TAG | Birthday
We had fun celebrating Audrey’s first birthday with friends and family at our house. Kate did a great job planning the party and coordinating everything. She made some awesome cookies-on-a-stick and created some great decorations. She’s amazing!
We decorated the cake with marshmallow fondant to match the invitations and it turned out great! If you haven’t tried the marshmallow kind, I highly recommend it.
Decorations and Kate’s awesome cookies.
Sitting room only! Audrey’s bear cake, a tradition we’ve done with all 3 kids.
The big cake!
Trying the bear cake. Yum!
Birthday Girl
Total cake decimation! It’s my party and I’ll cry if I want to!
We celebrated Audrey’s birthday twice. We were planning a party for her later in the week but still wanted to celebrate on her actual birthday. Kate, with Grant and Norah’s help, made and decorated a cake.
Grant and Norah decorated the cake (with help from Mom)
Candles are fun!
Good to the last crumb!
Instead of a birthday party this year, we gave Grant a trip to St. Louis on Amtrak. We left 2 days after his birthday after waking up at 6 to catch the train in Elgin.
Grant and I after boarding the Metra train for the first leg of our trip, Elgin to Chicago Union Station.
Waving goodbye to the womenfolk as the train pulls away from the station.
After boarding the Amtrak train in Chicago. The business class area was nice, with spacious seats, power outlets, and dedicated restroom 
Mugging for the camera.
We packed our lunch. Mom even stuck a few Amtrak napkins in our bag!
Grant watching as we pass another Amtrak train at speed.
Two thumbs up for the lunch Mom made for us.
Trying to rest. It took quite awhile for Grant to relax and fall asleep since the train was so exciting.
Finally out.
Grant and the Gateway Arch.
Our train at the St. Louis station.
More in the next installment, coming soon!
My, how time flies. I can hardly believe that 5 years have passed since I became a dad. These have been some of the best years of my life. Every day is an adventure!
My prayer today:
Lord, I thank you for my children and for the blessing of being a father. Today, on Grant’s fifth birthday, I take a moment to thank you for the gift of Grant. Thank you for his safe delivery, infancy and toddlerhood. Thank you for protecting him during his preschool years. Thank you for drawing him to yourself and to me. Thank you for building strong and precious bonds between me and my son. Lord, continue to build and strengthen Grant’s relationship with You and with me. Keep him safe and healthy. Surround him with godly friends and role models. Amen
Grant, I love you more than I could ever explain in words. You are my son, my firstborn child, and an awesome big brother to your sisters. You are so special to me, more than you will ever know. Happy 5th birthday my boy!
We had a fun time celebrating Grant’s 5th birthday. Kate gave him the choice to either go out to dinner and make a cake at home or to have dinner at home and get a cake of his choice from a store. He chose to have his favorite dinner (cheeseburgers, sweet potatoes) at home and wanted a Costco cake (blank, so Mom could decorate it with a train theme). Kate did a great job decorating the cake.
His primary gift from us this year was an overnight trip to Saint Louis on Amtrak. We’d never ridden Amtrak before, so it was going to be an adventure!
