Finally 5

What a great time we had celebrating Aaron's birthday on Easter Sunday! Even though the sky was gray, our spirits were not. Braylen and Kaleb did a super job of making Aaron feel special. This is the first birthday I can remember when they didn't remind Aaron that he's still the youngest, even though it's his birthday. We all got ready for church and Aaron opened one present: a tiny Easter chick snowglobe that lights up in all different colors. Since it didn't make noise (thanks Grammy!) we let Aaron bring it to church. :)

After church we dashed home to hunt for Easter baskets and I put the finishing touches on the meal prep. We even took the time to pose for a family picture, since it had been awhile. The first try cut off Derek's head--that's what he gets for being tall in a family of short people! :)

During Easter dinner at Grandma & Grandpa's house, we enjoyed a special time with the kids telling us the Easter story using resurrection eggs. Braylen had the job of narrator, and I'm amazed he was able to eat inbetween reading his lines. Next we switched into birthday mode. Grandma asked Aaron 5 questions, and everyone had to go around the table and try to guess his answers. We all learned a little bit more about Aaron because of this! Here are the questions:

1. What is your favorite toy to play with?
"my bicycle" (smart cycle)

2. What do you want to be when you grow up?
"hockey man" (Kaleb guessed, "I think he wants to be just like me!")

3. What's your favorite food?
"meatballs"

4. If you could go anyplace in the world, where would you go? "Illinois, to Grammy and Grampy's house" (at first he said michigan, then ohio, trying to remember where they live!)

5. What is your favorite story in the Bible?
"the man in jail with no clothes on--Jophes!" (notice the name switcharoo? joseph)

After dinner, Aaron opened his gifts. I must say, you'd never know this was our third boy. He brought in quite a haul! Everything was a hit, and Aaron couldn't wait to play with his new toys. His favorites are definitely Mario Kart for the Wii, a camo truck with hunting figurines, a new dino cartridge for his smart cycle, a balloon pumper, and a giant box of football cards.

Cake time! Aaron wanted a green bunny cake, so that's what he got. I always love watching my kids' faces while the entire family is singing to them. Aaron didn't let me down, with his shy grin and all. :) Some of us had green teeth after eating that cake, but nobody's teeth were as green as Aunt Sarena's. :)


Back at home, we all had the chance to talk with my mom and dad on skype. Aaron showed them his gifts and they sang "Happy Birthday" to him. While we wish they could have been here, at least we were able to "see" them through the miracle of technology! For supper Aaron asked for pb&j sandwiches. Yayyy!!!! Easy peasy, as Aaron would say! We all stayed up late playing Mario Kart and Monopoly. Fun!

blowing kisses to Grammy & Grampy

6 Easter baskets+loads of presents+yummy food+bunches of balloons=one very happy day. I also went down memory lane a bit in my own mind. It's hard to believe my baby is 5 years old. To think of the many scares I had during his pregnancy, and the fears that went along with that...Aaron is such a gift to us. He is our blessing through and through. My favorite Bible verse for Aaron is found in Genesis 21:6. "Sarah said, 'God has brought me laughter.'" Anyone who knows Aaron knows how much he makes us laugh!!! On a more serious side, our verse for his life is found in John 15:7-8. Jesus is speaking here. "If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourself to be my disciple." We pray that Aaron will grow up to be a mighty man of God, using his life to bring forth much fruit!

Happy Birthday Aaron William! We love you bunches and bunches!