And my cake...

So after reading Courtney's blog and being reminded of the 'rainbow' cake, I had to make it for Avery's birthday. It took quite awhile but was not hard, and the girls had fun helping and watching it all come together....we had it tonight after the park...

 

Our grocery store did not carry the Wilton's food coloring so my colors are not quite as bright as they could be, but again, Avery was THRILLED! And that was the goal. 

YUMMY! Each piece was so big that 2 people could have shared. 

She turns 5 tomorrow...at this time 5 years ago I believe I was walking the halls at the hospital after asking if I could just go home, I thought it was a false alarm. They told me I was NOT going home. 

Sweet Baby Girl

I know I've had a lot of posts and pictures lately but we've had A LOT of activity and seriously, how can I not post these of her?!?!? 

Avery's birthday is tomorrow so we asked her what she wanted to do tonight to celebrate...she chose to go to the park in Parkersburg...we took Grandma and Grandpa with us and Parker and Aaron...everyone had a blast. 

I told you she loves him...

And seriously, how can I blame her? 

Father's Day 2009

I failed miserably at Father's Day this year. Well, I guess in my own defense...I put some work into it yesterday. I wrapped a gift, prepared a meal in the crock pot to be ready for us after church today and yesterday I had the kids all make cards for him. 

But of course, we woke up and things got crazy this am. We ran out the door with exactly enough time to get to church and not be late. As we were walking in, a nice man we didn't know held the door for us and wished Jordan a very happy father's day. 

My heart sank. I literally wanted to walk back out to the van and hide. 

It wasn't until right then that I even remembered it was Father's Day! Jordan had kind of a sheepish grin on his face and Lauren gasped...yelling out, Happy Father's Day Daddy! I'm sure she wanted to glare at me for not remembering to have all of them wake him up with Father's Day hugs this morning. 

I believe he has forgiven me although I've assured him repeatedly that I would NOT have forgiven him yet! ;)

Seriously Jordan, my lack of effort on this day in no way expresses the gratefulness that I feel in my heart for having you in our lives. Our children have a perfect example before them of love, selflessness, hard work, dedication, respect and honor. You lead your family to become more like Christ and I am so blessed at all you give to us, never complaining, always going the extra mile. You put in countless hours at work and never think of slacking at home, our children and I feel that, we see it. 

Thank you. I know that my greatest blessing this side of heaven, is that my children, call you, "Daddy." 

All our love, thank you for giving us such a wonderful man to celebrate on this day! 

Proverbs 20:7  "The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him."

Just look at the faces on your children...they are completely filled with Love and Admiration for their father. 

Enjoy your golf shoes! 

Its 11:30 PM

Look what I found!?

And the sweetest little camper you've ever seen!

I love that expression. Just couldn't love her more! 

Great Grandma Elaine stopped by to join in on the fun for a bit and have a smore and a snuggle!

And now for a series of pictures I like to call, "The reason why she likes Jordan more than me..."

(He gave her this ice cream cone and it may have been the best moment in her life. If you tried to take it she would literally bite your arm off...she was in baby heaven.)

Sully's favorite saying...

Where there's smoke...

There's FIRE!

CAMPING!

Tonight we made good on the promise we made to Aaron like 2 months ago...a CAMPOUT!!!

This time we thought it would wise to stay in our yard. 

Jordan's cousin's daughter Parker joined us too...she and Jordan's Aunt Pam (Crazy Aunt Pam, to our kids) are in town for Jordan's cousins wedding, next weekend. 

We did smores, sparklers and got attacked by a bear, aka, Jordan. 

However, it is 10:45 and we are already inside. I kind of forgot that when you camp in town, you have cars driving by every few minutes. Also, someone in town was putting on quite the fireworks show and it was scaring Avery. So in we went. 

So now Jordan, Avery, Sully and Aaron are playing Wii (and there is A LOT of trash talking going on between Jordan and Aaron), I'm blogging, Tess is sound asleep and Lauren and Parker are perfectly happy with this arrangement because they are staying together in Lauren and Avery's room and Avery is with Jordan and I...I just want some sleep at this point! 

Here is the attempt for a group shot - impossible. 

Sparklers...

Very excited! 

She's just precious, and she's told me like 17 times today that in 2 days, she will be 5. Unfortunately, there is nothing I can do to stop that. 

A couple of cute things for Trina and Garrick - first Aaron says he can beat Garrick every time at Wii bowling, his mom sometimes but he just can't beat Jordan because he is too good. 

Also, Aaron calls bullets - 'triggers'. He wanted more caps for Sully's cap gun and he said, "Becky, are there more triggers for this gun?" Later he went in to refill his water gun and he said to me, "I've got to get more triggers for this gun!" How cute is that!

And Sully

He got a hair cut and I love it! Love him. 

Swimming

We hit the pool again before naps today...and now everyone is sleeping very soundly!

And I just had to post all of these...there was no way to choose!

Pictures

Trina, we are trying to make things just like home for Aaron. So last night, they wrestled. And Jordan got hurt...A 6 year old and almost 5 year old, along with a 3 year old and an baby...were just too much for him! (Jordan is in the purple. 

I had Aaron wear his Hawkeye shirt yesterday and they had a lot of fun fighting over the hawks and clones all day! 

More wrestling.

This morning they are making Father's Day cards and later we are going to the pool and then putting the tent up! 

Tess didn't feel like making a card...so she used the marker board.