Happy 3rd Birthday Mitchell!

Mitchell turned three on Sunday. I'm still in denial, I can't believe how fast he's grown. It's so hard to see the baby of the family grow up...I'm desperate to find a way to make him stop. He's not too fond of getting older either, he still refuses to say he's three. So for now, we're pretending he's still two. Mitchell wanted a Monster Truck cake, a "Hee-Haw" (aka Toy Story) cake, and a Lightning McQueen cake. He couldn't make up his mind, so we did all three. He had a Monster Truck cake, and cupcakes with Cars liners and Toy Story inserts. He helped Cambrie make the cupcakes...he was so proud!

Presents on Sunday morning. He wouldn't come in to the room until we got rid of the balloons...this kid HATES balloons. So strange. However, he ripped in to the gifts after the balloons were gone, and then ate Cookie Crisp for breakfast (our kids get to choose their favorite sugar cereal on their birthdays. Thanks to my parents, Mitchell fell in love with Cookie Crisp over the summer).

New shoes (which he can run VERY fast in by the way...just ask him and he'll be more than thrilled to show you again, and again, and again).

Monster jammies.

Hat from Drew and Max, Monster Truck from Cambrie, and "Hee-Haw" tent from George and I.

Mitchell's old frog rain boots have completely fallen apart, so we had to replace them. He even got a matching umbrella with his new boots...he's all set for our Georgia rain storms. And yes, he wore these to church on Sunday :)

Monster Truck Cake...cutest smile EVER! Gosh, I love that boy.

Blowing out candles with best friend, Tycen, close by.

The Murphys and the Waisaths came over to celebrate with us. It's so nice to have such good friends, we have so much fun with these families. It's hard not to have family around for birthdays, but our friends do a pretty good job filling in.

The Waisaths gave Mitchell this awesome cardboard spaceship that he can color by himself. We've colored for days, it's so much fun!

What a fun kid. We love you so much Mitchell, and are so glad you are a part of our family. Here are a few things we'll always remember about you being two... 1. You still LOVE your binki, and your mom is too smitten to take it away 2. You call Toy Story "Hee-Haw," and so does everyone else in the family now. 3. You call Drew "Drewbie," just because you heard grandpa do it all summer  4. You love to take showers with Drewbie  5. You love playing on iPads, Kindle Fires, and computers (along with your new Mobigo)  6. You love popcorn  7. You're obsessed with this really LAME movie called All About Monster Trucks, and can't get enough of it  8. You love Monster Trucks, Trains, "Hee-Haw" figurines, cars, motorcycles, tractors, and dump trucks  9. You have a hot temper  10. You rinse your dishes and put them in the dishwasher without being asked  11. You lick the frosting off of cake and cupcakes, but never eat the cake  12. You LOVE playing ball with your brothers  13. And you like hanging out in Brie's room with her and her friends  14. You love "bunny milk" aka Nesquick  15. You like to put your hands down my shirt (any woman's shirt actually) 16. You always remind me that girls have boobs, and boys have pecks  17. When you get really mad, you scream "EVER" at the top of your lungs (still not sure what that's supposed to mean). 18. You love to cuddle, sleep with mom and dad, and you love to laugh.  19. You play with your ears when you're tired, and if you're laying with mom and dad, you play with our ears too. 20. You're SUPER smart, loving, handsome, fun, and talented...just like your mommy!

What Is It That Mormons Believe?

Check out this article George wrote for the Lilburn Patch Blog...someday, we'll be rich and famous because of his writing!

http://lilburn.patch.com/blog_posts/what-is-it-that-mormons-believe-anyway

Goodbye Summer and Back to School

Cambrie went to her first Girls Camp when we got back from Utah. The boys made her a Welcome Home sign and hung it in her room, along with a goodie bag. She had so much fun, it was such a good experience for her. My memories from girls camp impacted my life, and I know the things she felt there will help her own spiritual growth. Thank you to all the leaders who took care of the girls! They're still talking about it.

Blueberry picking at our favorite Fleeman's Pick Your Own Blueberry Farm. I wish I could adopt the owners as my own, they're the cutest old couple and I adore them. We picked two gallons of blueberries...so good. We froze some, ate some, made some fruit pies and made jam with the rest.

Cambrie is swimming at Swim Atlanta, and hopes to be on the swim team there by the end of this month. We did A LOT of swimming before school started. Now, we're down to twice a week.

Lake Lanier with some favorite friends.

Mitchell and his best friend, Tycen.

The Olympics have CONSUMED us! We get nothing done, but it's such a fun family time for us. The kids get in to it and my boys are even convinced they're going to medal in every event when they're old enough. Mitchell screams along with everyone else, although I'm not sure he knows why he's screaming. GO USA!!!!!

Making strawberry and blueberry jam.

My kids started school this week. We got some clearanced Duncan Creek spirit wear at the open house...we're all set. I wasn't ready for them to go back to school, the thought of the CRAZY schedule made me cringe. However, I will say it's been quite pleasant. The kids are all happy with their teachers, and I get amazing things accomplished during the day. In a couple weeks, we'll be doing baseball, soccer, and swimming...that's when things get a bit crazy and I may change my mind about our new schedules :)

Cambrie headed to her first day of 7th grade.

Drew, first day of 3rd grade.

Max, first day of 2nd grade (and has the same teacher Drew had last year. BEST teacher ever)! And no, I didn't buy them both Georgia Bulldogs outfits on purpose. I actually took them shopping separately, and this happened to be what they both picked out. Not a surprise for Drew, a bit more surprising coming from Max. However, he picked out an Angry Birds shirt too...totally what I would expect from him ;)

Drew had a Pack Meeting/Flag Retirement on Tuesday. He worked hard passing things off over the summer, and it paid off for him...he received 14 awards.

And, I got my first pin.

Mitchell doing the scout salute (is that what it's called?) while retiring the flag. I can't get enough of that boy, he's my little shadow right now. I told George I'm not sending Mitchell to school...I'm only partly kidding. I can't even think about it...