4-in-1

Since I was on such a long hiatus from blogging, I missed posting about my kiddos' birthdays this year.  I am sure they are going to look on here one day and ask, "Mom, what happened to 2013?"  So, in an effort not to disappoint, here they are...  

We begin birthday celebrations almost as soon as we break out the calendars for the new year.  Brianna and Micah both have January birthdays, so we glide smoothly right into these parties after all of the holiday cheer. After all of the red and green, we gladly welcome the color change into pinks and purples. 

We spent Christmas in southern Mexico and were traveling to California {People, that is a long trip driving with 4 kiddos!}, and our half-way mark was El Paso, Texas, where we were able to stop in and spend a few days with cousins.  Brianna loved the break from traveling, the time spent with girly cousin friends, and the birthday celebration at Peter Piper Pizza.

Once we were settled into our new home {staff housing at the church} for the next 5 months, it was time to celebrate our littlest guy's transition into the terrible terrific twos.  

When I was busy cutting and distributing cake, Micah grabbed his candle and took a bite out of it.  Guess that was a good lesson for him in learning that not all things that look pretty taste good!  Wow... if that was any indication of what his year of being two would look like, I would have hidden  in a closet right then and there.  Of all of my children, Micah is the one who has kept me on my toes the most keeping him out of trouble and danger.  I never thought anyone could outdo Nate's wild and wooly toddler days, but Micah has proven me wrong.  I seriously should be journaling all of his escapades!

In May, right after school let out, we celebrated Davey's 11th birthday at an indoor kid-park called Bounce-a-rama.  I am thrilled with how our kids have adjusted to school and making new friends.  They fit in as though they have always been here...

{Below}  What can I say?!  The things you think are cool when you are in middle school!

Nate enjoyed Davey's birthday so much, that when his rolled around two months later, he wanted to go to the same place to celebrate.  In July, we rounded up his summer-lovin' buddies and took them for the indoor, air-conditioned Bounce-a-rama as well.  

Though a Mexican-style face dunk into the cake was attempted at Davey's birthday party, it was successfully fulfilled and thoroughly enjoyed on Nate's big day.

I love these kiddos that are growing much too quickly under my {albeit un-approving} watch.  Why, oh why, do they have to keep insisting on birthdays and getting older?!

And to think... next year we will be celebrating FIVE kid birthdays in our house!

Did I just say "five"?!

I never, ever would have thought that I would become the mother of five children, but here I am {almost... just 11 weeks before my due date}, and guess what?  It is not as scary and intimidating as I would have thought.  It is tremendously wonderful!