Super Taft is 3

Taft turned 3 this past week and we had a great time celebrating. Tates was here for her Spring Break, my mom made a 4 day stop here on her way back from a business trip in El Salvador, and my dad surprised all of us with his arrival Saturday morning! 

Seth and I both agreed that a Superhero birthday party would be pretty awesome for Taft. I had visions of 3-5 year olds running around in Superhero capes, having the time of their lives. I made 14 capes. Fourteen. And I do not really sew. I didn't get to bed before midnight a single night the week before the party. I'm sure someone who is good at sewing could have whipped them out in a night or two. So after swearing a few times and not getting much sleep, I decided it was worth it, but probably won't do it for any future birthday parties (sorry Lukie and other future children). 

We had planned to have the party at a park near our house since our place is quite small, but the forecast was predicting rain. I checked the weather all week hoping for a change. I was starting to stress not knowing where we would have the party, but luckily our library had a perfect room and for hardly any money at all. I was glad we had it because it ended up POURING rain that day. 

I think Taft had a fun time at his party. He got a lot of fun gifts from everyone. I don't think he got a single gift that he hasn't played with since his party. 

Some pics of the partay:

Taft at three years old: 

-loves playing with his friends. In particular, Logan and Chase. 

-loves playing with trains (tank engines), cars, and all his new b-day gifts

-loves wrestling with Dad, playing "PB&J Sandwich" with Dad (a made up game)

-knows his ABCs, shapes, colors, and the letter W

-likes singing songs

-doesn't take naps, but sleeps about 11-12 hours at night. Still sleeps with his monkey and favorite blanket

-loves TV shows of all kinds

-loves being read to

-enjoys trips to Sea World, the zoo, the park, and library

-loves Nursery at church

-likes being a helper by doing the dishes and helping me clean

-can get himself dressed except for shoes and socks

-despises eggs, rice, potatoes, cheese (except for the fake powdered kind in mac&cheese), most meat, oranges and most dinners I make. 

-loves/will eat mac&cheese, many fruits, peas, broccoli, carrots, pb&j, yogurt, cereal, pancakes, plain noodles, Pirate Booty, most crackers, Cafe Rio pork, granola bars, fruit snacks and white (vanilla) frozen yogurt.

-gets sad and angry when he gets in trouble. 

-is a good big brother (the majority of the time)

-is afraid of heights. Deathly afraid of heights. 

-doesn't really like to color or do arts and crafts projects. 

-When he doesn't want to do something or go somewhere he says, "I'm sorry, but I can't _____"

-When he does want to do something he says, "Of course!" or "Alrighty!"

-Loves being outside and running free

-Can spend a good 20-30 minutes in the bath tub. 

-"Has to go pribacy" (Needs privacy)when going potty

-When playing with kids and they do something he doesn't like he puts up his hands and says, "I don't like that guys." 

-Loves to talk and tell stories. 

-Can be super snuggly when he wants to be. (Every other week or so. :) ) 

-Says good prayers. 

-Loves his family

I'm so glad Taft is in our family. He is the funniest, cutiest, silliest, sweetest 3 year old I could ever hope for. 

I Reached a Goal

which is not really like me. I ran a half marathon a few weeks ago. I ran with a friend here and we actually got a better finish time than we thought we would! It was the first race/run thing I've done where I've actually been well trained. Well-trained as in, I followed the training schedule and finished faster than planned. Not well-trained like I placed. Well, I placed if you consider 50-something a place. Anyway, just leave a comment validating this somewhat-of-an-accomplishment in my life.

Driggs 2012

The week of Presidents' Day Seth had a week of vacation. During residency you only have a certain number of weeks of vacation (Seth has 4 for the year) but you have to plan them way in advance. It's kind of annoying, but we've known we had this trip coming for several months and we were very excited for it. Last year, during this same week, we spent it with Seth and two of his brothers in Driggs, ID. (Near Jackson Hole, WY) We were lucky enough to get invited again and had another great time. One of Seth's brothers couldn't come which we were sad about, but Seth's parents came this time!

We spent the week riding snowmobiles, snowshoeing, playing cards, and of course eating good food. The highlight of the trip was probably that Taft LIKED riding the snowmobiles. Last year he wouldn't even go near the snow clothes for fear that we would put them on him and make him ride a snowmobile. I was nervous he was going to hate it again and was so, so proud of him for being brave even though the snowmobiles are so loud.

A HUGE thanks to our hosts, Seth's brother, Dan, and his wife Lara. They rock. It's very, very nice of them to let us mooch off their hook ups. It was a lot of fun spending time with their kids too. They have GREAT kids. Their older boy, Zane is almost 8, and was so so so great with Taft. All their kids were great with him, but I was just surprised than an 8 year old would be so nice and not seem annoyed by him.

Pop with 6 of his 11 (soon to be 12) grandkids!

Grammie with the kiddos

Staying entertained on the long drive

Ready to Ride

This picture makes me laugh out loud, you can tell Taft is a cautious boy.

Taft and Brauer. These two got along really well. It was fantastic and kinda made me wish I had twins. 

 The weekend before we left for Driggs we spent with my family in Sandy. We had a great time with them as well...Nana, Grandpa and Lanx took Taft to the Ogden Train Depot, a family dinner out at Joe Mo's, grown ups only night at the movies, and a Sunday feast with my family, Lanx's BF, Seth's sis, Colie, and Seth's parents. It was too short of a weekend (and week), but it's always great to see family. AND I didn't take any pictures in UT. Which reminds me...Lanx send me some pics from the train station. Hopefully one of these days we'll be in UT for longer than a weekend so I can see some friends!! I really miss my Utah friends. Like lots. 

It's always a little bit of a bummer when vacations are over, but I'm not going to lie...it's pretty great coming home to a place like San Diego. Now if just all our family and friends would move here too!!