7 year old party

Owen celebrated his 7th birthday Arizona style.   Pool side with his new buddies.

Yep, a pool party.   Complete with water guns and plenty of ammunition.

Even little sister  and brother joined in the fun.

And, on this beautiful day, the adults even enjoyed the sunshine.

And, after all the fun in the pool a little game of football was necessary to make this party complete.

Happy Birthday, sweet Owen.    I love you!

Owen's favorites

Owen is 7.   He is my sweetest boy.   He still snuggles with me when I ask him.   He loves on his sister.   He holds her and plays with her and tries to teach her new words.   Yesterday, he put her on his hot wheels and rode around and around in the cul de sac, making her scream.  

As much as he loves on Grace.   He teases Eli.   He loves to make Eli scream.   If Eli is not screaming about something Owen will make sure he is.  

When something is wrong, Owen won't tell you.   He will quietly hide his feelings because he doesn't want to draw attention to himself.  He sits quietly behind his big brother and watches the world go by.

Owen is fiercely loyal.  When you are Owen's friend, you are his friend for life.   You hold a special place in his heart that nothing can replace.

And, those eyes that sparkle.   That Owen smile.   Owen is the most authentic person I know.   Never holding back or pretending he is someone he is not.    He always has a way with words when he does speak up. 
 
Seating in the backseat quietly, most of the time, when he does say something is always makes Bryan and I laugh.    Like the time he was sitting in the backseat in Conneticut.   Bryan and Pop were trying to get ahold of Uncle Woody to get directions.   They were discussing the fact that Uncle Woody doesn't use his cell phone.    Bryan hears a quiet voice from the back "Who the hell doesn't have a cell phone?"   Yes, I agree Owen, who doesn't have a cell phone.  We still laugh at this simple statement.

And, this past weekend as Bryan was driving the boys back from camping, Owen's little voice could be heard saying "I wish this weekend would last forever".    Oh, my little Owen.

This past week, Owen was chosen for Star of the Week.   He had to choose 10 favorite pictures to bring to school.    Here are Owen's favorite pictures from the past year.   Things he loves.   Places he wishes he could revisit.

Every child grows too fast.    And, I wish my Owen would stop growing.   He is perfect in all of his 7 year old ways.   But, I know it will be my great privilege that I get to watch him grow up and turn into a strong, capable young man.

Family Football

Some people are passionate.   Passionate about life.  They find something and live for it.   They talk about it.   They think about it.   It consumes all they do.  I am very jealous of people that can find their passion.      It brings a light to their life that nothing else can.

And, yet I know that the true blessing is that I get to share in their joy.  

I have gotten to spend hours and hours on the banks of rivers and lakes watching my children grow.    Watching my husband become an expert angler who can catch fish no matter where we are.

I have gotten to spend hours and hours on the polo field spending time with my family.  Watching my dad become an expert polo player against all odds.

I have waited patiently hours and hours for my boys to return from hunting.   I have gotten to listen to stories and experience it through their voice and life.  Watching my father in law as he takes all his grandchildren hunting every year.

And now, Gabriel has discovered football.   In his own way.   He embraces it with everything he has.   His eyes sparkle with that football in his hands.   When he talks about his team the words tumble out of his mouth because he can hardly contain his excitement.  You will not see him without a football in his hands, begging his little brothers to play with him.

Because of his passion we all get to experience it, as a family.  

 

We spend every Friday night at practice and all day Saturday at his games.   

We make our way to our local common area and practice in our spare time.

We get to learn and grow and love this game that Gabriel has embraced.

And, it's in these times that we discover the real blessing.   The blessing of each other.  The blessing of this precious time and place and how we can truly embrace it for all it has to offer.

And, when our arms grow tired from throwing and catching.  From running play after play we just might decide to climb a tree and soak in the desert sun.  Because we have discovered the true joy in this very moment!

A taste of Halloween

Cooking soothes my soul.   I love to stand in my kitchen surrounded by my measuring cups, cutting boards, and mixing bowls.  Creating something special for my family to eat.

And, cooking with my boys brings me a special kind of joy.  It's a way to spend time together and accomplish something.  Something sweet and wonderful and full of love.

So, we picked a holiday treat to make and we spent the afternoon together in the kitchen.

While my boys love to cook.  My little girl doesn't quite understand.  She stands at my feet always wanting to be held and see what is going on.   I hold her until my arms hurt and let the boys finish our creation.

Then, the boys help me put out the Halloween decorations.   

After all our fall preparations.  We sat in the kitchen enjoying a caramel apple surrounded by spiders, and pumpkins, and kitty cats.    A perfect afternoon!

Grace's Birthday Celebration

Grace's 1st birthday started in the kitchen.   We had a birthday cake to bake.

Oh, my she loved the cake batter.   She sat in her high chair licking the spoon for a LONG time.   Much longer then usual because this girl is always climbing out of her highchair.   No matter how tight I buckle her in.  

Grace's BIG birthday smile.

Chocolate for this birthday girl!

Cake and dinner were ready.  We had some special guests coming over.  Aunt Carol and Uncle Dennis came to join us for the celebration.

No party is complete without our party dress.   

 

My little girl can smile bigger then anyone I have ever seen.   It is so dang cute.

 

Grace had her own birthday cake.   She wasn't quite sure what to think.

 

So, she had a little help from her brothers.

 

I love this picture of them.   

Presents for the girl.

 

This picture of Owen steals my heart.   He is so sweet to his little sister.  Showing her how to hold her new doll.

She was quite the princess for a day.   Not used to all the pink and girlie toys.   She loved them.  

And, here we all are.   A very rare picture that has us all.  Thanks, Aunt Carol for gathering us together and taking a cherished picture.

Happy First Birthday to our little girl!