Max: 4 months

I won't write much as I will be taking his 5 month pictures soon but I did take these pictures the day he turned 4 months!  

Basketball Action Shots!

Here is Sam's go to side! 

 Sam is so confident when he brings the ball down the court!

The game before last he dropped 30 points had 10 boards, and 5 steals!  He was on fire!  He is so fun to watch and he absolutely LOVES to play!   He is very aware during the game and has hit several last second shots!  He is SO intense on defense (with his tongue out to the side, just like I do when I concentrate!) and he has already told us that he definitely wants to play next year!  Way to go Sam!

Birthday Fun!

Sam's school has a "healthy snack rule", even for birthdays, so we decided to make a trail mix!  Sam decorated the outside of ziplock bags to put them the mix in!  In true Monk form he had exactly 10 stickers on each bag!  I love that kid!  

I did throw in some M&M's because I'm a rebel!

Charley had to make a small bowl too!

We had to celebrate Sam's birthday a day early because Chris had a scrimmage on his actual birthday!  Bonnie made a birthday supper to go and we enjoyed a quiet meal just the 4 of us (and Max via his monitor...ha)

Of course he had to line up all the boys and girls bags!

Opening gifts!

Bey Blades!

Chris singing Happy Birthday goofball style!

Happy 6th Birthday Sam!

Happy Birthday Danielle!

My niece turned the big 1-0, 2 weeks ago and she celebrated with a "dress like your favorite decades" party in honor of turning 10!  The Dowdy's went with the 70's and never looked back!  Look at my cutie with their tie-dye on!  Max's head band makes me laugh every.single.time!

Groovy baby...

Action shot of the games!  Is there anything louder than a 10 year old slumber party filled with little girls...the answer is no...no there is not!   The funniest part of the whole night was that I got everyone dressed up, including myself, then realized that I still had to run by target to get her present...in our full 70's get-up!  We def. got some stares!

Just the girls...

Two weekends ago Chris took Sam with him on his 3 night preseason beach trip!  For the record Sam 100 percent thinks he is an official member of the varsity team and I completely let him think it!  He spent most of the time hanging out with the boys and rumor had it that he made a guy's nose bleed during one of the "wrestling matches"!  Why do boys always wrestle when they are together?  My favorite story from their weekend was when one of Chris's freshman, who had never been to the beach before, built sand castles with my Sam for over an hour!  How precious is that!  Knowing that Charley needed some special attention Chris got tickets for the girls to see Mickey Live!  She loved it!  She sat on my lap during the whole show and didn't make one peep!  Every time we drive past the Civic Center she asks to go watch another show!  Thanks Daddy for thinking of us girls!

Mommy/daughter dates are the best!

Helping baby Stone

A sweet couple in our small group have a little 6 month old, Baby Stone, that has some complex medical issues.  Read his story here.  A month ago our church put on a pancake fundraiser to help raise money for this sweet little family!  Here is Max rocking his, "Touch as Stone" shirt!  When Stone's grandma saw Max's sweet little shirt she got a little teary eyed...then of course so did I!  Sometimes a good perspective shift can make you so thankful for your blessings!  Anderson's we are praying for you guys every night!

Chris thinks he cooked close to 600 eggs!

Please keep Baby Stone and the Anderson family in your prayers!  

Dear Sam,

My sweet, sweet Sam...how in the world am I writing your 6th birthday post???  6 sounds so much more grown up than 5!  And you are...you are SO big!  All week I've been bragging on you!  How well you do at school, how much we love to watch you play sports because you love them so much, how mature you are (you did get you and your sister breakfast all on your own!)  You know Sam...we don't just love you we like you...we like you a whole lot!  If your Dad and I had written down all the things we wanted our little boy to be and do before you were even born we would have had a list of things that are EXACTLY you...except you are even better, because we couldn't have even dreamed of how awesome you would really be!  

We say it all the time but you truly are "the coolest kid we know"! :)  This year I watched you in all honestly become your Dad's best friend!  You two are MFEO (made for each other) and I've never seen two best friends have as much fun as you two boys have!  You are your Dad's shadow, unless you are upset or hurt...then you are a momma's boy!  :) You have a heart for your brother and sister!  The way you are so patient teaching Charley something new and the way you talk to Max in your "wittle baby voice" is just precious.  You always make sure we include everyone, even Max, in everything!  We also love to watch you play with your friends!  You are such a good example for them and encourage them when they seem down!

 You are in your element when you are playing sports...you absolutely LOVE them!  Daddy says your so coachable!  He can tell you to do something once and you've mastered it!  You beg me to watch Sports Center after school.  I walk down from changing Max's diaper and you have turned on the TV to ESPN and you are reading the bottom line!  You also love to read the leveled books I bring home from school!  You are doing such a great job sounding out unfamiliar words!  Your sayings crack us up.  When you see something crazy you always say, "Now that's just nasty weird!" and you always say, "actually"!  It cracks us up because you use it correctly!   You love to dance!  We have it on video and it brings tears to our eyes...its just so funny!  You are going to make the best prom date EVER!  You are just not afraid to get down..I think its because you are so comfortable being you...now that'll make any momma proud!  You love some Nintendo Wii but you are so good to turn it off when we say your time is up!  You would shoot basketball for hours if we let you...you are very seasonal with your sports: winter=basketball, fall=soccer, summer=golf!

You have such a sweet heart!  You have a prayer list on your chalkboard in your room and you won't let us go to bed without praying over our family and friends!  We pray over your walk with God every night, and our hearts are giddy watching your child-like faith and answering your inquisitive questions about our Savior!  You have started memorizing scripture and it is just the sweetest little sound in all the world!  You call me everyday when Daddy gets you off the bus and I would pay a million dollars to bottle up your sweet little voice and keep it forever!   You bring us joy everyday!  You are an AMAZING KID and we love you with all our hearts!

Love,
Mommy and Daddy