29!

Sign Mara Kate colored for Kane's birthday!

This past Tuesday was a special day at our house. It was Kane's birthday and our little family had a fun time celebrating together. 

Mara Kate and I made one of Kane's favorite cakes (Creme de Menthe). We met him for supper after work, then came home for cake and presents. The girls each gave him a gift and I gave him a "coupon" to get some athletic shoes he has been wanting.

You can't see the individual candles in the top photos, but there were 29 of them and yes, some of them were pink (sorry, Babe, I'll try to plan a little better next time). I guess pink candles is what happens when you are the only man in a house of 3 girls. ha! 

Thankfully it didn't phase him at all! 

 

Kane, you better live it up this year, the last year in your 20's! Take my advice---your older and wiser wife. :)

Evie was very curious about the fire on the cake! :) 

 

Happy Birthday, Kane!

Today is my sweet, thoughtful, hard working and loving husband's birthday!! We are so thankful for him and all that he brings to our family. Kane, I hope you feel loved and celebrated today!

We had a lovely weekend and a nice visit from Kane's parents. They came over the weekend so we actually celebrated Kane's birthday on Saturday while they were here. Kane's mom made one of his favorite cakes and also brought birthday decorations and let Mara Kate help her decorate for the "party"! His mom also brought some steaks and other favorite foods and cooked/grilled for us that evening. It was nice to have a yummy meal at home that I didn't really have to worry about making. :)

On Saturday morning we went to a hardware store/plant nursery to get a few plants for my container gardens as I hadn't done anything with them since before winter. They needed to be refreshed and Mara Kate and Kane's mom actually did all the planting for me. The containers just hadn't been something I'd worried about yet as I have had other things on my mind (a new baby and all that goes with that!). So, I'm thankful to have some new pretty flowers that I didn't have to dig/plant myself. Thanks Tuie for all your help!!

My container on our front porch. I just love the bright pink geraniums.

Saturday afternoon Tuie & Mara Kate went for a walk/ride in our neighborhood. Mara Kate thought she was big stuff riding her tricycle somewhere other than the carport/driveway. Although riding on the actual rode made her a little nervous at first. :) Always my cautious girl!

Kane's mom brought a kit to make some cute puppets and the three of them put on a "birthday puppet show" for Kane and me. It was so cute and Mara Kate did really well speaking for her puppets. She spoke loud and clear!

Aren't these the cutest paper bag puppets? They were part of a Martha Stewart kit Kane's mom picked up for really cheap at Big Lots. Mara Kate has had a blast playing with them!

Kane and his Dad hanging out on the back porch before supper.

The special Barker birthday bear. Kane's mom brought it and put it at his place at the table. A tradition from his childhood. :)

Table set and ready!

Present time!

Sweet card from Mara Kate. She was so proud of it because she picked it out herself "because the little bear on the front was wearing a bow and sometimes she wears a bow too!" and she wrote everything inside and out all by herself! She even got to lick the envelope!

Kane's parents framed his PhD diploma as part of his gift, so now he has it to hang on the wall in his office---FINALLY!

YAY---so official!

And a pair of new boots...a definite need for him right now! He also got a subscription to a chemical education magazine from Mara Kate and I that he had been wanting, to that will be a gift that keeps on giving in the coming year.

Cake time!

Kane's mom used trick candles so it took forever for him to get them completely blown out. It took Mara Kate a minute to realize that they kept relighting, but she got a huge kick out of it once she saw the humor of it! ha!

The birthday boy!

Yummy cake---Andes mints mixed in. It was very moist and tasty! Kane even packed a piece to take with him to work today. :)



Mmm!

Kane's mom hung a strand of birthday cake lights on the front door as part of the party decor---so of course we had to get a picture of him standing in front of the lights. :)

Happy Birthday, Big Girl!!!!

I can't believe that our baby is 4 today! She brings such blessing and joy to our life! We are praising God for the blessing she has been to us these past 4 years and praying for many, many more wonderful years together as a family.

Such a happy girl she is!

We Love you Mara Kate!
Happy Birthday, Sweetie!

We will be properly celebrating tonight with a Dora themed birthday party! I wish all of my family could be here too, but it didn't work out this year as we all live so far from each other. We'll be surrounded by Kane's family who we celebrated Thanksgiving with yesterday, so I think it will be a fun time for our girl!

Pictures of the PARTY will follow so stay tuned!!

Birthday Fun

This weekend we took a little trip to Atlanta! It was a fast trip, but we had a great time seeing friends and also helping to celebrate Mara Kate's best friend, Ella Ann's 4th birthday.

We actually got to drive in the night before and spend the evening with my friend Christy. Sadly her husband was out of town and Kane missed him greatly, but Christy is a wonderful hostess and we always love the chance to hang out at their place. She cooked us a yummy supper and Christy and I got in some good girl chat time, which was so much fun. Thanks again Christy!

