Colby's 2nd Birthday

Somebody turned 2!!

In celebration of Colby's 2nd birthday, I decided to give him his heart's desire - a basketball cake.  He didn't exactly ask for it in words (although he could - it was one of his very first words ((I kid you not - balliball)), but it is his very favorite pastime.  So I knew he would be thrilled.  And then I autographed (or forged really) his name on the basketball.  With his number (2 of course).  I thought I was ingenious. Which I was;)

But then Colby wouldn't even smile at his basketball cake.  I couldn't believe it!  This was as good as it got.  Before the party started that is.  It got a little better down the road.

Here's Colby opening his presents.  Helpful sisters by his side.

He didn't get anything really fantastic.  He is the 4th child after all and gets all his hand me down's from Jace.  He's pretty set as it is.  

Here Colby is starting to warm up.  A little bit.  He's at least pretending to look at the camera...

Then we added the candles!  That was exciting!

Here's the whole crew.  I decided I'd better start getting out from behind the cameara every once in a while so posterity knows I existed.  Which means Darren is missing.  Oh well.

And look.  A real, happy smile!!  And cute too.

Brooklyn decided to help out with a little tickle of her own.  

Colby is sizing up the flame situation.  He knows he has to blow.

Blow Colby, blow!  

He ended up have lots of help.  Including a big spit from Jace.  That's in the video we took.  Well, what can you expect?

I was just thrilled that he LOVED his cake.  Because I didn't know what to expect about that.  You never know from Mr. Colby.  He has what we call a picky palate.

Some things about Colby at age 2:

-he loves basketball and is quite amazing at shooting (on his little tikes)

-even loves to watch basketball

-he is loud

-he loves to wrestle and give neck hugs

-he ends up in bed with us nearly every night (none of our other kids did this!)

-he is a super picky eater - and I'm blaming it all on the Robbin's (and I think I'm justified)

-he loves all fruit

--will not eat most meat (every once in awhile will eat popcorn chicken or chicken nuggets)

-climbs everything and gets into trouble with most of his climbing - the candy cupboard is a favorite

-still takes a 2 hour nap (sometimes longer) but then is up until 9:30 or 10 at night

-cries at the end of every Sacrament Meeting (as soon as the prayer is said) knowing he's going to nursery

-is a mama's boy and is always asking where I am

-hates getting his hair washed but loves a bath

Happy Birthday Colby!

Merry Christmas 2013!

Merry Christmas!!

This was what my kids walked out to on Christmas morning!  Santa presents and stockings.  I snuck out first so that I could capture the scene before there there was no scene.  If you know what I mean.

Here are all the stockings.  Filled to the brim with things like rubber duckies and battery operated toothbrushes!

We make our kids wait until everyone in the family is awake before they get to go out and see presents.  And we also tell them its no bueno if they are awake before 6:30.  Go back to sleep.  On this particular Christmas Jace decided to sleep in.  I finally caved in and woke him up right before 7:30. So here are the other kids trying to stay busy and keep their minds off of the gold mine that awaits them.  Darren is the big lump by Brooklyn:)  You really wouldn't even know he was there!

For this picture I made them walk backwards until they got to the living room and then say cheese.  Aren't I awful?  The kids were going crazy!  Everyone except Jace that is.  And he's still just trying to figure what's going on.

Alright, let's be honest.  Jace has major problems keeping his eyes open for pictures.  Especially if its sunny, or windy, or if it's dark and I'm using a flash.  Or basically anytime.  Unless he has a hand to shield his eyes.  Then he's fine.

Colby couldn't be happier with the girl's new scooter!

Jace got a cool Spiderman fishing pole and Spiderman toothbrush.  Again with the eyes.  

The girls ended up with an MP3 player and Colby was nice enough to get off the scooter so we could take a picture.

Colby got tired of presents and disappeared to find a banana.

Jace got new cool blue cowboy boots which he picked out himself on a special outing with Uncle Philip.  Unfortunately, he doesn't believe these were the same ones he found (they were the exact ones he tried on) and they didn't feel so good.  So after trying to convince him to wear his new boots and getting nowhere, I finally took them back.  It's hard to beat the broken-in pair he already owns.

And we switched tradition up this year and decided to head to the bowling alley for Christmas afternoon.  My brother bought the bowling alley last year so we have special connections to get in on a holiday!

The kids love bowling but love the video games!

Jessica, Colby, Travis and my dad

My mom with Pippa and Grandma Lu

And finally Darren bowling.  Obviously I didn't quite get pictures of everybody but you get the idea!  What a great way to spend Christmas afternoon!  We had a blast!

Merry Christmas!