Dirty Birthday

Our Big Bear has turned four!

For two months prior to the big day he begged for a chain saw.  Low and behold, Black and Decker makes one for kids.

We were able to borrow a jump house from some friends (thanks Zuelsdorfs!), and I decided this might need to be a permanent fixture in the yard.

Isaac is a huge fan of the Discovery Channel's show called Dirty Jobs, hosted by Mike Rowe.  Aunt Carrie and Uncle Chris got him the shirt.  I decided to make him a dirty cake.

My friends who have girls show off nice photos of their daughters with princess cakes.  Isn't this one cute?  Rats on the cake to match the rat on his shirt.  Ahh!

He learned about chain saws from Mike Rowe.  A couple days ago he jerked up from a nap, yelled TIMBER, and then fell right back asleep.

Happy Birthday, Big Bear!  Boy, do we love you!

Stop, Drop, Roll!

Fire Station Open House. 

Four magic words for three special boys.

Mud-luscious

The world is mud-luscious and puddle-wonderful. ~ E. E. Cummings

The drought is over, right? 

Luke, you got a little something on your back.

Head First

I am so proud of this boy.  In a matter of months he went from screaming like heck when you simply washed his hair to voluntarily putting his face in the water and opening his eyes.  And he loves it!

Here he goes again, this time from one side of the spa to the other.

Luke, Isaac, and Cousin Noah. 

Adventure!

I'm not a girly girl by any means, but I am a girl nonetheless.  So the following makes almost no sense to me.  Boys will be boys, I suppose.  A documentation of Chris' "Adventure Walk," where hats and weapons are mandatory.

First, men, gather your rocks!

Behind the blockade, strategizing, preparing to meet the enemy.

Charge!  Go throw rocks at that, uh, large bush with a railroad conductor's hat on it!

Yes, Luke, kill the, er, bad man bush with your sword!

Never fear, young warriors, I will show you how to face the beast!

Brave knight and fair maiden.

Victorious march back to camp.

Faithful Friend Near

This is how Isaac falls asleep every night.  A few minutes after we put him in bed, he moves his pillow and lion stuffed animal right near the door and puts one hand under the door.  All I can figure is that he wants to be near us.  It's always been this way for Isaac, never wanting to be alone.



May God grant you always a sunbeam to warm you, a moonbeam to charm you, a sheltering Angel so nothing can harm you.  Laughter to cheer you.  Faithful friends near you.  And whenever you pray, Heaven to hear you. ~ Irish Blessing

Firemen

Even in a time of elephantine vanity and greed, one never has to look far to see the campfires of gentle people.  ~Garrison Keillor

To my gentle people, my brave young men, I love you.

A fire expo at the fairgrounds is an event not to be missed in this family.  Our boys are ahead of the class.