Back in the Day

Oh how I love to find a box and when I open it, it's full of pictures and memories.  That's what happened today.  I thought I'd share just some of them.  There were way too many to post. =)

Garrett was two and none too happy about being with the Easter bunny.  This pic was taken in Erie PA in 2009.

L to R: Gavin - 19 mo, Court - 3 yr, Kaidin - 4 yr, Garrett - 2 wks  The older two were babysitting the classroom frog while attending Stepping Stones Learning Center in Rochester NY

Well obviously this was our first child...We had way too much energy here.  Little did I know, there was a Courtney baking in my belly.

Kaidin in the NICU at St. Vincent.  He spent five days there and was on The Children's Miracle Network.  He was lovingly dubbed "The Whale of the NICU" weighing in at 8#1oz.

Oh to be young again, with thin bodies and thicker hair. =)  Matt & I were just dating here.  I believe this is in 1998.

Matt & I are engaged here, but at somebody else's wedding.

Cue Ball...ahem...I mean Courtney and her cousin Gabi.

One of my bestest friends, Ellesha, holding Courtney at two weeks old.

This was our first family pic with Court.  I love this pic, but it also reminds me of something else that happened that day.  Kaidin fell on the stairs and broke his tooth in half.  Isn't it crazy what you remember??

Can't believe they were ever this small...

Grammy & Court

Daddy with our first two kids.

Courtney being weighed right after birth.

Oh sweet memories...

Fisher-Price

I just have to say that Fisher-Price is an awesome company.  They have great customer service and they truly want to keep their customers.  Let me just tell you why I have a great respect for this company: 

For the first instance we need to rewind way back about 9 years ago...

When my oldest was a baby, about 9 months old, we had him sitting in his Fisher-Price highchair.  (His great-grandpa had bought it for him.)  We put our precious little baby in it for meal times and he would rock back and forth in it like crazy.  Well after a few sessions of rocking his little heart out, the highchair broke.  My 9 month old broke his highchair.  I couldn't believe it.  I called up Fisher-Price.  I didn't have a receipt and it had been used for the past three months, but yet they gave me 80% of the purchase price in voucher form.  I thought that was pretty impressive and I made a mental note about their customer service (which was great!)

Fast forward 9 years.  We buy our youngest a Talking Blues Clues doll.  He opens it on his birthday and plays with it for 4 days.  At the four day mark, the speaker breaks in it and now Blue no longer talks.  (And yes, we replaced the batteries with brand new ones.)  I call Walmart and they understandably cannot take it back because we don't have the receipt or the original packaging.  I get it, I'm just frustrated.  I spent way more on that toy than I normally would.  It was my splurge gift.  Then it pops into my head, 'call Fisher-
Price'.  So I do.  I speak to the customer service and explain my situation.  I ask if there is anything they can do for me.  She comes back on the line and says they will allow a $22 voucher for that product.  I was slightly disappointed because I had just spent $30 on it and it was hardly used. She asked me if that was acceptable and I told her if it was my only choice, then yes.  But then...but then she said, "How much did you say you spent on it?"  I told her, and she said, "We only sell this product at Walmart.  Let me check to see how much they're charging."  She checked and came back on the line.  She then proceeded to tell me that they would be sending me a voucher for $30 and I could spend it on any Mattel or Fisher-Price product at any retailer that sold those products.  And this without a receipt...How awesome is that??? 

I am just so impressed with this company, and I wanted to share it with you.  In my book, Fisher-Price gets two thumbs up. =)

Garrett's Bday Party 1/15

Garrett couldn't wait for his birthday party.  He chose Blues Clues for the theme.  He had a great time and I think his friends did too.

My feeble attempt to make a Blues Clues cake.

Best buds hanging out minutes before the guests arrived.  Court making bunny ears in the background.

Garrett attempting "Pin the Paw on the Puppy"

Buds: Nathan, Carter & Gavin

Annabelle putting her paw on the puppy

Bryn strategically placing her paw

All the kids got Sudoku Blues Clues games.  Bryn was helping out Garrett.

What did Blue want to do at the party??  The kids had to search the house for the three clues.  They found paper, a stapler & markers.  Do you know what Blue wanted to do?

Better write it down in the Handy Dandy Notebook and then have a seat in your thinking chair.

Blue wanted to make party hats!

Bethany helping her daughters decorate their hats.

Garrett used his handy dandy crayon to color his hat.

Bryn & Annabelle

Garrett checking out how his hat looks in the mirror.

The whole gang showing off their artwork.

Carter & Garrett waiting for birthday cake.

"Happy Birthday to you..."

He didn't want candles stuck into Blue's head, so I put them in an extra cupcake.

Mmmmm...Sugar!

Bryn, Courtney & Kaidin waiting for their cake & icecream.  (Kaidin is big into making crazy expressions.)

Jocelyn & Annabelle

The gang eating

Present time!  Present time!  Open your present and see what's inside!!  A remote control race car & skittles from friends Jocelyn, Annabelle & Piper.

Lots of Legos & a truck from pals Bryn, Carter & Coleson

Bionicles from buddy Nathan

A big thanks to all of Garrett's friends for coming to his party and a huge thanks to the moms who helped us out!

Garrett's 5th Birthday

Today we celebrated Garrett.  He is such a joy.  We are so blessed to have him in our family.

This blog is a summary of our celebration today.

At first his breakfast choice was ham sandwich.  We convinced him to want donuts instead.  I think he's glad we did.

Mmmmm Chocolate Sprinkle Donuts

His sister got him a K'nex car. 

Grandma & Grandpa got him a Mario backpack.

He got more Legos.  That boy loves his Legos.

This was one of his favorite gifts.

He told us this was his favorite second gift, but I don't think he's let go of it most of the day.

Posing with his loot.

We HAD to park on level F of the parking deck.  The temperature dropped fairly quickly so the whole gang was making a run for the elevators.  Gav jumped in front of Garrett just as I was taking the picture.

This exhibit is in the lobby before you even register.  The kids always stop here and stare at it for 15 minutes or so before going in.

Garrett was trying to get his perfect 45 degree angle arc.

He absolutely loves this exhibit.  He would just pull on that rope the whole time if we'd let him.

We met the resident Boa Constrictor.

As soon as Garrett saw this, he immediately screamed out Mario!  I can only guess that toadstools are in Mario.

This was Garrett's favorite lower level exhibit.

Since I'm doing a Blues Clues cake for his birthday party, I had Garrett choose a cake for just us on his actual birthday.  He chose Red Velvet with Chocolate.  Good choice. =)

Carrying Mario around with Blue in tow.

In honor of his recent train set, we watched Thomas & Friend's Misty Island Rescue on Netflix.

We did things a little backwards today.  We ate such a late lunch (Dominos), so when 5:00 rolled around, noone was hungry.  So we ate cake and icecream.  Two hours later we ate dinner: meatloaf, cheesy potatoes & green bean casserole.  Cheers!

Cuddling with my birthday boy after a long, good day of celebrating.

I can't believe my baby is five!  [tear]