total contentment

just loved this moment between two sisters............the one completely comfortably sleeping and the other totally content to hold and snuggle

just love those little sleep smiles

too irresistable

Caleb is quite smitten with little Katelyn.   He was pulling on her toy to make music and she responded with a big smile or "mile" as Caleb says and little noises.   He started telling her how  " coot" she was and as you can see just had to give her a kiss and then just get right next to her, just talking to her the whole time.

Birthday Girl II

 Our final birthday......actually a double birthday as Lauren was born on my birthday.   She thinks this is so neat that she shares this info often.   She always follows up the info with "well of course different years",  just cracks me up, as if the person might need clarification on that point. 

On her actual birthday,  she enjoyed eating at one of her favorite places ~  IHOP and opening some presents.  

We had a party for her on the weekend.  She had several friends over to have some fun and celebrate.   They painted birdhouses.....

opened gifts.......

and no Lauren party is complete without a pinata.....

we also played with some silly string, that was fun and produced lots of giggles

and of course cake and ice cream.   Lauren loves marshmallows  so we also had chocolate and sprinkled covered marshmallows.

not a great pic, but such a Lauren look 

Lauren is creative, inquisitive,  always wants to thoroughly understand something (read as asks lots and lots of questions),  loves to read,  draw, sculpt with clays and try all kids of crafty projects.  She loves nature and animals.   She is a great big sister,  very patient and encouraging with her younger brothers.  She's got a great sense of humor, likes to tell jokes and tease in a good natured way,  can be very silly and dramatic.  She is very compassionate and empathetic,  showing lots of concern for those with less ~  whether it's the kid in Sunday school who seems like a loner,  a guy asking for money or some story she's heard of kids in orphanages, with cancer etc,   she really takes these to heart and feels deeply for them.  She  adds a bit of sparkle to our family and were so thankful for it.  

Catherine

Birthday Girl I

Hannah  turned 14.   At times, it doesn't seem that long ago that she was Katelyn's age..........

Hannah enjoyed sleeping in on her special day and having a Chik fil a lunch (one of her favorites).  Her birthday was on a Friday and there was an activity at church that she wanted to attend, an evening of music, sharing and praying with friends.    She got a denim bible carrier and a cross necklace,  both things she had told me she wanted, after I had already gotten them (that's always fun to know you got them what they wanted).  She also got a new movie, "Percy Jackson and the Olympians: the Lightening Thief".   She likes the movie, based on the first of a book series, that she also has enjoyed reading.  

We celebrated on Saturday evening with some of her friends.   They made their own pizzas, watched a movie (in Ken's "man cave" theater) , giggled and just enjoyed themselves.   

She's growing into an amazing young lady.   An avid reader and lover of all types of music. Wonderful cook, always willing to help with dinner or to make special treats for her siblings or friends.  She's become semi-famous for her chocolate chip oatmeal cookies.   She is adored by two little boys in the house.  I love how comfortable she is with herself, easy going yet very responsible,  mature yet easily silly.  Thoughtful and encouraging.  It's also been fun to see her grow in her faith ,  making it her own and becoming excited by things she is doing and hearing in regards to it.  Proud to call her daughter and honored to call her friend.  

Birthday Boy II

Aaron turned the big 8 years old this year.   Hard to believe.   Aaron started the day with special chocolate chip pancakes made by Hannah.   She made one of them look like a balloon, one of his favorite things.

We went to a new park nearby.  It's really nice and even though it was hot, we had fun.  Some friends joined us, so that made it extra fun. 

What could be more fun than blowing bubbles with a friend.

Then we were off to Dairy Queen for lunch and of course ice cream.  Another Aaron favorite, with chocolate,  one of his favorite food items and signs

Can you tell that he was just a little overjoyed?   He just couldn't resist giving Lauren a great big hug,  when he saw the ice cream coming.

Can't have an Aaron b-day without balloons.  He also loves to eat outside, so of course we did. 

Presents~   he also loves plastic bags  so this is like a double present.  It was a Curious George  board game, that he likes to play.

If you see Caleb,  he might have been more excited than Aaron with this gift.  A  Moon Sand construction vehicle playset.

We had a blast with these bubble guns ~  lots and lots of bubbles and no blowing on my part!

Also some rocket balloons (and yes we are finally not going to be the only house on the street, we're getting neighbors)

Aaron's not much of a cake fan, so we had some cookie dough brownies and ice cream.  Yum!

 We can't imagine our family without Aaron.  He is joyful, lovable, mischievous, curious,  always willing to forgive, give a hug or make you laugh.   He's doing well, working hard and always making progress,  sometimes in ways that don't thrill me (like showing me his drawing skills on the wall and the carpet)......  You can often find him swinging, playing with balls, admiring the qualities of a balloon ~ floating over the floor vents or behind the vacuum cleaner or even sticking to the wall after he's rubbed it on his head.  He also likes his toy train and watching it come down the track,  his favorite chair and a pile of books, helping Hannah bake muffins or cookies.

Catherine

A Birthday Boy

Well after losing all of this and last years pictures when our hard drive and backup drive both crashed..........I'm thrilled to be able to post these updates, even though they are late.  Kuddos to Ken for retrieving all our info from both drives and getting our computer up and running again.  

   So following the arrival of Katelyn we began Birthday Season in our house.   Yes, it really seems like a season, as everyone but Ken celebrates a summer birthday.   Starting with Caleb. 

He was thrilled to know that on your birthday,  it's all about you....He started his day with chocolate chip pancakes made by Hannah ( a tradition she has started with her siblings).    She made them like a face which he really enjoyed.

Next you get to help make your cake,  well the clean up part.

We went to his favorite eating spot,  Old McDonalds, as he calls it, for lunch. 

Very excited about his completed cake,  one of his favorite  items ~  construction vehicles

Opening presents.   He really enjoyed the construction truck that came with tools, so he could take it apart and put it back together.

He also got his own "worker tools" so he can hang out with Ken outside and help with yard stuff.   He is loving this!

Finally,  blowing out your candles.  He likes this so much, that we had to do it a couple of times.

We are so thankful to have this little guy in our family.  He always has something to say (well at least to us) from the funny to the cute and even sometimes wise.   He is determined, has strong opinions and thoughts on things going on around him. He is very observant and likes to be helpful.  He gets concerned when one of his sisters or brother is upset or in trouble.  He's been known to keep Aaron company while he's in time out.   His fiestiness is balanced with a very compassionate, thoughtful and tender hearted spirit.

Catherine