The big 4!

 

The last sunday that I was in the States we had a family dinner and we decided it would be a great time to celebrate Beckham's 4th birthday!  He didn't seem to mind that we were celebrating a week early either... 

Owen was a little shocked to hear that 7 weeks had already passed since I came and that he wouldn't be seeing me again for quite some time!

 Joshua was a little amazed that I wouldn't be around either but when we told him that he could have some cake, he perked right up.

 And so all the nieces and nephews drowned their sorrows in cake because Aunt Carrie and little Nafan would be leaving...oh...and because Beckham was turning 4!

 Even Uncle Lonnie was feeling sad about little Nathan leaving because Nathan just LOVED Uncle Lonnie and I think Lonnie loved being loved!

 If cake wasn't enough to drown away the pain of us leaving, we made sure the kids had something to beat on (besides each other of course!)

 Beckham tried with a plastic golf club and a blindfold and Josh tried with a plastic baseball bat and a blindfold but neither worked.

 Liam was anxious to try when the blindfold finally got placed to the side!

 Kayla tried her best,

 Liam used the tapping approach which didn't work but provided a great laugh

 and Andy dubbed the dinosaur a knight to make him more frightening.

 We saved Jackson for last, thinking he would break through it the moment he started but alas his good form and strong arms just weren't enough but Jess does look a little scared...

 So, we let them go at it with their hands and it was like watching little savage beasts attack their prey!

VICTORY!

 Andy was worn out by the whole ordeal

 and I believe the others were enjoying the sugar high by the end of the night.

It is amazing how quickly time can move and soon these little faces wiil change and will be different but I am so glad that I got to spend 7 weeks with them.  I miss them all so much, their cute voices, the way they play and sleep and giggle.  I miss being around them but that makes coming back all the more fun!