Birthday Celebrations

Sunday was a day of birthday celebrations- we celebrated Trace's birthday with lunch at Mom and Dad's then had a family party for Lucas at our house in the afternoon.

More Birthday

She's 8!

Lillian probably gets the award for the most birthday celebrations in one year.  Since her birthday typically falls on or around Labor Day, we usually spend it with both sides of the family and have a friend party.  These pictures were on the morning of her actual birthday at our house.



This gift led to the one waiting outside....a bike!





August Birthday Weekend

One birthday boy...Jackson, 5



 Another birthday boy...Brady, 3

 I took Lillian to the American Girl store in Overland Park.  What a fun place!  She picked out matching pajamas for her and Lanie as an early birthday present.

 Lucas had this Jeep taken apart in several stages...we managed to keep all the pieces and he put it back together.

 Early presents....believe me, there were tons more at the waterpark birthday party!

Cousin bath time

33

I had a WONDERFUL birthday! It was more than just a day; it lasted all week! Brent sent me flowers, the kids sent balloons, students gave me cards and candy, and my family gathered to celebrate Saturday night. Great fun!

Thanks, everyone!

Cole's 4th Birthday Party

No pictures of the presents, the cool cake, or the other party guests...just cousins and the beautiful weather!

A Boy And His Boots

A story for you:

Last year, Lucas got a pair of boots from Grammy and Granddad for his birthday. He loved those boots and wore them everywhere last winter. When summer arrived, he switched to flip-flops, and the boots remained in the closet, waiting to be worn again. His new friends at his new school wore boots everyday- even if it was 100 degrees. Lucas, wanting to be like his friends, asked to wear his boots again, usually with shorts and a t-shirt. Around October, the boots started to look like this:


The toes were scuffed, the leather worn, and a small hole appeared in the toe. That hole grew and grew until his socks were visible. The boots that were once square toed were now rounded and splitting from daily use.

Being the good parents we were (are), we decided to buy him another pair (on sale) and wait until his 3rd birthday in the hopes that it would be too cold to play outside and, hopefully, preserve the new pair for warmer weather. While the new boots waited in the closet, his old boots continued to fall apart. The heels wore down, the stitching split, and the holes in the toes grew.

Finally the birthday weekend arrived and the new boots were given! They have already seen their share of wear. I managed to take a picture last week before too much damage was done.

The old boots will be treasured, a symbol of the passing of time and a little boy's love for his boots.

Happy Birthday!

Brent turns 32 today!

We did some early celebrating this weekend when we had family with us for the weekend. Brent requested a cookie cake and Lillian made him a birthday hat. He wore it proudly!

With another winter storm staring us in the face, I am reminded of other years when Brent's birthday meant some sort of fierce winter weather. Last year, we had planned to eat at a restuarant called Boneyard Grill (delicious ribs!) but an ice storm came through and all the eating places in town were closed but one lonely burger joint who had only 1 waiter and a hostess. That was a long evening! Our senior year of college brought the first weather related closing of OC's school history when a massive snow storm hit on Jan 27.

The cold weather stories say nothing about Brent's personality and heart. He is the kindest and least selfish person I know and I am proud to be his wife. Happy Birthday!

Cousins and Birthday

To celebrate Cole's 2nd birthday, Jackson and Brady visited from Missouri. Lillian loves playing with the boys and Lucas had fun just chasing everyone around.

"Naptime" (yeah, right!)

Birthday boy

Lillian helps Cole with the candles

Lucas and Brady have some bonding time.

Lillian and the boys

Happy Birthday!

Happy 31st!

We celebrated with Brent's parents on Saturday evening with birthday cheesecake and dinner at Stables, a great little burger joint in Guthrie. We have plans to go to another favorite of his called The Boneyard Grill but the icy weather may prevent the trip.