Quinton is 3

Our little man has turned 3.  I am in a bit of denial on this one, just looking at that cute little face I can almost convince myself it didn't happen and that he is still 2.  But then he so efficiently reminds me, "Mom, I'm 3 now, I'm a big boy".  Oh yes, that's right buddy, and you are the sweetest little 3 year old ever!

We celebrated twice for this occasion as we were on family vacation with my family just before the big day and then with Chris' on his actual birthday.  

Quinton, we love you so much and are so proud of the boy you are becoming.  While you are stubborn and hard headed you also have the sweetest most sensitive little heart.  You are the cuddler of the family and I love that you always choose me each night to snuggle with (no offense Daddy).  You have changed so much over the last year!  Your vocabulary is awesome and you are amazing me all the time with what you pick up.  I can't wait to see what this year holds.

All our love,

Mommy and Daddy

Mix, Pour, Find a Cure

This past weekend was National lemonade days for Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation.  In 2000 a little girl named Alex was diagnosed with Cancer and she and her brothers held their first Lemonade stand to raise money for kids with Cancer.  As of this year they, along with thousands of other kids around the country, have donated over 60 million to Cancer research and the care of children and their families struggling with Cancer.

We were introduced to Alex through a book her parents wrote after her passing to help other children understand her story.  A few weeks ago Shayden and I were reading it and I started to talk to him about how we could get involved, what he could do to make an impact and help other children.  It took about .1 seconds for him to decide we were DEFINITELY doing a lemonade stand and how could we get started!

So this past weekend we held our first lemonade stand along with 1,350 other stands across the nation.  And let me tell you, it was a total success.  My heart was literally bursting with joy to watch my little ones so eager to serve everyone that came.  Shayden and Quinton were a great team dumping ice and filling up cups.  While Quinton and Sutton were forced to take afternoon naps, Shayden stood strong by the stand the entire time and didn't allow a single cup to be served by anyone but him or Quinton.  He was gracious, kind and fully engaged...it was awesome!

Our goal was to raise $100, a small but mighty amount.  We were blown away by all our family, friends and neighbors who generously gave and have brought our total to over $500.  Shayden was thrilled and wanted to know if we could drive it to a hospital right away!  

Thank you to everyone who shared in this event with us.  Not only did you give to a great cause but you instilled community, faith and the heart of service into my children and I am forever grateful.  

 

Mixing up our lemonade

 

Our first customer - stopped on his 8 mile run

 

Team Testa

 

One very proud little boy

To learn more visit AlexsLemonade.org

Happy 2nd Birthday Quinton

Today marks another year for Quinton!  He is a very proud little two year old, even though half of the time if you ask him if he is two, he says "no".

While he has been sick all week, poor guy, he perked up for a quick visit to the toy store this morning and picked his birthday present out all by himself.  To our joy and  appreciation it was a lovely $5 plastic chainsaw...well done Quinton!

Tomorrow we celebrate with the family and hopefully a happy and healthy little boy.

Quinton, you are a complete joy!  You have the sweetest and also orneriest disposition.  You constantly share with Shayden and are always willing to love on others.  You are the best cuddler in the family and your early morning snuggles are priceless.  We are thoroughly enjoying watching your personality come through as you learn to voice your opinions and desires more and more.  We can't wait to watch you grow and become a big brother.  

All our love!

A few pics to mark the last 2 years...

1 day

6 months

1 year

1.5 years

2 years

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

Columbus Clippers Ring Your Bell - it was Max's 4th Birthday...and he took us to the ball park - THANK YOU MAX!  ...oh, and Happy Birthday little buddy.

We had a BLAST this past Monday night celebrating with our nephew Max as he turned 4 at the  Huntington Ballpark.  Sam and Jen invited all the siblings and kiddos to overtake the lawn section at the park and enjoy an evening under the night sky.  It was a night to remember.  The kids had so much fun running around, Eli and John caught a ball, it was Dime-A-Dog night and the weather was picture perfect, 80's with a slight breeze and not a cloud in the sky.

And to top it all off, it was both Shayden and Quinton's 1st ball game!

