Kindergarten Graduation

We head to Back to School tonight to meet Noah's (2nd) Kindergarten teacher, so I thought I would post some pics from his (1st) Kindergarten Graduation.  Noah had a wonderful year with Ms. Mahl.  It was the perfect decision for him to double up on kindergarten.  He learned how to read, really enjoys math, and became more and more confident in the classroom setting.  Oh Noah, can be silly with the best of 'em, so another year to grow in maturity will not hurt a bit.  

Getting ready to toss his graduation hat!

 Noah and his best bud! We will really miss seeing him every day!

 Thanks for a great year Ms. M!

 Mimi and Paka came to celebrate.

 The two amigos!  Gavin can't wait to start at Trinity this year!

Happy 1st Birthday Levi!

Oh wow!  Little man is one year old!  What a quick, amazing year!  It's hard to believe how much a baby changes from birth to their first birthday, but even though this is my third go around, I am still amazed at what happens in a year.  I am thankful to have a full memory bank from Levi's first year.  Levi really has been a joy from the moment I met him. I can remember thinking he was too easy and that he would wake up and start being fussy sooner or later.  Nope.  Levi is a dream.  A real dream.  I am not sure if there will be anymore Odom babies, so if that is so, I have "ended" on a perfect note.

Levi, you are such a treasure to me.  God designed you and placed you here for a reason.  I know it with all that I have.  I see it in you.  Thank you for lighting up the room with your smile.  I love how you are starting to point to everything, throw a ball(usually with your left hand), enjoy standing in the dishwasher, say "uh-oh" when you drop your paci, reach for me, and pull all the folded clothes out of the laundry basket.  You are on the brink of walking, but currently get too excited to take your first step!  Thankfully, you love eating all sorts of good foods, such as, peas, black beans, green beans, avocados, cheese and yogurt.  I love you, little bug.  You are more than blessing to me, and I am so thankful God gave you to me.  He is so good!

  

Happy 6th Birthday Noah!

My big man is 6!  Like I said in the last blog post, I feel like he's officially a kid now.  He can get his own drink, brush his own teeth, read his own books, play his own video games...he doesn't need me anymore!!! Okay, I'm being a little overdramatic, but you get my point!

Noah, you are growing into such an incredible young man.  You continue to amaze me with your growing confidence and independent spirit.  I am thankful that you still enjoy cuddling with me every once in awhile, and that you have such a gentle and protective way with Levi.  You are a super athlete and have just started taking on the role of a "gamer" in our house.  Thanks for the goofy faces, silly voices and opera excerpts.  God has big plans for you, Noah!  You are going to do awesome at "big school"...but I am going to miss eating lunch with you everyday...

Birthday Boy! David faithfully wore his mustache.  It did not go with my outfit!

He's convinced he will be playing on the PGA tour at age 7!

Noah's birthday morning.  The Odom girls were here to celebrate!

Welcome to Our Mustache Bash

My eldest baby boy turned 6 and my little peanut is 1.  Where does the time go?  I'm overwhelmed by how quick this last year has gone with Levi and that Noah is officially a "kid".  Because both of their birthdays are in June, we had a Little Man/Big Man birthday party!  It was perfect for Noah...he would dress in a suit and tie everyday if I let him!  David did an awesome job creating the cutest invites, and I really enjoyed decorating with mustaches and neck ties!

Levi's smash cake was a mustache.  Noah wanted his own cake, so I attempted making a neck tie!  Cupcakes were on the tower, but I guess I hadn't put them out yet!

 The photo booth

 The neck tie garland with pictures of the boys from throughout the year.

 We had a mustache for each of our guests.  The party favor was a comb and the tag said "Thanks for "combing" to our party!"  Thank you Pinterest!

 I had to show the gigantic bounce house David got from church.  Our house is back there!

 The little man! 

 Some of the crazy party goers!

After crying while we sang him "Happy Birthday", Levi got right into his cake and enjoyed it thoroughly!

 The birthday boys...

...and Gavin! 

