What a FUN day we had for Jack (and most of it unplanned :). This year was so much more fun than last year for several reasons 1.) I didn't have a party planned so I wasn't stressed about anything and 2.) He was older and could get more excited about stuff. Of course he had no clue it was his birthday or what a birthday was but it was still fun. We headed down to Benson on Friday the 26th because Steven had planned to go help with branding some cows on Saturday so we just decided to celebrate the birthday down there. When Jack woke up we went into his room with a HUGE bunch of balloons while singing him "Happy Birthday". There are some moments as a parent that are just priceless and seeing his adorable little face when we walked in was one of those times!
We got Jack a tricycle for his b-day and of course, he hasn't really played with it yet...I swear, I'm sticking with my guns of not buying new toys! Used from here on out!
Growing up as kids we had the tradition of picking out our favorite cereal for breakfast on our birthday. Jack doesn't have one yet so we picked fruit loops for him and needless to say, he loved them!
After breakfast we headed out to one of the most beautiful places I've seen (lately): Dragoon Mountain Ranch. It was quite the drive to get out to where the cattle branding was taking place but it was SUCH a gorgeous drive. The thunderheads were rolling in, everything was green and it was quiet and just peaceful. Here's Jack watching dad do some work (and Aunt Kayleen!!)
It was HOT and humid!!
Grammers and E-dude
After the branding was finished we all headed back to Zack and Yvonne's (Kayleen's parents) for lunch. Yvonne was so sweet and put candles on the sheet cake for Jack to blow out!
After lunch we headed over to the park for the 24th of July Pioneer Day celebration with Pomerene ward. They had a huge makeshift slip-'n-slide. We didn't know about it and weren't prepared with swim clothes but Jack just jumped right in anyway and loved it of course!
Dad letting Jack drive around (on private property...relax people)
This had to be the highlight of the day. My dad's cousin Devin owns an excavation business and so last week I had emailed Devin asking him if we could come look at his tractors and other equipment because Jack is, well, a boy, and LOVES anything that "goes" (planes, trains, tractors, trucks, etc.) Devin said yes so we headed to his place after the park. Devin had his son Denton drive Jack around on the skid-steer, backhoe and then Devin took him around in the water truck and let him "honk" the air horn. He even got to raise and lower the bucket on the skid-steer. Jack loved EVERY minute of it. The train tracks also run right behind the place and Jack got to see 2 trains up close. He may not remember this birthday but we sure will!
After that we headed home for one more birthday cake celebration with grammers, grandpa, Great-Grandma and Grandpa and his great uncle John and Aunt Jean. Needless to say this kid was EXHAUSTED by the end of the day as were his mom and dad :) It was fun and now I can't wait until next year!!
Happy Birthday my little man. I love you so much and love seeing you grow.