I'm really not sure how it happened. My baby boy is 3 years old. I have stared at this screen multiple times since Saturday night, trying to come up with the words to describe how I feel about it. To say that time has flown by is so cliche, and a lot of the time I
don't feel like his three years have flown by. We have so many memories, so many stories, and a lifetime of smiles and laughs already. I feel like time has gone by as it does, but, for me anyway, what makes me say "time has flown by" is really the wish that each stage of my children's lives could last just a little longer. Sometimes I will think back to the first time Cole saw his little brother in the hospital and it will feel like it was yesterday. But then again, the two of them have experienced so many things since that day. The most amazing thing I've experienced is to witness their relationship with each other pass through each stage. They have taught each other so many things, and have always been for each other what is needed of them. Kellen, you are my little man with so many layers. You are so many things all bound up in a perfect little package. Your unpredictablilty keeps us on our toes, and you have certainly added a little spice to our lives. Just when we think we've figured something out, you throw us on a loop. That's what we love about you. Your independence astounds me and sometimes I forget that you are really as young as you are. All you've ever wanted to do is not be left behind. If Cole could do it, you were darn sure going to try. You don't strive to be like anyone else, though; that's the kicker. You have absolutely no desire to follow the crowd, or do things in a traditional way. We have always known that you will march to the beat of your own drum. There are many times when you will put yourself out there and immerse yourself into your surroundings with absolutely no inhibitions. Other times, though, you will stand back and hold tight to me until you've taken it all in and are ready to explore. You will be who you are no matter what others think. You will rush into things and you will take your time. You will break the rules, and fight tooth and nail to get your way. But you will also play fairly and be kind. You will cherish relationships and make sure others know how much they mean to you. I already know these things because you teach me every day about who you are. You are fire and ice. You are sun and rain. You are naughty and nice! You are perfection to me. Your favorite things go fast, make noise, have danger, and make you laugh. I love you for every complicated piece that makes you, YOU! Thank you, Kellen Christopher, for teaching me so much about life and for making me work harder every day to be the mother, mentor, protector, and teacher you need me to be. I'm so proud of you.
After a great recommendation from a friend, we decided that the Wake Forest Fire Station was the perfect place to have your birthday party. Since it's a free service that the city offers to have "tours" for kids, we decided to make some brownies to show the firemen our appreciation for having us.
Licking the spoon after making brownies is a MUST!
Cole took care of the bowl
Since we knew Saturday would be a busy day, Haley came over Friday night to kick off Kellen's birthday with his first gift! We love Haley because she just fits perfectly with us :)
An AWESOME remote control car!!
Since Daddy had to work all day on Saturday, he opened our present Friday night, too.
Hot Wheels and Slam Launchers :)
Cinnamon rolls for the Birthday Boy for breakfst, as requested
He was SO excited to be 3 :)
I.LOVE.THIS.BOY!
At the fire station waiting for all our friends to arrive
Here begins the many faces of Kellen :) Chillin with his girlfriends
Listening to the rules before we get our tour. This is when we heard that "this is a fully functional fire station so if we get a call we may have to leave." (This info would become very pertinent;))
Our very nice tour guide :) The eight men that were working that day were so nice and accommodating. The kids even got hats!
Showing us their kitchen, living room, etc and explaining to the kids that they live there when they are on one of their shifts at work.
Kellen decided as soon as the tour started that he was going to be shy (like I said- he never ceases to amaze me!). He was suctioned to my hip but luckily he loves Mrs. Whitney enough to let me hand him off so I could take some pictures. Thanks Whit!! He really had so much fun, but these faces will make you think otherwise. I think he got a little overwhelmed by the attention!
I was totally impressed that the kids got a full lesson in stop, drop and roll if your clothes catch on fire, what to do if your house is on fire, and also how to crawl below the smoke.
The kids were engaged the entire time! Again... impressed!
Haley demonstrating stop, drop and roll!!
Peyton crawling underneath the smoke to get out of the burning house :)
They even demonstrated putting on the suit
Doesn't he look thrilled?! He was taking in every word
Cole, on the other hand, was a ball of excitement :)
#1 I love Kellen's thinking face with his little lips puckered
#2 Aren't these shirts adorable? My friend Katie is a genious
I loved how they interacted with the kids while in uniform so they would remember not to be afraid if they saw them like this. He shook each of their hands and said "if you see me running to you, don't be afraid, I'm there to rescue you!"
Kellen inside the truck. Hahaha. This is the "this is really cool but I'm scoping out my exit" face :)
Charlie wasn't so nervous! Such a cutie
Carter strapped in and ready to go!
Warming up to it
When things got quiet we knew where to look for Kellen! I'm pretty sure he ate the entire fruit platter by himself :)
More presents
...and dont forget the wonderful assembly.
The men were "overseeing" the assembly of the toys.
Batman and his Batmobile. Definitely a favorite
Pops and Kellen checking out the Batmobile
Aunt Gail, Cassidy, Brady and Gram
More and more and more assembly
Finally assembly complete! The boys were so patient.
Outside spreading the reindeer dust. Cole got the idea, while Kellen just dumped his in a pile :)
Suzi and Kellen in deep discussion about where Santa will land on our house and how he will find us.
More presents!
Remote controlled robot-its just too bad he doesn't do dishes ;)
Excited about leaving some cookies and milk for santa
Xmas morning! Santa made it :)
Mom of the year not only didn't get a family pic on Christmas, but also didn't have Christmas PJ's clean to wear!! Oooooppppssss!!
In our house, the presents from Mommy and Daddy are wrapped under the tree and Santa leaves his in a toy sack for each of them :)
Stockings first: spiderman was a hit
Just a little excited :)
Stockings first: spiderman was a hit
Just a little excited :)
Super C- Cam!
Nala got a present too-which she insisted on chewing on top of Kellen and had completely torn apart within 10 minutes
After our house, we headed over to Nina and Pops' for more presents and family fun. Kellen is checking out my brother and sister in laws dog, Izzy, and her xmas day outfit :)
Uncle Chris and the boys
Super C- Cam!
Nala got a present too-which she insisted on chewing on top of Kellen and had completely torn apart within 10 minutes
After our house, we headed over to Nina and Pops' for more presents and family fun. Kellen is checking out my brother and sister in laws dog, Izzy, and her xmas day outfit :)
Uncle Chris and the boys
So that's about it for Christmas pictures but we had an amazing time and we are so thankful for our wonderful family. Cole and Kellen are so lucky to be so loved by so many people. We ended up with an astounding amount of new toys. Justin summed it up well on Monday when he said it looked like a toy store vomited in our house! I hope everyone else had as wonderful of a holiday as we did. 
So that's about it for Christmas pictures but we had an amazing time and we are so thankful for our wonderful family. Cole and Kellen are so lucky to be so loved by so many people. We ended up with an astounding amount of new toys. Justin summed it up well on Monday when he said it looked like a toy store vomited in our house! I hope everyone else had as wonderful of a holiday as we did. 
