Life's a beach

Out with the old

In the last couple of days I have upgraded my awesome flip phone to a newer model which has a built in calendar.  I think I will indeed like the upgrade but I will definitely miss the laughs when I would tell people I "just need to get out my iPad" and pull out my purse size paper calendar.  Not to mention, I won't be winning any texting contests (which I could totally do with my flip phone).  Here's to getting with the times.  

Type A? Maybe not.

Although Jacob and Nathan have very different personalities, something I noticed recently was
Nathan's detailed attention to parking.  I don't know if he learned this by watching his big brother or if this is his natural tendency (you may remember this post).

After re-reading that post I had to chuckle because it was written about Jacob when he was the same age as Nathan is now.  Maybe lining up cars is just a two-year old thing.  Nathan counts to four (kind of), marches into Kids stuff at the Y and Sunday school likes he owns the place (no tears from this kid...except when he is mad and doesn't get his way), and we haven't even worked on colors.  Right now all Nathan cares about is flying airplanes around with his big brother and playing in the sandbox.

Our Nathan is quite laid back, okay with skipping or delaying naps, doesn't eat his vegetables, loves to snuggle, rarely sits still (except while snuggling), yells at the top of his lungs "MAMA!" or "DADA!" when he wakes, torments the cats, says a lot more than he did a month ago, has started dressing himself (kind of), and is quite the clown.  There's a lot to be said about birth order.  Or maybe, perhaps, parenting order.

Thank you iPhoto

After a short training session at the Apple store I have learned that there is hope for my pictures yet!  I was struggling with my decision to get a Mac (mainly because I felt like I didn't know how to use it to its full potential) and also with my high tech camera (because I truly do not know how to use that either) but after a short time with a Mac expert, I have discovered a way to edit, make slideshows, and enhance my mediocre pictures.  Hooray for technology!  Now, if only they had a trainer for parenting and cooking.

One more example...I can remove the pole coming out of Scott's head!

Nathan turns 2!

On June 7th the sun came out for Nathan's party and we enjoyed our family, friends, a lot good food and cake in honor of Nater's big 0-2.  I'm happy to report there were no big melt downs by the two year old or his mom.  And there was enough sugar to compromise our immune systems so Nathan and I (along with Mike and Lydia) could enjoy a cold this week.  Now that's an awesome party.  Not to mention the week of smoothies and ice cream (for breakfast) in honor of removing Jacob's tonsils.

We enjoyed seeing Mari (Doug and Lin's exchange student) before she went back to finish off her school year in Brazil.  She loves the Sinclair / Ringer / Barntsen boys and girl and we look forward to seeing her again in the near future!

Something in the yard

It's not everyday you get an excavator in your front yard and a bobcat in your backyard.  It proved to be a good distraction for Jacob post tonsillectomy.

We've got some *a-hem* minor landscaping projects in the works.  If you can dream it, you can achieve it, right?

Hastings locals

Pancakes and a piñata

Although Lydia didn't take a whack at the piñata, she and Mom tried out the bounce house.

Jacob's valiant effort.

Discussing balloon strategy.

Blow pop and a balloon.

Birthday girl Mari and Mom, Dawnmarie.

Emily and newest baby Hannah in background, Mandy (far left) and Krista.

On Saturday morning we attended Mari's pancakes and pajamas themed birthday party.  Pancakes with whipped cream, marshmallows, gummy bears, chocolate chips, peanut butter candies and syrup (Jacob chose everything except whipped cream), a bounce house, a piñata filled with treats, balloons, and friends...what a fun start to the weekend!

Pictures courtesy of Dawnmarie.