Happiest Birthday Girl There Ever Was

You'll remember that I mentioned in a previous post that Afton has really been looking forward to her birthday... a lot! We have had a lot of family birthdays lately and it killed her every time it wasn't hers... AGAIN. Well, once a month we get together with Chris' side of the family and celebrate all the birthdays for the month. On this particular night Afton's was included, but there were also about 8 others. You never would have guessed though. She took command of that party and made it her own. When the song was sung she want right to the front of the room and beamed like she's never beamed before. Chris and I were laughing so hard. I had to share some of her joy with all my friends on the blog!!

I'll bet any of you ten bucks you have a big grin on your face right now!

Boy Scout Court of Honor

Max has loved the last year in Boy Scouts. They held a Court of Honor just before he turned 12 and he earned his Tenderfoot, 2nd class and a few merit badges. He has now moved from the 11 year old Scout group and in with the big kids and is loving it. He is working hard on his 1st class and getting ready for his first winter campout... BRRR! Sounds miserable to me!

Flashback Friday- Cutest Baby EVER!!

(in my very biased opinion)

WARNING... total photo overload ahead.

Last June I was waiting for a client who was running pretty late so I decided to grab a few shots of Cole. I literally ripped his clothes off and threw him up there, which is why he has slight cheeto coloring around his mouth, lots of teething drool, and on obviously wet diaper. I was alone so I didn't have anyone to help with a reflector or keeping him in place so getting him to smile and not lunge at me in between shots was quite exhausting. The results, however, are some of my favorite pictures ever!! These are straight out of the camera... I can't wait to photoshop them a little bit!

This one is blurry, but I love his face!

Is that not the sweetest face ever?

EYELASHES!!

If you weren't already baby hungry... I bet you are now!!

I'm not gonna lie... It kinda makes me want another one!

Birthday Pictures

I wanted to take some cute pictures of Cole with

the left over balloons from his birthday party.

He was so cute and happy to go along...

...and then he was done.

One-Two

Max is officially 12!! He had his birthday last Friday. I can't believe it. I especially can't believe that on his next birthday he will be a teenager! Crazy how quickly time flies. I still remember so clearly the day he came into our lives. He is our firstborn and his arrival was probably the most life changing of all of our children. He made me a mom. He has had to endure all of my learning moments. I am grateful to him for his patience and helping me learn to be a good mom. I remember back when it was just him... no other kids around. He and I had some really good times. He was totally my little buddy. I remember telling Chris how much I enjoyed spending time with Max and just having conversations with him... even when he was just 2. He was always so curious and interested in he world around him that even a trip to the grocery store could be an adventure. He has been a joy and I love the young man is becoming. Over that past few months we have noticed huge changes in Max, both physical and otherwise. He is definitely taller, he's shaving, we all know how proud he is of his armpit hair, and he grows out of clothes and shoes faster than I can replace them... which is great for his younger cousins! But it's the other differences that mean the most to me. He is mellowing out, he's great with his younger siblings, he tries to be helpful at home, he is quick to apologize, he is loving school and scouts, he practices his instruments without being asked... he really is becoming a man. We love this kid so much and are so proud of who is and who he is trying to become.

Happy, Happy Birthday Max!!

(Sorry this is 4 days late)

Dress-Up

Afton pretty much lives in dress-ups... but on this day her outfit wasn't her traditional get-up so I had to snap a pic. Such a pretty little peasant girl.