Happy Birthday Donovin!
Donovin was so excited for his birthday this year. He started off the day opening his presents, then he pretty much put together his presents (Legos) for the rest of the afternoon until it was time for his birthday barbeque. We invited over a few friends and Tyler's sister and her family were visiting from Utah. Tyler did not want this to be your typical BBQ, so he came up with a special menu of "Sargent Vinny's Boot Camp Burgers". The most popular was "The Widow Maker" which consisted of a fat patty sandwiched between two bacon grilled cheese melts with a fried egg, American cheese and jalapenos. Very manly. The only thing Donovin wanted to make sure the BBQ included was lots and lots of fruit, his favorite food!!! We had a GIANT fruit salad and that is all Donovin ate for dinner. Two giant plates full of fruit.



He was very happy to get this GI Joe jet. Tyler said he had one just like it when he was Vinny's age. Hmmm... who did you buy that jet for Tyler?




Donovin was really excited to share a birthday treat with his Kinder class.




I tried to make some cool cupcakes for Vinny, but like usual, my attempt to make professional looking baked goods failed miserably. But, oh well...
At least the other birthday cake which I did get at a bakery looked and tasted great.

Things to remember about Donovin at age 6:
He is a giant flirt
He talks about who he is going to marry. The other day he said in the car to Halle, "I have given up on M (his current girlfriend). R is prettier and she laughs at my jokes."
His favorite color is orange
He is very funny, our little comedian
He loves to startle people
He is kind, caring, loving, snugly and a great big brother.
He wants to watch Jaws when he is old enough. He is really into sharks.
He still loves to eat!!!
He stopped sucking his thumb because he is six now and "only babies such their thumbs"
He LOVES building things, especially Legos and Lincoln Logs.
He is a very independent learner. He does not want help putting things together, or help with reading words. And he always figures it out on his own.
He loves sharing stories and songs and what he has learned at school.

There are so many other things. I could go on and on, but these are the things that stick out the most.
Happy Birthday Vinny! We love you so much and hope you have another great year!

Oh Lolin...

It was one of those moments when you think to yourself..."It has been really quiet for awhile..oh no!" Yep, despite the many, many, many times I have asked this sweet little girl not to touch mommy's make up, she decided to try on some mascara one Sunday morning. I had to get a picture. A couple of days before a similar situation happened, only that time I caught her right before she put a sixth piece of strawberry Orbit gum in her mouth. She had eaten the other five. BTW, don't worry if your child swallows a wad of gum. It will pass through their system just fine. I called the doctor's office just to make sure.

Week one

I always want to capture the essence of a new born each time a baby comes along. We all know how fleeting those moments are. They are gone within a matter of weeks. I wish those moments could be bottled and kept for those times when that sweet, precious baby is two and throwing a massive tantrum, or six and telling you that you are the worst mom ever!, or nine when they tell you that you just do not understand them and never will! How I wish I could pull that bottle off of a shelf, go into my bedroom, shut the door and spend just a few minutes with that precious baby again.


I love the fat rolls on the back of a new born's "neck", if new borns had a neck.



Ahh baby feet. How i LOVE baby feet. I love to kiss them, rub them, tickle them, count those sweet itty bitty toes, rub the soft, soft skin across my cheek. I miss baby feet when they are gone.



Vinny is so exicted to have a little brother. When Tyler asked him at the hospital what he was most excited to teach his little brother as they grew up together, his response was, "How to get girls to kiss and marry him." Oh boy... yep. That's Vinny. That is exactly what I thought he would say. Hopefully Gunnar will be a good wing man.




Oh Grandma Claudia. How would we ever survive without you? It is always so sad when you have to go. Thank you so much for keeping us going during those tough first few days. I wish you could stay for about two months, but I am grateful for the time we do have with you. We love you so much!

Welcome Gunnar!

Gunnar Duke Atkinson born January 14th, 2012 at 6:52 pm
8 lb 9 oz 19 inches

Donovin with his new baby brother.


Lolin is so excited to be a big sister!


Going home from the hospital.