Marcus'

Today is Marcus' birthday!

Marcus is married to our first child, Lori.

 He's a very important part of our very large family

and a very important part of this wonderful family.

I wrote about Marcus in this post last year on his birthday; and clicking on that link will take you to links to all his other posts.  Those posts tell a lot about Marcus and show how he's changed 'through the years' so I'll just post a few pictures here.

and talk a little bit about Marcus.

He's still working at the radio station and still helping out at the Pella Tulip Festival.

He still visits Gulf Shores over the Christmas holidays with our large family.

He's still an awesome stepdad to Emily

and Jared and Ryan

and still a devoted husband to Lori

 and he still loves them all like crazy.  But most importantly Marcus is still one of the best people I've ever known.

He's kind, sweet, agreeable, helpful, wise and loving.  He loves to have a good time but he never goes overboard.  He's patient and cheerful and a wonderful person to be around.  We are blessed to be able to call him part of our family and we appreciate him everyday.   So Marcus we're hoping you're having a wonderful birthday but that it's only half as wonderful as the many more ahead!  Happy Birthday!  We love you!

 

Chris' 33rd

Today is Chris' birthday!

Chris is married to our first grandchild, Amber.

so he's a very important part of our very large family,

a very important part of this large, but smaller, family,

and of course a very important part of this beautiful family.

I wrote about Chris on his birthday last year in this post and clicking on that link will take you to links to all his previous posts which tell a lot about Chris since he's been part of our family.

So I'll just post a few pictures here showing how he's changed in the last ten years or so.

and talk about what's been going on in his life during the past year.  Right now he's a superintendent on a new project for the University of Michigan.

But mostly he's been busy with this

and this.

Chris' favorite activities are watching his kids' accomplishments like learning to swim, fish, ride bikes, and just be kids.  He's a wonderful father who always has time to teach and explain.

And he helps his kids feel good about themselves by allowing them to help (even when they might not be all that helpful).

He's a hard worker and time and time again he's proven himself to be a valuable member of the best work crew I could ever imagine.

This year Chris and Amber visited Gulf Shores (with Amber's big extended family) over the holidays.

The family went to Splash Universe in April,

and Amber and Chris and the two older boys went on an awesome canoe trip just last weekend.

Their best activities include all the kids but that doesn't mean that Chris doesn't take time for just Amber.

They enjoy dates nights when they can\

and enjoy each others company every day when date night isn't an option - and they always have.

Chris is a great fisherman - obviously,

a great dancer - obviously,

and has a great sense of humor - obviously.

and he has a wonderful imagination.  How else could I get this picture

if it weren't for the man in the back.

And then there was New Year's Eve where a lot of people slaved away to make amazing hor d'oeuvres for the evening party and a lot of people didn't.  Chris did.  In fact he made one of the most difficult, tedious dishes to make but his bacon wrapped smokies were the BEST!

And there's lots more to say about Chris!  He's sweet and considerate.  He's beyond helpful and skilled.  He's a great sport and always has time for his family - even his extended family - even on his wife's side.  Chris is truly a wonderful person and we are the lucky family that gets to claim him as part of us.  We're wishing him the happiest birthday EVER but one only half as amazing as the many more to come.