Grady's Birthday - Past

Grady on his birthday - May 1, 2006

One year old and about to fall asleep at his birthday lunch - May 1, 2007

With that sweet little smile....2 years old - May 1, 2008

Grady's birthday is tomorrow, "May Thuth" (as he would say it). I love all of my kids equally, but it is funny how their personalities affect you differently. I was very strict with Zetta and didn't bend my rules very often.....if I said no about something, that was that, no bargaining, whining, etc....and that worked for us. And then came Grady! He has had this way about him since he was born, a sweetness and innocence (hahah!) that just makes you melt and want to cuddle and squeeze him no matter what he just did. If he asks for something that I surely would have told Zetta no for, he can just look at me with wide eyes and his cute little face and I'll let him have his way! I try not to take him grocery shopping with me because I usually end up buying things without even realizing that he has sweetly conned me into it (mainly Little Debbies, gum and candy). I love my Grady-boy and the arrival of his birthday has made me a bit sentimental. I'll be sure to put up some 3rd birthday pictures as soon as possible. Zetta wanted a butterfly cake. Grady.....wants a tractor, a John Deere tractor......with Papa in it! Oh, that sweet little boy!

The Love of a Sister

Zetta has affectionately nicknamed Grady "Pigsty"! I have no idea where that came from. If you ask me, they are equally pigsty-ish!!!

The Boys

Grady - March 2009

Merrick - April 2009
"Yup, I eat dirt!"

Bryan always says my posting is feast or famine....and it is, but I do it when I can. And....all of the kids were napping at once today, so I thought I'd take the time to share. Enjoy!

Z's Birthday - Past

April 22, 2004 - Fresh Picked

April 2005 - At a friend's party a one week before Z's 1st birthday. Anya, Gracen, Jack, and Zetta (in the denim dress). (Bryan, why don't we have pictures from her birthday on our computer? Hmmm. I don't remember what happened to them.)

April 22, 2006 - 2 yrs. old; Bryan, Zetta and Lydia

April 22, 2007 - 3 yrs. old

April 22, 2008 - A big 4-year-old

Z's Birthday - Present

She talked me into letting her open some presents the morning of her birthday, since we weren't going to have her party until the next night. Here's the birthday girl loving her new jewels...

...and also loving the nail polish that Grady picked out for her.

Z with her butterfly birthday cake. She helped me decorate it. Since she'll be 6 next year, she'll be able to do the whole thing by herself! (Right Mom? Isn't that how we did it!)

Grady, Zachary, Kayla and Zetta waiting for the candles to be lit.

Zetta crying (shrieking at the top of her lungs) because Grady blew out her candles before she could. (I'm laughing out loud! I thought this picture was hilarious!)

Kayla and Zetta showing off the kitties Zetta and Grady got for their birthdays.

Zachary and Kayla gave the kids kitty gear for their birthdays. They loved it! (The kids....not so much the kittens.)

This Morning's Snow

Spring Snow

It snowed today! Can you believe it? April 27th and I woke up to white grass. Huge snowflakes fell for a few more hours, but now it's 40 degrees and almost all of it is gone. It shouldn't surprise me too much. 5 years ago on April 22nd, I woke up around 4 a.m. to rush to the hospital in the snow to have Zetta and by the time I got to see the outdoors that evening, all of the snow was gone. Sweet memories.....I'll have to post some baby pictures and this year's birthday pictures soon.