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For those of you who could use a smile...

Happy 6th Birthday, Dylan!!!!

Yep...that's right, we're back!  I figured most people are just about giving up their New Year's resolutions after 3 months, I'm going to start mine...and it's BLOG BLOG BLOG!!!

So kicking it off with a HUGE happy birthday to Dylan.  He is 6 years old today...all appropriate cliches apply...and I really can't believe he's 6 already.  The celebration started 2 weeks ago with a visit from Grandma Toni and continues until his party in a couple of weeks (we believe in the birthday month around here!)

I promise to keep this up go-forward and will even go back and post some of the awesome things I've neglected for the past few months (and we've been busy, including 2 new stamps in our passport!)  More soon!!

Is Anybody Still Out There?!?

This has got to be one of my longest droughts ever...but I'm not giving up.  It's one of my New Year's resolutions to be a better blogger (and for any of you still out there reading, you can hold me to it).  We are still living life and having fun!  D is doing great in kindergarten and surprises me often with how "old" he is!  We are looking forward to Christmas!  Many updates to come!!  But for now, here are some cute Christmas pics!

Happy Birthday

There are many moments in the past 5 years where I have been proud of Dylan...the overwhelming, heart bursting kind of pride.  I am also continually impressed with Dylan's thoughtfulness and level of sensitivity.  Last week, we were discussing how today is Zach's birthday.  Dylan asked me if we could buy him a balloon to let go into the sky so that Zach would get it in heaven (can't even type it without crying).  Of course I said yes, and I'm amazed and touched by Dylan's spirit.  I think this will be an annual tradition for the years to come.  

Happy birthday, Zach!  We love you and miss you!

Nicki and Sydney also wished Zach a happy birthday from NYC!

My Little Fish!!

Another post (late and not a complete update) saved by the adorable cuteness that is Dylan!! 

He's been in swim lessons at school and on Tuesday I went to watch.  I had to "force" him off the board the first time and his coach caught him.  After a few more times, he was jumping all by himself!  The first time he did it, he climbed out of the water and looked at me and said, "did I swim?"  He was so proud and so am I!!

Kindergarten in 2 weeks!!!!  Where did my baby go???

Happy 4th from TRL!!!

We spent another FABULOUS 4th of July in paradise, aka the VanDeVelde lake house at Table Rock Lake.  We had an amazing time, and I absolutely love that the lake is one of Dylan's favorite places in the world!!  Jim and Jane are fantastic hosts and we are already excited to go back next year!!

I know I've been a huge blog slacker lately...so Erin, this one is for you!  I'm going to let the pics tell the stories...and as always, I will try to catch up on everything else soon!!

You mean most 30 something year olds don't still drink Boone's??!!??

"Max" the new golf cart!

D loved tubing this year...I did have to throw him on the tube against his will the first time, but once we started going, he was in heaven.  And says it was his favorite part of the lake!

D was so excited tubing with Ryan and Lauren (aka Lolo).  He is SO in love with both of them...it's awfully cute!

As you can see from the pics, D also mastered doing front flips into the pool and lake (thanks to Lars!!).  He was bummed Carolyn wasn't at the lake this year (for many reasons), but specifically because Erin told him that Carolyn would do flips with them.  He convinced me to try it...I told him I only had one flip in me, so if he wanted me to do it, we better get it on video on the first try...turned out pretty well, we are quite in sync.  But for the record, if it looks painful, that's b/c it was :)  

One more funny story...you'll notice in the pics that there are a few of Dylan playing beer pong.  It will come as a surprise to nobody that Dylan is quite competitive and loves anything involving a contest (I have NO idea where he got it).  On Monday, when I dropped D off at school, we were telling his teacher about how he loved tubing and got really good at doing front flips.  Then D smiled and said, "and I'm really good at beer pong too!"  I turned bright red and tried to change the subject...but he's right, he is awfully good!