Dinosaur Birthday 2009

My SIL says that only a DeGraff can stretch a birthday the way we do. I guess Max inherited that trait b/c his birthday seems to have lasted the entire month of July. It started while we were at Nana's house and ended with his party a week after his real birthday. Well I have officially ended his birthday.YAY!! He said yesterday, "Mom, tell me Happy Birthday." And I said, "NO! You're birthday is OVER!" Well I wasn't that mean of course, but it is time to move on. This is birthday cake #4 and my favorite. (He also had a cake at Nana's, a cake on his real birthday, and a cake I made at my cake class last week.) This is the cake we had at the party on Saturday. I think it turned out pretty good. Max has been asking for a chocolate dinosaur cake with green frosting for about 3 months (b/c that's what Sid the Science Kid had). I think my cake turned out way cuter than Sid's did!

Here is Max getting ready for his big party. It was an outdoor water party and we had 14 kids plus babies and parents over!

We got all the kids their own squirters, set up the pool, the jumpoline, and the bubble machine. They also played on the swing set and in the sandbox. We left Jeff outside with the kids while all the moms hung out inside! It was HOT!!!

Here is Zakky in his new Hawaiian shirt. He had a blast at the party too. How come I never remember to turn his pictures the right way?

Max blew out his candles for one final time and that was the end of Dinosaur Birthday 2009. I can't believe I have a 3 year old!!

Two of my most favorite boys

Sundaywas a pretty big day around here. It was Max's 3rd birthday and Jeff and my 6th anniversary! I just thought I'd take a minute to tell them how much I love them. Jeff is by far a better husband than I ever dreamed of having and I still can't believe I get to keep him forever. We couldn't be more different in so many ways but it all seems to work out and bring out the best in both of us. He's an amazing husband, wonderful father, and an all-round good person. I'm so glad he puts up with me and loves me the way I know that he does.
So was that ooegy-gooey, mushy, lovey-dovey enough for everyone? Good, now I'll move on to Max.
Max is coolest, funniest, sweetest little guy I know. I sure you all think I'm biased b/c I'm his Mom but if you've met him you know what I mean. He is charming, personable, and outgoing and he wants to be everyone's friend. He's our little politician! Everyday he makes me laugh and everyday he amazes me with what comes out of his mouth. I am truly grateful that Heavenly Father trusted me enough to be this little guy's Mommy. I look forward to watching him grow and learn, but at the same time I'm sad to see that he's not a baby any more. He may rule the world one day, but he will always be my little man.
So Happy Anniversary/Birthday guys. I love you!!
And don't worry Zakky--you get your very own day that you don't have to share with anyone!!

We're Back!!!

How many of you actually realized we were gone?!? Anyway, we've been on vacation for the last two weeks and blogger temporarily locked me out of my account so that's my excuse for not blogging lately. Vacation was great. We went up to northern Utah to visit the in-laws. We lost our camera and have no pictures of the trip so you will just have to believe me that that is where we were!
Much fun was had by all. We played with cousins and nephews and uncles and aunts and friends. We picniced and found new parks, rode tractors and four wheelers, lit fireworks and birthday candles, toured a temple open house and an airplane museum, went bowling twice and to the grocery store every day!! Whew...I'm sure there is more and when I get some pictures (maybe from Nana) I'll go into more detail.
For now I have to finish unpacking, cleaning house, and shopping. Sunday is Max's 3rd b-day (and my 6th wedding anniversary) and next Saturday is the big party--for the birthday, not the anniversary. Lots to do after that too. The summer is about to get crazy busy. I will try to keep you all up-to-date!!