Geoffrey turns 3!!!

Our special boy celebrated his third birthday early last week, on December 2nd!  As is tradition in this family, a birthday is a BIG reason to celebrate, and we don't let it go unnoticed; in fact, birthdays tend to spread over several days, between the actual day and a birthday party later on, to celebrate with friends.

Geoffrey's birthday landed on a weekday morning, making it pretty busy.  But we started things off right, as he came downstairs to find his special birthday button, a decorated house and his birthday balloon!  We also let him open his present from his sister, because neither of them could wait! ;)

This was truly the only thing the boy wanted for his birthday: a monster truck.  We really didn't need to bother with any other gifts!  (But we did, anyway.)

We went about our morning, getting ready for work and school.  I didn't bring my camera to school (because why would I??), but when we arrived to Maddie's classroom, Geoffrey showed her teacher his birthday button and new monster truck, and she became very excited.  She gave Geoffrey a birthday sticker and a birthday crown, complete with his name printed on it (which he proceeded to wear for the remainder of the day). To top it off, although the school bell had rung, she brought Geoffrey up to the front of the class, along with Maddie, and the whole class broke into singing, "Happy Birthday!"  He was IN HEAVEN.  It was so precious!!

We enjoyed a birthday lunch with Daddy, and later that afternoon, Geoffrey was gifted a Target gift card for his birthday, so we did a little shopping.  What a lucky duck!  He chose a super cool car speedway - big hit.

After dinner, brought birthday cake and a few more presents.  Best. Day. Ever. :)

Look at that baby face!!  He looked like this all day, whenever anyone in person, or over the phone, was singing to him.  It was pretty cute.

That monster truck has not left his side, day or night!

The birthday king, fully indulging.

This is the only picture of him opening his gifts, that isn't too blurry.  He was just having way too much fun!

The following weekend, we hosted a small party for Geoffrey to celebrate his birthday with good friends.  We used the clubhouse to our apartment complex, which was a great space for such an occasion!  The theme??  "Planes and Dusty."  He's had this in mind for months.  I was really pleased with how it all came together quite easily!  Take a peak!

I made a "runway" on the floor for a plane-flying contest we had as a party game.  It was great fun!

Geoffrey was taking a nap while Maddie and I set up the party decorations.  She was really excited to escort him into the party room, covering his eyes the whole way until this moment....

He was pretty stoked. ;)  He was proudly wearing his new Dusty shirt (the main character and theme for our party), and tightly holding his new "Blade Ranger" (character from the movie) in one hand, and his monster truck in the other hand. 

Yeah.  He was happy!

Let's get this party started!!

We were lucky to have our friend take over in the picture-taking department, which made it easy for me to focus on the party.  Here are a few more highlights!

Sweet Anya, all dolled-up.

Getting the planes ready for flight!

No, I wasn't joking.  He loves this monster truck.

Geoffrey's plane just took off!

Me and my buddy.

Our friend, Hannah, partaking in some good plane-flying fun.  She's a good sport. ;)

Proud big sister, loving the chance to have a party - for any reason!

That's one happy party guest!  Amelie, our kids' pseudo little sister.

Maddie, Geoffrey - who isn't sure he wants to be held by his sister - and Caleb!

A fun game of stick the logo on Dusty's nose!

Oh, boy! Another birthday cake!   

And it has DUSTY flying overhead!! (If you're ever in need of a Dusty figurine, we can hook.you.up.  We acquired quite a few versions over this boy's birthday! :) 

Loving the birthday song!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GEOFFREY PATRICK!!!

You are our sweet, sensitive, silly, caring, tender-hearted, curious little boy, and we are so blessed that you are in our family.  It is an awesome responsibility to be your parents, and your big sister!  We love you, buddy!!

Halloween festivities 2014

There is not much to write about in regards to Halloween -- I realize everyone reading this knows what the holiday is, and what it entails.  So rather than bore you with nonsense that you already know, I'm going to let the pictures do a majority of the storytelling for this post. :)

Our Halloween kicked off a few days early, with a festival we attended at church.  There were carnival games, bounce houses, dinner, and trick-or-treating (where each child walked away with over 60 pieces of candy!!).  It was a lot of fun and very, very busy.  Needless to say, I only snagged one photo.  I present to you:  a "fairy-ballerina-princess-teddy bear" and "Jake, the Neverland Pirate."

