Part 2 Gabriel's 11th Birthday!

 Celebrating the 11th birthday of our first born was quite something. Time flies . . . the birth and aftermath of Gabriel's birth were very tough but all worth every minute of it. Gabriel is a gem and he lights up our home. Gabriel is a kind heart and a sweet soul. Don't let that fool you though. He is

a determined and brave young man.

I meant to blog this earlier but never did. Weeks back he had a wrestling tournament and honestly got

his butt kicked. He was thrown around like a rag dog the first match and came off and told me "That was almost humerous." He almost blacked out in one match and had the wind knocked out of him in another with the coach rushing out to check on him. Hard on a Mommy, actually even his Daddy to watch him go through all that. He ended up wrestling kids that had been in wrestling for YEARS and not months! 

I say all this to say Babe and I were so proud of him. He was very nervous but never gave up, never complained and fought as hard as he could and did get better as the matches went on. 

I dare say there are MANY kids that would NOT have completed some of those matches but not Gabriel. I saw that day that he had turned into a young man. I was proud of his attitude and his actions. It wasn't just us though but also his coach was really pleased with how Gabriel handled it. He noticed the battle marks Gabriel had received during the day. 

Babe and I were drained by the end of that day.
Babe was there to help coach him and I was there for support. I knew I could not give the typical Mommy support. I knew I had to stay positive and encouraging. At the end of the day he said "Thank you for encouraging me today Mommy." Worth it all.

My little boy isn't little anymore he's quickly becoming a man and part of becoming a man (as we read in a book weeks back) is understanding who you are and being comfortable with it and that is

what I see in Gabriel. He may not be the best wrestler but you still fight the fight and do your best.

 Ross really was on me to take him to Family Dollar so

he could buy Gabriel a birthday present! He got him a good present too!

Travel Battleship!!

 Carson drew Gabriel and picture of Gabriel 

climbing on our jungle gym! Pretty cute!

 Auntie Theo and Uncle Q got him a crystal growing kit. I am sure

he'll have a grand time with that this summer.

His Uncle B got his a hiking backpack. I don't have a picture of it yet!

 Gabriel opening and seeing that Grandma and Grandpa J got

him an ipad for his birthday!!

 Gabriel wearing his new hat he got from his Uncle Q for his birthday!

He loves it!

 Jedidiah enjoyed all the exploring.

Gabriel wanted to go Putt-Putt golfing on his birthday so we did!

We had such a fun time. We all want to go back!

Gabriel even ran into a friend of his there which he

thought was really fun!

 Annalina really improved as she played!

 The Kiddos had a GREAT golfing adventure!!

 Jedidiah showing no fear! :-)

 Jedidiah getting a break on Daddy's back.

 The Wild West Miniature Golf course was so fun!

 It was very cute watching Carson play miniature golf!

 Oh Dear! Ross hit his ball into the water!

Part 1 of Gabriel's 11th Birthday!

 Gabriel wanted to do the cake part of his birthday celebration

while his Uncle B and Cousin C were here. So on Saturday 

night we sang Happy Birthday to Gabriel and they got to eat cake!

We just got it celebrated before it was time to go to bed! At least we got it accomplished!

Carson Turned 4 Years Old!!

 Carson with his birthday cakes! Yes, cakeSS!

 Carson really likes his indian head dress from Grandma and Grandpa!!!

 My sweet Carson turned 4 on April 24th! WOW, times truly flies! Carson LOVES to be read to, loves hugs, loves guns, loves being a pirate or an indian! He recently wrote his name for the first time and was quite happy about that!!! He has matured so much in the last couple months. He used to hide and eat a snack, etc. and often asks permission now first!

He really enjoyed his birthday. His favorite is chocolate strawberry cake! For his birthday he got pirate stuff from his Uncle and Aunt and cousins, an indian head dress from Grandpa and Grandma J, money from Grandma and Grandpa L, stickers from Uncle B, a very special head dress his brother Ross made him, and Daddy made him a LEGO table (HE LOVES IT!). He had a great birthday to say the least!

Carson is growing up and is now in wrestling along with the big boys and loves it.

Jedidiah's 1st Birthday Cake!

 Jedidiah happy BEFORE getting the cake. He wasn't quite sure 

what to make of the whole birthday celebration thing as you can see in the 

video clips below! His dragon cake attacks him and he has no idea why we

are all looking at him and singing. He was perplexed!

 Despite the newness of it all, Jedidiah still had a great time

celebrating his birthday!

By the way, you'll hear Daddy getting on Ross for touching. There was a good reason for the firmness, Ross had thrown up 3 times that morning and obviously had GERMS.

Jedidiah Turns 1 Tomorrow!!!! Here's Some Pictures of His Life!!

 Well, my computer is bringing up pictures today! Now I can post some pictures of Jedidiah who turns 1 tomorrow!! Time flies!! I remember a year ago today the doctor asked if I wanted to come in the next day to have him and being so excited and going out and celebrating at our favorite ice cream place!

Jedidiah loves to growl and prowl around. He also LOVES bathes. He has recently started babbling A LOT! He's pretty cuddly and a good kiddo!

We LOVE having him around.

The picture above was taken awhile ago. Carson would take off Jedidiah's socks to allow him to climb the slide.

After viewing the pictures you may figure out why he doesn't walk yet! :-)

He gets A LOT of ATTENTION and HELP!!!!

 Hmm, has Mom forgotten about the use of bibs?

 Cute and Tired!

 Hanging with Brother Ross during a home schooling production.

Love from Carson at a wrestling tournament.

Annalina being the great big sis she is.

These 2 are very close to each other and adore each other.

Fun to watch them.

That look from Jedidiah says it all. If Jedidiah hears

Gabriel coming he gets all excited!!

For a long time this is how Gabriel carried him around.

Now that Jedidiah is getting bigger he usually carries

him more normally.

He is loving the ride with Sissy.

The porch is a new fun place to be for him.

I think they are both enjoying it!!

This was a Saturday morning and Babe was trying to make eggs.

Jedidiah did not want to be away from Daddy.

He's a Daddy's Boy.

Jedidiah's favorite part of the day . . .

Daddy coming home.

I had put him down for a nap one day and he heard Daddy's silly way 

of saying "Heeellloo" when he came in the door and that was it for 

the nap he had to be with Daddy.

All the boys have to have a picture with one of Daddy's work hats on!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JEDIDIAH!
WE LOVE YOU AND ARE SO GLAD WE HAVE YOU AT OUR HOUSE!
YOU'RE BETTER THAN ALL OUR DREAMS OF YOU!