4.26.2011

a birthday marathon

You are one lucky little man. You were born into a family that really knows how to do birthdays. And they made yours EXTRA special.


You spent all morning playing ball.

dad occasionally had to come to your rescue if you got lost.

you fell in love with running water all afternoon

and when we could couldn't get you out, dad worked his magic eventually distracted you enough.

don't worry, your favorite people were there, your cousins.

you even had a bbq for dinner, and you ate more strawberries than anyone one else at the party, including the adults.

mom and dad got you a basket ball hoop

you seemed pretty excited about it

you politely offered to share you birthday cupcake, only after you had mushed it around.

by the end of the marathon, you were pooped.

I told you they do birthdays good! It was an event to remember, mostly because I fell asleep wiping tears from my eyes. You seemed bigger today more than ever. You played all day, and refused to go inside. You would even sit by the door just waiting for someone to open it so you could walk outside. You explored, you climbed, you fell, and even made lil boy noises with your toys. You insisted on following your cousins, and being a part of the group. You are my big boy, that I still occasionally get to snuggle with...until you are ready jump off the couch, slide down the stairs, and make big boy messes that is!

Here's to being one! Momma and daddy love you, and wouldn't have wanted this year to go any differently. You make life exhilarating, and often exhausting, and we love it.

Love, momma

4.25.2011

dear gage

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Happy Birthday Cousin. I hope your first was as fun as mine. Wish I could help you celebrate.

Love, James

dear gage


(Papa and the boys, a little less than a year ago. That's you on the right. And the one on the left? well that's cousin James. he is probably wondering what you are staring at. But that's normal, we are ALL wondering what you re staring at)


It is hard to believe that you are one whole year old. Happy birthday to you sweet boy. I look at your smiling face and you remind me of your mother. I look at your fuzz cut and you remind me of your dad. I look at that perfect scar on your chest and you remind me of my new knee. I hope you get to do fun stuff on your birthday. I am so glad to have a grandson like you. You are awesome.

I love you... Grand-papa Dick

4.21.2011

dear gage


do you know how much we love you? let us count the ways ...


... the first time i held you, i knew we'd be fast friends




... the first time your parents trusted us to watch you, you peed on our couch and i didn't mind at all




... when we heard about your hurt heart, it made our hearts hurt




... we would walk an infinite number of miles for you




... we teach you how to do important things like how to play the wii




... how to play the ds




... and how to drive




... we make believe that your food can fly




... and always try to make you laugh



you're a very special person in our lives and we hope you always know how much you are loved.


i personally feel so very lucky to be able to spend so much time with your happy self. watching you grow, discover and learn brings me so much joy.

we love you sweet gage and hope you have the happiest of happy birthdays!

love,

auntie em

4.13.2011

Que Ball

Sorry babe....







I wish I could say I chopped those luscious locks on purpose.


Love, momma.