We're 4!

You know what they say about "the best laid plans"....well it was definitely true this year for the boys' 4th birthday party. Honestly every single year when it comes time for us to decide what to do for their birthday party we always talk about wanting to do something outdoors. Every single year we opt not to because we always think "what if it pours? then what?". And every single year [up until this year] the weather is always gorgeous. I mean its the most perfect fall weather on the day of the party. So this year, we had heard about this great farm from our friends Rusty and Andrea where you could pet all the farm animals, ride horses, and do all the other cool farm stuff that little boys dream of. So we thought, let's just go for it!

Don't you know the weather was awful. Unseasonably cold, wet and rainy. And at first we were all a little disappointed that things had to be rearranged because that meant that all of our family - who all live out of town - wouldn't be able to come to the farm.

But we rolled with the punches, and I have to say that things turned out perfectly. We ended up having more time to spend with our families than we would have, and basically the boys got to celebrate for the whole weekend. Who wouldn't love that??

Since it was super cold and rainy we couldn't take the kids to do anything fun outside, but instead we took them to the Jump Zone where we all played and had a good time. Then we came home for some lunch, GiGi's cupcakes and presents. Sadly, these are the only pictures we got of our time with all the family here. We'll have to do better over the upcoming holidays. Here are the boys opening up their presents and Cousin Dresi helping.

We definitely made the right decision to postpone the party by one day because the next evening was just perfect. The farm wasn't even that muddy considering all the rain we'd had. We had a bonfire for everyone to roast hotdogs and smores, there was a playground, sheep to pet, two of the cutest sweetest pigs wandering around hoping to steal your food and an arena where they all got to ride horses till their hearts' content. It really was so much fun.

Here is Tricia putting helmets on everyone and teaching them about how to ride. After each of the kids rode the horse, she taught them each how to lead. Here is Brax leading Xander.Even all the little ones got to ride as much as they wanted (even if they couldn't keep the helmets on). Owen got a little extra help from his Daddy.Martha Ann, Daisy, Ben and Josh down at the sheep pen.Time for a cheetoh breakCousin Becca and BeBe roasting hotdogs.

Beautiful baby Brenna and her beautiful mommy.Looking down from the arenaThen - as if all that wasn't enough - Tricia took all the kids into the stables and they all got to paint the ponies! She wrote "Happy Birthday Ben and Drew" on it, and they all got to paint him as much as they want and put their handprints on him. They all LOVED it. All that was left to do after that was take a picture with the pony and Patrick the pig. That was a little difficult since Ben doesn't like to be the center of anyone's attention and certainly doesn't want his picture made. So this picture doesn't have him in it. But with a little coercion he let Miss Tricia hold him for one group picture with all his buddies. Here they are each blowing out four candles.And here they are licking all the icing off all the props on the cake.I thought we were all done with all the excitement, but Tricia went way above and beyond for all these sweet kiddos and pulled out little horse-sticks for each of the kids to pretend to ride on in the arena.

Once it finally all came together it turned out to be a really special day. Drew and Ben had been looking forward to their farm party for weeks and would ask every single morning if it was the day for their party yet. They loved every minute of it and we were so happy to watch them enjoy it so much.

Ben and Drew, may you always know how much your Daddy and I love you and how lucky we feel to be your parents. You both bring us so much joy, laughter and love. Our prayer for you on your birthday is the same as it is every day: thank you Jesus for Ben and Drew and may they live a long life of love for You.