Seven

This big guy is 7.

 Seven just seems old.  Maybe it's just my mind telling me, but Cameron is even is looking old to me.  He's getting taller.  He's got a slim, muscular build.  He can do so much on his own--of course with reminders and prompts ;)

We started off another birthday weekend on Friday night celebrating with our family of four.    I had the day off of school so I was able to bring in his birthday treat and see him walk up to his locker decorated at school...the little things I don't get to do much on a typical day!  

Cameron chose pizza for his meal and he wanted a cookie cake with frosting ;)

 I'm no cake maker but he liked it!

 Of course he is old enough to light his own candles.

Then he got to open a few gifts.  He has been anxiously waiting since his brother's birthday excitement!

 

 I can't remember what it was he opened, but I captured one of his natural smiles!

Saturday the 16th was his actual birthday.  He, like his brother, woke up bright and early 6am to get the day started ;)  He asked for pancakes!

 

He did his regular Saturday scene....playing and snowmobiling, then it was party time!  I decided this year to combine both boys' family party into one.  It was a packed house but worth it to only have to organize, clean, prepare and clean up once!  We had a super hero theme.  And by theme I mean red and blue, Spiderman plates and cups, and a few figurines holding down some balloons.  Simple.  I think it comes with having boys ;)

 

 There were about 25 people---almost half of them were kiddos!  This picture was only part of it.  Not much time to snap pictures with all this meal time commotion ;)

 

Present time!  It actually looked like Christmas when it was all said and done.  So much stuff to keep these active boys busy!

 

A remote control boat to bring to Grandpa and Grandma's 'cottage' this summer! 

G and G Vruggink pulled out all the creative juices with these super cakes!  

 Too fun!

Singing happy birthday!  Funny boy.

 

(ugh--and my pictures lately are just not turning out!  We just took the plunge and got a new Rebel, but I have not had time to even take it out of the box!)  

(and now for some reason I can't put pictures anywhere else except here?!)

 An attempt at a family pic

Cameron, you are full of excitement, wonder, energy, inquisitiveness and spirit.  You love to be out in the world around you and be in eye sight of your daddy at all times!  You strive to understand things around you--how they work, how they break ;) and are constantly asking what if questions.  Lately, you are developing into a young man who is beginning to think of others more than yourself.  You love to be rough and tumble yet can be so sweet and loving.  You don't like to go long without seeing and playing with your brother ;)  I pray the love you have for him with be strong and constant as you grow up with your best friend.  We had so much fun celebrating you this weekend buddy!

Big guy. Sweet smile.

Four

This sweet miracle,

turned four today.

Four.

This big 4 year old.

To begin the birthday celebrations(Cameron's is the 16th!) we ventured out to see the ice burgs at Holland State Park on Saturday night.  Haiden thought it was pretty cool to be walking on the water ;) Both boys quickly found it was just as fun to throw ice chunks into the water as it is stones, sand or sticks.  Ha--boys!

Made it to the top to peek over at the water below!  As Haiden said, "We DO NOT want to fall off this, Mommy!"

Then we headed to Crazy Horse for free birthday meals! 

Today, Haiden was up bright and early(6 am bright and early) ready to start his birthday day!

He found his presents right away ;)

We got to use our special day plate for the first time!

After church, we came back home where we stayed the rest of the day!  By request we had baked french toast, strawberry salad, carrots and sausage for lunch.  He picked out his dessert too...Costco cupcakes....with hearts on them.  ;)

Dream big, buddy.

Haiden Christian, 

You are fearfully and wonderfully made!  The one thing Daddy and I will remember of this year is you asking Jesus into your heart.  One day and after we dropped brother off at school, your curious mind asked where God is and if He was in your heart.  I simply said you needed to ask him and if you wanted to we could pray together.  And with sincere, child like faith, you quickly said yes.  This might sound strange to some, but for a few days after, I knew Jesus was talking to you in His own way.  You could feel it in your heart because you would ask if God was still in your heart--trying to figure out who this new voice was that you can so easily hear without all the 'noise' that grown ups have around us.  Your heart Haiden is sincere, loving, thoughtful, tender and sweet.  You readily and easily tell Mommy and Daddy you love us as you are running by us to see where your brother went off to.  You are independent, content to play by yourself.  You love to be out and about yet could stay home all day and be happy.

My favorite time of the day with you is at night when we sit and read stories, talk and rock.  I will hang on to nights like this for as long as we both fit in the rocking chair!  Nights I am trying hard to hang on to longer.  And when you say,  "just 2 more minutes", I will forever say yes.

Happy Birthday, sweet boy.