John is 3!!

John turned 3 this year.  His birthday is the day after Anna's.  He's getting so big.  We had a lot of birthday weekend fun, including a trip to Build a Bear,  a movie and a mini golf outing.

Here is a picture from our black light mini golf trip.  This was actually on Anna's birthday, but part of our whole birthday weekend fun.  The golfing didn't go too well and I don't think we'll be going back there.  Ever.  Open air mini golf maybe.  Or when they get a bit older and can golf without the constant threat of bodily harm to themselves or others or the ensuing meltdown when you ask them not to swing the clubs wildly over their heads.  Live and learn.

We enjoyed the nice weather and some popsicles.

Grant and Johnny - best buds

And now on to the big birthday!!  John is 3!  Three days after he was born Scott deployed to Afghanistan for six months.  I can't believe its been three years already.  Actually sometimes it seems longer than three years 'cause a lot has happened since then - Scott deployed to Afghanistan and came back - we moved to Illinois, had another baby, Scott got out of the Air Force and then we moved away from Illinois.  That seems like a lot to pack into three years.  Here is his special birthday cake.  I made one of those doctored up cake mix recipes and it turned out pretty good.  This cake looks like it needs one more super hero to round things out.

John/Spiderman

Piñata time

John taking a swing at Spiderman. Poor Spiderman.

The whole day I kept thinking of the Spiderman song from The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (and I will CRUSH.  that Spider man.  And all the OTHER Spidermen...)

Anna helps John with his treasure hunt clues.  That's my brother, Dave, next to them.

He joined us for some of the festivities.

Sadly, when I wasn't watching, Matthew decapitated Spiderman.  I guess that is one of the dangers of being a piñata.  But it seems a bit gruesome.

Opening presents.  John got some blocks and Legos.

He was very happy to open gifts.

Cake time!  He knows all about blowing out candles now.

He eventually got those candles out.

Happy Birthday John.