It could go down as one of my favorite memories from this year....so far :)

A few pics to mark the occasion.

(left to right) Gabe, Shayden, Eli and Max

Action Shot - Shayden practicing to catch a ball.  (nice camera work Uncle Luke)

A huge thank you to Rachel who allowed me to borrow her camera.  A rare moment of forgetting mine.  You were a lifesaver!

Easter 2012

Easter 2012 was in one word, Wonderful!

Not only do I love that our oldest, Shayden, understands the full reason for Easter but also that he can explain it to anyone who wants to listen with full passion and love for Jesus.  Its just awesome!  And Quinton, well he fully understood the reality of an egg hunt this year and that was special as well.  :)

We had a full weekend with a family visiting us from Michigan, a great egg hunt and a wonderful sermon and family brunch on Sunday.  

A few pics to highlight the weekend...

Community Egg Hunt - 50,000 eggs and a special egg drop by a helicopter.  

Little Boy Approved!

Shayden on the left, Q on the right

Quinton was on a mission this year, and kept saying "more, more".

We had a small family egg hunt on Sunday night as well, the boys received yard tools from Mommy and Daddy.  We have fondly nicknamed them "GAL's Maintenance Crew".

He is Risen!

The Boys

As I glanced at my last blog post, I realized how much I needed to post an update on my little men.  Man oh Man are they changing.  Quinton is coming out of his shell and attempting to share all sorts of opinions and feelings with us - some adorable, some end him up in time out over and over again. 

Shayden, well he is a big boy and he will be sure to tell you that.  He is feeling very grown up, super tall, super strong and ready to tackle whatever you give him.  

A few pics to highlight our past 2 months.

Our first rocket - Nemo Rocket - was a huge success.  Good job Dad!

 

We are getting ready for summer, goggles, snorkel and fins have been used in every shower and bath since last month and I have to say Shayden's skills are improving.  Quinton, well he looks adorable but I'm not sure he uses them properly.

We had our first round of stitches 2 weeks ago.  Shayden fell out of bed in the middle of the night and hit his night stand.  After a few hours and 5 stitches we were back in bed and ready to go the next day.  The most amusing aspect of the whole thing was he was super pumped he did not have to have any band aids.

On to Spring...

Valentine's Day Video

This year Valentine's Day came with a surprise, some screaming and me laughing so hard I'm pretty sure I wet my pants.

Uncle Scott and GG did the honors of delivering a Valentines Bag of goodies for the boys from their Grandpa and GranDanna.  The boys were SO excited - big red bag, big heart balloon, surely wonderful things inside.  But first the card, I instructed them that we must open this first and thus the screaming and laughing...the card, while cute was not met with much approval.  Shayden would not touch it and Quinton ran from the room as if the monkey inside was going to jump out of the card and get him.  I had to get some of it on video and share it with you.

Quinton's Room Makeover

If I start this post honestly, I would have to tell you that I need to take a break (after only entering the title) to go wipe Shayden's bottom for his second potty break during nap time...can someone say 'milking it'!

Ok, here we go...Quinton's room!

I can honestly say I have had a total blast getting to decorate Q's room.  There is just something about doing a nursery that makes you feel all warm inside.  It was particularly fun because while not too many changes were made, kept bedding, kept furniture, etc., great things were added and the painting of the room brought it all together.

Here is before we moved in:

And after:

While I still have a few things I want to put on the wall, it is definitely a little boys nursery and we love it.

Now on to Shayden's.

Theater First

Shayden and Quinton made their first visit to the Theater today when we were invited to attend "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie" at the Riffe Theater in downtown Columbus.

I am happy to report it was a total success.  I knew Shayden was going to enjoy it but I wasn't so sure I could keep Quinton quite for the entire performance.  He did great - laughed at funny moments, clapped when everyone else did and sat on my lap like a champ for the entire 45 minutes.  

The only downer - my minor ticket for paying only the partial fee in the parking lot slot.  Its all about choices and mommy made a poor choice.  HAVE CASH ON HAND MOMMY!!!

All in all a wonderful morning and a great first time experience for both boys!

