Weekend #2 at the Cabin

We were fortunate to have the cabin again last weekend, and had invited Kate and her boyfriend Mark out to join us.  For those of you who don't know, Kate was Mitchell's first sitter after I went back to work in 2007 and she's since become one of our family.  She wasn't able to make it out for Mitchell's birthday party so instead she came for the weekend!  Mitchell loved it...he just adores Kate, and we're so glad that she took time out of her new busy life to spend with him (and us)!

At the last minute I offered to babysit my father's (step)grandaughter for the day, Brandi.  It was great to have a playmate for Mitchell that day and they had a lot of fun together.  We piled them into the back of the Jeep for a ride and walk in the forest...it was like being in the back of the bus and they loved the bumpy ride!

the she is....his mom away from mom!  or girlfriend...I don't know which one he would prefer!!

Brandi taking a "reverse" look at the woods through the wrong side of the binoculars!

Brandi found a gorgeous mushroom (don't worry Grammy, I washed her hands off afterwards!!)

Mark, contemplating something...or just trying get over his queasiness-poor guy!

It was a really nice weekend-amazingly clear blue skies without any clouds, no humidity either!  Tons of fun!

Happy 3rd Birthday Mitchell!

I cannot believe our little man is 3 already!  He insists he is 2 though, says he doesn't want to be 3.  We had a great party...it was so nice to have so much of our family all together.  Here are some highlights...

this is my best friend from my childhood, Heidi, who now lives only an hour away!  And this is katie, her daughter, whom I had never met before.  She's gorgeous!!

quite the fiendish look...haha!  Must be the cake and ice cream!

Unlce Shel!!  (really Aunt Michele, but that's Mitchell's name for her!)

Sweet Madelyn...

"get away from my food, Aunt Stacey!"

Time to sing happy birthday and cut the cake!  Mitchell sang along with everyone!

sharing with Daddy!

Time to open gifts!  At this point his shirt had to come off because I noticed he smeared his vanilla ice cream all over his arms and chest...haha!

His first bicycle!  Thanks Nena and Grandpap!  He loves it!

And WOW!  His first Jeep!!  Thanks Mom Mom and PopPop Larry! 

Maxton in the Jeep!

Just one more late night ride before bedtime!

Buzz Lightyear ready to spring into action!

gotta check out this handsome fella himself...

so handsome that he couldn't resist a kiss!

Thanks everyone, for coming to our party and for all the wonderful gifts!  We had a blast!

Rest of the photos from our visit with Nena...

Supper time...

Movie time...

Popsicle time...

Cuteness time!

(but still with a dirty face!)