Happy Birthday Chloe !!

Today is Miss Chloe's 5th birthday.....she has brought much sunshine to our home since the day she was born.....we call her our little songbird b/c she is always singing a song (my favorite songs are the ones she just makes up).....she still has her "yellow" hair (my other children are facinated by her yellow hair), she is a friend magnet....where ever we go, it seems a group of other little girls will gather around us- more specifically Chloe, no matter what there ages.....like my other children, she too has a BIG spirit about her which fills our home and makes our family feel so complete.....We feel very fortunate to have Chloe in our family, she blesses our lives with smiley faces, tenderness and a twinkle of mischiveousness :)

Remembering......

Jacob asked me if I miss Grandma....."yup, I miss grandma"
He said, "I miss grandma too"......It's been really heartening to look through pictures and tell stories of why we love her and why we miss her......I was always aware this day would come, and yet it doesn't make it any easier.... it's a weird place to be, without someone you love......how grateful I am to know that families can be together forever....

Happy Birthday Heath

We just celebrated Heath's first birthday (sept 29th is his actual birthday-but Chloe's is Sept 30th) .... we are sad to see how fast he has grown, and keeps growing.....it's amazing that even such a little body can such a big spirit that it makes our family feel so complete, it is impossible to imagine our family circle with out him....Jared and I have such fun memories of our older children loving him and taking care of him, which make it all that much more special....Happy Birthday Little Man !

Our favorite things about Heath : his smiley face, he sucks his thumb, he does not use his knees when he crawls, his cheerfullness

1st birthday traditions

We have a tradition where we celebrate each first birthday at this Peter Piper Pizzza in San Antonio....I couldn't help but think about Megan's first birthday, it was onlythe grandparents, Mary Ellen & Kevin, John & Kelly with little Savannah- no other cousins...now at Heath's party, by the time we even got part of our group together- you don't even care how everyone looks in the picture you just take it before little ones start walking away.....

Jacob the chef

Jacob has always enjoyed cooking/baking.....I can always count on him to not only help out in the kitchen, but he wants to do it himself.....In fact him and Megan can both cook a handful of breakast dishes..... 8 and 9 are fun ages where they can do lots of things and enjoy lots of things....

Day at the museum....

Before we left on vacation, we went to the museum with grandma Houghton and the Pressgroves....it was fun to see the dinosaurs.....

lost summer fun

Nothing says fun, than swimming with friends......

A day in the life (of Heath)

This little guy has the busiest day for a not quite one year old......he is starting to climb .....started with the million hardwood stairs in our house, to the small chairs, to the tables with the help of chairs......

then he crawls over to a brother or a sister who are more than willing to play and wiggle with him.....

Chloe, is helping him with his music lessons.....

Travis is always walking around the house with him.....Heath goes along with what ever situation they put him in.....

Happy Birthday Jared (.......again)

Finally.....here's Jared's official pic......it doesn't seem official with out the cake and family gathered around.....doesn't he look old ;)