sweet Ella

Ella was stung by a bee, right on the lip!

My Birthday Boys.

I haven't blogged in awhile, or really done anything "unnecessary" for awhile. At least not around the house. I did go on a shopping trip (necessary?) with my 3 wonderful sisters and mom 2 weeks ago, and spent last Saturday celebrating the most important man in the world, Matt. I did not take any pictures of Matt on his birthday, which I guess is what happens after you've already turned 30. Even the waitress at Famous Dave's forgot his birthday, though I purposely told her and I witnessed her writing it down. Oh well, Matt prefers it this way.

I did however take pictures of Nathan on his birthday, and since I haven't even posted those yet, we'll do a July Birthday Combo blog.

So, Happy Birthday Matt-we all love you so much and are grateful to have such a wondferul husband and father!

Now onto Nathan's birthday...

(breakfast of choice: pancakes)

Wow, really? 5? How can it be? 5 is such a big boy age, it seems like just yesterday...

Grandma Jan and Grandpa Joe were able to join us for Nathan's actually birthday.

We spent much of the morning outside. The plan was to do the slip & slide, but Nathan ended up playing UNO instead. Nathan (and Grandma) played UNO for over 2 hours later that afternoon!

We did Nathan's choice lunch at our house (Hotdogs and fruit), then we went off to Peach Wave for a yogurt treat!

Thankfully Matt was able to take some time during the afternoon and join us.

We have this rule that on your birthday, you are "the boss". So after Peach Wave, we went back home for naps (Nathan played UNO), then we went out to McD's for dinner and some Play Place action. Following dinner, Nathan got to open up his presents!

His present from G&G was a transformer...Matt and Nathan are figuring it out!

We got Nathan a big glider airplane from the Cars 2 movie. (big hunk of styrofoam:)

Here's Ella on her attempt.

Everyone had to figure out their own method to see who could fly it the best!

Grandma and Addie watching...though Grandma also took her shot at it, and ended up having one of the most successful flights of the night.

Of course, Nathan.

This picture feels like a classic to me (in that akward family photo sort of way).

The thing about planes made of styrofoam is that they often require repairs!

(the birthday boys)

The weather was perfect, and we even got everyone to sit for a photo.

Following flight time, we went in for Nathan's fave activity...watching a video (though I don't even remember what we watched)-complete with Puppy Chow, per Nathan's request. It was a great day filled with lots of fun and lots of food!

Nathan

It's been one of those "best of times, worst of times" days with Nathan-I always assumed he would mellow out...he's hasn't.

But, I love his passion and he can be the sweetest most thoughtful little boy.

One of his newer habits is reading in the window sill in his bedroom. It's wide enough where he can comfortably sit with either his legs hanging over the edge or laid down on the sill. It's high enough that nobody else under the age of 5 can get up there. At times he even shuts the curtains and it's his own little retreat.

(this particular time he was reading his children's Bible)

He is growing up so quickly. I cherish these days when he picks me flowers, even though it's clover, hugs and kisses me at night (and through out the day) even though it's "too rough", and writes me little notes, even though they're hard to read. Parenting has it's challenges, but the rewards are far greater!

Remembering Grandma Bird

We returned home 2 days ago from "Grandma Bird's" funeral. It was good to see family and celebrate her life, and of course emotional as everyone will miss her greatly. We rejoice that she is with the Lord and doesn't have to suffer anymore. My heart goes out to Grandpa Bob-whenever I think of loyalty and faithfulness, I will think of him. He was by her side nearly every day-including her final moments. I'm eternally thankful for the positive, Godly influence they have both been in Matt's life and also my own.

Marilyn Linder Thompson

1928-2011