Happy 3rd Birthday Benjamin!

Our sweet guy is 3 years old!  Hardly seems possible!  What a fun year it has been watching him grow in every way.

Benjamin loves Thomas the Tank Engine...and I mean LOVES!  When I picked him up from Sunday school the other day he told the kids were "bishing and bashing."  And he will often say, "mommy, I gonna chuff over and give you a love!"  He knows almost every train, and spends hours just playing with his train set! 

He's a big cuddler, and loves to be with me (which I love).  But, we've also reached the point where he would much rather be outside with the "big" kids and doesn't understand why he can't have the run of the neighborhood.  Being left behind is heart-breaking!

The only thing Benjamin likes more than Thomas, is Peanut Butter and Homemade Jam sandwiches! Benjamin is NOT what I would consider a "good eater."  Unless you're only feeding him PB&J.  The kid would eat PB&J  3-4 times a day if we let him, and some days we do.   He protests dinner nearly every night.  He usually yells, "I hate dinner!" and then turns around immediately and says, "I not supposed to say hate."  Oh to have the stubborn will of a 2-3 year old! 

Benjamin is full of smiles, laughter, and love EVERYDAY!  He blesses me more than I can tell you, and I am privileged to be his mom.  We continue to be thankful to God for letting us raise this sweet boy!  Happy Birthday Benja-boy!

He also loves pockets!  It's pretty adorable!

Here's his birthday video.  (click play and then click the cog at the bottom to change the "quality" to 1080)

Happy 7th Birthday Peter!

Happy 7th Birthday to our sweet Pete!  Peter has had a great year!  He loves riding his bike and doing all sorts of crazy tricks on it.   He also loves soccer, swimming, friends, and running all over the neighborhood having a blast!   He has an adventurous spirit and a soft heart, and we love him to pieces! So proud and thankful for the gift God has given us in Peter!

Here's his birthday video:...(click play and then click the cog at the bottom to change the "quality" to 1080)



This was a big year for Peter with lots of new adventures and accomplishments....

He went to All Day Kindergarten.  He LOVED it and had a fun year. 

He played his very favorite sport, soccer!  He was excited for every practice and game!  And I mean EVERY single one!

One of the best moments of the year was Peter being baptized on Easter, by Aaron!  There just aren't words to describe what a special time that was.

 

 Peter loves his friends!  Old friends, new friends, potential friends...you get the picture!  He loves to play and he made some great buds this year. 

 

The kids have been taking swimming lessons this year and I can't believe their progress.  Peter loves the water and spent much of the 4th of July weekend jumping off docks and boats, and swimming all over!  He's one brave boy!  One day, he ate lunch shivering in his wet life jacket because he didn't want to waste any precious swimming time having to take it on and off. 

 And maybe best of all, are the moments we spend enjoying Peter's entertainment!  This boy is always trying to make someone laugh...just ask his teacher towards the end of the year!  Don't miss the 6 second video below where he declared "Scuba Gangnam Style!" 

Happy 5th Birthday Natty Kate!

Happy Birthday to our sweet Natalie!  In the blink of an eye our precious baby has become a capable little girl! She loves to play dolls, and continues to live a very pinkalicious life!  This year she has added a love for bike riding, swimming, and playing t-ball!  As I was putting together her birthday video, I also noticed that she is a girl of many great expressions!  She brings incredible joy to our lives and we are grateful for the gift that God has given in this little girl!

Here's her birthday video:...(click play and then click the cog at the bottom to change the "quality" to 1080)

Happy 9th Birthday, Luke!!!

Once our sweet bouncing baby boy, now our energetic bouncing big boy!  Luke turns 9 years old today!  Time really flies when you're having fun.  I can hardly believe it has been 9 years!  I'm so very proud of the kind, smart, funny boy that God has gifted us with. 

Here's his birthday video....(click play and then click the cog at the bottom to change the "quality" to 1080)

Absolutely adore this happy....

adventurous...

hilarious....

