2nd Annual Cedar Creek Crew Block Party

Saturday August 16th we gathered again to share summer coming to an end.  We honestly have the greatest neighborhood anyone could ask for!  Everyone had a great time and we are already looking forward to next year (maybe in September when it isn't quite as hot)

Gavin's 4th Birthday Party

Isn't it what everyone says "I can't believe he's turning....".  I get it now, it's true.  We typically have our family photos scroll across the screen while playing music.  I seem to pay specific attention on birthday party day.  As I'm watching Gavin guide his friends through the house, play, laugh, converse, and just be a big boy - in the background are the pictures of him at the hospital when he was born.  Precious!  Everyone also says "Oh, they grow up so fast!".  Yes they do, but we have heard that saying so many times that we have learned to treasure each moment of every day, as well as appreciate that they do grow up and that it's part of life.

We had a wonderful time with friends (our KC family) celebrating the big boys special day.  He was so excited from the time he went to be Friday night until the clock said 4:02 pm (party was at 4:00) and he said "Dad, why isn't anyone here yet?".  The excitement continued through a couple hours of partying, until he happily laid his head on his pillow cuddled with a few new toys and happy that he had such a fun day.  We asked if he was tired and his response "Yeah, a little...I had such a great birthday party!"  What a sweet boy.

Opening presents, possible his favorite part (next to the cake of course)

 Barb & Liam, a rare photo

Mr. Manners thanking Liz for his present. 

 Making a wish

 Yet another attempt at a family photo, Gavin hamming it up!

 Gavin & Ironman...excuse me Gavin IS Ironman (or so he says)

 Little brother relaxing after a very busy party with a lot of people.

 Time for bath and then bed, can you see how tired he is? :)

 Jason & Liam

A birthday isn't complete without the official birthday suit!!!

Thanks to all of our friends who came to the party.  We had a great time visiting with you all and you made it that much more special for Gavin!!

Renfrow Christmas

Today we celebrated Christmas with our good friends the Renfrows.  We are so happy to finally be near them.

Melissa, Rich, Jason, Gavin

Gretchen, Liam, Barb, Layne

4th of July

We love our traditions, and now that we're in Kansas City we're starting to make new ones.  We attended the Lenexa 4th of July parade this year.  It was the perfect size parade for little ones.  We were able to secure a spot in the shade, armed with American flags, snacks, water, and smiles!!  The parade lasted about an hour, which was perfect.  We went with our new neighbors who we've really enjoyed spending time with and getting to know.

No fireworks for us this year, 9:30 pm is just too late (for all of us).  We enjoyed the sun by playing in the water most of the afternoon.  Liam and Gavin both enjoyed the sprinkler and pool!!

Sleepover

Gavin had his first official sleepover.  In attendance...2 girls!  WHAT?  Just wait, when he's 16 and asking for a girl sleepover I'll tell him he used all those up when he was a toddler.

They had lots of fun, pizza, treats, movies, swimming...and not enough sleep.

Just what you would expect at a sleepover.

 Homemade pizzas

 Not quite sure what was going on here, but Gavin was tackling Layne.  He'll one day realize tackling girls is not the best method to win them over.

 Chilling out after play, play, play!!

Everyone should be in bed asleep at this point, but we did movies instead.

A fun night for everyone; there will more than likely be a lot more of these in our future!!

Fun with Friends

Thanks to Hilarie for babysitting so Barb could get her haircut.  The boys loved playing with Jayden and Avery.  Gavin talks about Avery all the time - hope we get a couple more play dates in before we leave.

 I think Jayden needs a baby brother!! :)

Gavin made the kids play rock band with him, so cute!

Saturday Holiday Dinner

Last Saturday we had the Links over for dinner - YEAH! We've gone too long since our last dinner date. Either way we always have a great time when we are together. We also seem to always find a camera and take pictures. Gavin got to open his present early, it was a good indicator into what Christmas Day will bring - a baby that really likes paper and boxes :-)

Finally, a great picture of the 3 of us. Usually one of us is behind the camera and we can never get us all together. Thank you Uncle D!!

"Gavin look...paper, paper, paper!! It's so exciting!"

The Socktopus; made from recycled sweaters and so adorable!

Big man of the house chilling on the couch with the grown ups.