My Jonah is 4 years old.

We celebrated Jonah's 4th birthday last week.  He's been asking about his birthday for months and each time we'd venture to the store and there happened to be toys, he'd ask for something and I'd have to tell him "Maybe for your birthday!".  Magic words.

Jon and I decided to get Jonah a bigger bike this year because he's been riding a little tiny one we borrowed from Jon's brother and he's outgrown it.  We picked it up the night before Jonah's birthday and Jon put it together while I decorated the kitchen with balloons.  Jon was so excited to be building Jonah's first bike for him.

The next morning we wheeled his new bike out during breakfast and his reaction was classic:

Then he got to ride it when he got home from school that morning.  It is taller than his old bike so he has to learn to hold it up and balance it which makes him nervous.  He did great!


That night we went to Pirate Island with Jon's family to celebrate and Jonah was so excited!  I don't think I've ever seen him so excited about something before.  The kids had a great time playing games and I had a great time sitting and watching and eating pizza!

We celebrated with cake and ice cream on Sunday with Jon's family.  I asked Jonah what kind of cake he wanted and for a while it was a "bowling cake" but I was able to convince him to have something a little more age appropriate (all the bowling cakes I saw pictures of online also said, "Happy 80th!").  Jonah decided on a Knuckles cake (Sonic and Knuckles).  After a few minutes of free-hand drawing the cake, I worried I'd be frosting over the whole thing with blue frosting instead. 

Happy Birthday, Jonah Boy! We love you!

Happy Birthday, Daddy!

Yesterday was Jon's birthday.  It was hard to make it special since it was Sunday and most of our day was spent in church and preparing food for dinner.  I took Jon out on Saturday, instead, for lunch and then a relaxing couple's pedicure!  Obviously this was something I planned without Jon's knowledge and I knew he'd be worried about it if I told him what we were doing so I kept it a secret until we got there.  He ended up enjoying it and found it relaxing, just as I told him it would be.  Really it's just a glorified foot massage, right?

I made his favorite cake for dessert last night and was very pleased with the result. I've graduated from cake from a box and frosting from a container.  I made the most amazing chocolate cake from Barefoot Contessa and added some homemade coconut and pecan frosting.  I made it into 4 layers so that I could add a couple layers of dark chocolate frosting to the inside, which really made the cake even more moist and delicious.

The kids sang to Jon last night before bed and it was the most precious and special thing to hear.  I think that topped any birthday present we could have gotten him.  They certainly love their daddy.


Chocolate Cake (To Die For) 

Ingredients
nocoupons

• Butter, for greasing the pans
• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for pans
• 2 cups sugar
• 3/4 cups good cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 cup buttermilk, shaken
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup freshly brewed hot coffee (instead of coffee I used my mother-in-law's chicorée, you could also use postum) 

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter 2 (8-inch) round cake pans. Line with parchment paper, then butter and flour the pans.

Sift the flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a paddle attachment and mix on low speed until combined. In another bowl, combine the buttermilk, oil, eggs, and vanilla. With the mixer on low speed, slowly add the wet ingredients to the dry. With mixer still on low, add the coffee and stir just to combine, scraping the bottom of the bowl with a rubber spatula. Pour the batter into the prepared pans and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until a cake tester comes out clean. Cool in the pans for 30 minutes, then turn them out onto a cooling rack and cool completely.

Place 1 layer, flat side up, on a flat plate or cake pedestal. With a knife or offset spatula, spread the top with frosting. Place the second layer on top, rounded side up, and spread the frosting evenly on the top and sides of the cake.


Coconut and Pecan Frosting
  
Ingredients

• 1 cup evaporated milk
• 1 cup white sugar
• 3 egg yolk, beaten with 1 teaspoon water
• 1/2 cup margarine
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 1 cup flaked coconut

Directions 

 

In a large saucepan combine evaporated milk, sugar, egg yolks, margarine and vanilla. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until thick. Remove from heat and stir in pecans and coconut. Spread on cake while still warm. 

