Britton's Birthday Party!

We celebrated Britton's birthday this year with a gymnastics/monkey party! And it was so much fun seeing him have such a ball at his party. It totally made up for his lowkey 2nd birthday when our jet-lagged selves (a week home from China) were *just* barely holding it together.


I found Britton's party invitation on Etsy (a few details are blurred out). I loved this one because it looked like the monkey was doing gymnastics.


And here are the "3" cookies I made for party favors for his friends.


Since it was a monkey party, we made these monkey cupcakes.



The party was at a local gymnastics place and this place throws such. a. fun. party!


The kids started by laying down on this super long blow-up trampoline as they blew it up. Then they bounced their way down ...

... and hurled themselves over barricades.






Here is Britton running to do it all over again. Love the joy on his face.



After that, they moved onto the obstacle course...









Here is Britton waiting on his turn.





Then, they got to bounce down the super long trampoline and jump into the foam pit at the end.








The last hurrah was riding the zipline over the foam pit...




And then we celebrated with chicken nuggets, banana chips, gold fish and cupcakes!







Singing "Happy Birthday" and blowing out his candle.






Happy Birthday, sweet Britton! You are so loved ... so prayed for ... and not a day goes by that we don't realize what a miracle you are! We are so thankful to have you as our son. Here's to many, many more wonderful birthdays!

Britton is Three

Britton is 3 today! Can't believe it was three years ago that this little boy came into our lives. We are so grateful to be his parents ... to have this little boy we dreamed about ... and, after all that we've been through, to watch him grow and thrive. What a blessing he is to us?!?

His BIRTHday:


Turning One:


Turning Two:


And now he's THREE!


Where did the time go?!

A Christmas Recap

We celebrated this Christmas in our own home this year ... a first in the life of our family! We are usually on the road to Mississippi or Texas for Christmas. And then last year, of course, we were in China getting to know Lia Kate and missing our Britton who stayed at home. So, this year was very special to have our two "babies" together under one roof. We had a wonderful time with our 7 guests crammed in our home.


All dressed up for the Christmas Eve service.




The stockings were hung by the chimney (except we don't have one!) with care... It is tradition in my family for the grandmother to make a needlepoint stocking for her grandchildren. My grandmother made mine and my mom made Britton and Lia Kate's. I love how hers turned out!


The Christmas tree at midnight...


This is one of my favorite pictures. First thing on Christmas morning ... loving their new chairs!


Christmas morning brunch before the present-opening madness began.


Our family on Christmas morning (perhaps, before our first cup of coffee???).




Cowboy Boots from GiGi and Daddy Doug!


Playing the cymbals from her new treasure trove of musical instruments.


Wearing his new boots ... just like Woody.








Britton and his GrandMarna.


About to sit down for Christmas Day dinner.





It was such a Merry Christmas! Such a joy to see Christmas from the eyes of our little two-year-olds (I love that they will always be the same age each Christmas). Our favorite memories this year were ... singing "Away in a Manger" all throughout the Christmas season and watching them do the hand motions and chime in on the words ... and seeing Britton's affinity for the "mama" and the "baby" from the nativity set. So very sweet.