Visitors

The last week has involved a ton of visitors to the Muir household.  My dad came for a week to hang out with us.  The boys really enjoyed his visit and I appreciated all his help.  He helped me put in the garden and babysat two days while I worked.  Then Friday night Laura and Mitch showed up for the weekend.  Nate always has a blast with them and there are many funny sayings that come out of them all hanging out.  Saturday was the big day.  We had a birthday party for Nate and Uncles Matt and Monty came to visit and brought their lady friends Erin and Stephanie.  We spent a lot of time playing outside and opening presents.  Nate was not disappointed with all his gifts.  Here's some pictures of the week:

Rodeo Day!

Today was Rodeo Day at Nate's preschool, so Hudson and I headed up there this morning to check it out.  Nate got to dress up in Western gear and had a blast:

Notice he had to borrow his Dad's belt buckle

Horseshoe toss

Barrel racing

Roping steer

Hud was a good spectator

Bean bag toss

It all ended with a horse ride

My Little Man!

     Somebody turns 4 today!  I can't believe it's been 4 years!  A lot has happened in that time, but it wouldn't have been as interesting or fun without my Nater.  He's such a little grown up.  He helps me around the house, doing laundry with me, working in the gardens and flower beds, and helping pick up his toys.  He loves his baby brother, even though Hudson drives him mad sometimes.  He loves school and more often than not I get called Miss Cindy during the day.  His teacher says he is extremely smart, which he uses against us sometimes.  He has a memory like an elephant, and definitely lets you know when you're doing something the wrong way.  Lately he has been a little trying, he pouts when he doesn't get his way and tears come to the surface readily.  We love him to bits and can't imagine how boring our life would be without him, or how much more sleep we would get.
     We're not doing a whole lot on his actual birthday this year, but he did get to celebrate at school on Monday with zebra cupcakes.  This morning we had birthday pancakes, and later today his dad will be coming home from work in a helicopter and he'll get to sit in it and play with all the buttons.  We're having a party in a week and a half when my dad and sister are here, so the real fun will be then.  All in all he's a lucky boy

These cupcakes were a lot of work, so I had to put in a picture!

Best Birthday Gift

This morning I got the best birthday gift a girl could ask for.  Nate woke up before Hudson this morning, and while he was eating his breakfast I was watching my DVRd episode of "Smash" from last night (I love that show).  Hudson woke up and walked out to where I was sitting on the couch.  He climbed up next to me, pulled his pacifier out, and gave me a smooch, then popped his pacifier back in and snuggled down next to me.  Melt my heart!

For Denyse

One of the projects TJ and I have been working on lately is part of a pew from the church I grew up in, in Wisconsin.  A few years ago (or more), the church remodeled and sold all of the old pews to make money.  My parents bought one and chopped it up into pieces and I got one.  We sanded the pew down and put a coat of poly on the oak.  I left the legs the same color the pew used to be and I love it!

The boys are really enjoying it too!

Just a Cold January Day

The boys are playing outside today while TJ and I work on projects outside and around the house.  As you can see, it's just freezing outside:

Yes, that is a big tub of water they are playing in!

Christmas gifts!!

Every year for Christmas I have to come up with a list of things that TJ can pick from for gifts.  I don't really enjoy the process, and I have a hard time coming up with a list big enough so I at least get a little surprise with what he picks out.  This year he asked me what I want and there was only one thing on the list: I want bedroom furniture.  I had been looking on Pinterest and found this bedside table I liked and a headboard I liked.  I printed out the plans and gave them to TJ and today I got the first "delivery" of furniture-one bedside table:

When I get the chance I'm going to get some baskets for the bottom shelf, but if I do say so myself, it's beautiful!