 

Happy Birthday to my wonderful husband.  I love you.  You are my best friend and I'm so happy to be with you for eternity!

Sophie to two

I like seeing the changes in my babies over the years and I forgot to do Sophie's 2 year collage (becoming a tradition). 

She is such a joy to us! We love having our little Sophie.  She's sassy and oh-so-girly.  She loves princesses and dolls and chocolate.  She loves to dance and sing and has learned quite the vocabulary from her chatty big brother.

Thanksgiving in Colorado

It was our year to travel to Colorado for Thanksgiving which we were all very excited about.  The one thing that  put a damper on the fun was the miserable drive there.  The first 2 hours were through blizzards and over icy highways, and all the while we had Jonah throwing up in the back seat.  Jonah woke up sick the morning we were supposed to leave but we decided to go anyway, as he'd be throwing up no matter where we were and at least we could contain it in the car (thanks to the salad bowl and plenty of grocery bags--all fully inspected and hole-free).  He was a really good sport and made sure we were notified before each episode. Poor kid.

On Wednesday, we celebrated Sophie's birthday with the family.  I made my first batch of fondant which was even more difficult to work with than I suspected.  Those people on Ace of Cakes make it look so easy!  I was pleased with the final product despite all it's flaws.

Sophie loved her birthday presents which provided hours of entertainment through the week.  She loves baby dolls and feeding them, putting them to sleep, and even disciplining them!  I just hope her means of discipline will change before she's a real mom because I'm pretty sure DCFS won't let you keep your child after you throw it across the room or bang it on the table.

In spite of the frigid temperatures on Thanksgiving morning, we gathered the entire family for the Fort Collins Thanksgiving Day Run.  It was a 4 mile run which we all did eight years ago (before most spouses and any children came to the family).  This time we had three baby-joggers, 2 strollers, and twice as many people.  It was a great event and Jonah even got to run his first solo race.  He started out strong but tripped and skinned his nose on the asphalt so it took a little encouragement on my side to get him to finish.  It was about 1/3 mile and by the end, he was spent but so excited that he finished. (pictures to come)

Following the delicious meal, we broke out the karaoke machine and I opened the ceremonies with "Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire" and then forced the other adults to take part (no one was too willing).  The kids loved it, though.

Friday and Saturday were relaxing with just a little shopping, pedicures for the ladies, and the BYU vs Utah game for the boys (I'm glad I didn't watch that one).  Then we got the girls all dolled up in their Christmas outfits for some pictures (talk about break-down central).  We got a few good ones and mostly bad ones with someone crying and someone with their eyes closed.

This one just makes me laugh every time!  Can we say, "I'm tired and can't smile any more."

Beautiful girl.

The drive home was uneventful, thank goodness, and we were glad to settle back in to our usual habits.

How blessed I am to have such a wonderful family.  I have awesome brothers and a sister whom I love dearly and sisters-in-law that are basically blood.  My parents would do anything for us and often do.  I truly have much to be grateful for.

I have a 3 year old

We had such a fun birthday with Jonah this year.  He's old enough and completely understands that it was HIS day yesterday.  I had to remind him several times that if he doesn't learn to share with Sophie, she'll never want to play with him (probably not true but I had to try something).  Sophie is always interested in what Jonah is doing and would play nicely with him if he'd let her...but he doesn't, so she'll steal his toy and say, "MY!!!" and smirk in his direction.  I think she knows she can get to her older brother already.  Good girl!

We started the festivities on Sunday with our family dinner.  I made Jonah's birthday cake into Wii Remotes--or Wii-motes--since he's really only crazy about the Wii right now.  When he looked at it he said, "But I wanted boxing gloves!"  I just used my mom powers and before it hit my ears it turned nicely to, "Wow! Thanks, Mom!!".

