Happy birthday!!

Happy birthday to my little man! We spent the weekend with family and friends celebrating Caleb's birthday, and what a party is was!! In true Hanson style, his party was big, loud and chaotic! We wouldn't have it any other way!

Matt's parents came down on Friday night and spent the weekend with us. Since Caleb's birthday falls on the Iowa/Iowa State football weekend, we always have his party on Sunday afternoon to accommodate the football fans in the family (that'd be Daddy, the grandpas, and uncles).

His party started at noon, and everyone had lunch at our place, and then his neighborhood friends came over to break the pinata, and eat cake and ice cream. He had a blast!!


Here's the important part -- the pictures!!

Licking the frosting off the plate that held the car on the cake. YUM!


Singing and blowing out candles -- with a "little" help. LOL!!

The pinata madness.

Caleb really wanted a pinata, so he picked out this cool race car and got tons of candy to fill it with. Good idea in theory, but horrible in practice. Let's just say, that this "little gem" couldn't hold the weight of all the candy I filled it with, and the top (the part that holds on the string so you can hang it up) broke off. WONDERFUL! Then, we quickly realized that it was impossible to break it open with baseball bats as it was made of some super human indestructible material, so I had to pull the string myself and throw the candy all over the lawn. It didn't exactly go as planned, but all the kids got a nice bag of candy, so that's all the really matters. Right?!?!?!? LOL!

Caleb and my dad. These two are made for eachother. They have a relationship like no other... I feel so blessed to be able to watch my dad love my son so unconditionally, so completely. They are buds, and genuinely love spending time together. I love that.

The birthday boy with his cake, sitting on his favorite spot in the house -- the kitchen island.

Caleb and his big cousin Leo playing in the grass while they waited their turn to hit the baseball. These two are quite the little sluggers!

Andrew and Pop-pops

Caleb and Leo STILL waiting for their turn to bat!

Opening gifts in the house.

Grandma and Grandpa got Caleb this shiny new bike and he LOVES it! He rode it around the kitchen as fast as his little legs would allow. Thankfully this little number has a great turning radius and my cupboards didn't take too much of a beating! LOL!!

Grandpa showing him how to work it.

Still learning....

Caleb had a great birthday, a wonderful weekend, and loads of laughs. He was filled with happiness, and loving every second he was the center of attention. AAAHHHH, there's nothing better than that ..... Watching your child being truly happy, beaming with joy, and enjoying every moment of their big day!

Today we went to the zoo with the Hodapp's and then Caleb went over and had a play date with my dad. They tinkered around the house this afternoon, and then got the fishing poles ready for their big debut ... that's right, tonight after dinner Matt and my dad took Caleb fishing -- Oh and Caleb actually caught two fish! Woo-Hoo!! He's walking a little taller and smiling a little brighter tonight!

Tomorrow he's celebrating his birthday at preschool, so I got some cupcakes and apple juice for him to share with the class. He can't wait!!