My little Marshmallow turned ONE

This was a typical snow-kid-turns-one birthday party. I LOVE going all out for their first birthday parties. We were exited to feel settled in our home and we have a fantastic tree in our backyard to hang things from...
I remembered how fun Ellie's luau was when she turned one (indoors, and in February, yes...) BUT...this time we could do it outside and invite the whole world if we wanted to!! :)

It was an absolutely perfect June day...perfect temp and a slight breeze. Everyone stayed outside for the entire party, other than to come in and fill their plates. Griff woke from a nap, had his dinner, and then everyone showed up around 5:00. We had luau/Hawaiian beach music playing outside, drinks on a surf board which was on top of two large speakers, and tables setup all over the yard. The kids played with the many beachballs floating around the yard, they rolled down and then ran up our hill, and they enjoyed lots of food and treats, and good ol' bounce house!!! The mai tais were a hit as well as the yummy "luau punch" for the kiddos.

Griffin: I love having a son. I have loved loved loved the light, brightness, smiles, cuddles, and laughter you've brought into our home these past 12 months. I can't wait to continue to see how you become a part of our family. You are precious. Your cheeks and your flat head (soon to be gone) are precious trademarks of our studly son. Your blue eyes shock EVERYONE that looks at you. They are striking. I pray, frequently, that you will grow to be a warrior for yourself, your God, and your family someday. You are my sweet little dude and I love you bud! Happy Birthday!!

What an incredible weekend this was! Memorial Day in Goshen, VA @ Rockbridge YL camp...just like the olden days. What fun! Ryan and I were both pumped at the offer for him to speak at the camp, and we were even more pumped to be back in the YL world...with our kids. It was just as fantastic as we thought it would be. :) Seeing old friends, eating in the dining hall (with 3 precious children in tow), telling stories to the girls about things we used to do, watching our 6 year old go down the ZIP LINE, walking the grounds of a sacred place. Both Ryan and I have many many memories there!!!

I have to say, however, that driving 8 hours each way was NOT a pretty sight. I don't want to forget that I literally was a flight attendant in our mini van, barely sitting in the passenger seat in the front. It was bizarre, crazy, busy, a little annoying, and exhausting- yes. But I don't want to wish these times away because there WILL come a day that our kids put on headphones or hold cell phones and may not want my attention. Wow...weird thought. :(

BEST picture of the weekend...my kids totally loving the YL dining hall...how stinkin cool?!!
It was literally impossible to get all of the kids to smile at the camera AND the gnats were out of control...oh well...a REAL moment!!
This was the girls' first YL club experience...hilarious! Needless to say, there was a lot of dancing, jumping, & singing involved. But they loved the worship. :)




It was so neat for Chris and Don Baumann to meet our kids and spend time with them. Such a delight to be with them for the weekend!!

Spring and Easter...such a treat!

Griff officially has, and has always had, the strangest crawl. I can't quite capture it on camera, yet I think this is a pretty good shot. He moves and he moves fast...gotta love my little dude!!

Spring lovin

Daddy/Daughter Dance. Unfortunately, poor El was super sick...
only to find out she had throat infection and
ear infection the next day. Poor girl
couldn'tdance it up like she wanted.
But they did look lovely and it WAS a good evening!

Ummm yeah, not sure that my daughters will be the gals
that are told they have "good rhythm." Dance party with the
Preston cousins was SO funny...and man we could tell who had the
moves and who did NOT. hehe.