Happy Birthday Baby G! (not such a baby anymore!)

Today Gianna turned 4 years old! I can't believe 4 years has passed so quickly. When she woke up and got into bed with us this morning we told her her birth story and what it was like on the day she was born. She loved that! We were in Olympia for a friend's open house so we decided to just have her party at grandma and grandpa's house. PERFECT!

Gianna wanted a Puppy Party, and that is what she got! (Actually she wanted a puppy-tinkerbell-horse-lake party, but we went with puppy!)

What a lucky girl!!!

With "bramma"

Auntie Toni and Kaden called to sing Gianna Happy Birthday and she LOVED it! What a great way to start the day!!

Two great big brothers!

On the day she turned 4, this is our family...

"the geels" (the girls)

Gianna LOVED arranging all the bowls and puppies on the "party table" all morning! Here are some of her arrangements...

Lucky us!! Mary made Gianna's puppy cake! All we asked for was a sheet cake with puppy theme, but she went all out! and of course it is the most delicious, moist cake ever!!

Posing by the dog bowls!

Gianna was so happy to have her friends at her party!

Look at those sniffers!! Getting ready for the dog bone hunt!

The directions: When you find a bone, say "ruff ruff" and put it in your bag!

Counting out their bones!

We were wondering if it would come...and it did...even though we prepped and talked before the party about behavior...this was the moment of her brief meltdown! She WOULD NOT smile for the group puppy picture:( oh well-she will regret this later!!

Ok! PHEW! All smiles again- maybe because it is present time??!! I think so!

Getting ready to blow out candles while we sing happy birthday! Katie said it was the best happy birthday rendition she had ever been a part of (because of Grandma Julie's voice!!)!

Playing with some of her new toys!! She was such a lucky girl-doggies, Tinkerbell toys, dollhouse and furniture, CUTE clothes...everyone really knew what she loves!

Jen and her boys!! Thanks soooo much for coming and celebrating with us! We love you!

These two had so much fun all afternoon running all over the property and playing! They don't miss a beat!

Loving all of her new toys and goodies!

So happy to have Uncle Dan, Aunt Jody and Baby Payton here too! and they brought Gianna a "tinkerbell house" that made her shake with excitement!!

The girl cousins!! Gianna and Payton!

What a great way to celebrate turning 4! So much love and caring surrounding her! Auntie Gail, Uncle Al, Uncle Dan, Aunt Jody, Baby Payton, Houk boys and Jen, Turcotte family, Grandma and Grandpa...thanks to all for coming!

We have a "snack geel" (snack girl)!

Gianna was so excited to be the snack girl at preschool- and she says it so cute too!! Gianna and I made dirt cups for the bday celebration snack and added bananas as the healthy part!

We have been waiting MONTHS to wear this shirt!!

Cupcake bottom!!

Daddy went and took pictures at the snack time. Today was Kinzley's actual birthday and so the girls got to celebrate that too! They had such fun!

Digging into the dirt cup!

Gianna's First Day of Preschool!

Today Gianna our youngest started PRESCHOOL! Bittersweet for me-I am so excited for her and all of the experiences she is going to have, but also a little sad because she is our baby and now she is going to school. Time is flying, too fast, and I am trying to squeeze the most out of each moment. I ALSO started back teaching today-so while Gianna is in preschool I will be teaching reading and writing on those mornings. I get to drop her off, but not pick her up:(

Is this girl ready or what?? Look at those smiling, expectant eyes!

She was so excited to have her big brother in her first day of school picture with her! I love how much they love each other.

Faith Lutheran is where Dominic went, and now where Gianna is going. We love the family atmosphere here.

Gianna and Kinzley RAN to each other with arms open, ready to hug as we waited outside the preschool. They were so happy to see a familiar face!

Great friends starting school together!

Gianna in front of her cubby!

"Bye Mom!" She was having sooooo much fun playing that she had no problem with me leaving!

First Day of School Pictures!!

Today Dominic started First Grade...full days, lunch at school, and then only a couple hours together at night before bed:( He was nervous and thinking through all the practical things this morning. We walked the path he walk when I drop him off each morning.

He picked out his first day outfit last night...of course the skinny jeans! He is so handsome!!

Of course sister had to get in a picture with her big brother! She loves him so much. As we were driving away from the school we prayed for Dominic's day and then we had to pray an additional prayer just for her "sad heart" that Dom was gone.

Once we got all of his stuff put away in the right places and he sat down in his spot he got kind of goofy...that is what he does when he is nervous and something is new. This is the goofy face:)

Backyard Football...a lost American past-time!

I LOVE this look that Dom is giving Vinny! Tonight the boys were out back practicing for the upcoming football skills practice! (Dom is going to play Flag for the first time this year.)

Our goofy boy!

Apparently you can catch while your eyes are closed!!!

I could watch this boy forever. He is an extension of my heart...walking outside of my body.

Love these moments

Priceless

This girl LOVES her brother sooooo much!!!

Of course I had to jump in for a picture with the kids that LIGHT up my days!

Pure JOY captured!!! He is such a lover of life!!!

Summit Lake Fun with GREAT friends!

Love the feelings this picture conjures up...the lake is home for me.

The last day of summer for the 3 of them together...at the lake

Getting ready to do a back flip

Mid-air, and he landed it!!

Marissa and Anna...four of my best girlfriends and their families came out to start off LAbor Day weekend at the lake with a bbq and lots of fun! It was a perfect start to the weekend and end of summer celebration.

Finally Dom went in!!! So proud of him! He had to do it on his terms, in his time!

The Houk brothers

Having fun on the floating dock

Together again! These 2 get along so well and have such a good time together!

Jenni and Natalie

These are good days we're livin'!

Soul sisters!

All the girls on the dock!

Craziness in the hot tub! We definitely have to drain and put new water in after this FUN time!

The older crew...Dom, Zack, and Sam

Charlie, Anna, Gianna

Ending the evening by the fire roasting marshmallows while the kids roamed the hillside playing their games...perfect!