Mara Kate and Ella Ann were born 11 days a part and have been friends since day 1! They really love each other and get a long really well, so it was great that we were able to come and be with the Jensen's for Ella Ann's birthday celebration.

Katie really knows how to throw a party. This theme was a Beach Luau with a pool cake and fruit kabobs. Everyone had a great time!

This "mini" trampoline was Ella Ann's big gift and was a HUGE hit with all the kids! Mara Kate didn't want to get out and had a super fun time jumping, jumping, jumping!

So much fun!

The kids went on a treasure hunt for "buried treasure---a little shoe box hidden in the back yard filled with chocolate coins. Great idea Katie!

Sweet friends.
The Tutu Mara Kate is holding was her birthday present from Ella Ann. She loves it!

Little brother, Baby Rane. He pretty much watched the party happen from people's laps. Such a sweet little boy he is.

Katie & I

Of course after the party we fit in a quick trip to IKEA (and came home with some of their delicious cinnamon rolls) and also stopped on our way out of town to eat an early supper at one of our favorite places in Atlanta---Pappasitos!

Happy Birthday, Dresden & Grant--4 Years Old!

Dresden, Mara Kate and Grant.
taken last Summer, the last time all the cousins were together.

Four years ago our family welcomed 2 new babies only 5 days apart from one another. That time was so exciting and special! I remember making the trip up to Bristol to meet my new niece (Tara's new one) and nephew (Heidi's new one). At the time I was a few months pregnant with Mara Kate and was so excited about holding 2 brand new babies while thinking about the fact that I would be having a new baby of my own to hold in a few short months. That visit is forever engraved upon my mind and I remember vividly the feelings I had when I arrived at Heidi and Jeph's apartment that morning. It felt almost like it was Christmas morning because of the excitement the air held.

I remember coming in and walking back to Heidi's bedroom where she was nursing her new, 3 week early, 2 week old baby boy. I peeked in at him from under the blanket and all I could see was the top of his little newborn head. I remember in that moment having my breath literally taken away! His head was so tiny! I was overwhelmed by the fact that my little sister was now a new mommy of a little boy! We still don't have many boys in our family (none since Grant was born) and the newness of him was just so special. I remember that he was very wiry and kicked a lot of the time! He was (and still is) a precious little boy and I fell in love with him right away.

I also remember Dresden, looking perfectly feminine and sweet. She was a cuddler as a baby and I remember laying down on Heidi's couch and holding her for a long, long time on my chest and feeling like she was just melting into me like a big soft stick of butter. Precious, precious memories for sure.

So, this past week these babies turned 4. It's been so fun having 3 cousins (MK included) so close to the same age. It's made for some interesting moments, but over all they have a blast together. I know it will be special even as they grow older to have cousins so close in age.

We weren't able to be with Dresden on her birthday as, sadly she lives too far away. However, yesterday we drove part way to Birmingham to meet up with Heidi, Grant and Olivia to celebrate Grant's birthday together and in person. We had a blast and it was great having the kiddos together. We are also looking forward to going to Grant's actual birthday party next weekend where we'll get to celebrate some more!

Some pictures of when these two were quite new!

Proud Grandpa with Grant (L) and Dresden (R)

Holding both at once (with Liam excitedly looking on). What a fun day that was!

Kane and I taking it all in.
I remember having a conversation while sitting here about
the excitement that was building for our own baby that was on it's (her) way.

Sweet baby Dresden

Tiny, precious Grant

Both sharing Dresden's carseat, taking a little snooze

More snoozing...brand new babies do that a lot!

To see pictures of our fun time with the Guinans yesterday, click here.

Day of Celebrating

We had a blast celebrating Kane's birthday yesterday. We went to church in the morning then out to lunch after ward. Kane picked the restaurant and we had a great time eating at
P.F. Changs. It was new to us and we definitely plan to go back. I'm not normally a huge fan of Chinese food, but will say I was pleasantly surprised by the taste and wouldn't mind eating there more often.

Kane and Mara Kate, before heading to church

Such a sweet look on MK's face

Kane and I at lunch
This picture was taken by our little photographer, Mara Kate. Didn't she do such a good job??! We are pretty much even centered in the shot I seriously think she might have a gift for photography.

Famous P.F. Changs lettuce wraps---very tasty!

Another appetizer, Crispy Green Beans, with to-die-for dipping sauce

Kane and Mara Kate, she wanted to sit next to the birthday boy.
(I just love this picture---with Mara Kate's little hand wrapped around her Daddy's neck).

Trying out the chopsticks.

A few grains of rice successfully into her mouth!

Now let's play with them!

What fun!

Birthday kisses!

Silliness!

Complimentary mini b-day dessert

Time for his real birthday cake

Smokin!

Happy Birthday, Kane!!!

Present time

His goodies---
A green laser pointer, a spiffy new tie to wear at his upcoming defense
as well as some of his favorite candy.