the little inventor

I'm so glad I had these photos saved in a draft because I remember this day so clearly.

even though it was seven years ago now.

John was three or four years old and invented this little drinking contraption.

I love seeing these photos in our newly remolded kitchen.

we only lived in it for a year after we remodeled before we moved.

this brings back so many fond memories of our time on royal palm road.

and so many fond memories of my little John, my little companion thru it all.

I can't wait to show him this post and see if he remembers making this.

I'm guessing he won't which is why I love blogging, why I'm determined to do it again...

here's to preserving wonderful memories!

Thanksgiving 2013

trying to get back into blogging...luckily I had several drafts started.
like this one from thanksgiving 2013 back when D was a baby.
he's now 5 years old!

a quick view of our table, before window treatments and our back patio (built 2 yrs. ago).
our traditional thanksgiving family picture (we always aim for a Christmas card photo).
and John was in kindergarten...wow, he's now in 5th grade!

I remember how cozy all the kids were watching the thanksgiving day parade.
so funny how lady is right in there with them.
more of our table...I always enjoy making things look special and pretty.

Ella's hand made place cards, these are seriously the best.
I love pulling them out every year.
Chris has gotten really good at carving the turkey.
our cute little thanksgiving day baby:)

I always love this special and intimate sit down meal we have with my family.
now I just have 4 more thanksgivings to catch up on!

John's 5th birthday - 2013

I'm so excited to be back blogging...
after 3 years, baby #6 and a new computer that wouldn't let me into my blog to post.
well, all of a sudden it is now letting me so here we go - I have a lot to catch up on!

John's 5th birthday party was our first big party in our new house.
we were so excited to use our big backyard to host our first of many backyard parties.
these two got up early and helped me frost the cupcakes and other last minute finishes.

it was a superhero theme, the kids each colored the stand up paper figures and posters.
we still have them!...they are decorations in John and d's room, the posters in frames.
and I had fun with some of the other decorations for snacks and drinks.

uncle Matt and aunt Fallon got creative with some homemade costumes.
John with David, Paolo and Nadia.
no pool fence yet- no need for one...yet!

we got this big obstacle jumpy and the kids had a ball on it.
several of john's preschool friends came as did our old neighbors and friends.

we had a piñata and music with a microphone, Ella had fun announcing on it.
it was great having everyone over to celebrate this big birthday for our fourth child.
we hadn't told anyone that we had a number five on the way yet.

happy 5th birthday to our little captain America!

Darrel's 1st birthday

we had a sweet little celebration for Darrel's first birthday with family and God-family over :)
Ella wanted to make him his own cake, it was a delicious & healthy  carrot cake.
I had her put applesauce instead of sugar in the batter...he loved it!

I always enjoy decorating and making things look special for the kids' birthdays.
we put out a slip and slide out back for him to cool off and play in.
the kids went out there with him - oh how he loves all his siblings, their friends & his God-family.

he was pretty cute trying to blow out his candles (got it on video).
also got a cute video on his actual birthday saying 'happa' for happy birthday.
what a lucky boy to have such a sweet older sister.

my mom helped me make this first birthday shirt.
he was so happy on his actual first birthday day, here we are leaving the store.
we practiced putting up one finger so much, he had it down pretty good.

here is the gang on his actual birthday.
man we just love this baby boy.
my almost labor day baby!