"Who says, spending your birthday at a wedding wouldn't be fun? I put it to the test on my 8th birthday and is was a BLAST! I got to have mom all to myself for one entire day. I got to play at the beach, roll down the sand dunes, write my name in the sand, play Frisbee with my Uncles, and chase the waves- boy was that COLD! Best of all, I got to get out of school early to go out to lunch with my Auntie Kate. I saw 2 whole jellyfish and ate calamari. What a super fun birthday!"

"I know the view is gorgeous, mom; but hurry-up and take the picture. It is COLD!"

"That was fun. Can I do it again?"

"This photo was taken right after the wedding. I am wearing a polo shirt, a sweater vest, my suit, and a hooded sweatshirt. That is how cold it was. I could not get to the van fast enough!"

"There is always trouble when my Uncle Tim and I are together."

"Dallas and Shawnesy are so googly."

"Mom, I am way too tired to talk anymore. Sorry."

Happy Birthday..."Cowboy"!

Our dear Son,

You have given us 8 exciting years of laughter, adventure, and joy. Whether you're dressed as a cowboy, an archery man, a hunter, a fisherman, a baseball player, a basketball player, a football player, or a soccer player you are a striking handsome boy. You have stolen our hearts by your adventurous nature, your kindness and your gentle spirit. We love you so very much!

Happy 8th Birthday "Cowboy"!

All Our Love,

Dad, Mom, Hailey & Bethany

Dad is your hero - you are a hero to your many young cousins.

You and Hailey have always been close. Hey, she even got you to wear a pink tutu!(among other things)

One day you are going to steal the heart of a very lucky girl with that smile of yours!

You knew the best way to get the job done even when you were in diapers.

Your first fish caught at Collins Lake.

You inspire to keep your grandpa's young.

Your first cap gun & cowboy boots at 1 1/2 years old. There have been many boots, guns & wranglers circulate through our home in the past 8 years. Now, you have your very own chaps & cowboy spurs! Like they say, "You can take the boy out of the country, but you can't take the country out of the boy."

Thanks to Uncle Cody's help you are one genuine cowboy from the wild, wild west.

Yeah!!! Mya's 4 now, too!

HAPPY 4TH BIRTHDAY COUSIN MYA!!!

WE LOVE YOU VERY, VERY MUCH!!!

Mya- let's do a sleepover again
when you visit in July!

Love, Hailey, Keagan & Bethany

Happy 4th Birthday..."Bethany-Bee"

Our "Spunky" girl

To my little Bee,

I fell in love the minute I laid eyes on you. Daddy and I decided to be surprised on your delivery date. I still remember the look on daddy's face the moment you were born and without looking, I knew that you had to be a girl. Daddy's eyes were sparkling with pure joy. I see that same look in daddy's eyes when you are sharing a funny story with him. Whether you are rocking your dolls, riding your gator, drawing a picture, organizing your toys, collecting special things or bossing your brother and sister around, you put your whole heart into it. Some people say your opinionated, I say you're passionate. Every day you add just the perfect amount of sparkle to our life.

Happy 4th Birthday my sweet girl!

xoxo,

Mommy

Hailey and Keagan adored you then, but they adore you even more now!

Angie- age 4 Bethany- age 3

Grandpa Jim tells me all the time how much you remind him of me when I was a little girl. I have to agree.

Hailey-age 3 1/2 Bethany- age 3 1/2

Other people say that you're a spitting image of your sister. The truth is, Bethany... you are one of a kind!

THEN... and NOW.

Landon and you have become quite the buds. You're more like brother and sister than cousins.

You are one lucky girl to have such a caring cousin like Landon. He adores you!

Angie- 4th birthday


Bethany-4th birthday

Superior in our eyes...

On Friday, Hailey participated in the 2009 Northern California ACSI Elementary Speech Meet in Redding, Ca. Seven christian schools were represented. Hailey recited the NIV version of John 1:6-14. Every year the students have to choose one selection from poetry, fables and folklore or bible memorization. One student is selected from each category in grades K-6 to compete in Redding. Hailey chose a selection in poetry. When the fourth grade finalists were being selected for the in-school meet only one student was trying out in the bible memorization category. Mrs. McBride gave an open invitation to the fourth grade students, who had not already been selected for the in-school meet, to try-out in the Bible category. Hailey rose to the invitation, learned a bible selection in about 10 days and won!

Hailey and I enjoyed a little time of lunch and visiting at a nearby diner before her speech.

What a wonderful "mother-daughter day" we had together!

Hailey and friend Mackenna, a 4th grade fables and folkore contestant .

Hailey received an award of "Excellence".
Mom and Dad are so very proud of you, Hailey-bug!

All the F.C.S. students represented at the 2009 Northern California ACSI Elementary Speech Meet on Friday, May 1.