A Look Back at 2011

2011 will FOREVER be remembered as a bitter sweet year for our family! For it was the summer of this year that the Lord graciously called my Grandpa home to heaven. 

Oh how we long to feel his arms around us again and count the kisses he places on our cheeks. --One of the many silly things my sweet Grandpa was known for:)

But we also rejoice knowing that one day we will see him again! 

And even though he is gone physically, his godly legacy continues and I'm certain will continue for MANY years to come!

Yes, our year had moments of tears, 

but THANKFULLY it was also one filled with JOY too!

 Great, abundant, exuberant JOY!

We smiled a lot, laughed a ton, and simply relished in the many blessings the Lord has bestowed upon us!

We rejoiced as rewards for hard work were earned!

We cheered each other on...

 as goals were set... 

and accomplished!

We finished preschool

 

and started Kindergarten!

We turned EIGHT years old,

and entered the THIRD grade!

We enjoyed a SURPRISE trip to Disney with just the BIG boys!

We went to baseball games...

and cheered our team on from the sidelines!

We painted with pudding...

and made fools of ourselves with Oreos.

We played lots of FUN games...

and usually got messy in the process!

 We did A LOT of baking...

and even more crafting!

We made many new friends...

and had to say goodbye to old friends as they moved away;(

We skated and...

learned how to make ice cream!

We spent a week at Surfside Beach and

enjoyed a week of fun in the sun!

We played pretend...

and dressed up like a princess!

We started ballet...

and continued to play soccer!

We picked strawberries,

visited the apple orchard,

and found the perfect pumpkin!

We took bubble baths,

turned THREE, and

hiked in the mountains!

We dressed up like super hero's...

and enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving!

We grew up A LOT
 
and became more independent.

BUT above all else,
2011 will FOREVER be remembered as the year we saw
this precious face for the VERY FIRST TIME!

It was in September of 2011 that God confirmed in our hearts His call for us to adopt again.

So it with great anticipation that we say "Goodbye" to 2011 and welcome in this new year! For this is the year that that precious face will no longer just be hanging in a frame on our wall, but we will wholeheartedly welcome that sweet face into our HOME!!!

We can hardly wait to experience all that the Lord has in store for us THIS year! 

Riley's Reindeer Party

 Christmas birthdays can be so hard. There is always SO much going on in the month of December, that finding a date and time to schedule a birthday party is nearly impossible. Riley actually turned six on December 22-- but we decided to wait until Christmas was over before we threw Ri his special birthday celebration. 

So on Thursday the 29th, Riley had his much anticipated party! We still went with a Christmassy kind-of theme AND because Christmas was over, we scored some really great deals on all the party supplies ;)

And to be honest, it was really nice to have something FUN to look forward too and celebrate with Christmas Day behind us!

Riley decided he wanted a reindeer party.  I'm not really sure where he came up with the idea, but I totally LOVED it...so a reindeer party it was!
We made a Smilebox invitation and Riley chose a few friends to invite!

As friends and family arrived at our home Thursday morning, everyone was given a red Rudolph nose and a pair of antlers to wear during the party.

After all our guests had gathered, it was time to start the "Reindeer Games"!

The first game we played was "reindeer target practice". Santa's reindeer receive special training on how to make specific and accurate landings. They are responsible to guide Santa's sleigh around the world on Christmas Eve and precision is key as they land on rooftop after rooftop;)

The kids each got three tries and took turns throwing their reindeer onto the Target. I must say, Santa had no worries on Christmas Eve. He had some very well-trained reindeer guiding his sleigh:)

Next, it was time for my favorite game. Shane was such a great sport and a made such an adorable Rudolph--if I do say so myself;)

The kids each took turns attempting to toss the rings onto Rudolph's antlers.

This was a little harder for our littlest reindeer's, but some of our "more-advanced deer" were quite the PROS!

After games, it was time for CAKE!!!

Sine we did a mid-morning birthday party,  a Dunkin' doughnut birthday cake seemed like the PERFECT choice;)

"Happy Birthday to you!"

"Happy Birthday to you!"

"Happy Birthday "deer" Riley!"

"Happy Birthday to YOU!!!"

After everyone gobbled up their doughnut(s), the kids gathered back in the living room for a story.

Then it was outside for the much anticipated pinata!

We tried our BEST to find a Reindeer Pinata, but had NO success. Oh well...Frosty the Snowman would have to do. (And since Frosty was on sale for only $3.00 after Christmas...he did JUST fine, just fine indeed;)

The pinata was filled with lots of goodies, and everyone took turns hoping they would be the one to crack open that snowman!

Oh they gave him quite the beating alright, 

but to no avail;)

Then it was time to call in the BIG guns!

And with ONE solid whack...that pinata was TOAST!

Candy was flung everywhere and there was a mad dash to fill their bags with treats!

Soon it was time to open gifts and of course Riley couldn't wait!

He was blessed with many wonderful things, but a morning spent with family and friends was truly the BEST gift of all!

And as our guests headed home, Riley gave out his "reindeer noses" party favors to each of his friends and thanked them for making his 6th birthday so special!