Nathan is 4!

Last month Nathan turned 4.  I somhow thought he would just always be my toddler.  I don't know why I felt that way, but I realized recently that I did.  He's not a toddler anymore.  He's getting tall and has lost his baby chub for sure.

Nathan is a contented child unless his brother is picking on him or he's tired.  He is very quick to flash a smile and has a great sense of humor. 

Nathan is the one in our family that makes Callie laugh the quickest.  Those two have an interesting relationship and I think they will continue to grow closer.

Nathan is Isaiah's younger brother.  I don't know how else to discribe their relationship.  They often fight, but just as often they play great together.  He likes to do, wear and eat whatever Isaiah is doing, wearing or eating.  Sometimes this is received well and other times not so well. :)

Nathan can often be heard saying "When I grow up I want to do ___ with my Daddy!"

Nathan is full of hugs and kisses.  It's hard not to just squeeze him sometimes.  He just seems to call out for it.

Nathan, you bring much love and laughter to our family.  We love you!

We had just returned home from Thunder Bay 2 days before Nate's birthday.  We scheduled the party for later that week, but we couldn't pass up an oppurtunity to celebrate right on the day as well.  Nuggets, fries, brownies and smoothies.  I'm sure there were some vegetables too, but I can't remember them. :(

Enjoying his new Lego set.

The party cake.  Not a great picture I realize.  It's upposed to be  a pool or a beach.  We couldn't really decide so it's a bit of both.  It's decorated with cool whip, candy (used to make lawn chairs, beach towels, inner tubes, surf boards) and teddy grams.  He seemed to like it and it was a lot easier than decorating with frosting.

Waiting for gifts I think

Uncle Hans, Aunt Angela and cousin Natalie bought Nate a fish.  He was very impressed and loved it!  Sadly it died within 24 hours.  I'm wondering if someone might have fed him a little cake when no one was watching.  These kind of things seem to happen sometimes when Nate is around. :)

Happy Birthday Nathan!

More...

After I hire someone to clean and do our laundry maybe I'll also hire someone to blog for me.  I feel I can't blog unless it is all posted in order.  So I'll blame the long silences on being way behind.  In order to get back on track I am going to finish posted about Thunder Bay TODAY!  

More food on the back porch

One of the wonderful things about Thunder Bay are all their amazing parks.  And the fact that you get some sweatshirt weather in August!

The Big Slide.  The trick to this slide is sitting on wax paper.   It's a blast.

This is what happens when you sit on wax paper,  and put wax paper under your feet.  All while holding onto your daughter.  

I recently read a book on insecurity.  I post this picture to prove to myself that I am secure enough to show this to the world.  Something like that.

A favorite picture from the trip

I think they are soldiers.  or something 

3 Generations.  2 of us are happy to be part of this family.  The other one just wants to pick the flowers.

Blueberries and That's all.

My mom's blueberry pictures turned out much better than this, but this is what was on my camera so I'll just use these.  

Picking blueberries...a first

Eating lunch after the big pick.  

Isaiah was a great blueberry picker

Cleaning the berries.  

Another favorite

Out of Order

The next few posts are about our time in Thunder Bay.  I guess I should have posted them backwards.  Oh well.  If you are a really organized, must have everything right type person you might want to start at the bottom and work your way up.  But then that would drive an organized person crazy wouldn't it?

Hmm.  First thought, why am I still awake?  Second thought, why, please tell me, am I blogging?

Thunder Bay -Boat Ride

The evening we spent in the boat was a highlight for sure.  The boys were in their glory.  Callie just sat there.  When we were finished I asked her if she wanted to go for another ride.  She very seriously  shook her head NO! I think deep down inside she really did enjoy her self.

I always relive my childhood when I ride in a boat.  Some know what I'm talking about.  I won't bore the rest of you.  It's just something that's hard to forget. Sometimes I wish I could go back for just a few minutes. 

I think we took this picture to show my grandma...

This may be my favorite picture from the whole trip.  They were soaked!

Stone face

Later in the trip my dad took Isaiah and Nathan fishing.  There are no pictures of this event, but from what we've heard it was an adventure!  Sadly, the only fish that was caught was some poor tiny thing.  They boys were disappointed to not have caught a fish, but they'll be back!

Thunder Bay -Marina

A favorite spot to visit when we are in Thunder Bay is the Marina park. Sadly, half of it is being redone and is torn up. Why do thing have to change?  Am I getting old?

Anyway, here are some pictures from our evening at the marina.  Love this place.

"Muscles"

Thunder Bay 2011

Last month we enjoyed a trip to Thunder Bay.  Well, enjoy probably isn't the word for the actual driving part of the trip, but we sure did enjoy our time at Mom and Dad's.  (actually the trip went well. however 20 hours in a car is just a long time. even for adults)

Since I am so far behind on blogging I'll, once again, just post pictures.  They say the most anyway. :)

Tea time with Grandma

We ate a lot of snacks and on the back porch

Even picked raspberries (in their PJ's)

Mom's flower beds were amazing this year. 

We visited their wonderful Dollar Store and came home with some tresures. Maybe we should have looked for a tool belt.  Mom picked up these shorts for Nate somwhere before we got there  I think they'll fit him great next year.  He didn't seem to care that they were a little too big.

Dad playing pitch and catch with the boys.  Remember those beautiful flowers? I know for certain a few of them didn't look as nice when we left as they did when we arrived.  It may or may not have something to do with this game of ball.  (sorry mom!)

The boys rode and rode and rode these bikes