Happy Birthday, Mammie!

For Mammie's birthday this year we decided to surprise her and have a cookout! What's more fun that family and a bonfire!

Felicity got her first experience with hot dogs. I don't know that she's a fan. The bun appealed to her much more than the meat.

The boys really liked the fire. What is it about boys and watching things burn? Thankfully, only the hot dogs were smoked this time!

I used Madisyn's craft cutter to make a stencil for the top of mom's cake. The recipe for Hershey's chocolate cake and frosting is amazing!

It's a good thing a group of little girls knew how to open gifts. They saved Mammie all the labor of doing it herself.

Her gifts all received "little girl" approval!

Four never looked so good

Today is our girly tomboy's 4th birthday. We've joked for sometime that Mary Claire likes to get just as dirty as the boys but she wants to do it dressed to the nines and with a hair bow.

Mary Claire is our first girl after four very rough and rowdy boys. We just knew we finally had a princess. We just didn't know our princess could hold her own. Since her surprise breech birth, Mary Claire has been changing all the rules.  Kent frequently says that if you can say "My child never . . ." or "Kids don't . . .", then you didn't have enough children. Mary Claire definitely taught us this!

She is the life of the party, the perfect blend of sassy and sweet. She has her own ideas and she's not afraid to share them. Apparently, turning four is when life begins. She's convinced that she will get bigger and her hair will grow today. She's also planning a wedding to "Numbody".

We have loving referred to her as our runt. They say that tiny packages are the most powerful and dynamite doesn't even hold a candle to all that is packed into Mary Claire. Papaw used to call her a little pistol and it's a very fitting nickname.

She was our first child to really pinpoint her older siblings personalities. When she wants another Mommy, she runs to Madisyn. If she needs muscle, Ty is her guy. Griffin is lots of fun when she needs a tv watching buddy. Finding hidden treats is a job for Ben. Henry is great at following her orders and Liberty is the best dress up friend in the world!

She is a lover of all things pink and Minnie Mouse is the most stylish being of all time. Mary Claire is just at home hosting a tea party as she is digging in the dirt or attempting scooter stunts.

I can't imagine how boring life would be without this perfect for us little girl that always keeps us on our toes.

Happy Birthday, Mary Claire! 

I pray your life is packed with as much awesomeness as your personality.

A Dozen Years

I can't believe it's been 12 years since our first son was born.

Since the beginning, you've been all boy.

You've never been one for sitting.

Unless it was on a tractor.

You almost always have a smile and silly saying.

And are such a handsome boy.

One day, your determination and focus will serve you well in manhood.

And your love of food will make you easy to please. :)

I can't believe how much you've grown.

 And how strong you are.

You may now be taller than your momma.

But you'll always be my baby.

I love you, son. I'm so very proud of the young man you are and can't wait to see the man you become {though time could pass a little slower}.

Happy 12th Birthday, Ty!

Happy Birthday, Mary Claire!

Wow! It's hard to believe it's been three years since your little upside down self, turned our whole family upside down!

Pretty much since you were born, you've been the life of the party. I frequently say that you are smart like Madisyn, expressive like Griffin and act like Ben - that's a troublesome combination!

You bring us such joy. There isn't a day that goes by that you don't make us laugh, cry and shake our heads, usually at the same time.

You are rotten and so very loved!

Happy 3rd birthday, sweet girl!

Happy 4th Birthday, Izzy!

 We can't believe it's been four years since we got our first girl cousin!

Four years later, you are a beautiful outgoing little girl.

Izzy's party was last weekend and we were lucky enough to attend. Henry and Mary Claire had a great time in the bounce house and slide.

Each one of them would get to the top, slide down and then yell, "See how fast I went!" They had a fantastic time!

Kristen always plans the best parties and has a large turnout. She and Justin are blessed with lots of wonderful friends.

Big sister Madisyn came to the party because she wanted to see Izzy on her big day. Madisyn was such a great sport and played with Henry and Mary Claire. They are very blessed to have a great big sister!

A highlight of the party for Mary Claire was the Cinderella cut-out.

 Cinderella Mary Claire

 Cinderella Izzy



 

The Lord has sure blessed my brother with a lovely family. Isaac favors his Daddy and Granddaddy very much.

 

 

Before we left the kids were able to decorate Cinderella carriages (pumpkins). Henry took the job of covering his carriage with boy stickers very seriously.

 

Happy Birthday, Izzy and thanks for inviting us to your awesome party!

Happy 11th Birthday, Ty!

It's hard to believe that 11 years has passed since the Lord blessed us with our first born son!

Ty has always been big for his age, he started off at 8 lbs 10 oz and hasn't slowed down since.

I think one of his very first words was tractor and he has always loved everything John Deere.

He's always been very interested in how things work. This interest has gotten him in trouble on multiple occasions when objects were found taken apart and never quite went back the same way.

He's always had a dry sense of humor and can crack most jokes without a smile. He isn't nearly as serious as he often comes across.

Ty has an amazing ability to retain information. His ability to recall facts blows me away.

He has never had any interest in any endeavour that is remotely domestic. He might mix up some brownies for a competition but he prefers to leave the cooking to Sissy.

Lately, his little sisters and really warmed up to him. They know that he has a great lap for sitting and love for him to read them a story.

Ty is my muscle man. Whenever a Sam's trip is planned, Ty comes along and pushes the cart. He unloads the groceries and carries all the heavy items.

He's the leader of the pack with the boys. Unfortunately, his younger brothers often forget they aren't quite as old or big as Ty. That doesn't stop them from trying to be just like him.

Tyler has has an awesome ability to be his own person. I've often said that he has never been embarrassed. He does his own thing and if no one likes it, he isn't the least bit phased.

 

Ty is a wonderful son and a fantastic young man. He's growing, not only physically, but mentally and spiritually as well. We are so thankful that the Lord chose us to be his parents.