Happy Birthday, Daniel!

Daniel's fourth birthday started with a surprise from Daddy.  He stayed home a little longer than normal to make Daniel pancakes.  We all sang "Happy Birthday" to him before eating!

The day was busy with preparations.  I cooked while the boys played.  Thankfully, John cooperated by taking a few good naps!  Philip, Daniel, William and I made the cake...one that Daniel picked out from one of my Barefoot Contessa cookbooks!

Then tonight we celebrated Daniel's fourth birthday with family!  Cameron, Heather, GranGran, and PopPop joined us for ribs, mac n cheese, and fresh corn.  (Dee, Susan, and Rob were all under the weather...we missed them!) 

Next...cake and ice cream...

A birthday video...and finally opening presents!

A fun day...a fun night.  Daniel is such a sweet blessing...so thankful for that little boy!

Old Fashioned Fun

On Saturday, we had Daniel's friends over for a backyard birthday party.  We filled up the inflatable pool and hooked up the slip and slide.  Chris grilled hamburgers and hot dogs while I fixed broccoli slaw and fruit salad.  The kids played...

and the adults caught up.

After dinner, we sang "Happy Birthday."

And finally a few presents to open!



It was a great, low key birthday party.  We only invited six families and four were able to come.  So not too many people...very low stress.  I think Daniel enjoyed his first friend birthday party!  Now we are gearing up for the real thing on Wednesday!!

Family Visits

 First, the McCalls came to see baby John on Father's Day.  The kids had a blast playing Legos, and we had a great visit.  I didn't pull the camera out until late, but here's a great shot of John and Uncle Dan.

On Tuesday, the Laseter/Melton/Hawkins clan came to visit.  Oh how, I wish these folks lived closer.

As you can see, John got lots of love and attention.  He slept through it all!

 Here's the whole crew of cousins...how fun!

Two Daniels...

and two Lego buddies...

I wish we could all get together more often!



A Trim

 Before....

during...



and after...

Curls, you did great!  So very proud of you and no fear friends...he still has plenty of curls!!

A Treasure

When I returned home from John's baptism, I was exhausted.  I had held that fussy baby for over four hours in heels and my body was done.  I sat feeding him and was overcome with emotion that I had not taken very many pictures.  It simply did not occur to me to do so at the time.  Our hands were full.

I then felt guilty for the omission.  As a fellow fourth child, I know the feeling of having few pictures of yourself!  I now understand why.

So imagine my joy when I came across these late last night while surfing Facebook and feeding John.

John is truly lucky to have these photos of his actual baptism.  Usually photography during a service isn't allowed, but the church had hired a photographer to chronicle this very special service.  Oh how I love the one of Father Matthew and Bishop Duncan's hands on his sweet head!

I also love this one of Philip looking at his father, the Junior Warden, as he answers the Bishop's knock on the door!

And in case you don't believe me when I say our hands are full...



Again, a very special day.  I am thrilled to have more pictures to remember it by!

A Fine Example

He shows them the importance of

hard work (and good rest...because there are no pictures of him at work!)

taking care of yourself

taking time off

devotion to family

commitment to Christ

giving to the community

love and care for the outdoors

and so many other things!  Chris, you are truly a fine example for your brood of boys.  We are truly blessed!

I love summer...

I love summer for the lack of routine.  I've probably said it a hundred times, but my people love to be at home.  They entertain themselves so well.  I've never heard once, "I'm bored."

There's time to dress up...

play outside...

do arts and crafts projects...

and take power naps...tummy time is hard work, ya know!

I, however, do not like the toll summer takes on my house!!

With three little boys home all day and running around, it is impossible to keep everything picked up!  Oh well, maybe the house will be straightened up come August.  No need to rush it!

Hip Hip Hooray!

Hip Hip Hooray...John is harness free - pardon the pun!

Chris and I took him to the pediatric orthopedist today.  He performed an ultrasound of his hips and declared them "perfect!"  We all couldn't be happier!

We are thrilled that he has gotten a good report and hopeful that harness-free living will result in a little less fuss out of the little guy.  Time will tell!

In other doctor news, John had his one month check up this week also.  He weighed 10 lbs 15 ounces and was 23 inches long.  His length was in the 90th percentile...I don't think we've ever had one over the 10th percentile!!  Where did he come from??  I guess he got Phil's height.  He's going to need it to keep up with his big brothers.

Hail Thee Festival Day!

A Wonderful Day...a wonderful weekend.  Today sweet baby John was baptized and welcomed to the community of Christ. 

It was a special day.  Our church community has been displaced for over a year while we restored our sanctuary.  We had many hours invested in the restoration, and it felt oh so good to re-enter the church today for worship.  It looked incredible...the facility itself...but even more so to see it packed...standing room only! 

I need to back up, though.  Last night we celebrated!  We celebrated John's baptism the night before with our family.  We had a great dinner with great company.  John slept through the majority of it...another blessing!  All four boys enjoyed the extra sets of hands to play with!

My best attempt at all four boys.  I have a feeling getting a decent shot of these guys will be difficult for the next few years!

I couldn't have pulled the evening off without the help of this one...

John's godmother...Aunt Mary Dawson.  She arrived ready to work and work she did.  She played with the boys (even though she was supposed to be enjoying a much deserved vacation from her own children), she held John, she polished silver, and decorated my tables with beautiful flower arrangements.  Best of all, she provided me with some adult conversation!  Many, many thanks MD for your hard work, but most of all for agreeing to be an active participant in John's spiritual life.

I apologize that I have few shots from the actual day.  The reality is that John was fussy through most of the service.  The service lasted at least two hours...a long time for little boys to sit still on the front row!  Chris and I's hands were full and pictures were the last thing on our minds at the time.  I did get one with Father Matthew and the Bishop... 

And some with his godparents...Aunt Mary Dawson and Jason Weekley.

John, you are a blessing to our family, and we are thrilled that you are the newest member of the Christian community.  As you have now receieved the light of Christ through baptism, I hope that you will let that light shine in you always!