Port's Birthday at the Lake

Port really wanted to celebrate his birthday at the lake. His cousins were all out of town, so he got to celebrate with Lolli, Champ, Josh, Jenny, Grandad, JuJu, Alex, Brooke, Asher, and our family. We have started all staying in the bunk room the last few times we were at the lake, so that's where Port chose to sleep again. I brought a few things to decorate and celebrate his birthday:-)

Port got to open gifts when he woke up. Lolli and Champ brought my gifts because I have a nosey little guy that would have enjoyed sitting by his gifts a little too much...but they forgot theirs! They did bring 5 balloons filled with $1 each and watched him pop each of them. I think we all looked like Haynes waiting for him to pop them.

It's pretty hard to watch a sibling celebrate their birthday, but to do it about 5x's in a week makes it even more difficult:-) Haynes decided playing on the Ipad was a better option than not opening gifts...

We had beautiful weather while we were at the lake. Everyone got to tube, ski and jump off the cliffs. Even Ella joined Lolli on the tube for a gentle ride...

The MayFlies showed up this weekend, which made for great fishing. Lolli and Ella caught plenty of fish!

Birthday Boy catching more fish!

Yes-that is my 3 year old jumping off the cliff! My kids may not like scary movies, but they have no fear when it comes to jumping, climbing, etc. Haynes only complaint was when he got water in his nose:-)

Port decided to get some creativity points by doing a twist off the cliffs. The next day he tried a "back flip" or a back buster...later he decided he would try to do that when he was a little older. I completely agreed!!!

Asher and Ella

These cute kids love each other!

Cheers!!!

Happy Birthday Port Robert!

We love you so much! We love celebrating you and the mighty man of God you are! Love you!

Blessing Breakfast

Brian and I read a book called "The Blessing" a few years ago. It talked about how most people go their entire lives without receiving a blessing from their parents. We decided that "5" was an age that we really wanted to make a big deal about and really bless Port. We asked a few guys to meet Brian and Port for breakfast on Friday morning. Each of the guys came with something to tell Port what they see in him and what God is speaking over him.

They all met at Ozzie's and had pancakes...Port had 9!!!

Thanks:

Jake Bauer, Brian Emery, Josh Waggner, Alex Benton, Gerod Grigor, and Justin LeBeau!!! We love living in community and words don't really express how much we appreciate you pouring into our little man.

When I asked Port what was his favorite part about breakfast he said, "When all the dudes told me what God sees in me..."

Port's Pentathlon

This year Port asked to celebrate his 5th birthday at Andy Alligators. We decided to make it a "Pentathlon". We sent out invitations that were tickets to the Pentathlon. When each kid arrived they received a necklace with a list of the activities they needed to complete...

1. Eat Pizza

2. Play Games

3. Play Putt-Putt Golf

4. Activity of choice

5. Sing "Happy Birthday"

Once they completed their "Pentathlon" they received their prize/party favor, which was a fun shirt we had made for everyone that came to the party.

Cousins driving the bumper cars

Playing video games with Grandad

Friends watching the little ones on the play ground

Beau, Haynes, and Emma ready to play putt-putt

Everyone singing "Happy Birthday" to Port Robert

Sophie, Ella, and Asher enjoying cupcakes...I think I stopped counting how many Ella had after 2 cupcakes!

Bumper Boats...

not sure who enjoyed this more the people participating or the crowd watching

Port Robert climbed all the way to the top and rang the bell! You can't tell how high it is from my pictures, but if you drive by Andy Alligators you'd be pretty impressed...I was:-)

Anything Port does, Haynes will do too! Yep...Haynes climbed all the way to the top too! He had to wait until Preslee was done because those two little ones didn't weigh enough so they had to tie a rope around them to pull them down since they don't weigh enough.

Our little girl LOVES sweets! Ella ended her night with an icy...just what she needed right?!?

Port ended his night at Lolli and Champ's opening gifts from them and Granma. They got him a fun bike to keep at their house, since he's getting too big for the motorized cars. It was a GREAT night!

First Day of School!

Boys with Daddy before our first day at Gingerbread for their summer camp!

Since Daddy was home we actually got a picture of me with the kids!

Gingerbread Boys!

I'm not sure who was more excited to be going to Gingerbread together...Port or Haynes! I love that these boys love each other so much!

I realized yesterday that I am going to have 2 days a week for the next month where all my kids are in school for 2 hours! What am I going to do with that time:-) We came back from the lake early so Haynes could check out his class and I'm so glad we did. He kicked and screamed all the way to school crying that he didn't want to go to school. After about an hour of playing, meeting teachers, trying out the potty, and checking out the room he decided he liked it. When I dropped him off today he hopped out of the car and turned around and said, "Love you Mommy!" Oh man can he melt my heart:-)

Happy Birthday Allison!

Happy Birthday Allison!

I think you look absolutely beautiful in this picture. I am so thankful for your friendship. You are an amazing woman. God is doing powerful things through you and I am so excited for what He has for you in this next year.

Allison wanted to celebrate her birthday a little low-key so we had a birthday lunch without kids (except sweet baby Piper). It was so fun just to get together, have a yummy lunch at Cafe Plaid, and enjoy conversation without chasing kids. All these ladies were willing to drop everything and come celebrate Allison because she is such an influential person in our community. Love you Al!

Oh cute!

Lolli got Ella a new swimsuit that matches mine. When she opened it she screamed, "Oh cute!" She really is "so cute" though don't you think! Her daddy just absolutely loves her hair pulled up. He said that a day that she wears her hair down is a sad day...what a statement:-) We love you precious girl! We are experiencing more of her sweet personality each day and we LOVE it!

PoP PoPs

Hayners

Porty

Joshy and Jenny

We made it back in town just in time for dinner with my family and some left over fireworks Josh had from last year. We had a great time shooting things off in my parents backyard. At one point Lolli and Champ took all the kids to the 7-11 and the level of safety decreased dramatically...Leave it to Josh and Brian:-)