Happy 3rd Birthday, Grace

Tomorrow (01/07) you turn THREE years old!!!!  I cannot believe it!  You truly continue to complete our family and bring us so much love and joy! You are the most beautiful baby girl and we all adore you so much!!!  I love you, Grace Elizabeth to the moon and back!

Happy 7th, Grant!

Happy 7th Birthday, Grant!!!  You are so special and so tenderhearted and easy going!  We appreciate your big heart, love for learning new things, and your willingness to always be so kind and helpful!  Your interests at 7 are chess, guitar, basketball and nerf guns!  We love playing with you and you are such a great big brother to Grace.  Happy 7, to our green eyed son!

Happy 2nd Birthday, Grace

Better late than never....  my blog is acting funny and takes a bit more effort to post.  

Anyways, on January 7th, our darling daughter turned two years old!  She is the greatest gift to our family!  She is loving, joyful and brings out everyone's softer side!  I am still pinching myself over this little girl after two years!  I always wanted you!  God delivered you at the most perfect time!  Happy 2nd Birthday, Grace Elizabeth!  We simply adore you!

Breckenridge, CO

We just returned from an EPIC family vacation!!!  Family ski trip in Breckenridge, CO for Justin's 40th birthday!  Our family traveled here in 2011 for Jack's 1st birthday and we all consider that one of our fondest family vacations so we decided to recreate that for Jack's 9th and Justin's 40th.  Both sets of parents and Uncle Adam joined the fun.  We rented a beautiful house on peak 8.  Here are some of the highlights of the trip.......

Justin and I were able to do a few run alone while the boy were in snowboarding school and the girls stayed behind with the grandparents.  Olivia tried skiing but gave up.

The boys took a all day private snowboarding lesson and eventually were able to take the chair lift with us to do some green runs.  They did great!

This was on our rental street.  Family pic!

When we first arrived we went into downtown Breck and had lunch.  The town is absolutely adorable and was still decorated for Christmas!

 Look how deep the snow is on LIV.  She is standing in the snow and it comes up to her waist!

Grace was not a fan of the cold or snow!

Gracie loved Uncle Adam!

On our last day we rented snowmobiles and did a two hour guided tour along the mountains.  That was incredibly cold but adventurous!

Such a great trip!  I am so thankful for our family.  We missed Aunt Peg!  What a memorable way to celebrate a 40th birthday!

38

This came in the mail today from one of my crhp sisters.  I just love this verse. And there's that word Grace again. Not a coincidence why my fourth child is named that. God is so gracious and I'm definitely counting my blessings today on my 38th birthday!

Happy 9th Birthday, Olivia Ruth

How did 9 years go by so quickly?!?
She is a young lady now!  A smart, loyal, fun-loving, generous, brave, kind, confident (finally!) and beautiful girl!
Everyone who come across Olivia (teachers, neighbors, other parents, coaches, ect ) always comment on her sweetness & well mannered behavior.  She seems to ALWAYS do the right thing - even when no one is looking! She has a strong character and makes us super proud!
July 1, 2008 will always be remembered as the happiest day of my life.....the day I welcomed Olivia Ruth into my life and became a mother 💝.  She truly makes life so much more fun.

Our relationship is ever changing.  I see her less as a little kid and more as a companion in the house.  As a stay at home mom I rely on her for so much - help with her siblings, and most importantly I rely on her company!  She makes me laugh all the time and she is quick to calm me down if she sees me losing my cool.  I find myself missing her when she is off with her friends during the day! She truly is my friend.  I enjoy her company so much!  And she loves hearing stories - it's fun to have someone so interested in my life and recalling my own childhood memories with her has become a favorite pastime!
Olivia Ruth, I know I am probably the hardest on you than all the other kids.  I'm sorry for that.  Being the oldest always has the most perks - but sometimes I take advantage of your responsibleness.  I have come so used to your helping hand!  You are definitely the captain of our family team!  I am thankful for you!!!!  And grateful for all your help as the oldest of four!
I love you so much!
I am always here for you!
Always!
Love, mom

Happy 5th Birthday, Grant!!

You know the drill… On your birthday morning you wake up to presents, balloons, and cinnamon rolls in the kitchen. The morning starts extra early. Everyone is super excited to celebrate Grant!!!! 

You opened a bow and arrow, Minecraft Legos, and Star Wars Play-dough!  Everything you asked for.

You squeal with delight and jump up-and-down with every present you open....Because you're that type a kid… Full of life, love, enthusiasm and gratitude.

Your classmates celebrated your birthday with you yesterday at school. You got to wear a birthday crown, you received a special pencil and you were able to pass out teenage mutant ninja turtle fruit snacks to all your classmates. How exciting for Grant.

We often say Grant is the MVP of our family. He truly is the nicest kid with the biggest heart. He is a giver not a taker. He is a problem solver. If someone's upset, he will find a solution right away. Even if that means sacrificing something he loves to make somebody else happy. He's quick to forgive, and he's always ready to be a playmate and always goes with the flow!

This is his best friend and cousin Freddie!  These to play so well together and they are so compatible. They have play dates every week for hours and you don't ever hear them make a peep, or get into a tiff, they are Best Buds!  And Legos are their jam!

And we had a birthday party celebration today at McDonald's. We couldn't think of a better place than McDonald's Playland to celebrate his fifth birthday. He invited his preschool friends over to help celebrate. Happy meals, cupcakes, and a playland made for some happy children.  So simple yet so awesome....

And dad made a guest appearance. The look on Grant's face says it all...

And we ended the day with our family over for Papa John's pizza, cake and black raspberry chip ice cream. All of your favorites. 

We love you, buddy. You make us so proud. And I thank God for the greatest five years of raising you. What a blessing. I love you, Grant!