Thank you to my sis Kristen and her gaggle for sharing this fun event with us.

Christmas 2011

Well I think it's fair to say we have had a full December.  We returned from California to finish packing up our beloved home in Clintonville and embarked on an even greater blessing in Powell.  Moving in brought out all of our great friends and family who helped us accomplish the large task and we were settled in nicely when Chris returned from more training in NY.  Then just one week later we started celebrating Christmas with family and friends and before we knew it we were ringing in the New Year....what a difference a month can make!


I can whole heartily say that God has blessed this family and we are truly and deeply thankful and grateful.


A few pictorial highlights from the past month...I'm not even sure where to start.

I have to admit, I loved every minute of driving this baby...28 feet long and she cruised the highway like a champ.  Looking back I wished I looked a little bit cuter doing it but this woman on a mission was not worried about hair or makeup.

Christmas Day at Grandpa and GranDanna's

Christmas Day at our house...

The two coolest gifts from Shayden and Quinton's GAL (Great Aunt Linda) - a sibling trike and a forklift.  These two were over the moon!

Trick or Treat

What Fun!!!  I have to say that I love little children in costumes and the process of cheerfully taking all your neighbors generous sugar handouts.  We had another blast trick or treating this year and the boys kept us smiling and laughing throughout the entire evening.  

Shayden of course is a seasoned pro at 3 and needed no encouragement to hit the streets.  Quinton was much too young last year to enjoy the entire process but caught on very quickly this year.  He loved the "pick and drop" process and wasn't bashful at all climbing stairs and trotting up to perfect strangers.  

All in all a great evening with family and friends.

Our little lion

worker man

getting ready to head out

treasured time with Daddy

Bubbles

Shock Wave

Pay close attention to the end of the video and you will see the "shock wave".

Summertime Shades

Shayden 2009         -         Quinton 2011

Quinton's Birthday Celebration

I am in the midst of uploading all the pics and video from last nights party but wanted to put up my top photo.  It makes my heart happy.

Birthday boys include Quinton, Uncle Sam and Grandpa

(note Shayden, he just can't help himself)

Quinton's First Year in Photos

Happy 1st Birthday Quinton

To my sweet little Quinton,

You are an amazing child of God and we feel so blessed to have you in our family.  From the moment you arrived you have added pure joy to our home.  I love how you light up when you see us (especially Shayden) and your loving nature is contagious.  Your hugs are amazing and watching the wind blow through your hair while you smile is a seared image in my mind. I hope you always know our intense and everlasting love for you and that you continue to grow to be the man God has called you to be.

All my love,

Mommy

A birthday breakfast - with a hint of syrup, a first.

Birthday smiles.

First present of the day...our amazing neighbors John and Jean bought Quinton his very own lawn mower so he and Shayden can 'cut the grass' together.

Practicing for the Big Day

I'm almost One...

Gearing up for the big day

We are just weeks away from celebrating Quinton's 1st birthday (sniff, sniff) and with that comes many changes, some great and some sad, but today the UPS driver brought a fun upgrade that comes with turning 1 year....a new car seat!  That brown truck couldn't have pulled up at any better time.  The boys had just gotten up from their afternoon naps and were super pumped to have a big box at the front door.  Needless to say it didn't take long to have everything unpacked and the box ready for their use.  I am pretty sure it was a hiding spot, a space shuttle, a food truck and a sleeping spot before they turned in for the night.  Here are a few pics from the day.  

Hey, what am I so excited for?

Riding in style

Boys in a box

Final trip in the space shuttle before bed

(side note: this is Quinton's new "cheese" smile, hilarious)

Thanks Grandma and Papa for my early Birthday present...I can't wait to ride in it. Love, Q

Makes me Laugh

Quinton just makes me laugh.  He is such a funny little boy and his actions reflect his zest for life.

The other day his GranDanna bought him a new book - a touch and feel - which he was super pumped to look at and experience.  After reading it once I placed it on the ground for him to continue to look at and when I checked back on him minutes later this is what I found.

Hey, this is soft.

No ones looking, right!

MMMMmmmm

He takes "touch and feel" to a whole new level.