Nyles' 4th Birthday!

On Friday, August 12th Nyles turned 4 years old!  He was so excited for his birthday, he couldn't stand it!  He has been asking how many days until his birthday since about 3 weeks leading up to his birthday.  I let him take my desk calendar and put in his room so he could see it as a reminder of when it would be.  Needless to say he was SUPER excited when his birthday finally got here.  Now he asks if he can have his birthday again.  Of course we tell him next year it'll come again, so we have to wait until then.  He didn't really like that answer though.  He was hoping every day could be his birthday :)

Since Nyles loved his swim lessons so much, when we asked him what he wanted to do for his birthday, he said SWIM!  We decided to go try out the newer Draper outdoor pool, since we heard good things about it, and we had never been there.  We invited his cousins to come w/ us, then come back to our place for pizza, cake and ice cream afterwards.  Shortly before we were going to leave to go swimming, Carter fell asleep.  So I told Steve to go ahead and I'd catch up as soon as Carter woke up.  Well, Carter apparently was really tired, and slept the whole time they were gone, so I missed the fun at the pool.  Stacie met Steve there w/ her kids though, and brought 3 of the Lake kids as well.  Pauline showed up w/ Charlotte and Ezra shortly after they got there as well.  While they were gone I set up and got ready for the party afterwards.

Nyles ready to go swimming.....after we rub in the sunscreen of course :)

After getting back from swimming, Steve went and picked up the pizza.  Pauline followed Steve over from the pool, then Chris showed up after work.  Rose and her girls showed up, along w/ Dave and Joann.  Stacie came over after running home to change the kids, but the Lake kids had to go to a high school reunion w/ Melanie and Brandon that night.  We appreciate everyone coming and showing Nyles your love for his special day.  He had a GREAT day w/ his cousins and family.  Thanks again for coming and for the thoughtful gifts too.  Here are some pics of his big day.

Nyles first thing in the morning opening his presents from mom and dad.

He picked this one out himself.  It is a digger that comes apart and you can put it back together w/ a screwdriver.  He loves to "fix" things.

Nyles reading the instructions ;)

Steve insisted on getting him some Nerf guns. 

Steve said we had to get 2 so he could play w/ him :)

They're pretty fun actually.  We've been shooting them out in our back yard.  They sure go far!

The fish cupcakes I made for his party.  Nyles LOVES fish!

Swedish fish w/ bubbles on the cupcakes.

Nyles blowing his candles out.  

The wind kept catching them so it made it a little tricky, but we finally got it.

Chris, Pauline, Rose,  (Carter in the bouncer) Ava, Ali, Joann, Stacie and Phill outside on the patio where we had the pizza, cake and ice cream.  It was a nice evening again outside.

We came inside to open gifts.  

Dave was inside trying to get comfortable w/ his knee, so we brought the party inside to be w/ him.  We appreciate him coming :)

Nyles opening gifts.

A card from Great Grandma LuDean McGrath.  He also got a card from Great Grandma VaLere Hegerhorst and Grandma Cathy Hegerhorst.  Thanks so much!

Nyles had his 4 year Dr appointment a couple days after turning 4.  Nyles weighed 40.34 lbs which is in the 83 percentile, and was 41.34 inches tall, which is in the 74 percentile.  We were pretty surprised how much he's grown this past year.  He's always been on the smaller side, since he was born 3 weeks early, but he has definitely caught up now and then some.  Nyles got 2 shots at his Dr appointment.  He wasn't scared at all and was excited to get them, though kept saying afterwards, "Why do shots have to hurt so much?"

Nyles eating dried apples at his Dr appointment.  

Steve got a dehydrator and has been trying it out.  Nyles loves the apples; he eats them like candy.

Nyles got adjusted at the Chiropractor.  He was sooo excited too!  He definitely doesn't take after me when it comes to going to the Dr's office.

Since we met our deductible and max out of pocket it doesn't cost us, which is awesome!

         

Here are some of his favorite things:
-Nyles loves to be tickled, he'll actually asks to be tickled
-Loves fishing and hunting w/ Steve
-Love tools and pretends to fix things
-Loves to build things
-Loves riding his bike
-Loves stuffed animals and has to have several to go to bed w/ him every night, and a couple toys too
-Loves water: playing w/ the water hose in the yard, playing in the water table, swimming, splash pads, taking a bath
-Some of his favorite foods are: noodles or rice w/ Parmesan cheese, Chocolate chips, dried apples, jerky, pretzels, homemade cookies, pancakes w/ Grandma Hegerhorst's homemade strawberry jam, popsicles, bacon, and yogurt.

Nyles helping to vacuum.  

He has been a big helper and helps w/ chores in or out of the house.

He definitely is a thinker and is very curious about how things work and why things are they way they are.  His favorite word is WHY?  Sometimes he says it when he doesn't need to (like after every statement), and we're trying to teach him when to say it, but regardless he has a curious mind and likes to know more than just the underlying reasons.

Nyles enjoying being a big brother.  He loves to hold Carter, though he gets a little heavy at times.

                                           

We can't believe Nyles is 4 already.  He is growing up so fast!  We are so glad to have Nyles in our family.  He is a wonderful big brother too.  He is such a joy!  We LOVE him soooo much!