Happy 9th Birthday, Benjamin!

May 29, 2017 was the day of your 8th birthday party!

Your parents had rented a sports-themed jump house and we had a great barbeque, too.

Of course, there were lots of people there celebrating your day!

I love watching you open your gifts...you always read the cards first.

JUNE

The gang was here for Father's Day weekend in June.

Your Papa and I love having our family here.

We played Corn Hole, baseball, croquet...

and just had fun.

One thing we do a lot is make pizza.  I make the dough and then you form and make the pizza like you want it.  

JULY

I didn't see you in July...

but thankfully, your mama sent me some pictures!

You and William played on the Jr. Giants!

AUGUST

 August was a big month!

You became a brother for the 2nd time...this time to Sullivan.

He had to stay in the hospital for a little while, so we went there to visit him.

 We were all so happy when he got to come home.

You wanted to hold him all the time.

 Uncle Gabe and family came down on the 20th to meet Sullivan.

A baseball game erupted in the back yard!  That was definitely fun!

You and William came home with me for a few days!  That was sure fun.

We played a lot of baseball....more Corn Hole...played a lot with Baxter...

and just had fun!  Did I say I love having you come to visit? 

On the way back to your house from McKinleyville, we stopped and spent the day with Emerson, Walt, Uncle Gabe and Aunt Emily.  Minecraft and swimming were part of our day.  I had also gotten you baseball shirts...so, of course, I needed to take a picture.

I love having you boys together!

Once we got back to your house, we took some family pictures.

Now you're a family of 5!

SEPTEMBER

 In the beginning of September, I got to watch you play baseball...

 Later in September, we saw you at Walt's 2nd birthday party.

During the party, I turned around and there you were, holding Sullivan.

I KNOW you're hold enough and careful enough to hold him, but I was still surprised!

You are such a great brother!

At the end of September, it was more baseball!

September 30th, you had a GREAT game and were given the game ball!  That was definitely exciting.

After the game, I took a picture of your family before I took off to head home.

OCTOBER

October 22, 2017 was a special day...very special.

You were baptized and Sullivan was dedicated. Being baptized was your request...

In Deuteronomy 33:12, Moses is giving his final blessings...and he says:

"Of Benjamin he said,

"The beloved of the Lord dwells in safety.

The High God surrounds him all day long,

and dwells between his shoulders."

This is one of my prayers for you, too!

After church, there was a celebration at your house...both for you and for Sullivan.  We had a big barbeque and a baseball game!  It was a wonderful day for sure!

NOVEMBER

I got to see you at the beginning of November...

Later in November, you came up to our home for Thanksgiving.  Uncle Gabe and his family and Addison and his family were all planning to come, too... but Walt got sick and Addison got sick..so it was a smaller crowd.  We still absolutely loved and enjoyed you being here.  The day after Thanksgiving, we went to the apple farm and to the marsh to take pictures for our Christmas cards.

DECEMBER

In December, we came down with Uncle Joshua.  He wanted to meet Sullivan and see all of you!
I watched you mowing the lawn...(your Saddie used to LOVE to mow the lawn!) and I loved watching you write your story.  You weren't finished with it, but you had it all planned out on what was going to happen.  You're such a great writer!

JANUARY

 I think this was January 2nd.  You all met at the Oakland Zoo!




These 3 pictures above were on January 19.  I wasn't there, but you, William and your dad practiced (without your mom knowing) singing the song Love.  The 19th, your parent's anniversary, ya'll went on a bike ride to the gazebo and surprised your mom by singing it to her.  This was just SO SWEET!

 I saw you again at the end of January!  It seemed like it had been such a long time.
You are so gentle and loving with Sullivan!

FEBRUARY

We came down in February to celebrate William's 6th birthday!

MARCH

We were visiting in March and went for a great walk!
You and William take turns walking Baxter.  I call your house his "Happy place"
because he loves being with you and William!

APRIL

In April, Papa went to Colorado so I stayed at your house while he was gone.
I loved watching you play baseball!  You also did a lot of training with Baxter which he loves!  Isn't this a cute picture of you with your brothers?  I think so.

MAY

Papa came back from Colorado on May 2nd.  So I got to see you for a little bit of May!
This is a familiar site when I'm at your house..at some point of the day.
You and William love to play on my iPads.  Minecraft is your game of choice.

So here we are on May 30th...
your 9th birthday!
I'm excited to come down this coming weekend to celebrate.  You are one special guy, Benjamin!  I love you so much and hope you're having a wonderful birthday!

Happy 9th Birthday!