Wade Christopher

The youngest member of our family, Wade Christopher, was born in Garden City, Michigan one year ago today.  Wade is our fourth great grandchild and our third great grandson.

Wade is a very important part of this large family.

 A very important part of this smaller, large family.

 And an even more important part of this small family!

Here is Wade, pictorially, through the year.

 Isn't he something?!!  You'd think after 20 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren it would all get pretty routine but I'm happy to say it never does.  Wade is just as precious and special to us the first grandchild (his mom).  We miss him everyday because he's so sweet and amazing and because he was the first one to wave bye bye at such a very early age.

We're looking forward to the coming year as we watch him continue to keep up with and sometimes surpass his amazing older siblings.  And we're wishing him a very, very Happy 1st Birthday!

Wade's very first blog post can be seen here

Beth Helen

Thirty-seven years ago today we were blessed with our fifth baby and third daughter.  That was a difficult winter as well and not only did Beth's birth bless our family, it heralded the end of that trying winter.

Ever wonder what makes Beth Beth?  Here's a pictorial history.

Little Beth

 Little Beth and her grandparents

 She loved all birthday parties even if they weren't hers.

 And she thought she was quite strong.

 She loved her very best BFF from back in the day.

And going to partays!!

 She never tires of teasing her oldest niece. (and her nieces dad)

 She knows how to sport braids and a miner's helmet.

She can be bossy

 But oh how she loves and always has loved her nieces and nephews

 She has the gift of gab.

 And she appreciates all her sisters and sisters-in-law.

 She's not shy

 And when she became a mom, oh my.  If Anna was on the floor, so was Beth!

 And then came Noah and who would have thought.  She loved him as much as Anna!

 She's always been close with her sister, Sarah.  (They're only 14 months apart)

 If she wins, she'd never gloat.  much.

 And before she became a photographer, she might have had aspirations to be a mannequin.

 She obviously passed on her sense of style to Anna.

 And she can dance like it's 1984.

 We've all heard of the 'no evils'.  When there weren't enough to go around, Beth made one up.

 She loves hanging out with Jim Gaffigan.

 And she loves birthdays.

 She's always had an eye for photography.

 She loves what the kids love.  (mostly) 

 And all at the same time Anna was 4, Noah was 4, and Beth was 4 months pregnant (with our darling James and Jake)

 Her eye for photography included the quirkiest shots. 

 And all of a sudden there was Eli.

and Clara

 

and photography

 Especially newborn photography.

 So you can see Beth loves having fun, all her babies, being original, her family, her friends, and her business and so much more.  Most importantly Beth loves.

Happy Birthday, Beth.  You're one of the best people I've ever known.  Your kindness, originality, authenticity, and love are boundless. I hope this is your best birthday EVER but not as great as the many more to come.

Hit Me With Your Best Shot - Week 1

Today my good friend and fellow blogger started a new photo challenge.  Her blog is called Bacardi Mama and today's post can be accessed by clicking here.

The premise of her photo challenge is to post your best picture of the week and share it with other bloggers and Facebookers.

I had a hard time deciding on a very best photo so I'm actually posting three.  I just don't want to leave any of them out.

First of all cardinals are always fun to photograph but never more so than when the back ground is so white. This first one was shot on a blustery wintry day and I love that I caught one in flight and also how you can see the snow so clearly.

The second one was at a calmer time and this guy was wary of me but still couldn't stop eating.

And I've included the third one not only because it's so cute, but because it's so unusual to see a bird taking a bath when it's so cold out.  This one seems to be wondering what he just did.

So those are my shots for this week and I'm hoping the name gets changed soon to Hit Me With Your Best Shots, lol.  To see more best shots, visit Nancy at Bacardi Mama.