fredericksburg

right after sam's birthday, we took a trip to see some of our favorite people, jake and helen.  jake and allan have been friends since the nursery at church.  that's a long time!  and i couldn't be more thankful that i got to be a part of their friendship and become friends with helen.  about 7 years ago, jake and helen moved to fredericksburg.  :(  it was bittersweet for us.  we see them a few times a year and it is always a special time for us.  we shopped, we ate ice cream, we got a sitter and went on a date, and we climbed enchanted rock.

sam really wanted this stuffed animal and i said no. if you've ever seen his collection, you would totally get why i said no.  isn't it cute though?

this was luke's first time to feed a baby and hold a baby while walking.  that happens when you are only 3 years old when your youngest sibling arrives.

at the bottom of enchanted rock

inside a cave at the top of enchanted rock

on top of the world

brothers.....

me and my sweet girl heading back down

and the amazing host and hostess for the weekend!

thanks jake and helen for hosting our family and most of all for being amazing friends!  we love y'all!

rodeo time

we go to the stock show every year and the rodeo every other year.  this year was a rodeo year.  i love the rodeo.  i don't know if it's the atmosphere, the cowboys, or a little of both, but it is one of my favorite activities. :)  this year proved to be no different.  here are some pics (all taken with the phone) so quality leaves a bit to be desired.

all dressed up, luke's to cool to wear a hat anymore and anna's was too little.

and we ended at a fort worth favorite...dutch's hamburgers.

sam

this is post is so late.  we celebrated sweet sam's birthday back in february.  he wanted to do an "all boy party" this year.  however, he wouldn't pass the invitations out at school or the thank you notes because he didn't want to hurt the girls feelings.   here are a few pictures from the friend and family party!

celebrating 6 at van grow art studio

there was painting

and junk robot creating

and of course tie-dyed cupcakes

after we left the fun art party, we headed back to our house for a little family celebration and more cake of course.  sam's favorite food is none other than....pizza.  so, pizza it was!

celebrated by lots of family

love this picture of him

and the amazing cake my very talented mother in law made

sam, you are such a blessing to us.  you love to be just like your big brother and we couldn't be more thankful for that.  you have such a servant's heart, you love baseball, you love school, and you bring us so much joy!  we cannot believe our baby is 6!  you will be an amazing big brother some day soon.