Happy 4th for Tanner and Reid

Can you believe it? These boys are four years old! It's hard to believe it was four years ago that our lives changed so completely. It's been such a fun four years with these two happy boys in our family.

I took them for donuts in the morning and it was fun to snap a few pictures while they sat in the same place for a more than a few seconds (doesn't happen much, they're kind of on the go). They felt so special ordering their own donuts and celebrating their birthday in the donut shop! They were also very cute and funny as they enjoyed their sweets.




These boys could hardly wait for Mike to come home so they could open presents. Next year, we'll just do it at breakfast.

A few weeks before their birthday these boys saw double light sabers at our local Meijer. They wanted them so badly!! They talked about them non stop, had Mike write a birthday list (similar to a Christmas list) just so they could write "double light saber" down somewhere. Reid was even praying for the light saber! Luckily, grandma and grandpa were willing to continue the love for Star Wars and sent them for the boys. They light up, spin, make authentic light saber sounds, T & R (and A) are in heaven!After light sabers, I had a scavenger hunt for the boys to find their gift from Mike and me. They had fun running through the house, outside the house, and finally down to the basement to find their new bikes!

They were sooooo excited and hopped right on and went for it, zero hesitation from either of them. It was fun to see all three boys biking up and down the road.

As for cakes, usually I make their cakes (or grandma and grandpa bail me out when I've over scheduled myself), but Reid was sick the few days before their birthday and I could tell it just wasn't going to happen without being totally insensitive to my guy. So, I swallowed my motherly pride and bought cupcakes from Sam's Club, so easy!!!

We love these guys and I feel so grateful to have them in our family! They are such individuals and so different, yet they have such a great relationship.

Tanner can still melt family, friends, or strangers with his big blue eyes and adorable voice. Just the other day I was taking him to the bathroom at a neighbors house and as we entered the bathroom the conversation made me want to squeeze him and went something like this:

T: Mom, let's see if Taylor's toilet is a magic toilet.

Me: OK... what's a magic toilet? (thinking of the auto flushes at the airport)

T: You know, it's when you put the seat down and you just touch it and then it comes down all by itself without crashing! Grandma has a magic toilet and the Bertolinas have a magic toilet, but we don't have a magic toilet.

(He then closes the toilet with a crash.)

Nope, not a magic toilet.

This kid cracks me up! He is always thinking things through and makes thoughtful statements. He is so sweet to his sister Amelia. Just today, while all the kids were gathered around my saucepan scraping remains of caramel out of it, Tanner offered his spoonful of caramel to Amelia, who couldn't get close enough to get a lick.

Tanner is also so very clever! It's not uncommon for him to change the words while reading scriptures. For instance, last night he said "...and he returned to the house of Darth Vader..." Such a funny guy!

Every night Tanner chatters away about the day and then wants a fishy kiss before I leave the room. I'll be so sad when he grows out of that.

Reid is such a big boy! He loves to run and will often run "the loop" (1/2 mile) with me or Mike as we start a run. He loves to ride his bike and just be outside. He's also a tough kid and loves to wrestle with Mike and can definitely hold his own when wrestling with Andrew.

Reid can be such a sweetheart! He loves to help others, especially his sister Amelia. Recently at the library, my arms were very full and cute Reid said, "I'll be in charge of Amelia." He took her by the hand, helped her up all the stairs, and walked her through the parking lot. So loving and caring!

Reid also has some fire to him. I pity the child who plucks a toy from his hand or tries to get in his face.

Yesterday I was in the car and I heard Reid say very matter-of-factly, "I wish I had brown skin....because then I could be a cow."

I love this kid! Every night he wants a back tickle, nose, nose, nose, and kiss, kiss, kiss, and then a big hug. He's such a loving and sweet guy and I feel so lucky to be his mom.

These two are so much fun, I love seeing they play together and hearing what they come up with. The day after their birthday, Reid said, "Tan, let's race!"

Tanner replied, "I don't want to race, you always win."

In a whisper, Reid said, "I'll let you with this time." And off they went. I love to see their love for each other, their creativity when they slip into their land of pretend, and their teamwork to accomplish the task at hand. After their races, they built a swimming pool and had fun jumping in over and over. To be four and have a special friend you came to earth with!