More to come, but here is a video of Luke bouncing, in the meantime.

This birthday post is to brag about how awesome it is to have a handy husband.  Yes, my house is in an almost constant "construction mode," but the results are beautiful! 

Today's birthday post is brought to you by the little man in cyber world who is stealing our interwebs and making it very slow.  It is a bit of an interruption in our regularly scheduled birthday blogs, because we need to be creative about getting this to post.  So this is for the man who always embraces technology no matter how unreliable it is or how much it can get in our way. 

Dear Daddy,

I know my life has mostly been all about Mommy so far, but I love that we are finally able to play together, because that's what you do best!  I love it when you toss me in the air, when you tickle me, and when you make funny noises at me.  I'm so ready to be a big boy like Preston, so that we can do even more fun things together!  Thanks for being the best Daddy, ever!

Love Luke

Regularly Scheduled Blogging:

Yes, today we celebrated 10 years since Mommy studied abroad in New Zealand.  Six out of eight students were able to attend, along with Mark and Pat Mecham, the faculty advisers for the trip.  It was so fun for Mommy to see everyone again, and after Lukey and I settled in we had fun, too.  Hopefully we'll do it again, and sooner than 10 years from now!

Here are some pictures!  We arrived in style (tears and tantrums).  But managed to turn it around and have a good time.  I (Preston) took the awesome picture of Mommy (in the middle).

And here are some photos from John's Birthday celebration with the family - apparently we need 3 photos in order to get it us all.

Welcome to the 30+ Club!

Greetings all you blog viewers, I guess it’s my turn to wish John a happy 30th birthday!  This is my first time as a “guest blogger” and I am very happy that Carrie asked me to write a little something to honor my brother.

As everyone who has ever met John knows, he is a unique personality all to himself.  I don’t exaggerate when I say that there was never a dull moment growing up together!  Regardless of all the shenanigans, tattle-telling, fighting, and the competitions for attention (and the car), I am so very thankful to our parents for giving me someone to share the ups and downs of childhood, adolescence and now in life as adults.  I am equally thrilled that Preston and Luke will also have this brotherly bond to enjoy as they journey through life.

The one common denominator in my experience of knowing my brother for these past three decades is his steadfastness and determination.  When he puts his mind to something, whatever the means to get it done, he will do it.  While this has sometimes lead to questionable judgments in the past – like when John decided to redecorate his bedroom one weekend while our folks were out of town (wallpaper is so hard to remove!) – in every day that I get to spend with him now, I see him applying that sense of undaunted purpose towards teaching his children and in being a good spouse.

As a recent member of the 30+ club, let me tell you that saying goodbye to your 20’s isn’t the end of the world.  I am a firm believer that at age 30, all of the best things in life are truly ahead you.  John, I am so very happy to join with all of your friends, family, and the entire internet, to say congratulations on this milestone birthday.  I wish you much happiness and success now, and in the future.

Today is Daddy's BIRTHDAY!!  It's a Thursday, and a busy time of year, so poor Daddy doesn't get much of a celebration on his actual day.  Sure, we are going to make a special dinner, but not much other than that.  
SO, in lieu of a one day celebration we are going to celebrate "The First 31 days of Daddy's 31st Year!"  We are going to have guest posts, some fun activities, and month long celebration of the little things that we love about Daddy!  

So John, check back here daily for the next 31 days.  Today - we celebrate the circular saw that you've already had the pleasure of sawing with.  See you in a few minutes!

Love, 

5 Month old Preston on the left - and 5 month old Luke on the right.

I'm FIVE months old!  In the last month I have started rolling front to back and back to front, pushing up into a crawling position (!), drooling a LOT, eating some yummy purees and cereal, laughing, being ticklish, physical therapy, and screeching loudly in my crib to get attention.

Mom always puts me down on my belly in my crib.  I usually fuss for a little bit and then go to sleep (if I'm not asleep already), but I've recently figured out a new trick.  If I'm not quite ready to sleep and want more snuggles I roll over onto my back.  I can cry louder that way, and then Mom shows up.

I have a physical therapist now named Vinnie (Vinnie SEN anyone?).  He comes to visit me once a week to work on stretching my neck and getting a gaining mobility.  I have a very mild case of torticollis (just like my brother), and my pediatrician recommended therapy.  I get some one-on-one time at school, which is never a problem.  I'll be in the program for a few weeks until I have full mobility and Vinnie (along with Mom and Dad) feel as though I'm ready to graduate.  We'll keep you posted.

I have, indeed, started eating some solid foods.  I mostly love prunes and peaches and other sweet fruits.  I tolerate veggies and cereal.  

I love to grab at anything I can get my hands on!  Mom and Dad and Preston are going to have to seriously consider baby-proofing soon.  I'm starting to get around a little bit with just rolling, and there are a ton of big boy toys for me to get my little hands on.  (Mom is SO not wanting to deal with that again... sigh).  

Here are some photos of me and Mommy!  We are missing Preston tonight while he hangs out with Grandma and Grandpa at the Lake.  They picked HIM up from school early.  But I suppose I did get to have a quite night all to myself with my parents, so ther are perks to both sides.