Happy Valentine's Day

This past week really has been great spending time as a family! After dating/being married to Kyle for 14 years - wow, typing that number makes me realize that it's been awhile - our Valentines Day celebrations have gone from Sigma Phi Delta Sweetheart party throughout college to the following.

I enjoy having my Mondays off of work to hang out with my favorite little man. This past Monday, Micah and I did some finger painting to create some homemade Valentines.

The finished masterpiece

After a busy day of finger painting, running a bunch of errands with Mom, helping cook, and playing, we had 1 tired boy!

Micah celebrated Valentine's day with a busy day of playing. It was pajama day at his daycare. There was a new sheriff at daycare that day, as Micah went dressed up in a pair of sheriff pajamas. Apparently, he fulfilled that role by keeping the younger babies in line that day!!

Kyle and Micah took a Daddy and Me ECFE class last night, so I enjoyed some time alone taking Brutus for a walk and making dinner uninterrupted after work. Once Micah went to bed, Kyle and I enjoyed having a quiet dinner together while sitting on the couch and watching one of our favorite TV shows, House Hunters. 

Sweet flowers from Kyle

Although our Holiday celebrations have become more simple since Micah came into our lives- we go out less and we no longer exchanges gifts, I wouldn't change them for anything. There is nothing better than just being together as a family. I love Kyle, Micah and Brutus too, so much!!

Great Wolf - Part 1

This past weekend Kyle, Micah and I met our friends, the Chamberlains, in Wisconsin Dells at Great Wolf Lodge for a weekend filled with some swimming and serious playing. The Chamberlains have 2 adorable boys - Sam who is 2.5 years old and Oliver who is 3 weeks older than Micah. We rented a condo, and the boys had a great time playing together. We enjoyed catching up with Ryan and Jackie. Now if only Winona had the need for a pediatric physical therapist and a medical physicist, maybe we could convince them to relocate : )

Best Buds Oliver and Micah playing with the safe in the room

A little brotherly love between Oliver and big brother Sam

Pals in their pajamas - could these two be any cuter?! Another picture to add to the posed collection of these two. Someday we'll catch them both smiling at the same time.

Micah was a little apprehensive of the water, which was surprising to me. He's been swimming several times over the year when we have gone up to Mille Lacs or in hotels when we have been traveling. Great Wolf is a huge resort and it was super busy this past weekend, so I think that he was a little intimidated by all of the activity. The title of this blog is Great Wolf, part 1, because we are actually going back there in a few weeks with our friends the Kelleys. Stay tuned for a blog entry about that trip.

Happy Birthday sweet Micah James

Last week was an exciting week in the Raadt household It's so hard to believe that we now have a 1-year old! Micah has been an absolute blessing in our lives, and it's amazing how much he has changed in 365 days.

January 26, 2011

January 26, 2012

Micah had an eventful week starting with a puppy-dog themed birthday party on the Sunday before his birthday. It was held at our house and family and a few close friends were invited. Below are a bunch of the pictures from the event.

Puppy dog cake and cupcakes

Snuggling with his new puppy body pillow



Checking out the petting zoo, aka Brutus and Delilah (our friends' Springer Spaniel)

With friends Logan and Harrison

So Big!! Micah's cake smash was mild. The icing that's on his face was mostly placed there by Mom!  Thinking that he was being shy, we scheduled a photo session later in the week to capture a true cake smash. Again, Micah wanted little to do with playing with the cake, let alone eating it. He definitely did not inherit that character trait from the Youdas side of the family, because I have certainly helped Micah in finishing off his birthday cake leftovers.

Micah had several relatives and friends attend his birthday party. In addition to Grandpa and Grandma Youdas and Uncle Augie (Scott), Grandma and Grandpa Raadt came. Micah's friends, Harrison and Logan also attended. We are thankful that our friends from Madison, the Kidd's, made the trip over to Winona to celebrate with Micah as well.

Micah had a great time with his balloons after everyone left that night.

Kyle and I were fortunate to be able to spend Micah's actual birthday with him. Micah's birthday fell on a Thursday, which happens to be Brutus' special daycare day. Micah came with me to drop Brutus off that morning, and he was able to make a special trip back to the outdoor dog play area. He thoroughly enjoyed watching his big brother play with his doggy friends for a few minutes.

Late morning we took Micah to Rochester to visit 'Pipsqueaks', an indoor playground sponsored by the United Way. It was only $2 to access the place and well worth the small cost. Micah sure loved playing on all of the equipment!

We debated where to take Micah for a special birthday lunch. In the end we went to Mr. Pizza North. Micah sure loves pizza, like his dad!

Lastly, we make it back to Winona in time for a brief sled ride before picking up Brutus from daycare.

It is amazing how much Micah has changed over the past year. He has brought us so much joy, and we are so thankful that he has been placed in our lives. We are excited to see Micah continue to change over the next year.