cohen's 3rd birthday

saturday was cohen's third birthday.  we were able to celebrate with him both saturday and then today was his construction themed party. 

i volunteered to run big r with brody and cohen saturday evening to get the bobcat and dump truck for the cake...we only had about 10 minutes to run in and get the equipment before the store closed so there was no time for any meltdowns.

somehow we came out of the store with what we needed, PLUS a backhoe and mini excavator.  i tried to be strong and say no, but cohen came back with, but it's my birthday aunt jen. so i caved pretty quickly and out they both walked with their new toys.  who knew i was such a softie? (side note: michelle was a softie too on saturday...cohen didn't want to go down for his nap.  he told michelle she had beautiful hair and michelle let him stay up for awhile longer!)

we had a late night of cookie decorating, but they turned out pretty cute.

i do believe mr. cohen had a great birthday.  he definitely understood the concept of his birthday this year, which was fun to watch.

a gator ride later, it was time to wrap up the party.

happy birthday cohen!!  we love you!

more fort building

 riley has no fear and has to be in the middle of all the action...

 brody has to be just like his dad and wear his working pants, his working boots and his working hat.  he know completes the look with a tape measure in his pocket and a carpenter's pencil in his hat. 

when he is concentrating on his 'work', he gets his left arm a swinging...it was definitely swinging in this picture!  (check out the almost finished fort in the backgroud.)

to close, our happy boys riding 'the beast'!  riley insists on climbing up all by himself...if you put him on it, mr. independent himself will climb off and climb back up all by himself. 

the end

After 9 years, I resigned from FSA today.  I never in million years thought I would leave...mostly because I was not looking for a job.  I knew I couldn't find something comparable in benefits...or at least I thought so!  It's been a great career for me.  During my time with FSA so many life events took place, I was in a car accident, my mom had a stroke, I bought my first vehicle (which I still miss), got engaged, married, went on some awesome vacations, Katy got married, we lost our Granny, Michelle had Cohen, Katy had Eli, and I had Brody and Riley. 

Although my next adventure is going to be exciting, it was really sad to leave my people today.  I couldn't even give them a proper thank you and good-bye because I was so upset.  I know they read this random stuff I write from time to time.  So FSA & Tammy -thank you...for everything.   I couldn't have asked for better co-workers...ever!  I couldn't have asked for a more generous boss...ever!  Right now I feel like I'm on vaca, but soon it will sink in that I'm officially a front door guest to the building. 

Now, enough sappy, make me weepy stuff. 

I have left a verbal disclaimer in the office...they aren't allowed to curse me too loud when they find something that I didn't do right or they wonder why the heck I did something one way, when it could have been simplified another way.  I think I might submit that in writing too...just to be safe!

(i never realized how short i was compared to the rest of you until today.) 

And just so they laugh reading this...I opened my mouth one day when I shouldn't have.  It's came back to haunt me over the last couple weeks because I was fearful someone would really carry through with it...and that someone did. 

Yep, that's me in some chaps.  A story is attached to chaps, but you will just have to ask for that one in person!

wildlife prairie park

a couple of weekends ago, the whole family spent the day at wildlife prairie park. 

and a good time was had by all!

sharing

these four boys went through three cups of applesauce in no time. helped counteract all the chips they ate that night and a bonus...i got to eat my chips too!

what a pair.

Farm Progress Show 2011

I don't think we missed a tractor or combine or lawn mower at FPS.  Brody prefers the buddy seat and Cohen prefers the driver seat...couldn't have worked out better.  I think after a hot day with very little shade, that I prefer the a/c! 

Brody and Cohen would agree with me that GSI had the best freebie...snow cones!!