Happy Birthday Colin!

On this day, eleven years ago, we became parents and our family began. Colin was born, be it 9 days early, and our lives were forever changed. I will never forget that night. We had our final baby shower and as we were leaving, I felt a pain that was sharp enough to make me sit down. It wasn't the pain that was described during our lamaze class so I believed all was good. After all, no bags were packed - we were going to do that on the next day as that was the designated hospital packing day, to be done AFTER we went to church and lunch with friends. Alas, church and lunch never happened. Instead, we were greeted just four hours after that first touch of pain, with a whimpering, black haired, 7lb 13oz baby boy. He was precious. My dreams were coming true. Motherhood was what I had always dreamed of and, now, I was a mother. Today, I so enjoy being Colin's mother. Colin most always has a smile on his face though he can give you a look of scowl. Colin makes us all laugh - often he isn't even trying. He is smart, often pointing things out to me that I would otherwise never have noticed. He is thoughtful, quick to offer help to others, always quick to share his snack with his brother/sister and ALWAYS remembers to say Thank You no matter how big or little the gift or deed is. He loves to talk on the phone. He loves to read. He is currently addicted to Madden 11 Wii. And, he is, much to his mother's dismay, growing up all too fast :)

A little birthday morning cha-cha-cha for Colin....

An afternoon bike ride on his new bicycle courtesy of Gran, Pop, G-Mom and G-Dad....

This is MK....for those who have never met her, she is quite silly sometimes....and this is her newest face....she does this and then just laughs and laughs.....she thinks it is hilarious.

Chocolate Chip pancakes.....who needs cake?!

An early morning gift from our friends, the Gruskins! The children were beyond excited to open this box of goodies prepared especially for them for our upcoming trip to China. THANK YOU!

MK and SK, their first sleepover together. These two played countless hours of house and Barbies and kitchen.....they sang songs and read books.....so cute these two!