Happy 19th Birthday to our baby girl, Chynell Lane. I absolutely can not believe you are 19. You are our last. Our baby. You are always suppose to stay 5 years old. But you didn’t. You grew to be a Godly young woman. You have a heart for God and a passion for those with less than you. You are in the Word of God. You stand your ground. You know your dreams and you strive to make them come to reality. You love your family with such passion. You ARE Ann Jannelle. You are best side kick to your dad. Hunting, fishing, scouting. You talk and talk with me. You admire and love your sister and your brother-in-law. You are a loyal friend. It doesn’t take much for you to love an aquaintance like a life long best friend. You respect and love the older people in your life just like your own grandparents. You smile and it lights up my heart.

Happy 19th Birthday. Take your time growing up. Walk slowly. Take everything in as if it’s your last day. Always tell people you love, that you love them. Tell them every day. Live your life so a stranger can look at you and know without a doubt you are sold out to God.

Happy 19th Birthday Chynell. We love you so much!

Each year we try to spend a few days at a hotel near Brannan and her family. They come to the “hotel house” (as the boys have named it) each day, spend time in the pool & help themselves to food in the little fridge.  I look forward to that time with such excitement. This year was no different. It was a time to worship with our daughter’s family at their church, swim, bowl, eat, sleep, and just love on each other.

Pops and Moxi Jo..Mox turned 7 months that weekend.

Mom helped at first but it didn’t take long before the boys bowled all by themselves. Nate quickly learned to hold the ball “like daddy and pops”..now if we could just keep Izzy from falling and sliding down the lane.

Kevin…bowling, just like when I met him 30 years ago.

Now that is one special momma..bowling with a baby wrapped to her back.

The all famous *pops and baby* pose.

Izzy is *diving*. Can’t you tell by his hands above his head?

Aww..I love those times when Nate would just want me to hold him while he talked and talked and talked.

Our beautiful photographer.

Nate learning to dive.

There once was a day when I could make myself anything, never having to measure or fit a pattern because I knew just where to let in or take out the pattern I was sewing…and it always fit perfect. I had more handmade clothes in my closet then store bought and I was proud of it.

That day has passed, along with the body shape I had (insert sigh) BUT the upside is..I get to make the cutest things for my grandbabies. Clothes for little guys are so much fun to make..mostly because they are so appreciative and excited to get anything from a grandparent. So, taking advantage of that..I made these cute little shorts for our boys. Shhhh..the boys don’t know they aren’t twins so it’s o.k. if they are exactly alike.

Now I can’t wait to see them wearing them. I hope they are a big hit.

It has started to be somewhat of an annual event that Brannan and her family and Brittany and her family come down here for July 4. Brittany and Brannan have been best friends for 15 years now. They have been so blessed to have kept their friendship solid and close all these years.  Kevin and I have always referred to Brittany as our adopted daughter. We just love her and her family so much.

Brannan and Brittany’s children are the same age, Nate and Dagan are 4 1/2 years old..born 6 weeks apart, Israel and Benton are 2 1/2, born on the same day and Julianna is 20 months with Moxi being 6 months.

This is the first time that we have seen Julianna and to have all of them here was so much fun. We had 6 little active people 4 years and under here with their parents for the last 4 days. It was busy, active, full of laughter, food, tears, naps, food, swimming, food, waterslide, fireworks, sleeping and food. I am not sure who slept better at night..the kids or the adults.

Kevin and I had a blast being with all these babies. We cooked, washed, played in the pool, rocked babies and retreated to our RV to sleep at night while the gang had the house.

I never cared much for fireworks or July 4 activities. But this is turning into one of my favorite holidays.

Pops, Julianna, Benton and Dagan

 
One way to get them quiet..give them an IPod.

Sometimes a swimming pool is a little scary.

But you can always find a bathing beauty in it.

and if the water and sun are too warm, just hide under the ladder.

Julianna, Brannan and Moxi.

Dagan. I love that smile.

All this swimming just tires a girl out.

Fireworks smell yucky. But they are fun for little boys.

…and big boys.

movie and a snack.

Our gang…our cup of blessings just is overflowing!

Our hearts are full of the love we receive from each of these beautiful babies.