The August birthdays in our family came to a close as FABulous celebrated her ninth year of life on the 22nd.  I KNOW. I can't believe it either, and I'm her mom. She is truly such a joy.  Faith Anna is a servant with a beautiful heart.  She is happiest when she's making others happy.  And she always has a song in her head!  She sings all the time....and has a songbook full of about a dozen original songs that she's written.  One of these days, I know she will bless many people with this talent and gift the Lord has given her.  She is also just plain fun!  I love time with her- she makes me laugh- she's such a crazy goofball.  Thank you sweet girl for being such an awesome part of our family.  You encourage me with your kindness, your forgiving heart, your passion for God, and your selfless spirit.  Happy happy birthday!!

Faith Anna wanted to hang with her sweet friend, Avery, on her birthday.  We took the ladies to the American Girl Place for lunch and doll spa appointments.  Yes, that's right.  Their dolls got their hair done.  :)





Avery, her mom and my dear friend, Julie, FAB and I!  Fun times at the Bistro.


We celebrated with family and two of Faith Anna's good buddies, Avery and Gracie, a few days later.  FAB wanted to make homemade pizza for everyone....so we decided in keeping with this theme, that a "pizza" birthday cake would be appropriate!

Chocolate chip cookie crust, vanilla ice cream, and yummy candy toppings.  Can you see the number "9" in the middle made out of strawberries?  She loved decorating it!

Luke the pizza cutter...



FAB and AJ

Beth and Claire

Noah and Tag

Gracie and Faith Anna

Uncle Matthew, Finn, and Uncle B

The Cuz.  Logan and Peter

Lena, Nat, and Ju-Ju

Nana and Papa B

Papa Dude hanging with the little dudes

Why is this grape so fascinating?  Because Papa Dude can make anything fascinating.


Why is Tag wearing a bunny nose on his forehead?  Why does Tag do most things?  Who knows.


Every nine year-old needs a sparkly handbag from Aunt Nat and Uncle B...

Tag still wearing the bunny nose.... FAB opening gifts with the gals.


Let's light some candles!  Bring on the birthday pizza!

Happy Birthday to you....

So the pizza melted a bit while she was decorating it....then refroze kinda tilted-like in the freezer.  Oh well!  She loved it....and it still tasted yummy.  :)

Make a wish, girl.  Dream big.

AJ, FAB, and Double G

Lena and Claire

Logan and PJ hangin in the waterfall


Luke- pizza cake cutter extraordinaire!  Thank you baby.  That ice cream was way too hard for me to cut.  :)  You got skeels.

I love this guy.  So glad he's mine.

Happy Birthday to our Beauiful Faith Anna.  Love you more than you'll ever know, girly.  You truly are fabulous!

Well, new campus I should say. Same wonderful school, just moved north a bit. And loving it so far! So thankful for this amazing staff, wonderful curriculum, and community spirit among the families.

Our dear friends from South Korea finally had their baby girl on August 15th...a few weeks late!!  Introducing Miss Julia. 8 pounds, 1 ounce.  Isn't she beautiful? Mama and baby are doing great!  We are so happy for this sweet family. Can't wait to hold her....

Congratulations Jin and Sang!  She is adorable...

How can it be that my sweet, baby girl with the BIG dimple has been in our lives SEVEN years? I have no idea. Truly- the days are long, but the years are short.

We celebrated with a fun pool party for our little blondie- with two of her friends, Nora and Olivia, and all of our family. It was a fun, relaxing evening spent celebrating the joy this girl has brought into our hearts. Of course we had a pink cake....love that she still loves pink and princesses. (Although she doesn't shout it from the mountaintops anymore.)

Love you, Bethie.  Thank you for being the sweet, fun girl that you are.  You are so easy-going and helpful....always with a smile on your face!  You are Tag's "sissie" and best buddy, Faith Anna's best girlfriend and singing partner, and Logan's little buddy.  We can't imagine life without you in it.  You remind me of God's sweet grace and second chances all the time.  I love how cool and loving you are under pressure- I want to be more like that!  You teach me so much, Beth.  And I love your hugs and playing with your hair.  Happy Birthday, Beautiful....inside and out!