Turning Free Years Old

You'll all be remembering that Nathan and his cousin, Carter were born on the same day, hence this double birthday party.

But you can't get them to look where you want, ever, so you just claim that you were going for the candid, more interesting picture, which it is... See, look at their eyes.

The candles were sparkler candles, and Carter was leary of them, Nathan wanted me to re-light his a plethora of times. "Anything to make you happy, sweetie."

The decor. Jared's favorite part to read! (just kidding, Jared- but seein-as-how you weren't around, you'll have to read it.) It was Kara's idea to cut out the giant "3", and it was pretty darn cute.

I planned on having some pancakes made before he woke up, but I'd have had to awake before 5:45. Never saw a more excited kid- we left three balloons attached to his bed, and that was it, he was bouncing-off-the-walls excitied, so presents were opened by 6:00 a.m.

He's got a new major obsession with alligators- you'll see what I mean as you read on- so I found this perfect shirt for him (um, you don't want to be around when he's told it's dirty... what was I thinking?). Caleb bought (with his own funds I might add) a small picture of an alligator and a toy alligator for Nathan. I was touched--

Reminding Carter that he's three, too.
Eric, Caleb, and Kara drew this cool crocodile for a game based on the story "Flap Your Wings" (Jared's favorite book . When Jared was three, and you wanted a laugh, all you had to do was tell him to "Flap your wings!") Anyway, isn't that croc so cute?

Are you kidding me? Alligator cupcakes? Where's the alligator petting zoo? Look. I know that's what you were thinking, but I think that's going a little too far. Sheesh.