The Fichtner Boys and Me

Nicholas' 4th Birthday Party April 10, 2010

Nicholas had his 4th birthday party on Saturday. We decided to have a Pirate party theme. The invitations were rolled up like a scroll and even sent out in plastic bottles. The kids went on a treasure hunt to look for a treasure chest pinata. They also played pin the eye patch on the pirate. Chad and I were up until 2:30am the previous night finishing the cakes. We have a pretty good system. He mixes the colors while I do the actual decorating. I couldn't decide between the pirate ship or the little boy pirate so I had to do both. Doing two cakes wasn't easy but I think they turned out cute. Nicholas got a lot of great presents which included lots of clothes for summer, lincoln logs, coloring books, matchbox cars and even an art easel. He LOVES to paint so now it is nice that he can paint and not get it on my table. It was nice spending the day with family and friends. We finished off the party with the treasure chest pinata. Such a fun day but also very tiring. The boys (along with Chad and I) were all in bed by9pm. I'm glad Nicholas enjoyed his party. Here are some pictures.

The pirate boy cake.

The pirate ship cake with pirate candles.

Reading the clues for the treasure hunt.

Going to find more clues.

Opening presents.

Jake even got a present from Aunt Shell. A little golf club set.

Singing Happy Birthday

Blowing out the candles.

I love this picture. Both boys look so cute.

Hitting the pinata.

Hanging out with cousins April 8&9, 2010

These were just some pictures I took of the boys and their cousins. They were on cloud 9 for the last 2 weeks seeing their cousins nearly everyday. One day Chrissy was cleaning out their hot tub and the kids decided to scrub the deck. It was a funny sight. Thanks to Brian, Elizabeth and Marie for all your help with the boys while we were home.

Jake about to go on the back deck.

The kids scrubbing the deck.

This was their own idea.

Elizabeth reading the boys books.

Marie and Brian watching some tv.

Easter Morning April 4, 2010

Easter morning was a fun morning. It is a tradition in Chad's family that the Easter bunny always hides the easter basket. I didn't know until this year so I think that is why Nicholas looks so confused in the first picture. Usually his basket was right where he could find it and now he had to look for it. The boys had a fun day with their cousins. We went and watch conference at Chad's other brother Eric and his wife Rachaels house. Then we went and had a delicious dinner at Chrissy's parents house. It is nice to have family so close to be able to celebrate these holidays with.

Chad telling them that the Easter bunny hid their baskets and they have to find them. Nicholas was like "Why??"

Jake looking for his basket.

Nicholas thinking where his basket might be. (It was between the sofa and bookshelf)

Jake found his right behind the tv.

Digging right into all the goodies.

Cleaning it out first. then digging in.

Yum! Easter candy at 8am.

Cool sunglasses:)

Looking at all their candy/toys/books. The Easter bunny went alittle overboard this year.

Jake liked the sunglasses more than Nicholas did. He looks so cute.

Easter Egg Hunt April 3, 2010

My sister in law planned a great easter egg hunt/brunch at her house the day before easter. It could not have been a nicer day for it. It was beautiful outside. We had some yummy food while the last of the eggs were being hidden and then it was time. Nicholas LOVES easter egg hunts. We went to one last year at church and all year long he would talk about it. He has been looking forward to this for awhile. The kids had a great time. It was fun catching up with some people I don't see very often. Thanks Chrissy for a great day:)

All the kids who partcipated in the hunt. Most are my kids cousins.

My boys look a little scared in this one.

Jacob went with his cousin Brian which worked out great for Jake becaue Brian was in charge of hiding the eggs:)

Looking for eggs.

Nicholas would shake every egg he found to make sure it wasn't empty. (none of them were but he had to be sure.)

Jacob and Brian

Nicholas

He was really into it.

Jake, Brian and Nicholas.

Construction Project. March 30- April 1 2010

This project I was so excited about. In our home in NY we had a wall between our living room and dining room that I decided I no longer wanted there. Chad being the talented guy that he is (along with the help from our soon to be brother in law Ross) knocked it down dramatically changing the look of our home. I LOVE it and everyone else who saw it loved how open and bright it was. It seems like we have much better flow and I can see right from our kitchen into the living room now. Always a good thing when you have 2 little boys that seem to find trouble everywhere. It was such a messy job. I am grateful they did it though because it looks so great now.

The wall from the living room side.

The wall from the dining room side.

Chad and Ross taking layers off.

i think there were 4 or 5 different layers that were underneath the original.

Nicholas said he liked that wall paper. I don't know if he was kidding or serious.

Just the beams.

Beams Chad had to use to support the weight until he got the permanent beam in.

All the beams in place and looking great.

Happy Birthday Chad!! April 1, 2010

Chad is an April Fools Day baby. If you ask him he hated this growing up because people always tricked him on his birthday. I'm not a big April Fools day person so to me April 1st is just his birthday and nothing else. I made him pot roast with carrots and potatoes for dinner and then we had an ice cream cake for dessert. I got him the new Sherlock Holmes movie (which I loved so it was really for both of us.) Happy 33rd Birthday Chad. We love you!!