Things I Want to Remember

The weather made a turn for the better here in Texas about a month ago.  There's that glorious morning when you wake up, step outside and you are NOT hit like a freight train with heat.  It's an exciting development for me because it means the boys use our backyard again.  We don't have a whole lot of shade so it's hard to play outside much in the summer.  

The boys decided they were going to sleep outside and started getting everything all set up.  They did everything by themselves with only a little bit of arguing.

I hope they camp together for years to come.  I love camping, but it's been hard to do it as a family much because of having little kids.  So this practicing in the backyard is good for them.

Graham was testing out his camping stove.

Jopie was randomly using this tool (what is it called?  a big hammer?).

He smiles pretty much all the time, just like this.  No matter what he's doing.

Nathan, like usual, was the captain of fun.

With crazy hair.

I bet you never knew you could have so much fun with just one green ball.  Thank you, Schefflers, for the super fun birthday present!

Graham was in charge of dinner.  He made some stellar ramen soup.

The boys bonded, spent some good time outside, and we didn't spend a dime, well, besides 24 cents for each pack of ramen.

These are the nights I want to remember.  I love a quiet evening at home when it's just us.  And when it happens to be peaceful, it's an added bonus.  These days are slipping by so quickly.  Sweet Graham is almost 12, and it was just yesterday that we welcomed him into the world.  Now he's making dinner for his little brothers.  Soon we'll talk about driving and colleges and what he wants to do with his life.  I felt more confident when he was a baby.  I was an expert at keeping him fed and changing his diaper.  These next years in our family will have so many challenges.  I'm trying hard not to get ahead of myself, but the very thought of it makes me savor simple nights like this one.

Nathan's Party

Because Nathan is the fifth kid, he's really never had a real birthday party.  Poor kid.  His birthday alway seems to fall during a bad time.  So this year I wanted to throw him a big old party.  It wasn't really that big, but as many people as I could invite to keep it small enough so I could still enjoy his weekend and not spend all weekend cooking for his party.  I'm not all that great of a birthday party mom.  Their birthdays seem to creep up on me, and this particular party came about with an email to a few families about five days in advance.  But I'm thankful most everyone was able to come and bless Nathan.  He LOVED every minute of it.

Nathan wore his new Wolverine costume during the entire party.  I didn't intend on this to happen but I sure wasn't going to tell him to change.  

And these girls were so sweet to include Jopie and Nathan in their game.  See that girl in the pink.  Nathan says that she is his girlfriend ;)  Watch out boys, Nathan punches wildly when he doesn't get what he wants.

Baby Violet is his favorite baby.  She stole the show.  

I made about 100 cupcakes and we ate chalupas.

I have to admit.  The cupcake frosting was GOOD.  The cake part is from a box so I thought I needed to make up for that by making good frosting.

Note to self:  I should have cleared the counter behind Nathan because it bugs me seeing that big tupperware container and red cup.  But oh well.  His cute smile makes up for it!

I love all these friends in my kitchen!  It filled up my people-loving soul for at least a week.

And I love that he thoroughly enjoyed his party.

And I so appreciate that Riley, in the midst of her very busy junior year, makes the time to come to Nathan's party.

And Sallie, who has known me since I was born, now blesses my children by being their Aunt Sallie.

I'm grateful that he had such a special day!  And especially thankful that I get to be his mom!

Excuse the gummy sharks, but they were part of his birthday present and he REALLY wanted them in the picture, and I just couldn't say no :)

Excessive Birthday Cuteness

I just love this set of pictures.  Watching Nathan open his presents this year was, well, I can't even think of the appropriate word... maybe a mixture of cute and fun and lively and joyful and magical all wrapped into one.

Here he got his beloved Spiderman coat that he loves so much now that he cries when it's dirty.

 The rest of these photos will speak for themselves.  But oh my goodness, their sweet faces full of joy.  I love it all.  But especially how happy everyone else was for Nathan.  And how giddy he was over it all.

You have to love the excitement!

His big present from Grandma and Grandpa.  They came and surprised him for his big day.  They drove all the way from Minnesota to be with him on his birthday.  That's true love.

Stay tuned tomorrow for party details.