Happy Birthday, Hailey-bug!

I don't know where the past 12 years have gone, but I do know this- we are so blessed to have this young lady as our daughter! Hailey, you have blessed our lives in so many ways. You continually teach mom & dad what it means to work hard, to love deeply and to live humbly. You are an inspiration to us and an awesome role model to your younger siblings. I am proud of you for the diligent student that you have become and the faithful friend that you have always been. I hope you have a SUPER fun birthday! We love you dearly!

Double Birthday Bash!

Hailey and Kelden's birthdays are 7 days apart. Keagan and Bethany's birthdays are only 2 days apart in May. We have figured out a way to celebrate joint birthdays. This year, Hailey really seemed to enjoy the attention off of her.

Thank you to everyone who came to help us celebrate Hailey's 12th and Kelden's 1st birthdays.

Most of you know that I have been recovering from a fractured rib over the past 4 weeks. During this time I have enjoyed picking up some of my old hobbies to past the time. If it wasn't for the kids upcoming birthdays I think I would have lost my mind...no laundry, no grocery shopping, no housework and no lifting which included Kelden. Here's what I did!

Bethany and Landon enjoyed playing with the Voudouris children from school.

Come on Hailey, we've been singing 'Happy Birthday' to you for 11 years now...

and it's not that bad!

"YUM!!!"

"I do not like this hat!"

"There's got to be a faster way to eat this dog."

I think Kelden was surrounded by at least 3 children the whole party...poor kid.

Thank heaven for Aunts. Brian and I were singing to Hailey at this time.

Present time!

Landon was so excited to give Kelden a lawnmower. I still remember Landon's 1st birthday. I think he got 3 different lawnmowers.

"No, not like that, Kelden."

"Hey, let me in here...it's MY PARTY ...you know."

Thank goodness for the ambition of two 5 year old boys.

Zeke, your gift got the biggest smile out of Hailey all night and she has not taken it off, but to sleep.

Baking utensils caught the eye of 5 year old Alexana.

My almost 18 year old nephew, Cameron is towering over me now. Almost bond of college. Now, I really feel old!

Happy 1st Birthday, KC Bear!

Our little boy is one years old today. Where did the time go? One year ago, we brought home a fragile bundle of joy, unsure of what the year would hold for our growing family, but excited to have him in our lives. A year later, we look at our sweet little boy with a remembrance of the many lessons that God taught us this year.

"He hath made ALL things beautiful in His time." Ecclesiastes 3:11

We all love you more than words can express.

Happy 1st Birthday, KC Bear!

Thank you cousin Landon & Grandpa & Nana Warta for the balloons.

I carried them all over the house .

I did not even put them down to get out my favorite sword.

Monday nights are really hairy for us. We had 20 min. after nap time and before the first cheer leading practice to open Kelden's gift, sing "Happy Birthday" and enjoy a little cake & ice cream. Our next 30 min. window of the evening was blocked out for dinner. The next time we would all be together again was after the two younger kids bedtime. Time was tight, but we pulled it off without being too rushed. Here's our little boy's first experience with cake...

...doing a photo shot, Kelden got Brian right in the face! Too funny for words.

Thank goodness the weather was so good for us. The garden hose saved the night.

We'll see how he does at the family party on Saturday.

One Years Old!

This past year has gone by so very fast. Who knew that one little boy could have taught us so much about love, forgiveness and grace. He graces us each day with his amazing smile and his love for life. We are so blessed to have little Kelden in our family. Here's what Kelden has been up to this month.

I can climb into just about anything.

I walk everywhere I go.

Everyone calls me KC Bear.

Here's that smile!

I love all of my 'ZOOM, ZOOMS!'

I have 16 teeth, yes, that is a MOUTHFUL!

I can climb onto the quad all by myself.

"PL..E.A..SE, daddy. I need a quad ride!"

I love to wear all kinds of hats.

I can climb ladders like no one's business! YIKES!!!

Maybe, one day I will be a firefighter like my daddy.

The pantry is my favorite place to play.(the toilet, cat food & cat litter are too, but everyone is always closing those doors.) I pretty much seek to destroy as quickly as I can. I am like a silent tornado.

The vacuum cleaner is my best friend along with the vita mixer.

I LOVE IT outside.

I am learning to like all our critters.

Enjoying my first Popsicle.