Justin bday party

Justin's 5th birthday party - we decided to have it at the house.  And decided to start the kids' only birthday parties.  We loved every minute of it and want to continue this way from here on out.  Our backyard is very small, and for 24 kids it was tight.  But who cares when you are a kid.  Thankfully my parents, Mary Beth, and Shane were able to help with all the extra hands needed at times.































It was a monster truck themed with some summer wet fun involved.  All thought up by Justin.  no one was allowed in the house but somehow managed to have a blast in our 12x10 backyard/

He requested a piñata party

It was like school - everyone did everything the same at a the same time

So no one knew how to do the water balloon toss.  I was stunned - good thing we taught these kids some hood ole fashioned fun.

Water guns - the favor as well as part of the party

Piñata time

The swing that one month later would accidentally give Luke, in the following photo, stitches over his eye.  Same bat, same backyard, same mother looking on.  Gotta watch out for those lefties.

My mom and her organization skills.  Apple didn't fall to far form the tree on that one.

Favorite two toys - guns from my brothers.  Once again, boys will always be boys.

Nerf gun that shoots 20 at a time.

And the laser gun that every. single. boy. plays with when they come over.  

*My computer finally synced with the internet.  So many things outdated and trying to get them in line. I just uploaded these unedited photos straight from my iPhoto - no wonder you people blog so quickly!!!

*Justin is now officially 5 1/2 which is funny that I am still pressing on in order and in hopes to finish a 2011 blog book before Mobile Me shuts down in June.

*My mom is in Israel, turned 60 yesterday, and just today was baptized in the Jordan river.  She went with my cousin and a group from Pine Cove.  Envious

*We just returned from our Arrow adoption office with our license in our hand!!!!  I was totally choked up with emotion as Justin and I were giving thanks in a prayer as we were leaving.  I just kept telling the Lord of His goodness in all of this on the drive home.  As we talked at the office about these moms that kept popping out babies and we were laughing at my incapability of it, all without bitterness or yearning, I thought how far we've come.  1/10 of the families at the agency are straight adopt like us.  Only the Lord knows what's in store.  Justin said the Lord will never stop us from praising Him as we will just keep praising His name when we adopt.  So right, my wise son.

*Hope I can blog again soon.