pirates!

As part of Luke's 4th birthday present, his Uncle Neil and Aunt Ansev took him to Legoland. He had a great time and came back with lots of good stories and gifts!
Here he is trying out his pirate gear with his Nana.

One year old Brad

To our little cutie Brad,

(31 inches, 21 pounds)

You sure gave your daddy and me a run for our money your first year! In every way you could be different from your big brother you were, so all of our old tricks didn't work for you. Finally around 10 months old you became a good sleeper and you have continued to be a great sleeper after that point. You didn't want to take a bottle...ever, so you and me perservered with nursing until you could use a sippy cup (at 13 months). You did really well with taking on new foods and starting some solids, however you NEVER liked carrots and now (at 18 months) are a pretty finicky eater. You have inherited your Mommy's sweet tooth, another way you are so very different from Luke. You are the smiliest little boy too, and I love your one dimple! You are funny and sweet and most always a real joy to be around. We are so lucky to have you Brad, we didn't know what we were missing until you came into our lives. Luke loves his little brother and I can just see what fun you two will have together in the coming years. At one year old you weren't walking or standing yet so playing with Luke wasn't really something you could do but you have always been really interested in everything he is doing.

We all love you so much Brad!

The Party!

So it begins, joint birthday parties. Unfortunately with their birthdays being only 6 days apart, having one birthday party for both boys is an easy thing for us to do. Luckily, the boys are young enough I don't think they mind yet. We will probably try to keep things more separate as they get older. It was Brad's first birthday and we wanted to celebrate him but couldn't leave big brother Luke's 4th birthday uncelebrated (although he did get his own thing at Disney!). So we had a nice party for the both of them. Thanks to all our family and friends who celerated with us, you guys are why we are moving back to Florida!

Presents! Luke was in heaven.

Family and friends hanging out at my parent's house.

Luke and Sophia playing (carefully) around the pool, they are too cute.

Matt gets a big smile out of Brad.

Brad getting ready for presents

Opening presents

the cake!

Luke getting ready to blow out candles

Birthday boys

Brad thinking about whether he wants to dive in

he needed a little help

but once he had one bite he was into it!

icing everywhere!

Yea! Great birthday!

The guys and their sons

Josh and his friend Troy met in medical school and have been good friends since. Both Troy and his wife Dina and us have had two sons. We are looking forward to being back in Florida and spending more time with them!
Josh with Luke and Brad, and Troy with his sons Justin and Bradley

Pumpkin patch

Who doesn't want to read about pumpkin patches in May? Well life on the blog may not be up to date, but at least we are having fun! While in Florida in October we took the boys to the pumpkin patch at Josh's parents church. Grammy was doing story time for the bus loads of kids on field trips and Luke loved it! Of course we had to take some pictures of them with all the pumpkins. Luke made a fast friend and they chased each other around and around through the pumpkins! This year it'll be Brad chasing him now that Brad is walking like a champ!

Brad and Daddy

Brad

Luke

Trying to get one of Luke holding Brad, Brad wasn't really into it.

One of the better family pictures we've had!

Disney! Alternate title: The one where Luke smiles all day long and for pictures!

Josh and I wanted to take Luke to Disney World in Orlando for his birthday. Brad spent the day with his Papa so that we could get around the park a bit easier without a stroller. We will go back one day when Brad is a little older, and that will be much easier to do since we are moving back to Florida in a few weeks!

Josh and Luke at the entrance

Me and Luke at the entrance

watching a show being performed at Cinderella's castle, it looked like the whole Disney cast was a part of it.

It's a Small World Ride

Carousel

Teacups- Luke wasn't so sure about this one. Josh didn't want to ride it because he thought it might make him sick. I love this ride and wanted to spin and spin, but Luke didn't like the spinning and he was TERRIFIED of the mouse that keeps popping up and down in the center tea kettle!

Racecars. One of Luke's favorites of the day. He wanted me to ride with him, which worked out fine since both he and Josh wanted to drive :)

Taking a break to eat, the food was pretty good!

The other favorite of Luke's: BUZZ! Although he didn't want to get too close. He still asks me to this day if someone was wearing Buzz, was it the real Buzz, or was it a robot. The actual answer: it was a plastic statue that moved and talked, so I guess Robot is the best option.

We did a little gift shopping, Luke got a Goofy hat! I tried to get him Micky Mouse ears like I had as a child, but Josh had gotten a Goofy hat as a child and Luke sided with Daddy.

Trying to get a family shot on the windy boat ride back to the parking lot. It was 4:30, Luke lasted all day in great spirits with no nap. Definitely a success, we all had a great time. It truly was Luke's happiest place on earth. He got two pins when we bought our tickets, one that said "It is my birthday" and one that said "It is my first visit." Josh and I each got a pin that said "I'm celebrating."

30 minutes later as we were driving down I-4 back to my parents house.

What a great day, I look forward to weekend Disney trips in our future!!