Nathan's Birthday '09

Nathan celebrated his birthday this week. Mary's brother Kris, and his fiance', Chelsea, came up from Utah to visit us before they get married in about 6 weeks, so we celebrated Nathan's birthday today along with some other friends of ours that Nathan adores. Last year this time we were in McCall with my parents and some other relatives enjoying lot's of snow. Today when we woke up there was about 3 inches of snow and it rapidly became 6-8 inches in the next few hours. I ended up going to my regular church meetings from 6:45 until about 10:30 and church was canceled due to the weather. Anyway, just before I left this morning, Nathan woke up so I got to give him a big hug and wish him a happy birthday. I like it when I get to be one of the first ones to have that nice little moment where I get to wish him a happy birthday, and it's so cute because he said "Happy Birthday - you too, Dad!"

One of the family traditions that we grew up with was getting to have our very own "sugar cereal" and so I picked up some cereal for Nathan (Albertson's version of Lucky Charms because it had a dinosaur on it's box-front). Reportedly, Nathan pretty much just ate the marshmallows and shared his goods with Sarah as well.

Here is the amazing Ice Cream Cake that Mary made. This is also a tradition thoroughly enjoyed by all and this was definitely Mary's best job at decorating one by far (maybe only the second one she's really tried to decorate). I honestly think that Nathan was a little confused about what this was because it didn't look at all like a cake and his own Thomas the Tank Engine was on his "cake". After he blew out the candles (with assistance from Dad because the only way that Nathan has learned to blow out of his mouth intentionally is by blowing in a way that flips up the front of his hair, which isn't very effective when you're trying to blow candles out), he had fun moving Thomas back and forth on the little train track. But once I cut up the cake, and put it in a bowl in front of him, he quickly realized it was legit and dug in.

What a cute little guy! Since he's started talking more we've been trying to teach him more words. About 1-2 months ago I wanted him to be able to answer the standard questions (name, age, etc.). Rather than confuse the kid, I just started teaching him to say he was three instead of two since his birthday wasn't too far away. So he's got that down.
Nathan got a lot of wonderful presents. In addition to the other pics below, he received his own Book of Mormon, PJ's, and a movie from Oma and Opa. He got a Pirate Ship flip book from my sister's family, a train and a train book from Kris and Chelsea and a whole bunch more Thomas the Tank Engine characters from Mary, Sarah, Jane and I. He was thrilled about all of the stuff and enjoyed meticulously tearing the wrapping paper off of the boxes.

Nathan got a great little Pre-Kindergarten learning kit/Hooked on Phonics set from Nanu and Bumpa and the kids are excited to dig into it and read some of the books and watch the DVD's. Nathan's excited because Sarah is so excited about it.

My grandma is amazing. She has a whole bunch of great grandkids and she still sends them cards that arrive either on the day of the person's birthday or the day before if it's on a holiday or Sunday. This was no exception! And she even sent $5.

It was a great day! We love our little Nathan so much and are so glad that he is in our family. We realize how much of a blessing it is to have these precious little souls with us and to enjoy these special moments and events with them. Happy Birthday Nathan!