I love celebrating these sweet boys.  I know all of the decorations and food doesn't matter too much, but I pray that each of my boys know how loved and special God has made them.  I pray that they realize that God places their family and friends in their life to help mold and shape them into who they are and who they will become.  I pray they understand that is why we celebrate them...not for the cake and presents but because in His image, God created them.  That's definitely reason to celebrate!

Gavin is Four!

My middle man is four years old!  Four is a perfect age for Gavin.  He is still "little" in my eyes, but definitely hanging with the big kids now.  David took him for his 4 year old check-up and the doctor was highly impressed with his agility and coordination...and that he should be between 6'2 and 6'6!  I know their predictions aren't completely accurate, but it's crazy to imagine my little middle man as a grown big man!

Gavin still goes a million miles a minute.  He loves to cuddle, has an extensive vocabulary, and loves both his brothers.  He enjoys doing similar things that Noah is into (baseball, Legos, dress-up), and also loves Go Fish, playing with figurines, drawing, and sitting still...just kidding.  Let's face it, the kid loves to wrestle, fight, and do anything physical.  Gavin is ready for preschool in the fall and has really starting writing his first and last name well.

Just to make life easier, I had said Gavin couldn't have bubble gum until he was 4.  So, a Bubble Gum Birthday Party was a perfect theme his party.  God gave us a perfect Spring day to celebrate the big guy!

 Pin the Bubble on Gavin

 Not quite sure about the smile...

 Jump House Fun

 Tire Swing Fun

 Pin the bubble on Gavin

 The Birthday Crew

We love you Gavin!

Easter 2013

I'm not sure how April 28th is here.  Our winter/spring has been filled with ups and downs, projects and hospitals.  Here's a recap...

January: We began the process of finishing our unfinished basement.  My house was filled with sawdust, loud tools, lots of man chatter and long lists for the hardware store.  The month ended with a beautiful playroom and bedroom...and Gavin swallowing a gold token.

February:  Gavin had a few x-rays that confirmed his token was staying put.  After a consult with the pediatric surgeon, Gavin went under so the token could be retrieved.  

March:  Gavin celebrated his fourth birthday, we visited with the Boyles in Nashville, and I decided my foot needed some more help. I've had chronic pain in my right foot and ankle for 7 plus years.  The surgery I underwent a few years ago made things a bit worse, so after chatting with a new doctor, another surgery was scheduled.  I had a cast on for three weeks and now I'm in a boot for 3 weeks.  No driving, walking, showering...the knee scooter is my friend!

April: We've celebrated birthdays galore, enjoyed the company of all the grandparents, been blessed with many meals from friends and started our first season of t-ball.  And May, June and July look to be just as busy! 

 Here's some Easter pics for your enjoyment.

Easter egg dying time!  He's the hottest egg dyer there is!

 Traditional Easter Family Pics

Gavin was so funny hunting eggs.  He opened each egg to see what was inside.  There was no rush in his step.  He picked up 10 and Noah picked up the rest.  Noah found money in one of his! 

A picture that captures the boys as they are at this age!

Playing Catch-Up: Christmas 2012

I look back at the pictures I took at Christmas and I am a bit disappointed.  We have been taking less pictures and more videos at these times, which is good and not so good.  I love having tons of videos capturing the boys at each age, and I know I will cherish these memories when I can't seem to recall how Gavin says "bicycble"or Levi squishes his nose.  So, here are some random shots from Christmas.

The boys on Christmas morning

 The goofy Odom crew

 Lauren loves Levi and is so helpful!

 Mamaw and Papaw

 The Odom girls

 The Odom crew

I love Christmas time, but don't want Christmas 2013 to come too quickly.  God is overwhelming me with the idea to enjoy the here and now.  So, I'm looking forward to April 29, 2013!

 

Playing Catch-Up...Family Pictures

At our Thanksgiving festivities, we made sure to get some family photos of our group.  It's nice to have some "formal" shots to commemorate occasions and see how our family grows.  I'm so thankful for my family and for capturing these memories together.

The Scott Boyle Crew

 Mimi and Paka and the grandkids

 A goofy one is always good

 Lila with her Mimi

 The group