5th Birthday Celebrations

Happy Birthday to You, Happy Birthday to You, Happy Birthday to Hunter, Happy Birthday to You!  

Dearest Son,

It's really hard for me to believe that you are already 5 years old.  Thank you for all of the blessings you have brought into our lives over the past 5 years.  We are better people, better spouses, and much better parents because of you.  You have taught me life lessons that I might not have learned otherwise.  You have challenged me in ways I didn't know I could handle, and you have helped me learn to relax and enjoy life, no matter what comes my way.  You have been the reason that I have shown strength when I otherwise might not have.  You have helped me to strive to gain a better relationship with Jesus.  

I love you more than you will ever know (or at least until you have a baby of your own!)

Mommy

Here come LOTS of pictures of our several day long birthday celebration.  As you all know, I LOVE my kids birthdays, and make a several day long affair of it most every year!

We decided to have ice cream cake on Saturday...just because!  It was a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Cake, but after Hunter and Graysen got done licking the icing off with their fingers before we even cut into it you couldn't really tell...!  

Hunter's new bike!  He got this on Saturday as well...it's 16 inch rather than his old 12 inch.  It's taking some getting used to, but he's doing wonderfully on it...it's pretty much the coolest bike in the neighborhood!  :0)

 Tuesday we went to Chuck E. Cheese for a very small birthday party.  Here is Hunter wearing the cool crown they gave him!  

Hunter's 5th birthday cake.  He told me exactly what he wanted...a cake with all water and some rocks around the water.  We let him place the 5 frog/lizard candles as well.

The birthday boy with Chuck E. Cheese!

Our birthday table.  Most of you know how much enjoyment I get out of planning and decorating for my kids birthday parties.  Hunter decided that he wanted a reptile birthday at Chuck E. Cheese this year, and since they do all the set up for you, this is the best I could do!  We used frog / lizard plates, had matching birthday hats, and decorated with snakes and lizards all the way down the table!

Gray, enjoying some birthday cake...even Bubby didn't stay after pizza to eat cake...he was off and running playing more games!

Family birthday picture!

The kids matching birthday shirts.  I've started a tradition of having matching shirts for them for Bubby's birthday parties.  Last year they both had Power Rangers shirts that I made them, this year they had a picture of Hunter holding a gecko and it said "Snakes Alive, I am 5", or "Snakes Alive, Bubby is 5!"  to match the reptile theme.

We didn't know the reason we would stay until closing was because of the "Big Boys"!  These two were determined to beat the "high score" on the basketball and football games.  They both finally succeeded at their game!  You can see they were working hard (by the sweat on Lincoln's back!  Ewww!)

Daddy, Mommy, and Hunter got to stay in a hotel together on Tuesday night and Hunter had a first.  (I'm sure he'll kill me when he's grown for putting this on the internet...)  He didn't sleep in a pull - up and stayed dry all night!!!  What a big boy!  First thing in the morning he was back to opening more presents before Daddy even got out of bed!  

We went swimming at the hotel that morning before heading over to Six Flags!

Mommy and Hunter on the first ride of the day...the Ferris Wheel!  He loved being up so high and seeing all of the park that we were about to explore.

Daddy and Hunter having fun on the horses!  

Family picture right after the Tidal Wave!  Whew, we got wet!

After a few more rides (including the Mine Train that he rode twice!), it was time for lunch.

Then a few more ride and off to Hurricane Harbor!  Hunter actually enjoyed the wave pool more than anything else in the park!

Mommy and Daddy enjoying themselves at Hurricane Harbor.  We can't believe Hunter is 5 years old!

Headed home, after a big night, big day, and one HUGE ice cream cone, Hunter is sacked out!

We didn't get any pictures of him opening his birthday present at Grandma and Papa's house, but here he is opening more presents at Grammie and Poopa's house wearing his new shirt from Grandma and Papa!

He got a new fishing pole and tackle box!  This is going to be fun!  We  had to go practice casting in the front yard as soon as we got it open!

Hunter also picked these PJ's out a few weeks ago and told me he wanted one for him and one for his brother, but after he opened them he decided that Graysen could wear it until his brother came home!  So...here they are, wearing their matching PJ's on birthday night.  (this is Gray's new smile...when you tell her to smile she immediately closes her eyes!  lol)

We had a great few days...I can't say it enough...I just can't believe I have a 5 year old!!!  He is growing up so quickly and becoming such a good boy.  I have to admit that I struggle with each year that passes.  I feel like I can do a good job of taking care of a baby, but I worry about raising good kids.  I worry that I won't teach them the right things, I won't instill strong enough convictions and morals.  The older they get, the more stressed I become and doing the right thing...doing a good job.  Please pray for us during our 5th year of raising our baby boy!