The next morning, Geoffrey and I were invited to Maddie's classroom for a special "Pajama and Pancake Party," giving Geoffrey the chance to try Kindergarten on for size.  Let me just say, the boy cannot WAIT to get into Kindergarten!

Geoffrey has a big, big, big crush on Maddie's teacher, Ms. Echevarria.  We've been told the feelings might be mutual. ;)

I snicker at this photo and wonder if Geoffrey must be thinking, "Gee whiz, Mom.  You're sort of cramping my style, here!"

Maddie really liked having her brother at school for the morning.

Halloween arrived on Friday, which also happened to be a no-school day for Maddie.  We started our day off by carving pumpkins (read: I carved pumpkins, while children supervised and played in the same room).

Not bad, right?

We dressed in costume to visit Daddy's office...  the kids' wore the same costumes, and added to my "mother-of-two-blonde-kids" get-up, and Brant's "human cannon ball" gear.  It was fun to visit the office full of other costumed individuals; the kids loved it because they scored more candy!

That afternoon, the kids and I ventured into Old Town La Verne, for some trick-or-treating around the businesses.  (I'm well aware they did not need anymore candy by this point...but isn't that the point of young childhood on Halloween??)

Both kids thought this was pretty cool. 

We also bumped into our friends, while we were out and about.  

Daddy came home shortly after we returned, and we just turned right back around and went out for the "official trick-or-treating" scene...and yes, Geoffrey began to lose some steam in the whole production.

The human cannonball wore his red cape on the drive home.  I guess he was given several nods of approval from fellow drivers.

Little cuties.

When Maddie arrived at this house, she wasn't sure how to proceed.  In fact, she was star-struck, completely in awe that Anna and Hans (from Frozen) were right here.  (Sort of makes me wonder what she'll be like when we make it back to Disneyland!)  Anna was bold and asked Maddie if she would like to get her picture taken with them.  You didn't have to ask her twice!!

We had a lot of fun this year!  Last year, of course, we did not have this holiday, and the year before, Geoffrey was 11 months old.  So, in a way, this was his first real experience with trick-or-treating and Halloween.  The verdict?  He loves it.  We came home from trick-or-treating, ordered a pizza and watched a movie, just as it began to rain (for the first time in months).  A great way to end a fun-filled holiday!

Our main man celebrates his 33rd year!

Brant had another birthday last week!  33!!  Amazing.  What is more amazing to me, is that I have spent 15 birthdays with him...I mean, that's quite a few.  We've done all kinds of fun, different, traditional, unique and crazy things for his special day each year, and this year, we didn't miss a beat in making our main man feel LOVED.

While Maddie was in school, Geoffrey and I picked up a birthday balloon and birthday cookies to bring to Brant's work for a surprise.  This is what we were greeted with.

Looks like they already made sure he was surprised at work today! ;)

Geoffrey thought it was all GREAT fun!

And while Geoffrey took a nap, Maddie and I made Daddy's birthday cake.  She was a big helper, and had been talking about doing this with me all week.

She chose three different colors of sprinkles to decorate his cake with.  I'm shocked she didn't use pink!  I guess she really understood this cake was not for her. ;)

Proud decorator.

A lot of birthdays together.

We invited our family-away-from-home friends, the Palpant's, over for birthday dinner.  It's always a fun, and crazy time, getting our two families together.  The only way it should be. :)

Almost all of us, missing baby Evie and myself.  LOVE this crew to pieces. 

Hooray!!  It's Daddy's Birthday!!!

Yep.  They are definitely related.  My loves.  (Not to mention, a cake with a LOT of candles on it).

Sweet capture.

And my final attempt to get into a picture before the night ended! 

We were also blessed to be able to go out on a birthday date a few nights later, which was such a treat.  Brant's birthday was, yet again, a roaring success.  Happy 33rd Birthday, my love!!!  This is going to be the BEST YEAR YET!!!!