The wonderful thing about Jonah's birthday being in March is that we get to outfit him for the summer.  He got lots of new outdoor toys and has really enjoyed being outside playing with the nice weather.  He played his first game of catch yesterday with his daddy and his new glove and ball and had a blast.  We took him to the park where he insisted on bringing his new bowling set (pins and all) to play with on the slide--ski-ball style.

We convinced him that Smashburger was the place to dine on his birthday and I enjoyed myself another awesome burger.  Jonah and Sophie devoured their hot dogs.

I sat in bed a few nights ago, thinking of the night I went into labor with Jonah and I can't believe its been three years.

I love my children more than I could ever imagine and I am so blessed to be a mother.  It truly is unlike anything else in the world.

Who says flowers don't last?

Two weeks ago I turned 27.  I had the most wonderful day with my little family!  It was the best birthday I've had in years.  Jon gave me a beautiful bouquet of roses that have yet to see the garbage can.  Two weeks.

Mamou and Grandpa babysat the kids for us while Jon took me to buy new running shoes(!!), followed by a delicious dinner at Macaroni Grill and a movie (Avatar).  I'm the last person I'd thought would say these words but--I . Liked . Avatar.  We watched it in 3D which provided even better visual effects.  Some of the actors weren't the greatest and the story line on the human end was a little cheesy but all in all, a good movie.

Just a pretty picture of a quiet snowy night for your viewing pleasure.

On the homefront

The new year is going quite well.  Jonah moved to a big boy bed after we got back from our Christmas vacation.  He did so well out of his crib that we felt comfortable moving him.  Our big worry was that he'd get out of bed during naps or at night but so far he waits for us to come get him to get out (YAY!).  Jonah loves to vacuum and sweep and help with the laundry and any other way he can.  He also loves playing with Sophie and pushing her around in the dolly stroller.

Sophie is not quite walking.  She is perfectly capable but unsure of her own abilities.  I'm not worried, she'll get it soon--plus, she's still my baby and it's so bittersweet to see her grow.  She loves to dance to any music she hears, loves to talk, and has mastered the "Green Family Scowl".

I'm still dabbling with my photography stuff and just got the newest addition to my camera equipment family--the Nikon 50mm 1.8D lens.  Putting that lens on my camera is like having a new camera all together!


One of my dear friends has the same birthday as me and we usually celebrate by going to lunch together--well, we go to lunch often but especially on our birthday!  We celebrated a couple days early this year.

My sister's cute growing belly.  She, of course, is always a part of the weekly lunch dates.

Jon is working hard with school and has taken on an international marketing project with prospects of traveling to Angola or other such destinations.  He is still working out an internship for this summer so we're not quite sure where we'll be or what we'll be doing.  It takes patience and faith to not have things planned even a month in advance but it is an adventure and something we'll never forget.

Dear Sophie,

Yesterday was your first birthday.  We can't believe it has already been one years since we brought you home from the hospital to meet the rest of your family.  The autumn months and the upcoming holiday season have brought more warm memories for us as we think about your first few months of life.  You were only one week old last Thanksgiving and still so tiny at Christmas time.
You have such a darling personality and have learned to say "Uh-Oh", "Momma", "Hello", and "Peek-a-boo".  You love to eat yogurt and anything else put in front of you.  You especially like to eat paper.  So far we've found such things as cardboard and an earring in your diaper.  You must have a steel tummy.  You love bath time and dancing and singing while playing the piano.  You are so beautiful and we are so blessed to have you in our home.

Twelve Month Stats 

18 lbs 4 oz (10th percentile)

Length - 28.8 in (49th percentile)

Head - 18.1 in (75th percentile)

You had a wonderful birthday party with your Bush cousins, aunts, uncles and Mamou and Grandpa.  You opened presents and got your first baby doll, cute handmade hats from Aunt Celine and Lauren, and cute clothes Mamou brought back from France.  Mimi and Grandpa got you a rocking Zebra which you find quite fascinating.  Jonah likes it too.

 

 

You ate yummy chocolate cake and enjoyed it just as much as we thought you would.

We love you,

Momma & Daddy