Name Them One by One

This is from about 6 weeks ago but I just love looking at my two boys together, both smiling so happily.

Today we had well visits for both boys. Luke at 1 year is in the 99% for height and 45% for weight.

Ben, at 4 is in the 99% for height and 95% for weight, but that is based on age and weight alone. If you calculated it based on his height, he would be a lot lower. He's still skinny as a stick. But a tall, tall stick.

We deferred Ben's shots until he's 5 since he won't go to Kindergarten for another year.

We are so blessed to have healthy boys, and not a day goes by that we don't thank God for these two blessings.

After the doctor both boys had donuts, then we headed out to register Ben for tee ball. Practice won't start until May, but he's excited. We then looked for Easter clothes/shoes for Ben. Luckily Luke has all the clothes he'll ever need. Ben, on the other hand, is another story.

It's so hard to believe that Easter is just a week away. Such a fun time for kids. I spent yesterday evening working in the yard, and it's so bright and green. In just a few weeks we will be begging for rain once again, and fighting a losing battle with the lawn. But for now, we are loving the Azaleas and Dogwood in bloom.

"Count your many blessings, see what God has done."

This Takes the Cake

We like to have our cake...and eat it too.

Ben's 6 Month Birthday Cake

(His Poppa calls him Ben-Ja-Man)

Ben's 1st Birthday Cake

You remember the old Fisher Price pull-along horse....

Ben's 2nd Birthday Cake

(His outfit was smocked to match...)

Ben's 3rd Birthday Cake

(Come inside...it's fun inside!)

Luke's 6 Month Party

(It was just ducky!)

Luke's 1st Birthday

(Animals on Parade)

Ben's 4th Birthday

Jenny's mom made every one of these...and there were plenty of sweat beads and tears to go along. Each one has a story of heroism in transport or baking stress-induced xanax prescriptions.

Every party has been perfect for our boys. Can't wait to see what next year holds.

Party Day.

Today was Ben's party day (his actual Birthday was this past Monday).

The theme was his very own idea...he's been talking about it for at least 6 months.

"My Dumptruck Party!" was a hit. We continued our tradition of primary colors and lots of good food. Ben bad several of his friends come over for about 45 minutes of cake, candy, cookies and chasing each other through the house. After that, we took them all to Jump Zone to play.

It was really pretty easy to pull together. The kids all received a play construction hat with his dumptruck graphic on the front. The driveway and sidewalk was lined with orange construction cones. The food consisted of Chocolate Chip Contractor Cookies, Boulders (Sausage Balls), Foreman Fruit Salad, and Mud Tires (Chocolate Donuts and Coconut Crumb Donuts)...and of course the masterpiece of a cake crafted by Jenny's mom.

Thanks to our parents for buying the boys' swingset, and for everything else you did to help out, and thanks to everyone who has made the past two weeks so special for our two precious boys.

Finally...

After a couple of weeks keeping this a secret, with large portions of the set in pieces in our garage (and covered with sheets and blankets), today Benjamin was surprised with his birthday present from all four grandparents.

He had been at his grandparents last night and Bible study this morning, so his hair and clothes look a little disheveled.

We told him to go into the backyard for a surprise.

He cautiously walked into the yard...

...then immediately saw it and gasped...

...and gasped a little harder...

and then grinned and yelled "a Play House!!!!"

before taking off toward the set.

He went straight for the rock wall...

then made it up into the fort,

where he checked on the neighbors' yard.

Luke discovered that he likes to just hang out.


Ben discovered that the slide is pretty fast.

But don't take our word for it...watch and see for yourself! (Excuse the poor video quality...I don't know what our deal is but we can't get it together! The other day we couldn't find a blank tape. Today I couldn't find the battery (or the charger on which it sits) We have a really nice video camera but we just can't get it all together and ready to roll...so a phone will suffice)!.

Happy Four Years, Benjamin!

Where it Began...

The moment our lives changed forever...

Since that Wednesday morning our lives have been full of bottles, diapers, giggles, cries, pacifiers, laughs, tantrums, balls, cars, Toy Stories, bubble baths, army men, pirates, goldfish, sippy cups, and more joy than we ever imagined.

We love you and your brother so, so much.

Happy 4th Birthday to our firstborn, Benjamin John.

One Year Ago...

One year ago today we could hardly sleep...we were just hours away from meeting you.

Even before we had seen your precious face, we were head-over-heels in love with you.

A Birthday for Luke

Well after two weeks of Flu, we managed to pull off Luke's first birthday party. It was originally scheduled to be at my parents' house so that the northeast Arkansas relatives could come, but earlier this week my grandfather had a mild cardiac event, sending him to the hospital...then my niece came down with the flu on Thursday.

A birthday party at my parents' was just not in the cards for us this year.

So...with just a couple of day's notice, we regrouped and hosted his party at our house.

The table before the cake...

Entry hall table...

Animal cracker party favors...

Another shot of the table...

Banners over the fireplace...

and................the cake.

All of the animals on the cake matched his outfit and the invitation.

Luke's Bib and Hat...

Party food...BBQ Pork and Beef, Cole Slaw, Baked Beans,

Hot Ham and Cheese Rolls, Potato Chips. Quick and easy, and favorites

of our family.

Of course his future wife, Sadie had to come to this "Family Only" party...

Luke was less than thrilled with his party hat...

Luke is pretty picky about what he touches, and we didn't even mess

with a smash cake...we just sat him next to the real one, and let him

pick and choose what he wanted.

Just as we thought, he took little bites.

And...he moaned and mmmmm'ed through every bite.

Sadie found a fun spot on the lap of her future grandfather in-law.

We tried to hold it down where presents were concerned, since both boys

are getting something big in a few days...we failed.

His Trumpette Howdy Cow arrived via UPS just in time...

He's been riding it since the party.

Jenny told me the other night that there is absolutely no chance that she will have another March baby...two parties in one month are enough.

Luke's actual birthday is not until Friday. Ben's is a week from Monday, with his party the following Saturday. It's a very busy but very, very fun month.