Happy 4th Birthday

Hunter: an amazingly loving and loved, beautiful, excitable, caring, energetic, empathetic, Batman-loving, studious, attentive, animal loving, friend loving, boundless-energy, tough, adorable, happy little four year old. 

This is who Hunter is as a new found four year old!  As we celebrate Hunter’s fourth birthday I can’t help but think about who he is now and how far he’s come in just four short years.  I can’t help but think back about his birth and fight back tears…I think this is an annual occurrence as his birthday brings me more joy than I could imagine as I was given the most amazing gift in him…but I also always have that aching memory of that very difficult day and the fear that I almost lost him when he first entered the world.  Born with the cord wrapped around his neck twice, after waiting an hour (no thanks to the doc), and after aspirating mineral oil, he was suctioned, given oxygen, and rushed off to the NICU in such a short time that I was only able to hold him for a couple seconds. I was never so afraid at what was happening and if he was okay. Hunter has proven himself a fighter from the get-go and I can only admire him forever for that.  He’s overcome so much with such toughness that I can only smile as I know he was given this strength to persevere.  

Hunter has become such an amazing little boy in so many ways.  Not a day goes by that he doesn’t make me smile, amaze me, or make me laugh!  He has blessed us and changed our lives in so many ways! 

Here are some things about Hunter as he turns 4 (I really wish I’d done this for his past birthdays)

Loves:

-his new baby sister as she is lovingly called

-his Grandma Sandy, Papa Dice, Grandma Lorie, and Papa Easton

-friends (Owen, Harper, Austin, Jett, Devin, Morgan, Campbell, Abyona, etc…)

-pretend “friends” stuffed animals

-Batman

-Toy Story toys

-playing with friends and meeting new friends whenever he can

-baseball
-being shirtless
-corn on the cob
-the color blue

-going to the zoo or Sea World
-Shamu the fighter whale

-watching all things Disney

-pepperoni pizza

-mac n cheese

-oreos (or treats as he calls them)

-milk
-milk, juice, water together
-Ba cation  (vacation)

-reading books at bedtime

-bodily functions (what a boy!)

-trying to rhyme

-pointing out exclamation points and yelling “HURRAY”

-snuggling at bedtime even if he counts to 10 then is done!

-talking about presidents…in particular, Lincoln, Washington, and Barack Obama (even has a song!)

-preschool

-talking about letters of the alphabet and words that start with them

-learning how to spell and write

-reciting everything he learned at preschool

-telling us that he doesn't have to follow a rule because its not on the Constitution!

-saying Momma or Daddy a thousand times until we give him the attention he wants

-Kalin Lucas and Michigan State basketball (#1)

-swimming

-the magic van

-sunglasses and hats

-pajamas

-“growing food”

Dislikes:

-washing his hair

-going to the dentist

-most veggies
-the evil emperor Zurg
-wearing coats

-having to go to bed

-loud places

-scary cartoon characters or movies

-the dark
-when he can't figure something out

-fire (thanks to fire prevention week)

-when Mom and Dad don’t give into his way
-coming in 2nd

-sitting still (unless at school)

-breaking the rules or anyone else breaking the rules at school
-when someone doesn't sing Happy Birthday to him

Hunter…thank you for who you are.  Daddy, Kaelyn, and I are so lucky to have you as ours!  These four years have flown by and I thank you for so many amazing memories!  I can’t wait to see what the future brings for you!  I love you and I am soooo proud of you!

For Hunter’s birthday party we decided to celebrate at the Chelsea Tree House…here are some pics of the day! Hurray :)

K having some fun at her first party

buds

Auntie Samantha

they look like they are on a date at a diner together :)

Owen G :)

Sweet Austin

Lucius needed some reassurance and then he had a blast

happy boy

Grandma Lorie is an amazing cake maker!

I just love him!

the newest addition...Crosby Catherine...so snuggly!

Crosby's big sis Harper

da na na na na na na...BATMAN!

wonder...

Grandma Lorie and Kaelyn happy as can be

Harper and Hunter...they love each other :)

lil Zoe

the crew

Aunt Katie

Grandma Sandy

Papa Dice

Em...this is scary!

Evie!

Love you H!

Our little getaway...

We did something very out of the ordinary for our family...took a last minute vacation to Florida!!! When I say last minute...I mean it. Chad booked the flights Monday afternoon and we were on the plane early Tuesday morning!  It was one of the best things we have decided to do.  Florida was wonderful!  Kaelyn and Hunter are awesome travelers and Hunter really loved the airplane flights!  I may have a future pilot in the works :)

The first day of vacation we headed off to Sea World at Hunter's request.  They've been learning about ocean friends (as he calls them) at school so we knew he wouldn't be happy until we made it to Sea World.  The park itself was given mixed reviews by Hunter...loved the sting rays, sea turtles, small sharks, Shamu, games, and manatee's...did not love the dolphin show, big shark tunnel, or any of the larger indoor exhibits.  His favorite had to have been the Shamu show (we went back for it a 2nd day)!

 

H's style :)

Singing "Shamu, Shamu" 

 

our smiley twiddlebug

lots of laughs (and a PB & J for lunch)

After a day of rain, the remainder of the trip we spent at our awesome hotel pool.  The weather was beautiful, Kaelyn was happy as could be to sit in the shade with Mom or Dad, sleep, and occasionally put her toesies in the pool!  Hunter spent his days on the kick board, tube, or just swimming and bouncing along!

Our rainy day

he loves his sis

wishing for some sun

see any resemblance?

Pool time

K's first pool time

his version of the Baywatch run

cuddles

happy Kaelyn...

don't mess with me Kaelyn...

they call themselves the "cool dudes"

what it's really like ;)

We are so happy we decided to take a special family vacation.  The first vacation as a family of four and I have to say it was a huge success!  Even the time we spent in the hotel room hanging out because we were stuck inside from storms all day, laughing, watching tv, and playing was special. We did manage to overdue it a couple times I must admit.  One night we wanted to walk around the boardwalk and kept Hunter out way too late which resulted in a complete late night meltdown and subsequent wakings in the middle of the night and cries of, "I want to go home" and, "Daddy, I don't want to..."  Live and learn.   I feel so grateful for our time together as a family and I am publicly thanking Chad for pushing me to step out of my comfort zone for a last minute getaway.  I'm ready to go back already!

she's got him wrapped around her finger already!

tired out from all our fun!