Rudy's Fifth Birthday

Saturday was Rudy's birthday. He came downstairs in the morning saying "I'm really five now!" First we had presents:
A new Leapster game



a puzzle and a dinosaur board game...


... which he was very happy to have.

So we immediately played the dinosaur game.

Then his breakfast request was pancakes with chocolate chips and cinnamon chips (I made a few with each- not combined). I added a little whipped cream for his birthday.

In the evening we headed to a local farm. We had hoped to ride a horse-drawn hayride, but that had ended for the night. So we walked around.

Rudy visited briefly with Santa.

Then we headed out to the play area in the dark and cold. Rudy had so much fun playing on all the equipment.

This cat came right up to us and wanted attention. Rudy was happy to oblige. Later we saw another child holding the cat and Rudy said, "Hey, that's my cat!"

The whole area was all lit up for Christmas.

Rudy pretended to be a vet and help all the animals.

And then he built some things.

We saw one of the reindeer waiting for Santa.

Rudy rode on the go-carts.

An attempt at a family picture. Notice that Rudy has no gloves on and no hat - he kept taking them off. So much for his Guatemalan blood!

The reindeer again - standing up this time. I was surprised by how small it looked.

All in all I think Rudy had a fun birthday. I can't believe our little boy is five already!

Thanksgiving

Celebrating Thanksgiving with Paul's side of the family - a small gathering this year but Rudy's favorite cousin, Neil was there to entertain him..


... and watch TV with him (and yes, Neil was sleeping but not Rudy!).

Thanksgiving was a calm, peaceful affair of adult dinner conversation, relaxing at the table and letting Neil entertain Rudy!

Then on Friday we celebrated Thanksgiving with my family. The big kids went out to 'rake' the leaves and then jump in them.

And to make silly faces when a camera was near.

Grandpa enjoyed sitting and cuddling babies all day - here he has Charlie.

The big kids also buried themselves in the leaves.

And just rested in the leaves.

They also decided they would be babies and for some reason that entailed grabbing onto Renee and whining.

Patti enjoyed cuddling with Paige, who I think was very overwhelmed at time by the noise and chaos of 3 big cousins.

The mamas switching babies.

After a big dinner, the babies took a nap - amazing they could do so with everything else going on!

Pretty Paige.

Cuddly Charlie.

Batman showing off the Phineas and Ferb shirt he got for his birthday.

Paul and Charlie bonding.

Lucy wanted to take a few pictures - her cousin and brother cooperated briefly.

Look at all those holes in his mouth - and more are loose!

Max and Rudy giving Paige advice on surviving in our family. She was looking at them so intently.

Before everyone left, the kids got in their pajamas and got to watch some TV. Even some of the big boys got involved.

Our goofy little Goose!

Although crazy and noisier than ever, we had a great Thanksgiving. It's hard to believe that last Thanksgiving we had no idea that our family would grow and this year we had two new members. Can't wait to see what happens by next year!

Chuck E. Cheese Birthday Party

Rudy's actual birthday is still two weeks away, but because of the holidays, we usually have his party early in November.
Here is my wondrous creation - the Spiderman cake. This was my first time using the decorating bags and really following a pattern- not too bad! I almost feel like an artist.

Rudy checking out his cake - I started the before he went to bed so he saw the very beginning stages but couldn't wait to see the finished product.

The birthday guests included the usual suspects - cousins,and a few friends. Rudy always asks to go to Chuck E. Cheese and Paul and I have resisted taking him. I even told him that you could only go there for parties, so when his birthday came around, he only wanted to go there for his party.

So first the kids had fun on the rides and playing games.

Sometimes even the big kids got involved (I know of a few dads that were there that snuck off at different times to go play a game they wanted to play!).

I promise these two were much happier than they look!

Paul's mom got to meet all the new additions to the A. family - and even held Charlie for a few minutes.

All the kids- Sanai, Max, Tommy, Rudy, Jade, and Lucy. The three youngest were sitting back with the parents.

Paige was either completely exhausted or completely bored! Either way she got comfortable in Bill's arms!

Rudy loved being the center of attention and he loved see Chuck E.

But all he wanted to do was finished his hot dog and he kept having to stand up or high five Chuck E. As soon as he sat back down, more of the hot dog got shoved in.

Chuck E. and the party guests.

As the Birthday Boy, Rudy got to go in the Ticket Blaster. I really expected him to refuse to do this or want to get out immediately, but he did it and enjoyed it (he later told me it was the best part of the day), and he even got a lot of tickets.

Rudy and Max are back to being buddies, after having a few rough visits.

Most of the crazy cousins - Charlie was smart enough to be asleep or pretend to be asleep while this was going on...

... Paige quickly realized what she had gotten into and decided she wanted no part of the chaos.

Chris, Patti, Max, Lucy and Charlie decided to come back to our house for a while after the party. Rudy loves riding with Max in Chris and Patti's car, which means Lucy gets to ride with me and Paul. When we got in the car and started driving, she stretched and yawned and we asked if she was tired and wanted a nap. She said yes, so we told her she could take a nap in the car. She said there wasn't a bed in the car so she couldn't do that. We tried a few other times to convince her she could nap but she said no. I should have taken a picture of her when we got to the house because within about 5 minutes after we finished talking to her, she was asleep!

Once we arrived home, Rudy opened his presents and Max showed off his awesome reading ability by reading the cards for Rudy. Then Max, Lucy and Rudy played with some of the new toys.

Although it was a crazy day (Paul said today he was still recovering from Chuck E. Cheese's), Rudy had a great time and we had fun hanging out with friends and family. I just wish we could find a place to have a party where the adults could just sit and socialize the whole time!