our boy & his tooth.

This has been a big week in River's life. Okay, I am somewhat excited about it, too. I mean this is a huge milestone in his life...losing a baby tooth. He is six years old now and definitely not a baby anymore. He just keeps growing up and quickly. Oh...can't he slow down maybe just a little bit?? :-)

So..River has been wiggling that little tooth for sometime now and both Rocky and I knew this would be the week that it finally comes out. So, Rocky was so smart to think to take "before" shots or basically some last shots before a full mouth of baby teeth becomes a bit less full.

Here are the before shots...

using the apple, not just for a snack, but for a tooth loosening tool. ;-)

Well...the apple eating worked and so did him "accidentally" hitting it on the couch..long story, but he is Rocky's child and I guess his adventurous streak broke out and well...his tooth went flying out. Yes, we had to locate it. Anywhoo...little man lost his tooth. And at first he was excited, but then it hurt and for some reason he wasn't so thrilled.

Eventually he regained his happy status.

He anxiously awaited morning time so he could see what this oh-so-talked-about tooth fairy would bring him.

Early morning face. ;-)

turns out tooth fairy's hubby is quite skilled in paper folding. Well, River had actually opened it up by this point but the "tooth fairy's" hubby made sure it was a perfectly engineered folded dollar. ;-)

meanwhile...sleeping beauty slept in the next room, with early morning sunshine beaming through her window.

So...this was a big moment in River's life and I am so thrilled we had the privilege of sharing this with him.  He is such a blessing to us and we look forward to him losing many more teeth and having many more visits from the tooth fairy.

Have a happy day everyone!

-Kelly

after bath time photo op with the kids..

well, okay...today ended up being shower kind of day, instead of bath time but you get the idea...

i just so happened to have the camera out when each of the kids finished up their showers. convenient, eh?

the kids wanted to have their photos taken. naturally, i obliged.

here are a few (or four) shots of the kids being their adorable selves.

i don't think I have ever been this cute after a bath or a shower. ;-)

my little cutie patuties.

have a blessed weekend!

-kelly

fun with the cousins...

During Thanksgiving break, the cousins came to visit. We took that as a wonderful time for a mini-shoot. I was able to photograph the kids separately, and with their mama...while we were at it I got some cousin shots.
These kids have so much fun together. Right now they are 3, 4, 5, and 6. Pretty fun age span, eh? Makes me question whether or not I should have another baby..I mean, that would kind of throw off the number sequence going on here. :-)

(Not the best of photos...sun was setting ) but...Looks like someone here is either bored or getting sleepy. ;-)

Yes...I know, I am incredibly blessed to have such adorable people as family.

-kelly

me, a soccer mom?

this past october, river got to play soccer intramurals with one of the local church schools (the one he will be attending, in fact, when he starts school possibly next year). this proved to be pretty nice because he got to meet many of the kids that will be in his class. oh, and he got to play on his cousin, amber's team, too.

oh...i don't know about you, but i absolutely LOVE watching littles play sports. you know...generally the kids are all over the field and not always doing what they are supposed to be doing. but, hey...they are kids and it is cute. for example, one of the team members on river's team kept herself busy while doing cartwheels at the goal while being goalie. too funny!  now, granted...at the highschool, college, and definitely at the professional levels this is frowned upon. okay, i understand that, but at the early elementary grades...oh my, it is too cute!!

and wouldn't you know it...they were team red. river knows that red is my favorite color so he was excited. (oh be still my heart). ;-)

so, without further ado...a few photos of soccer:

here they are doing some warm-ups...you know, to warm up their bodies and get them ready for the demands of those soccer motions..it's all just so adorable!

river and his cousin, amber (amber is the one giggling oh so cutely)

Rocky had to finish up a work email real quick during warm-ups. He is a very busy hardworking man.

lily wanting to play next year. ;-)

oh...watching him play soccer truly made my heart melt. can we say adorable much??

;-)

until next time, folks.

-kelly (the proud soccer mom)

River turns six.

Really, he did. I am just now getting around to posting this. Better late than never, eh? (yeah, I am playing catch up...on this post, as well as his adorable soccer games, which will be coming up in a post soon. )

So...about River turning six. I keep having to remind myself that it happened. He is now six and my heart is so thrilled that he is growing up so healthfully and happily, but the other part of my heart is breaking. Weird combo, eh? I remember when the kids were much younger being told by several people to enjoy this time while it lasts because they grow up so fast. Wow! This could not be more true. You really can't blink, it's that fast.

My oldest child turned six on September 13th...oh, and so did his cousin, Kathryn. So very exciting to have a cousin with the same birthday, wouldn't you think?

River,
 I am in awe of the little man you are growing up to be. I love seeing your fascination with life whether it be birds, climbing, soccer, mountain biking, swords, knights, books, you name it...I am in awe. 
 You have grown so much (and all too quickly, mind you) in these first six years of your life. We have seen you start out on a shaky note, but bounce right back and become the awesome little (sorry...big) kid that you are today. You are our blessing. Our gift from God. And though I am not a perfect mother by any stretch of the imagination, I want you to know how much I love you. 
You probably are not aware of how often go into your room at night to check on you, kiss your nose, tuck you in, and simply sit there in amazement of just how blessed I am to be your mother. It takes all I can muster not to scoop you up into my arms and hold you like a baby. I do not, though. I, instead, listen to you breath and watch your eyelids jump around as you dream sweet dreams of all that inspires you.
You inspire me, River. I pray every night that I am and will be the mother you need. I pray for patience and for understanding. I realize that night time should be a time when I am relieved to have some kid-free time (and I do appreciate this time) but I also spend a great deal of time reflecting and in doing so...I often see my many shortcomings as a mother and my heart aches. I am learning...thank you for your patience and understanding with this mama.
I love you. Thank you for filling my life with your love, happiness, spunk, energy, and determination.


Wow! It seems like just yesterday he was in my arms as a baby, learning how to walk, etc. Now, he is six. Oh boy!

We celebrated River's and his cousin's birthday at Donna and Calvin's garden. They did an amazing job setting up a make-shift slip and slide....this one was more slide then slip (which made it even better). Now...I must post photos of Donna's garden sometime. It is so pretty. Many a'parties have been held there, as it is simply that fabulous.

So...here are some randoms of the newly six, River and then I will show you some from his birthday party...

I love River's little serious side...but he can also be super silly. In the above photos his eyes are speaking volumes. I suppose smiles were not needed because his eyes were so expressive? ;-)

Now for a few photos from the birthday bash celebrating River's and Kathryn's special day.

Oh, and just so you know...the party had a duo-theme. Half princess for Kathryn and half Knight for River. ;-)

We changed things up a bit for this year and I think it turned out great...we had a Sunday brunch party. Needless to say, lots of donuts and other delicious break-fasty foods were consumed.

Ashley drew a picture (of guitars) for Rocky. (He is going to give her guitar lessons...watch out Taylor Swift)

And lastly...a photo of my Love. Whoa, this man is some kind of handsome!! This was taken at the party, so it's still so relevant. ;-) Plus, how can showing a photograph of the father of the birthday boy not be relevant, right? I mean...without him, would River have been possible? I think not! 

There were lots more photos, but I believe these give a good glimpse of the fun that was had. 

I love you, River! (and you, too Ms. Kathryn!) 

Thank you, Donna and Calvin, for allowing us (once again) to use your home and garden for such a beautiful, fun occasion. ;-) 

-kelly