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Friday, November 28, 2014

Jovie's FIRST Birthday!

I can't believe it's been a whole year!  I know what you're thinking. Oh, here goes.  Another sappy, emotional post.  

Nope.  

Not this time.  

When Mitchell turned one, I bawled my eyes out.  When Mitchell turned TWO, again, I bawled my eyes out.  You know why?  Because I honestly loved him so much at those ages that I thought that was the best it'd ever get!  Then, three was just as fun...and four..and...well, you get the point.

So, yes, Jovie's birthday is a tad bittersweet since she's our grand finale, but I can't wait to see what this next year brings :)





I should also warn you that there is nothing Pinterest worthy on this post. It's taken me a long time to let that go and to realize that pinterest worthy things don't help my kiddos enjoy their birthdays more.  I'm in no way judging those that create elaborate celebrations, it's just not my thing.  Believe me, I have enough "things". :)

Instead, we spoil them with quality time on their birthdays.  

An entire day devoted only to them.  

Jacob takes the day off of work and we plan a day full of their favorite things.  It is stress free and so much fun for the whole family :)

So we started the day off with pancakes...a "J" for Jovie and a "1"..well...again, you get it.

Jacob poured them and then Mitchell watched closely for bubbles and then flipped them.  He is a pancake master :)  They aren't the prettiest things in the world, but you know what?  Jovie loved them, and Mitchell was so proud to serve his pancakes to his baby sister.




My mom bought the little Jov-ster her very own ridiculously frilly, ADORABLE first birthday outfit.  It immediately turned her into a party animal.

The boys taught her to make a #1 with her fingers and she did it over and over again on command. so cute! :)


After we got Mitchell off to school, the first stop was the Children's Museum in downtown St. Paul. We have an annual membership.  The kids love it :)  Everything is interactive. So much to do, and see, and touch!  Kelli (my sister), Grant and Greta met us there too.  Cousin time is so fun!






One of the boys' favorites is the self face-painting station.  





Maverick's tribal face :)





Little Jovie Jo really enjoyed her morning at museum, but then it was time to head home for a nap.


After we picked up Mitchell from school, we headed to Chuck E Cheese for game time and pizza!







The little kids LOVED the mini-carosel.  Jovie bounced and bounced to her little heart's content.






The finale of Jovie's celebration day was sharing cake and ice cream with Grandma, Aunt Kelli (my sister), Uncle Mark, Grant and Greta.


Macallan picked out Jovie's cake. He was so proud.




She made fast work of digging into her humongous slice!




Soon though, she found a more efficient way to enjoy her cake.

This move was a big crowd pleaser.







(If you look closely, you'll see a piece of cake flying off of her left hand) :)

An amazing day for an amazing girl.

Happy Birthday, Jovie Jo.  We love you to the moon and back! :)

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Live Free or Die!

Live free or Die is the state motto for New Hampshire, which is where we travel each year over the 4th of July to spend time with Jacob's family!


Each year I try to get a picture of all of the grandkids, and for the first year Allie isn't the only girl!  Each year the group grows in size, in number and in spirit :)



We have lots of indoor and outdoor fun!  Below is a picture of Mitchell snuggling with Grammy.


They are lucky enough to have a cottage, a cabin and also the house to house us all!  
We've gotten the cabin the last few years and this is the beautiful view out the window.




Aunt Katy and Uncle Jordan snuggling with Macallan.

They live right on Lake Pleasant in New Hampshire and Grandpa bought a boat this year!




They also got the kids a paddle boat this year!  It got LOTS of mileage over the long weekend! :)

Uncle Colby helped Jovie take a nap on the boat one afternoon.  She LOVED Colby...we nicknamed him the Jovie Whisperer :)




 Meet the two newest members of the Folks family - Bella and Lucy.



 "I didn't do it"

"Being a puppy is so tiring!"

Our favorite evening activity is to gather around the fire pit for smores, sparklers, drinks and laughs :)




All American boys do sparklers in their skivvies.
.


With everyone outside, the inside is finally quiet ;)




Teenagers can text and roast marshmellows at the same time :)

Skyler's marshmellow delight!





 The boys can often be found down gaming in Connor's room.

We always look forward to celebrating Deana's 4th of July birthday, as well as all of the other summer babes!




"Wash my hands, Mom."





We look forward to the annual Lobster/Crab dinner all year!!!! :)  I think it's impossible to make a trip back East and not eat seafood!



Allie graduated High School this year, so we made her a College "Cash"erole. :)

 Jacob and I made a little vacation within our vacation and took the kids up into the White Mountains in New Hampshire for a night.  We all had a blast at Story Land Amusement park!












It was a great trip and we're already looking forward to next year's!