Touchdown, Luke!

5

Yep, it happened.  My baby boy turned 5.

When I asked Luke about his upcoming party, he insisted on a Football theme :)  Great, because a January birthday coordinates with the  Super Bowl, which mean decorations were easy to find!

But first, per the birthday boys' request, dinner with his best friend at ShoGun!

 I think they had a great time!!

 THEN......the party!!!

 Football cookies and cake!

 And just like that.....candle # 5......

 

Tell me where my baby is?  Look at that sweet boy!  (tears)

Everyone had fun at the party including Miss E!  This was her first experience at a birthday party, I think she approves!

The Dads Vs. The Kids

The mommas...we have lots of years ahead raising these sweet boys! They are all precious to me and I adore their friendship, wisdom and laughs :)


Whoah......Presents!

Grandparents came too!

Mimi & Pops

And Grammie and Grandaddy!

Luke, we love you so and how you have become in these past 5 years.  

You are the perfect mix of laid back, funny and  everyone falls in love with you instantly.  

The Lord gave you so many assets in this life, we can't wait to see how you use them for His glory in the coming years.

Now......

or never.


So here we go...

These boys...

have had the best summer!

Days of fun jam packed into two months of lazy days, sun, sand, lake, pool, friends, Bible school, and sleeping in!

It's August (what!?) and I can't believe it has passed so quickly :)

Beach, Boys and a Bunch of Cousins

Snow days, you did not have the last laugh......

WE DID!

The last day of school was in JUNE this year due to the long, hard, snowy winter, but to show Ol' Man Winter who's boss...

We were packed and headed to the beach as soon as the last bell rang!

TO THE BEACH OR BUST!

This was one of the most unique family vacations ever, but one of the most memorable!

We were able to spend half the week with one side of the family and half the week with the other:)  I'm not sure we will ever be able to manage that again, but what a blessing for my boys to see almost all of their cousins in one week.

ROUND ONE: Ross Family

Brayden and Luke are only months apart....which makes for a perfect playmate.

And where you have cousins, amazing uncles aren't far away.......especially ones that help you jump big waves!

and then there is always time for some sand surfing too!

Naps for a 6 year old don't come often.....

But there is something about the beach that makes us ALL relax!

We LOVED the resort we stayed :) Blake's uncles owns a condo and we were so impressed with how family oriented it was for all ages.

Movie night by the pool was a hit!

The three boys had a blast together!  I love that these cousins live three states apart but see each other multiple times a year.  

Cousins ROUND TWO:
As we waited for the Richey clan to show, we grabbed some beach time....

Did I mention that the Richey make BOYS?  Yes, like there has been ONE girl in 62 years.  Yep, the name will live on forever.  And Emaline will be spoiled rotten. It's a given.  

Great Grandmother Richey with her great grandsons! She loved the beach :)







But there was someone missing this time.......Daddy.
Work wouldn't allow him to join this time, but we called several times and told him how much we loved and missed him!

and then it was back to the sand and water!

The week came to a close, but not before I captured some pictures that I will always cherish.  

Next time we visit the beach....we will have six tiny feet in the sand :) 

The beach always holds a special place in my heart.  It just seems to give a glimpse of harmony and peace.  I love just seeing how majestic the ocean is, compared to how small each grain of sand is.....and it reminds me over and over how mighty our Lord is and will always be.