Oh March...

I was typing myself a little re-cap of 2012. Just the major things I could remember. For some reason March's notes still crack me up.

January- Kyle turned 4! Had a, "Mario Kart Wii," birthday party for Kyle.

February- Tim got sworn in! Flew to CA with the boys to visit Chris, Jenny and the girls. Found out Jenny was pregnant :).

March- (Accidentally) brought home vodka from the grocery store.

April- Tim turned 28!

May- 6 year anniversary. Woot woot! Taylor came home from college. Charlotte was born. Gabby and Mo got baptized.

June- Bear turned 2! Hosted a baby shower for Alli. Packed Taylor for his mission. Hosted Taylor's farewell brunch. Charlotte's baby blessing. Said good-bye to Taylor.

July- Kyle learned how to ride without training wheels, trip to Payson with Pete, Ale, kids and Curtis, Candace and kids, Roger and Carol and Andy.

August- Kyle's first day of pre-k. Went to Greer with the Konkles.

September- Flew to CA for my best friend, Kristina's bachelerotte party. Flew to Utah to meet new niece Eleanor! Watched Roo-Bear for a couple of days. Nephew Pierce was born. My mom had her stroke.

October- Flew to Argentina and spent 4 weeks with my mom. Saw my mom and dad for the first time in almost 1.5 yrs! Tim started a new job working at a law firm much closer to home.

November- Returned from Argentina. Turned 28! Parents temporarily returned home.

December- Spent with all of my family in town. Met nephew Pierce. Skyped with Taylor on Christmas! Family pictures with the entire Ray family.

(You can read March's post here).

Kyle van Beethoven

 We celebrated my big boy's birthday this weekend. I don't know whether I was shocked or not when Kyle requested the theme for his birthday party-- Ludwig van Beethoven. Yes, definetly the first time I have heard of a Beethoven birthday party but not surprising to me that my Kyle boy is the one who requested it. And just in case you are wondering, Hobby Lobby, Party City, Target, Wal-Mart, Amazon, and pretty much everywhere and anywhere do not sell Beethoven decorations. I did find some music notes at Party City :).

The amazing cake:

How can you look at that and NOT smile?!

Playing "hot potato" to Beethoven's 5th symphony. I wonder how many kids at this point were thinking, "What type of party is this?"

We had pizza, strawberries and dip and then cake. Getting ready to blow out candles:

Roo-Bear looking so old with his new hair cut:

 Mo-town! One of Kyle's favorite people:

 Bear always content eating food:

Somehow we served all of the kids cake and asked if anyone else wanted a piece and then Kyle piped up, "I didn't get a piece yet." Ha! Poor birthday boy! He waited so patiently.

  Kyle wondered why no one sold a Ludwig van Beethoven pinata, but was just as happy to have a pirate hat pinata. We almost didn't do a pinata this year but I am glad we did. It is always so funny to watch the kids give it their all. Poor Nolan-- every time he hit the pinata it came swinging back at him and would hit him in the head.

Cousin Bentley:

Go Whitman!

Watch out for Moose!

 Kyle's facial expression screams that this is serious business:

The kids waited so well in line and cheered each other on:

With the loot:

I put this tag inside of the candy bags:

Primos. Kyle looks a little too natural with that root beer in hand:

Our fam looking WT:

Orphan Nolan:

With Grammy and My-Pa:

This year was the first year Papa and Grandma were at Kyle's party. My parents are temporarily home from their mission. At this point we don't know when they will return to their mission. We are so grateful for the progress my mom continues to make recovering from her stroke and are thankful for the time we get to spend with them. 

Ludwig hung out at the playground. We were going to play a game with him but the kids were having enough fun running around. Oh well. He looks kind of scary but Kyle isn't ready for me to throw him away yet.

That night Kyle told me, "Mama you are the best mom I ever had." I'm not sure what other moms he is comparing me to, but I am grateful I am his mom. He will always hold that extra special part in my heart as the first person to call me Mama. I love you Kyle. I love that you have varied interests in life and that Ludwig van Beethoven is just as cool to you as legos, video games and playing outside.