Happy 2nd Birthday Noley and Happy Easter...what a great combination of a day

The birthday boy woke up this morning and opened his presents. With plenty of help from big brother Jacob who kept asking, "I help you Nolan? I help you?"

To which Nolan replied every time, "Yep!". Putting a huge smile on Jacob's face.

The boys then noticed the bunny prints that the Easter bunny left all over the place and went looking for their very FULL baskets.

Connor didn't have Sunday School today because of Easter, and Jacob and Nolan both finally stayed down in the nursery to play. We actually made it through the whole mass without having to take one of them out of church or going to get them downstairs. Connor stayed up with us. He was so excited to be able to say the "Our Father" with us because he knows that prayer now. It was so cool seeing him hold his candle, singing, praying, kneeling, etc.... There is something incredible about watching your son be a part of mass and start participating. Maybe it sounds silly, but it felt great to me. He would constantly be watching me and listening to me to see what to do.

After church we went to my parents' house for dinner. Some of my relatives on my dad's side came over. We always have such a good time. I'm so fortunate to be able to still get together with both my mom and my dad's family (aunts, uncles, cousins, etc..). We had another egg hunt for the little kids, ate WAY too much food, and played cards. Happy Easter everyone! The ladies outsideBubbles!The card sharks At one point people were asking where Jacob was, we couldn't find him. We found him downstairs, by himself, sitting on the chair covered up with the blanket, playing Mario Cart. his look is like, "Duh mom. I'm fine all by myself. I'm just playing some Mario Cart."Full bellies

Now it's back to work.

Family pictures and Nolan's bday party

We had a very nice, lazy morning. Well, except for Matt having to go get some groceries because we were having Nolan's birthday supper tonight. He went shopping, while I started Nolan's cake. I wanted to get an early start on it, and I tried to take a few short cuts. I know better than this, and I'm mad at myself for even thinking about doing it. The cake was a flop and I ended up throwing it away. I called Matt at the grocery store and asked him to pick up two more cake mixes! I'm not sure why it's so important to me to make the boys' birthday cakes, but I love doing it. I also love seeing their expressions when they see the final product.

We had our church pictures around lunch time. I totally got suckered into buying a couple (they turned out really great, and with three little boys....that's quite a feat, but they are EXPENSIVE !) However, we asked mom to meet us at Kaplan's woods to take a few more for me to play around with "editing wise". We got there and I realized I grabbed my camera, but forgot that the battery was still at our house charging. Duh!!! Luckily, my parents live close by and mom got her camera to use. Thanks mom. I still have some work to do on them, but here are a few.

We got home and the boys took a nap while I started on cake number two!

Grandma and Grandpa, Natey, and Great Grandpa Skala and Uncle Steve all came over for supper. We had an Easter egg hunt, ate supper, opened presents, made s'mores by the fire, and the adults played cards in to the wee hours of the night. What a fun time! Here are a few of my favorites.

Before the egg hunt...on your mark, get set....go!

Looking for eggsConnor is into reading cards lately....The boys got goggles from Grandma and Grandpa for EasterThe birthday boy with his birthday plate Sitting in his new Einsteins rocket chair
With his cake
mmmmm...sneaking a few licks in.We love you Nolan! Getting kisses from Uncle Natey.

Nolan's last night as a ONE year old. Sweet dreams big boy.

Cleaning out the garage, sick, and egg plants

We had a busy day today.

We played outside almost all day while we cleaned out the garage and rearranged all the winter and spring/summer "stuff". We took everything out to the deck and patio. Connor was a huge help. I told him later tonight thank you for all of his help, I wouldn't have gotten it all done without him and he replied, "I would do anything for you mommy!". Laying it on a little thick don't you think? ;)

As I was hosing off the deck I see Connor pushing a wheel barrow of sand up and around the house. I asked him where he was going and he yells, "You'll see!" A couple of minutes later I hear the door bell ringing from the front door, I go and open it, and find this lovely package at my doorstep! If you can't tell, he wrote I Love U.

Nolan had his two year doctor's appointment today and I had to take all three boys. Everything with Nolan looked great. Poor guy had to get a shot and his finger poked though. Connor work up this morning not feeling well and sounded awful all day (I tried to keep him inside, but he wanted nothing to do with that), so while we were at the doctor's I asked her to listen to Connor. Ends up he has bronchitis and Nolan actually had an ear infection this whole time also, but was never fussy about it. We have all three boys on medicine right now.

