a wild 7

Jaedon turned 7 on the 17th. The kid was so excited that he went to bed way late and then was up at 6am! The one thing that he said he wanted was a CuddleUppet, an alligator. You would think it would be some kind of awesome toy or something that would be at the top of his list, but no, a blanket that is a puppet. We love the kid though.

This is him opening the paper with the picture of the cuddleuppet. I will explain later in 3rd picture.

 He wanted a jungle/safari birthday party and cake. One day while walking through Target, love that store, there were these (woman's) hats on sale and one that looked just like a safari hat. I walked over there and Jaedon wanted it so bad. So it soon switched from wanting the cuddleuppet to really wanting the hat.

So here he is decked out in his safari gear.

 Onto the cuddleuppet story. About a week and a half away from his birthday he told us that the one thing he really wanted was a cuddleuppet. So the next day we got online and ordered it right away. Well, each day passed and I thought I would get an email, but nothing. So finally the night before his birthday I emailed them and asked what was going on. Never heard anything back. So then on his birthday I called, and was kind of feeling bumbed for him that he didn't have the one thing he really wanted, but I guess he did have his hat. :) So when I called they looked things up and said that it should be in the mail today. So I had Jaedon run to the mailbox, and he came running back with a package. He was SO excited that it came, and I was happy that it happened on his birthday.

 Birthday boy with his Jungle cake

 Some of the friends at the party getting ready to sing Happy Birthday

 I love it when they open presents because all the kids circle around and get in as close as they can get. They are just as excited for the presents as the birthday kid is.

It turned out to be a great day, and I can't believe that Jaedon is all ready 7! He is such a good kid and brother and son. He loves to please everyone and is very helpful when I have my hands full.

Happy birthday buddy, we love you!

Mount Rushmore

We took a trip up to Mount Rushmore for the 4th of July. We thought that maybe we weren't going to be able to go because Jon had an OB patient that was due around that time. But luckily she delivered that Sunday before. We were also hoping that they would have a good firework show, but since it had been so dry they were not doing fireworks this year. Also, since it was a holiday the hotels were a little expensive and so we decided to camp. The campground had a shower and a pool, so it wasn't bad at all. We couldn't have fires as well, since it was so dry, but wouldn't you know it, the second night there it rained NON-STOP! And our tent leaked a little. But the kids had a blast.

Here are some of our activities:

Rapid City is close by and some of our friends live there right now, but they were out of town while we were there, BUT they did let us know of some fun spots. One being this playground called Storybook Island. It is run by the Rotary Club. It was a kids paradise.

 We then hit up one of the many caves there. This is the way Jack started out.

 And then ended up this way so he wouldn't get his head bonked through the narrow walk ways.

 And finally we just ended up holding him

 Then onto Mount Rushmore. It was a very beautiful place. I had my doubts of the beauty of South Dakota, but the Black Hills were quite pretty.

 Then Jaedon and I went and rode an alpine slide. We both thoroughly enjoyed it.

 Then in the town of Keystone, there is a train that you can ride and the kids just kept begging to go. It was a little expensive, but you were on the train for an hour there and then an hour back. It was fun, and a good break from walking.

 On the way out there about 400 miles out, there were all ready signs for Mount Rushmore and areas surrounding. But one sign that you kept seeing was for a place called Wall Drug. Apparently it became famous because back in the day he advertised for a free glass of cold water. So we decided to drop in and see what it was all about. It was a fun little town with lots of tourist shops.

  Not sure what the dinosaur was for, but it was entertaining or scary for the kids.

 We went and got a malt in the old little Soda Shop as well.

 Other than the drive being so long, it wasn't actually that bad, it was a very good vacation and I would recommend it to anyone.

Sof is 3

This little girl is 3!

 She woke up to balloons covering her floor

 And then opened presents. When I came down she may have guessed what this present was, because she grabbed it and started rocking it and singing 'rock-a-bye baby'.

 What is this?

 GUM!!!

 They are all fascinated by the baby because when you put the binky/bottle in the babies mouth it starts sucking and opens and closes its eyes while making baby noises.

 One happy birthday girl

 and all ready digging into her gum. :D (And Jack may have found some wrapping paper.)

 Lucky for me, when I asked Sofia if she wanted a cake or cupcakes she chose cupcakes with pink frosting. Easy enough.

YAY!

  Delicious!