all boy.

This kid is tough as nails.

Last week he did a face-plant on the pavement and skinned up his nose and forehead.

Then he ran in front of the swinging child at the park and got knocked flat on his back...and got a black eye in the process.

He also loves to play in the dirt.

{I think I know who my ER frequent flyer is going to be...}

father's day

I snapped these pictures of Mr. Gardner reading to the boys the other night, just in time for Father's Day. Obviously, they were completely engrossed in Robinson Crusoe...

Happy Father's Day, to the best baby daddy in the whole world... I love you.

tenderknees.

Apparently, Noah does not like the feeling of grass on his knees. Rather than just taking the plunge and standing up, he has devised a plan for walking around on all fours. It is really quite entertaining to watch.

"Aw, mama. Stop taking pictures of me. This is serious. The grass is touching my knees!"

{I'm surprised any of the pictures turned out, I was laughing so hard.}

gone fishin'

Mr. Gardner took our eldest son on his first Fishing Trip last week, and I sent the camera with him, so he could document this momentous male coming-of-age ritual. He brought me back these photos:

They didn't catch any fish...but it looks like they had a great time anyway. Maybe next time.

home.

We got home from a week and a half long vacation to Phoenix early Thursday morning after driving for 14 hours with our three boys.

It's good to be home.

We had a wonderful time visiting Mr. Gardner's mom and stepdad. We enjoyed spending time with our family, watching our boys play and cuddle with their grandparents. We did some serious shopping (I got to go to IKEA and Trader Joe's for the first time). We soaked up the beautiful sunshine and 80 degree days. Good thing, too...since it's been raining and in the 50's since we got back to Idaho.

I don't think there's anything like being gone from your home for a while to make you enjoy it more. Absence makes my heart grow fonder of my home. Even though it's messy and everything is only half unpacked, it's still home.

Jane Austen said it well: "There's nothing like staying (or, in our case, coming back) home for real comfort."

vacation.

A vacation is one-third pleasure, fondly remembered

&

two-thirds aggravation, entirely forgotten.

~Robert Brault

one.

April 28 was my baby's first birthday.

I made him cupcakes from Pioneer Woman's sheet cake recipe, with this frosting, and they were really yummy.

He was quite happy with his cupcake and candle...mostly the candle.

Then we blew it out...and I think we broke his little heart.

We encouraged him to try the cupcake, but he wasn't too sure...I think he was still upset about the candle.

Then he realized, "Hey, this is good!"

At which point he quickly devoured one...then two cupcakes!

Here he is declaring his passionate love for cupcakes with a little song...

Just kidding.

I used to think it was cliche to always be commenting on how fast children grow...until I had them. There's nothing like having babies to make you realize just how fast a year goes by. It's really obvious with little ones...a year brings amazing changes.

Mama loves you, Noah Bug.