Grant and Brynna's Birthday Bash!

We had a GREAT (and crazy whirlwind) birthday party, despite the cold and wet weather!!!! Lots of family and friends came to celebrate with us...and most of them were in the house at one time because it was cold out! But, we dealt with it and made it work. We colored Lightning McQueen posters, watched some of the CARS (what else?) movie, played with CARS vehicles, had great food (corn dogs and bagel bites for the kids and croissant deli sandwiches for the adults), had fun with the cakes, opened TOO MANY presents, and then had a hay ride in spite of the weather!

Brynna's cake!
Yes, I made it...but I think I'm done with the cake decorating thing...the bakery ones are SO much easier :)

Grant's cake! Lightning McQueen for the SECOND year, that's what he wanted!

Brynna's outfit...LOVE it!

Grant riding his Gator...not sure if he let anyone else ride???

5 of the 10 kids at the party...YES, they are eating in the living room...YES, Lee survived :)

Our little cuties and their birthday cakes.

She dug right in...I love Grant's face, he was SO excited for her.

She wanted some of Grant's cake too, I guess.

Opening gifts..she has hair bows in one hand and is taking the shoes from me :)

Hay ride!

Grant releasing the balloons after the party!

What a wonderful, crazy, fun day!! I feel SO blessed to have two beautiful, healthy children!!!


"Every good and perfect gift is from above..." James 1:17a

Grant's first turkey hunt!

Lee and Grant went turkey hunting last Friday, April 23. Lee woke him up at 5:15am and they went out...in the pouring rain! They had to ride the 4-wheeler, then walk into the blind. They were all set up in lawn chairs and Grant had all his hunting stuff packed in a back pack; his binoculars, head lamp, snacks, drink, and gun :) They sat for awhile and Lee decided to make them some hot chocolate (thinking Grant would get bored, Lee had brought lots of stuff to do)...just as Lee was setting up the stove, a turkey started toward the blind. Lee was able to put Grant's hearing protection on and then shoot the turkey, all while Grant watched! Grant looked at Lee and said, "I think it's dead!" But, he had to shoot with his gun twice, just to make sure!
I'm not sure who was more excited about their first hunting trip, Lee or Grant!!!!

The "tree" tradition

Brynna and her tree!

LAST year...

and now!!!

WOW!!!!

Happy FIRST Birthday Brynna!!!

I know everyone says it, but I can hardly believe that our baby girl is already one year old!!! It seems like just a couple weeks ago that we were kissing Grant goodbye and heading to the hospital for the delivery, now she's toddling around and as busy as ever.

Today we celebrated as a family. We did her present after naps, then had cupcakes, then fed her (and Grant) mac and cheese (her favorite) for dinner.

She really liked cupcakes!

It was SO nice outside today, so we had a cupcake picnic in the front yard
(less to clean up that way too)!

Grant, liked the cupcakes, not so much getting his picture taken.

Four wheeler ride!

Her VERY OWN four-wheeler...
notice the color coordinated pants and she DOES have her cell phone,
good girl :)
You may remember, this is the same thing we got Grant when he turned one (his wasn't pink).

Important info:

Weight: around 20 lbs
Height: ??? (her appt is not until May)
Teeth: 12 + one more trying to come through
Likes: to run around without clothes on, to be outside, grapes, mac and cheese, to get into everything, to empty out drawers and cupboards, to watch Grant ride his bike, to brush her teeth, to climb up on things, Mommy's purse and shoes, to brush her hair, music, her Pooh blanket, Elmo.
Dislikes: getting dressed, going to bed, the nursery at church, veggies, meat, Grant sitting on my lap, having to sit still.
She is walking quite well...she has been "toddling" for quite a few weeks now, but not making much progress until this week. She is getting steadier everyday and can even walk outside and with or without shoes on. She's still pretty wobbly and takes quite a few spills, but is really improving fast!
As I said before, she has TWELVE teeth + one more coming in. She has her front top/bottom 8, all 4 first molars, and is working on one of the top incisors...guess she'll be ready for a steak in a few weeks.

I am certainly noticing a difference in personality between her and Grant. She is much more emotional and dramatic, but not as stubborn. She, however, IS just as busy and maybe even a little more daring then he was at this age...wish me luck!!!!

I'm feeling very blessed today...two wonderful, healthy children, a fabulous husband, and a home in the country...couldn't ask for much more! PRAISE THE LORD!!!!

Alabaster Women's Ministry

Just wanted to share the website for our local women's ministry. I recently accepted the position of vice-chair and am very excited about the opportunities we have to share the gospel in our area. I am really looking forward to serving with these Godly women!!!

http://alabasterministry.com/


We are memorizing the following verses as a team:

1 Peter 4:8-11

⁸Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. ⁹Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. ¹⁰Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. ¹¹If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

The babies are turning one...and other updates

Hey Everyone ~ It's been awhile since I've posted...with the weather getting warmer, I just don't seem to be in the house as often.

Anyway, as you probably remember both of my brothers/wives had babies around the same time as Brynna LAST spring, so obviously, we are starting to celebrate first birthdays!!!
First, is Owen, Matt and Tiffany's little guy. They had his party last weekend in their new house!!! It was SO much fun!!!

Grant: 4 on May 10, Owen: 1 on April 13, Whitney: 1 on May 1, Brynna: 1 on April 22

Grant giving his baby sister a ride!

Eating lunch :)

Tiffany, Owen, and Matt...yes, Tiffany made the cake and cupcakes, she is SO talented!!!

Grant did not get too far from the cupcakes, until he had eaten TWO of them!!!


***In other news, we just returned from a VERY quick trip to Fort Riley, KS. Lee (and another soldier friend) had vision correction surgery today. The procedure is called PRK (similar to Lasik) so once healed, he will not need to wear glasses or contacts again! We drove the 5-6 hour trip on Thursday, with a stop at Cabela's in KC, spent the night at Ft. Riley, then had the guys at Irwin Army Hospital by 6:30am Friday (today). We started the drive back around 11:00 and got home around 5:00pm. The kids did AMAZING! They were good in the car and at the hotel...maybe, we'll have to get brave and do a little more traveling now!?!?! Anyway, Lee is in some discomfort and they said to expect tomorrow and Sunday to be the worst days, so I'm sure he'll be in bed all weekend...hope it's worth it!!****

Easter

John 11:25-26
Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.

1 Peter 1:3
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead...

How amazingly cool that we get to serve a LIVING God!!!


We had a great Easter Sunday this year. Easter baskets, egg hunts, breakfast and service at our church, and Easter dinner in Ames with Lee's family...which included another Easter egg hunt.

The kids were wore out and slept the entire way home from Ames, even Grant who had more candy than food that day :)

Easter baskets

Egg hunting with Papa.

All dressed up for church.

Egg hunting with Gram.

Brynna in her Easter dress.