Sweet

A sweet girl...

 

trying a taste of her first sweet treat...

 

from her sweet big brother...

who very sweetly rocked her to sleep...

SWEET

Mobile

Not crawling just yet, but Addy can definitely get around!

She got herself stuck under our bed, she didn't seem to mind too much!

She is getting up on all fours but can't seem to figure out how to crawl, but she can scoot backward and "army crawl" just about anywhere she wants to go.

So proud of herself!

First Hair Cut

I warned you, we just couldn't take the comments anymore!

Look at all of that long hair!

Before

Aus had a similar hair-do and it never fell out completely. He was still sporting a mo-hawk at 11 months when he got his first hair cut. Might could pass for cute on a boy, but not so much on a little girl!

The after. 

All I did was thin it out really good, I left it thicker in the back because I couldn't make her completely bald. Now I have decided she looks like Charlie Brown! Oh well, it will grow back, hopefully?

Momma ran for a bow as soon as we were finished, it really did change her looks. I cried a little, but now we are glad we did it. I am sure she will thank us one day when looking back at her baby pictures!

The Boys' Party

Aiden and Austen's birthdays are 10 days apart, we split the difference and have a family party on the Fourth of July. They still think the fireworks at the end of the day are just for them!

Addy provided the entertainment, she was so funny jumping around!

Two peas in a pod, they both like to talk to their food.

Daddy fired up the grill and we had Nanny, Papa, Nana, Poppa Kenneth and Mimi over for lunch, cake and homemade ice cream. YUM! Poppa Gary couldn't make it because he had to work. But we met up with him later for fireworks.

Aiden and Poppa Kenneth, I am sure they discussing a hunting/fishing story.

The weather was actually not too hot, we started around 11:00.

Since we were on the porch, we put the ice chest under her feet so she could touch. She would walk to the edge and hold on with her little monkey toes. It was pretty comical.

The boys holding up their new shirts Mimi made for them.

The boys were very excited, (obvious by the looks on their faces) they received clothes, books, fishing poles and of course toys!

The dragon cake. 

Nana gave me the instructions on how to fix this, it turned out pretty cute. I told if it did not turn out well, it would be all of her fault ;-) Next time I will do things a little differently. I am by no means a cake decorator, and have no desire to be one, in fact this was my first attempt. Talk about stressful!

My brave knights! 

I know swords, shields, helmets, bad idea!?! So far no bloody noses or broken bones. These swords are used to reenact Chronicles of Narnia on a daily basis. This was a gift from Nana, not Momma and Daddy. We opted for a safer gift, bikes! We had a great day with family and enjoyed celebrating our boys!

Hanging Out

I picked this thing up at a yard sale before Addy was born. I thought it would be a life saver during school. We tried it out on the back porch...

and she LOVED IT!

She tends to lean to one side and get stuck! Then she gets distracted and starts trying to eat it!

Her thinning hair blowing in the wind! We love this baby girl so much!

Bryan's Graduation

Bryan attended a Youth Challenge program that lasted for 22 weeks. This program was designed for at risk teens, who might need a little help getting their GED. Some kids are court ordered, others go voluntarily. Bryan was in the middle of his Senior year when he realized he was not going to be able to graduate in May. He thought this program would help him in reaching his goal of getting his GED. It was similar to a boot camp program, pretty rough, but he excelled at the program! We attended his graduation and we were so proud of his accomplishments!

Out of 200 kids, Bryan received the Outstanding Cadet Award, or Best Overall, not sure of the exact title, but he was the BEST! He didn't know and we were surprised too!

He gave an awesome speech, I am pretty sure that guy is wiping tears, I know I was! (A little background info, six weeks into the program, right before Addy was born, Bryan's mom passed away. He could have quit, no one would have been mad, but he was home for three days and went back. He could only write to us and he could make 2 minute phone calls once a week. We grieved with him and for him. We know his Momma would be so proud.) Of course he discussed all of this in his speech, (hints all of the crying!)

The Most Outstanding Cadet

(at least in my book)

Bryan did so well, they talked him into joining the Guard. I'm not so thrilled about that, only because we will miss him a lot, but I know he will do well. WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU!

Aiden @ Seven Years

Aiden Thomas, you are seven years old!

Birthday Boy

It is very hard for Momma to write this post, so hard I have been procrastinating for a while! We cannot believe you are seven! It seems like just yesterday you were Addy's age and now you are so big! You weigh 49 pounds, for months now you have been trying to make it to fifty! You are 49 inches tall. You are in size 7 clothes, all of your pants have to have an adjustable waist and you wear a size 13 shoe.

 5 years

You are very loving, although you don't like anyone to know. You think you are getting too big for hugs and kisses from Momma. Every now and then, I will be busy in the kitchen and for a brief moment I will feel your arms around my waist, by the time I hug back, you are done and back to being a big boy. These moments are becoming more infrequent but I sure do enjoy them while I have them.

 6 years

You are my BIG helper. Most days I would not make it without you! Four years ago you became a big brother and you have always taken your job very seriously. You look after your siblings' best interest all the time, and most of the time put their needs before your own. I know you will make an excellent father one day. You help out wherever I need you, and don't complain even if it is a "girl's job." You  like to teach your siblings how to help out too. You are very patient and kind to them. Your favorite subjects in school are reading, science and you love drawing. You are about to start second grade and it amazes me how much you have already learned.

7 years

You are your mother's child, you like things clean, neat and in order. You have shown these characteristics from a very young age. You can be a little bossy, but for the most part your advice is accurate and welcome. You tend to be shy, but once you get warmed up, watch out! You enjoy Bible time and are very knowledgeable when it comes to Bible stories. We are so proud of the boy you are and look forward to watching you grow into a young man (just please take your time). We love you more than you will ever know! Happy Birthday to our oldest son! WE LOVE YOU AIDEN!