Grammie!

and a dinosaur ice cream cake!

opening Grammie's gifts

Then on his birthday eve (after he went to bed) I decorated for the big day!

His crown, a birth picture of my little peanut at about 5 pounds! gifts from mama and a pin to wear all day.

I got Aiden a balloon and left it outside his door with his wallet tied to it.  Here he is just after he woke up, he was cold and a little confused I think!~

Opening his activity book from Grandma and Grandpa Gustafson

a snack of red beagles before we went to town to have our traditional breakfast out, then to his friend Elia's house for some play time, Costco for lunch and some samples, and finally to the pet store, just for fun! All the things Aiden wanted to do!

The erupting volcano dinosaur cake.

Aiden helped decide where the dinosaurs (felt mama made ones) would be on the cake

blowing out the candles!!

The next day Nonna came down and we met at the Lane County Fair for some MORE birthday fun!!

Lot's of Rides for this little boy who's now tall enough for a lot of the rides!

On Friday we headed down to Uncle Ryan's for his birthday party.  No party he said just let's go to Uncle Ryan's.  So we did.  Like I need convincing to go to the beach on a beautiful weekend!!

Natalie picking up rocks to throw in the bay.

We had a great weekend playing at Uncle Ryan's, building fairy houses, mowing the law...

Having fires, and roasting marshmallows

Jumping off things... Lots of Jumping!

Here he is on the last day, with his wings out in front of the big fairy house we  built.  It's really for the Root Children he told me.  Next time we have to work on their back door.  So that was our wonderful birthday week.  I think he had a great time, he got lots of fun stuff... a generator lantern, a remote control car, a new case tractor to go with Uncle Ryan's old implements, a bell and a horn for his bike, art supplies, an art cupboard, a wallet, new underwear (aww mom.. what fun is that??) and some money that he put in his piggy bank.  We hope you all had a good week, and I hope to catch up with another post tomorrow of our trip to Fire Camp to see the Helicopters.... there is also a blackberry jam post... yeah...I'm behind!

Our little girl turns 1!!

Before we get into the BIG girl celebration, here's Loren signing papers on another house.  Third times a charm, right?  Yes he's in the house.  Want to see more?  here's a "tour"....

Now back to the celebration, the banner has been hung, and Natalie's 1 banner made

We put the kids to bed the night before then put out Natalie's kitchen

along with the birthday crown I made her and a picture of her and Daddy

She slept in and was a little out of it. She also got a kitty ballon (that's what she's looking at) and Aiden got a cars one for being a good brother for the last year

can you tell she's pleased?

Opening her leather chair, with a little help from Aiden

It wouldn't rotate, but look how cute she is

Playing plumber at the kitchen.

Hanging out with Nonnie, who came down for the night just to celebrate with her little Natalie

and SUPRIZE!  Uncle Ryan and Shanda even stopped by.  Ryan was looking for a new truck, and he found one and named it Natalie since he got it on Nat's birthday.

it was a beautiful day, mid 70's, just like the day she was born

We took mom out to see the new house, and LOOK, a sale pending sign!!  The whole family, even the dog.

well, there we are in front of the house

on our way back we stopped and investigated Fern Ridge wildlife area, all we saw was a killdeer in the parking lot, but it was still really nice

the boys

Natalie's birthday cobbler, made with berries gathered durring her first year!

I think she liked it.  I also made homemade vanilla custard ice cream.

Can you believe she's one?  We can't what a wonderful year it's been.  I love you little Nat-bug!  Happy Birthday dear daughter of mine.

Here the kids are painting together.  In their super cute aprons that Aunt Brooke made.

Weekend at Uncle Ryan's, for a late birthday celebration

We went to Ryan's house to celebrate his birthday and on our way stopped at Cape Perpetua... I think we have been trying to get up here since Mom's  birthday in October.

The kids seemed to like it but we had planned to eat lunch at the rock house...

Aiden just wanted to go to Uncle Ryan's... so we made a quick loop, Natalie nursed and we headed on up the coast

Aiden wasn't even going to get out of the car until we got his bike out

My little man is growing up so fast

Of course there were presents to help open

and boxes to play in

and what kind of birthday celebration would it be without cake (I made a goofy cake with my friend Maren's white sauce buttercream frosting. It was GOOD)

Not nearly enough candles but oh-well.

We also set a goal to get Ryan's hallway painted.  This is no regular hallway, it must be some 40 feet long, often refered to as the green mile because it just keeps going and going. So on Sunday we got started painting.  Ryan didn't want to get paint in his eyes so he put on these very stylish glasses...

everyone wanted to wear them they were just so cool

See he's pointing at himself because he's such a trend setter

Mom was also looking mighty sharp in her fishing hat, how glorious to be behind the camera so there are no pictrues of me painting in my PJ's

The kids playing in the front yard

Natalie smelling (eating?) the flowers

I love a babies look of concentration

Playing together

Standing!

Look how happy she is with herself

Such a big girl, she'll be walking in no time!

On monday before we left (and put a second coat on the hallway) we walked Ryan's property to see where his acre lay.  It was a great weekend and it's nice to know there is only 2 more rooms and countless closets to paint.  um.. yeah... painting... I'll have to remind him of all the hours we have spent painting when the white walls of the new house start to get to me.