John's First Birthday Celebration

We have a tradition that we have started for all the kids. Until about their 2nd or 3rd birthdays, we have a BBQ celebration! This year we invited family and our Fellowship friends for some awesome brisket and cupcakes.

John looked like such a doll, and loved his cupcake! I got distracted at one point (I know, how could I?) and turned around and he had essentially finished the entire thing.

John's actual birth-day is not until next week so I will write more about what he is up to then. But John is such a love and is so fun to have in our family. Happy (almost) 1st Birthday, Johnny Cakes. We love you dearly!

I changed John's outfit - this one just did not cut it!

KRip and PRip with baby Luke - 3 months

Mimi and Grandpa with the star of the show

Trying to get shoes to fit on John's feet!

Can I Hold John?

John - 2 weeks old

John 4 months old

John 3.5 months old

John - 1 year old

Alivia says those words to me often. . . and then Will chimes in after her. I am not sure how much Will really wants to hold John, he is more interested in following whatever Sister does. We often sit in the glider rocker in John's room when they hold him. John seems to really love the attention. I looked back through and thought it would be fun to see how all the kids have really grown over the last year.

Destruction Day

The Schoolers had a shed and old hot tub that they wanted removed from their back yard, so they called in the trusty Fellowship crew to provide some demolition work. The kids had a blast watching the building get torn apart, and I think the men had some fun, too.

Happy 3rd Birthday Jane Ann!

Alivia, Will and I spent Saturday morning celebrating Jane Ann Skagg's birthday in a nearby park. The kids had a great time and I reflected on how I have known Birdie since she was born! Happy Birthday Jane Ann!

John's First Word

Matt and I have fancy iPhones now and we snapped this video after tub time tonight.

Hanging on our Back Porch

The weather has been beautiful lately so Matt and I decided to clean off the back porch and enjoy it before it gets too hot. The kids have loved sitting out there and we have started to eat our desserts out there (Frosty last night, watermelon jello with whipped cream tonight).

Visit from The Brawners (minus Jason)

Alison came down for a visit with her folks in San Antonio and her sister who now lives in Circle C. She came over with Jackson and Mollie Jane on Friday and Mandy came with Elle (6 mos) and Birdie. The kids had a blast playing in the backyard. And Will just thought Jackson hung the moon. It was funny to watch how Will copied everything Jackson did. And Alivia and Mollie Jane are both very close in age and enjoy spending time together so much.

The next day we all met at Phil's Ice House and had good burgers, fellowship and ice cream! Once again, the kids just got along so well. We are looking forward to gathering again in August at the lake. We missed having Jason around who is doing some of his Army training and has been away from his family for about 9 weeks (3 more to go).

I long for Alison and Jason to move to Texas - anywhere in Texas. Although Austin would be my top choice! :-) We share such a history together and I enjoy being with her (and her sister) so much.

PS. Melissa is due with her second girl (Greer Alison) this June! She will join Harper who turned 2 recently.