Sunday, September 25, 2011

He's 5!!!!

Ethan has been so excited to turn five and on the 22nd it finally happened!
His school doesn't allow treats to be brought into the classroom for birthdays so at the last minute I decided to make him a birthday badge to make him feel a little extra special.



I literally spent all day attempting to make a pirate cake for my little man. Of course Ethan was thrilled which means that it resembled what I was shooting for just enough. This is pretty much the only picture I have of said cake. Yeah. It was that pathetic. So just FYI, if you're going to make a marshmallow fondant make sure to use fresh/new marshmallows and not whatever you have left over.


So the day was seriously crazy! As soon as Trent got home we sang to Ethan and let him blow out the candles and then I had to run out the door to a meeting. By the time I got home it was nearly 9 o'clock and Ethan was still waiting patiently to have a piece of his cake. He was so sweet and polite when he asked for some and I just had to laugh as he pretty much inhaled it!!





Ethan really wanted to have friends over for his birthday so we planned a little get together for Saturday. Wouldn't have happened without my friend/neighbor Jill.
When all the kids arrived we pulled out the costume box and found a pirate costume piece for everyone.


Jill works at a preschool and had some leftover foam monster hat kits for the kids to make.


And yes, you counted correctly, I mis-counted and put 6 candles on his cupcake. We made sure to remove one before he blew them out. The little pirate toppers are actually stickers.


Monster hats were a hit.






Then we headed outside to play pirates and make a giant treasure map!!






The kids worked on their map nearly the last half hour of the party. Kids didn't want to leave when mom's started coming so we figured that meant the party was a hit.









We had pretty simple activities but Ethan really enjoyed his first ever friend birthday party. Hard to believe he's already 5. He's such a good kid and an amazing little helper.
WE LOVE YOU ETHAN BOY!!!!

Looked who stopped in....

.... on his way to Iowa for work for the Romney Campaign.

Vander Crabbing 2011

This post is really late.....
Every year we get to go crabbing with the Vander clan up in Oregon and it's an absolute blast. This was Ethan's first year!!

On our boat.... us....


.... and the fantabulous Sabin's!


He went to put the cheese puff in his mouth and couldn't quite get it there.


So we gave him something a little longer.


This was right after we got the marina. He had been asleep just before we put the jacket on him. I think he was still just too tired to really complain.






Checkin em out.


Move the rocks and watch the itty bitty crabs scatter!


Kisses.


Freedom!!!


A lesson in cleaning crab with Daddy.




With cousin Crew. Either he's blinking or it's just super bright.


With Val Folkema, owner of the marina. She and her family are pretty much family. Love them.


Ethan insisted on pushing Enoch every time he was in the stroller. Super cute.


That's his "crazy pirate" face.


Snoozin on the dock.


All in a day's work.


With one of the big ones!!!


Aaaaaand......


.... he's out.


As is tradition, after we're done cooking, cleaning, and dropping off the crab, we head to the Tillamook Cheese Factory for ice cream and cheese! Mmmmmhmmmm!!!




Crab bait!!!!



It's always a whirlwind weekend but totally worth it!!
It's such a special way to spend time with family. We missed those that weren't able to be with us this year.