Sledding!

First run of the day...

Baker's Fourth Birthday (3 of 3)

We went to Paris for the last leg of the birthday extravaganza. We celebrated Baker's birthday and his cousin Max's FIRST birthday! My mom (Nonnie) ordered the cutest chocolate cake and both boys loved it. You'd never guess it by the photos below, but both boys had a great time celebrating their birthdays together. Hopefully we have a fun new family tradition.

Happy birthday Maxwell Joseph Lukas! We love you. (Even though you like to bite toes!)

Baker's Fourth Birthday (2 of 3)

When we started talking about Baker's birthday party, he immediately said he wanted a "Mars party with a Mars cake." Lots of pondering and discussions led to the creation of a chocolate cake "ball" with red butter cream icing. (The icing was TO DIE FOR.) The thing sticking out of the cake is a space shuttle - a little conceptual but it 'worked' and was super cute. Baker's friends ate chocolate cupcakes with red icing. (Sorry friends but ONE cake ball was enough for me!) I borrowed Kristen's cake plates for the umpteenth time...they made the whole presentation work. As usual.

We held the party at FUMC downtown. It was a great place for the party -- an open gym with balls, plasma cars and a bounce house. Not the best place for cute photo opps but lots of fun for the kids.

Happy birthday to my sweet, sweet boy.

Baker's Fourth Birthday (1 of 3)

Happy Birthday Baker Samuel Shelhamer!
Tim, Kate and Luke were in town (yea!) so we celebrated two birthdays (Tim 1/18 and Baker 1/16) over the weekend. This was the first of THREE birthday parties for B. I don't think Tim was fussed over this much. Sore subject so we won't go there...

I know this is Baker's birthday post, but how cute is baby Luke? Adorable. Perfect. And a very easy baby. Baker asked everyday when they were leaving but he loved having them here. He just likes information. (Remind you of anyone??)

My Best Boy

Eve of 2010

Strong start...


















Early finish...


















Fake smiles...


















Crazy amount of stuff for three people...

Welcome 2010

"We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day." - Edith Lovejoy Pierce

As for me, I welcome the new year. With new hope. And new dreams. And a renewed sense of what it means to be present, to be safe and to be loved.