iPhone offload: Pat's phone!!

Pat recently upgraded his phone and during that process he decided to finally offload the pictures he's been hoarding on there for 5 years!!! I didn't even think he took pictures but there they were, all 204 of them. Granted that is what I take in a weekend on my phone but I was still surprised. These photos go back...way back!

This guy just turned 6 and this is the first time I've seen this pic!

His first time on Uncle Balls' boat.

His first camping trip.

Bella was there too! Don't they look so happy?! 

2nd or 3rd time on Uncle Balls' boat!

Little giggly Miles.

Hiking selfie!

More hiking.

More camping.

There were a lot of blurry Nolan pics, proving that it's not just me who struggles to get this guy to hold still. Plus there was a lot of Cortez and random woodsy outdoor scenes. It's so interesting to see what he chose to take pictures of! Keep it up Bunny!

Birthday Day

Nolan's actual birthday was on a monday this year. To celebrate, the 4 of us went to the top of the Columbia tower, Nolan's favorite building in Seattle, to see the sites.

Um, is he turning 16 or what?!?

We lucked out with a very clear day after a rainy weekend. It was really beautiful up there. Totally worth the headache inducing elevator ride up 73 floors.

Nolan liked seeing the different color cars, city buses and construction sites from way up high. 

"Look mom! We're even taller than the Space Needle!"

This is when I lost him to a bag of pretzels. He was ready to move on!

Miles was enjoying standing on the ledge looking down. But I think it made Pat very nervous. I figured they probably built the glass thick enough to hold a 2 year old. ;)

We stuck around to see the sun set on Nolan's 5th year with us. And then went home to celebrate his 6th year with ice cream cake!

Happy 6th Birthday!

This weekend we had Nolan's birthday party at the YMCA. He celebrated with 20 of his classmates and friends. It was wild but so much fun to see him in his element. Nolan chose the theme of Hot Wheels.

Jodi made awesome fire hot wheel cupcakes. 

Everything was red, yellow green or checkered, and what would be a hot wheel party without everyone taking home a hot wheel of their very own? That was a huge hit!

When everyone arrived Nolan decided he had to draw a picture, what a goof!

Meanwhile his friends were going nuts over this giant computer pad thing. 

He finally got in on the action!

Dutchie was all over (and under) the climbing toy.

Almost the entire party all lined up for a game of red light green light. 

Pinata's are always fun.

 We ordered the piñata online and when it arrived Nolan was disappointed that it had a number 7 on it since he was turning 6. So the day before the party we sat down to make covers for the 7s that said 6. I can't complain since I know where his perfectionism comes from...it kind of bothered me too!

There were exactly as many strings to pull as there were kids, a lucky coincidence! But the trap door didn't open after all the strings were gone. oops!

Pat, the piñata holder improvised and pushed it open so it finally opened. So strange!

Time for cake!

Nolan's guests definitely got the hot wheel message. I think we have every singe track set on the market now. He was smiling ear to ear all day and it was so fun to see him interact with his classmates. We were very proud of him for being so thoughtful and polite to everyone despite all the excitement.

The party was great and we had a super fun after party at our house with more cake, presents and a seahawks win. Pretty much the best birthday ever!

And this was just part 1, we had 3 days of celebrations. More to come!