Blake is 2!

Happy birthday Mr. Blake! Not a baby anymore, but a full fledged boy - full throttle, full speed ahead, passionate and brave little man. For example:

I run upstairs for a minute & hear a beeping noise....I come down to find this.

Blake is quite the character. I think he may end up being a funny guy like his dad. He is very strong (his little skinny legs are rock hard muscle) and coordinated. I'm amazed at what he can do (easily scales ladders, hangs, sprints, jumps...I have to be on my toes to keep up with him at park). He loves his Mama, and still has a hard time when we separate. He only wants me to put him to bed and roars in this super deep voice, "NO MAMA!" if Gabe tries to bring him to bed. After getting ready for bed and just before I put him to bed he lays his head on my shoulder and I rock him for a while. He is so peaceful and cuddly before I set him in his crib. If I don't do it, he asks me "rock?" He adores his sister, and asks for "Da-dow" first thing every morning.

Blake is so amazingly special and we are so very lucky to have him in our lives.

Now onto the party....Gabe left for his 5 day annual trader's meeting on Friday, so he had to miss Blake's birthday. Again, boo for work things over the weekend! On the bright side, my parent's came down for the weekend to help with the kids.

Gabe made pancakes for the kids before he left. The kids go crazy for Daddy's pancakes!

Campbell got all dolled up and put on a show for Nana & Papa when they arrived. She looks so grown up in this picture.

Campbell & I working on decorating Blake's Diego bike present. My free hand Diego drawing actually turned out! Campbell spent a lot of time adding more color and shapes to it over the weekend.

When does the party start?

Diego cake made only with ingredients Blake can have.  I was nervous because Gabe is the one who is the artistic one, but it actually turned out pretty good, if I do say so myself! Gabe & I practiced the hair before he left, so I think that helped. And a big thank you to Deb who did a ba-zillion dishes while I was playing Cake Boss.

Pre-party family picture. We missed Daddy!

Campbell is crazy for her Nana.

Blake got his own large pizza. He ate over 1/3 of it at the party and then polished it off over the next 2 days.

Birthday boy enjoying his pizza.

Birthday boy at the Egg Hunt. It ended up being a nice sunny day to be outside. I was a bit nervous when it had just snowed a couple days ago.

Baby M's whooping it up at his first birthday party.

Birthday boy taking whacks at the pinata.

Campbell taking a turn. Can you see her eyes closed and her tongue sticking out?

We let the little kids go twice and then the big kids got their turn. Cousin Luke took one smack and there goes Diego's head. Do you see it flying?

Now Diego cake has a body!

Blake did great blowing out his candles by himself. There was quite a bit of spit flying, which may have helped.

Blake with his buddy M, enjoying their cake.

Birthday boy still enjoying his cake long after the other kids had gone off to play.

So happy that Uncle Garet & Cousins Luke & Caleb happened to be in town so they could come to the party. Campbell still talks about how Luke hit the head off of Diego, she thinks it's hilarious.

Saying good-bye to Papa & Nana. A huge thank you for all the help with the kids and party preparation. I didn't even have any clean up after the party.