The Birthday of Smick and Smack

I decided to honor my oldest and most favored child by bringing a blessing into his life. A blessing that demands constant love and attention. A blessing that disrupts his quiet time with yelling and squawking. A blessing that will bring him joy and dirty diapers for many years to come. Luke, this is my gift to you. I Love you man!




What better way to celebrate your 12th birthday then by sharing it with your baby brother. Ryan on September 23rd and Luke on September 24th. I think I got a few pictures of Luke, but the camera seemed to point towards the 1 year old the whole night. I can't help it, it's camera magnetism plain and simple.

Look at my cute 1 year old crown. So handsome! (Thanks Joe & Kim! The cute onesie that goes along with the crown was just not a battle I was going to pick - sorry)

Oh look! A burning candle with a 1 year old. That seems like a good combination to me, anyone else agree?

Ok, so I'm confused with the plan here.

Seriously, with the crown again?

Yea, I don't think so. Thanks though.

Luke's birthday request. Beneath the layers of cream, berry, and cookie goodness lies a rich cheesecake. Hello heaven.

Big Boy One Year Old

How fast time flies. I think for the most part his 1st birthday went relatively unnoticed by the Honoree. Oh well, I am sure with time he will come to appreciate the day that is his.

A few snaps of the little precious.

A little (little really is the wrong word to describe this) present from Grandma DeeDee. An indoor baby size bounce house - which incidentally we have to kick the 8 year old brother out of so the baby for whom this gift was intended can actually play in it.

Just a little talent of ours. We should take Uncle Jeff's advice and have him tested. I am sure his marks would be off the charts genius-style.

Well that about sums up my little baby munchkin. Cute as can be while putting everything in his mouth. I just love this stage.

Mr. Blonde Bombshell

Hello handsome. Luke thought he might like to give blonde a try. I think he pulls it off nicely.

The Angel Colby

Sweet Colby was baptized on Saturday. It was a great day. Luke gave a very nice talk, Aunt Julie sang a beautiful song and Colby was the star of the show. Afterwards we all came back over to the house for lunch of course.

I don't know where these two boys came from, but I plan on riding their coat tails to Heaven for sure. Before the baptism I was fretting over the food and Luke says to me "Frankly Mom, I am more worried about the baptism going smoothly then the food turning out ok." The little brat.

Colby was given a brand new set of scriptures with his name engraved on them and he is very excited about them. I go to tuck him in at bedtime tonight. Low and behold there is Colby very seriously reading his scriptures. I sneak a few kisses on his neck and he gives me a hard time because I made him lose his place. I ask him what he is reading and he says "The Book of Ruth". "Oh" I say, " What are you reading about?" I ask. "About Ruth and Naomi. It is pretty much my favorite story." Wow. Like I said, I am hanging on to their coat tails for dear life.

Quirky baby

I went to go check on Ryan after he had been in bed for a couple of hours the other night. I walk in and find him curled up with his little stuffed animal binky, his little legs crossed and his bare butt pressed up against the crib. His diaper? Now that had been shed and thrown. Tired little naked baby.

He was in the shower this morning and grabbed hold of a bar of soap and put it to his mouth. My first instinct was to jump and grab it away from him, but then I thought I would let him actually put it in his mouth and learn for himself that soap does not taste very good. Well into the mouth it goes, over and over and over. He starts to eat the soap and uses his teeth to scrape it off into his mouth. Um, that plan backfired.





He is then dressed and tottles off to his bedroom to see what trouble he can get into. He comes back to my room a few minutes later looking like this. Apparently we think baby powder is pretty tasty as well.

If he hears someone cough, he coughs as well for good measure.

If he is doing something he knows he shouldn't, he will do it while shaking his head "no".

He loves to clap for himself and will continue to do it while others cheer him on.

The baby boy LOVES to wrestle. He loves to be pushed over and rolled around - he will giggle giggle and giggle.

And lastly, he thinks he can talk. Only his talking is in the loudest decibel imaginable. He will stand at the top of the stairs and yell in his loudest voice for the dog or Luke, depending on who answers first.

There is no question of the personality this kid has. On most days it comes shining through in bright blazing rays.