April 10th, Colton turns 2!

I feel SO blessed.  So many people showered love on Colton on his birthday--the day was absolutely PERFECT!  I loved watching his smile throughout the day.  He doesn't get to pick things very often, so it was pretty fun to see him be the center of attention!  His big sister was also AWESOME, and thrilled and excited for him constantly, letting him do everything and keeping an awesome attitude the whole day.  I am so proud of her. 

Grandma and Grandpa T sent a super cute birthday video to Colton of them singing him the Tommerdahl happy birthday song, which I will share in this video...






Colton was ecstatic that Grandma Kirkwood came to spend the day with us!

We did all sorts of Colton things :). 

1) We started the day with muffins, Bible reading, and books.

 

2) After Grandma came, we headed to Zeigler in Bloomington to look at/climb all the big equipment!

3) Then to Burnsville Mall to play in their kiddie car area.

  
4) Colton picked Culver's "cheeseburger, applesauce, and icecream" for lunch.

5) After naps, we had a 4pm appointment with the Apple Valley Fire Department to look at their trucks (We have such a friendly, nice fire department!)

6) Then we played at the "fire truck" park, sandbox, and had dinner.

7) After dinner we opened presents.  My Grandparents and Aunt and Uncle sent birthday packages with such thoughtful gifts for our little boy!  Thank you to them!

8) We read his new Pixar car and Thomas the Train books before bath and bedtime.

Here is a short video full of clips from the day, including his birthday wake-up :)...

This time two years ago...

Each year leading up to the kids' birthdays I always like to reminisce about the year they were born!  Two years ago today at this time I was just finishing my two afternoon tutoring students and preparing to head to the doctor with Summer for my 40 week appointment.  Within a few short hours, I would be on the phone cancelling the rest of my tutoring students for the evening, chatting with both sets of grandparents about what was coming next, and counting contractions.  While I tried to to get SOME sleep that night, it sure was tricky!  Heading to the hospital the next morning, things went quickly....

Colton was VERY ready to come, and I was very ready to meet him!

Seeing this little handsome dude was love at first sight!

Colton made our little family grow to 4!

And now, Colton, it is crazy to think you are only a few hours away from being TWO!  What a wonderful two years it has been.  You have grown so much!  I love hearing how you think as you start to ask "why" questions.  I love our little conversations when its just us two.  I love your energy and constant love for driving anything with (or without!) wheels and throwing anything that is (or is not!) a ball.  You keep me on my toes with loving to get a reaction out of your sister with your crazy antics -you love to tackle her even though she doesn't always appreciate the gesture!  You love your Pixar car boots (that look more like moon boots) and are so excited that you can put them on all by yourself. You carry around your Pixar Car board book almost like it is a teddy bear--it goes everywhere with you.  You also get very excited whenever you see Thomas the Train on anything!  You adore your big sister and will do (or try to do) anything she does.  Your favorite foods are peanut butter and jelly, cheeseburgers, macaroni and cheese, fruit snacks, and cupcakes.  You have a unique way of eating cupcakes--you don't take a bite--you stuff as much as will fit into your mouth, and then keep stuffing.  It is rather amusing watching you eat one!  You are very excited for your birthday, and this is what you think of your birthday (in this video)...



I love you more than you will ever know my little Colton buddy, and I pray that as you grow this next year, you would love God more each day and continue to grow in your understanding of him and his love for you.  This is the prayer I pray for you each day: I pray that you would develop a strong conscience and desire to be obedient from the inside out.  I pray for godly friends and teachers, and someday a spouse.  I pray for physical and spiritual protection as you grow, and for godly strength and purity.  I pray that you would grow into the man God would have you to be, bringing glory to his name and others into his kingdom.  I thank the Lord for giving you to me!  I love you!!!

First Picnic of 2014!

We had our first picnic and park date of 2014 today (thanks to Joy for planning it!), and tho it was still chilly and windy, it made us all VERY excited for the spring and summer to come.   So thankful for friends!

Thanks to LaDonna for capturing the crew!  Noelle, Summer, Faith, Colton, Baby Tenley (stroller), Baby Lilah (stroller), Brody, Addison, Adry, Rylan. 

A few of the kiddos...Colton, Summer, Faith, Noelle, Adry, Rylan, Lilah.

Thanks for planning, Joy!  I'm so excited for this spring/summer and for many more lunch and park playdates!