....9 year old boy!!!

ONE...

Dear Benjamin,

You are ONE today!  How did that happen?  The year has gone by in a flash.  It seems like just yesterday that we were cuddling our precious newborn.  And now you are an adorable, fun, active little guy.  I have treasured every day with you this past year...soaking up your sweetness and enjoying every stage. 

In the past few weeks you have started babbling all of the time, and you are taking 4-5 steps at a time.  You'll be walking in no time!

I've said it before, but a year ago I could not have dreamed the amazing ways that you would touch my heart, complete our family, and bring joy to those around you.  You can't even imagine how much I love and treasure you. 


love,
mommy



Benjamin's birthday video (once you push play be sure to change it from 360p up to 720p)

Happy 3rd Birthday, Natalie!

Dear Natalie,
Happy 3rd Birthday, sweet girl!  It has been a fun year watching you grow, change and having a lot of fun.   This year you went to 2 year old preschool, which you loved...playing with new toys, doing art projects, and your favorite...snack time!  You became a big sister in January, and while it took you a little time to adjust to that role, you have become an incredibly loving and protective sister. You also fell in love with all things girl!   Your favorite color is PINK.  And, one of my favorite quotes from you this year was, "if it's pink, then I yike it!"  You take impeccable care of your baby dolls...feeding, changing, and loving on them.  You are a great little mommy, and I often find myself "babysitting" one of your dolls or stuffed animals.

You bring such joy to our family!  Your adorable pink-princess-loving-ways are a fun addition to a home full of brothers!  You are a smart girl who has a precious heart.  You have a great sense of humor and are the perfect combination of sweetness and toughness.

Thank you for being our daughter!
We love you more than you can ever imagine!

love,
mommy


Natalie's Birthday Video (once you push play be sure to change it from 360p up to 720p)




We celebrated Natalie's birthday over the weekend.  We had princess decorations, pink and purple cupcakes, flowers with princess wands in them, and almost all of her presents were some shade of PINK.  Do you see a theme here?!?!

I can't believe our baby girl is 3 years old!

Happy 7th Birthday, Luke

Happy Birthday to our sweet Lukie...who recently informed me that he'd rather just be LUKE...you know, with a silent "E."  I informed him that I gave birth to him, and he'll be LUKIE for as long as I want...but did concede that I'll just call him that at home!

Dear Luke,

Dad and I are so very proud of you!  You have a soft heart, strong mind, and a great sense of humor.  I admire so many qualities that God has given you.  This has been a big year for you.  You started 1st grade and have learned so much.  You are a fantastic reader and have such an enthusiasm for learning.  You are very smart!  You have had a lot of fun playing soccer and coach-pitch baseball.  You sing in the kids choir at church and love it.  You have made many new friends this year as well.  You are a joy to be around and I am proud of who you are!  Keep being who God made you to be!

All our love,
Mommy and Daddy

How can this boy be 7???  Time flies when you are having fun!

The Lesyks gave Luke his first skate board.  He's THRILLED.
We'll be sending them the emergency room bill!  

Luke is very musical.  He's been begging us to let him play an instrument for a long time.  Since there is no room in our home for a piano right now, we chose to give him a guitar (and lessons of course)!  Aaron is a great guitar player and Luke admires him so much.  So, I'll be looking forward to some father/son jam sessions in the future.  Here's Luke with his new guitar...he looks like a natural to me!

Happy 1st Birthday Natalie!

Our sweet Natalie turned 1 today! Our hearts are full as we celebrate her first year of life! If there is one thing I could say about Natalie, that has been true since the moment that she was born, is that she is a JOY! She has been an easy-going, precious little girl that has added so much to our family over the last year. God has truly blessed us!

Here are a few pictures from today.

Don't you love her birthday tiara?

Even the birthday princess melts down after too much cake!

Here's Natalie's Birthday Video...