We came home to an Easter card from Nana with McDonald's gift cards in it, and packages from Papa John and Yaya. We are spoiled. Thank you! Papa John and Yaya sent candy, bath toys, and these cool egg plants (not eggplants, but eggs with plants in them). Connor wanted to do them right away. Here are the steps we followed.

Put them on a plate and "gently" crack open the top.

Pour water into the egg.We'll keep you posted on their progress.

And the Easter weekend begins....

Mary had an egg hunt for the kids at daycare. The boys had a blast. Connor supposedly found the "golden egg" and won the big prize of another cool hot wheels car. Mary always goes above and beyond. Thank you Mary. I picked up very dirty boys because they got to actually play outside for most of the day, holding their own basket with eggs, candy, and prizes.

We went for a ride around the block and YEAH.....Jacob rode his big boy bike around for the first time. He wanted nothing to do with it for awhile and only wanted to ride "Nolan's bike" (the tricycle). He just recently got the hang of pedaling and now loves it. He was pretty proud of himself.

I thought this was funny and perfect example of the life of an almost two year old (For some reason I thought he looked cute this morning just sitting there watching cartoons, so I took this random picture - the next ones I couldn't resist because they were so funny).

This was my adorable, loving, sweet Noley this morning.....

This was my not so adorable, almost impossible, not happy Noley before bed.....

The horrible, terrible, rough life being two.

Thankful Thursday

My cousin, Sarah, sent this, Everything's amazing, Nobody's happy, to me awhile ago, and just recently Tonja had it on her blog. It's so funny, and so true. Why is it so hard to be happy for what we DO have?

I am thankful for the sun shining bright today.

I am thankful that just the boys and I (Matt was in the cities today for a meeting) had a great, easy, meltdown proof morning! Oh, how these make my mornings so much better!

I am thankful for the great "team" I have to work with all day.

I am thankful that we have off tomorrow, for a long Easter weekend.

I am thankful and sad at the same time that our "baby" is turning 2 on Easter Sunday.

I am thankful again for the healthy boys I have (even with their running noses, fevers, coughs, ear infections). We're lucky that's all it is. So many people are dealing with awful, scary things with their children right now. I couldn't even imagine. What strong people they are, with strong faiths.

I am thankful for my family and still being able to be around them and spend time with them. Too many deaths right now. I know it is God's will, but it is never easy to lose someone. No matter what. It's sad that the death of someone is what reminds people the importance of cherishing the moment.

I know my husband is really burnt out (not to mention has been sick this week) with work right now and having to help out at home, and try to be "happy" and "full of energy". I appreciate all you do Matt, I know it's not easy.

Chrism Mass

Tonight my church held the 2009 Chrism Mass for the Diocese of Winona. It was amazing being a part of it. I can't tell you how many times I got goosebumps and this feeling a pure "awe". Not to mention the music was beautiful. The church was packed, in fact the Bishop said it was the largest turnout he has ever been a part of. My guild helped out at the reception afterwards, and I couldn't believe the hundreds of people that were there (my mom had a huge part of putting the whole dinner, mass, and reception together as part of the liturgy committee). Nice job mom! The priest from every church in our diocese was there, not sure what that number is but I would guess around 80+. The Chrism mass is where the Bishop consecrates chrism and blesses the oils to make them holy. The chrism is used for the celebration of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders. The oil is used for anointing the catechumen and the sick. It was very cool seeing the big vases full of the oil and then seeing how it was distributed to each of the priests to take back to their parish.

After school today I picked the boys up from Mary's, dropped Nolan and Connor off at home with Matt, and took Jacob into Urgent Care. He was up at 3am this morning screaming that his ear hurt. He and I didn't really go back to sleep the rest of the morning. Poor guy. He was warm, but no temp so we took him to daycare. Mary called me during the day to ask if she could give him some Tylenol because his ear was really bothering him. The doctor cleaned out all of this "goopy stuff". She said it was really bad and his ear was draining. She put him on oral antibiotics and ear drop antibiotics. Ugh.....