Monday, March 31, 2008

HAPPY BIRTHDAY OPA!

Surprise Opa...Tears of JOY!Pretty Cake
Opa & Henry...so Happy

Aunt Lisel, Aunt Kathy Stickel & Aunt Kathy Stinner Feeding Babies

Happy Birthday
He doesn't look 70!
Oma & Thomas
Aunt Kathy and Alex
Brothers! Heli & Opa!
Aunt Lisel reflecting!
Baby James...YUM!

Happy 70th Birthday Opa!


Today is Davids fathers 70th Birthday. Yesterday we (David, Ted, Rich & myself)threw him a surprise party here at our house. It was wonderful. We had Stinners as far as the eye could see. His children, brother and sister, his grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends all came. We tried to keep it as much as a surprise as we could. He seemed to enjoy himself a lot. Walking in he seemed to be a little overwhelmed. He shed tears of joy. It was such a wonderful site to see. We just wanted him to know that he is truly loved by all that know him. He spent hours getting caught up with all. There is nothing like seeing the joy in someones face when surrounded by loved ones.

The kids all had a wonderful time playing with each other. They are all getting so big. Austin ran from upstairs to downstairs playing with his cousins. The babies where all very well taken care of by Oma and all the Aunts,Uncles and cousins. I very rarely had a baby in hand. We are so thankful that everyone came and shared the special day with Opa!
We love you Opa.....and we wish you many, many more Happy Birthdays!

Week 32

Emerson...My Gerber Baby
Austin...I got your nose big bro
Alex playing
Bumper Babies
Max Playing
{{{{{{{SMOOOOOOOCH}}}}}}} Alex & Em...Brotherly love


Week 32

This was a wonderful week. The boys are beginning to turn into little mobile terrors. Both Max and Alex have begun to crawl. They can scoot themselves all around to get where they need to go or to grab a toy they want. Of course they all want the same toy and have actually begun to fight over the one toy the other one has. Most things we have three of, but they still fight over one. I'm sure this is just a vision of what is to come. Emerson is not crawling yet but we are sure he will be soon. I'm happy they didn't all start at once...can you imagine all of them going in different directions? They are all pretty mobile in their walkers. We put them in the hallway between the living room and dining room. There are hardwood floors in there and we have a rousing game of "bumper babies". I think they like being upright. The world must look so different from a "stand-up" position. They seem to interact more that way. They talk, coo and wave at each other. The other day we had a "Hiya" war. All three where screaming "Hiya, hiya, hiya" at each other. It was quite the site. All their little arms waving at each other. They still don't seem to like each other much. I'm sure it will come in time. I hope it will come in time. They are really into their toys now. They can press buttons and are learning "cause & effect". I'm really proud because this is an age appropriate action.

Austin is doing well. He is going through at "test" faze now. He tests everything we say and is constantly being told "no". I know all 5 year olds go through this so we are trying not to be too hard on him. He is doing much better in school though with his listening. And we are very happy about that. I try to keep him as occupied as possible at home but it's been a loooooooong winter and we are all a little sick of being in the house. I can't wait until Spring. We are looking into getting one of the mondo-super swing sets. You know the ones I mean. Those big wood three tier super sets with forts and rock walls and 4 swings. Oh my goodness they are expensive.

However if it will occupy my boys it's worth every penny.

SPRING HERE WE COME!