Swim Lessons (A Post in Pictures)

Driving a Tractor

Today while we were "out in the country" in PA celebrating the upcoming marriage of my cousin Tim and his fiancee Meghan, Morgan got the opportunity to do something she's never done before.  She got to drive Great-Uncle Rich's big red tractor!  Uncle Rich got out the tractor for the kids to take a drive while the other guys were chatting and the women were playing bridal shower games inside.  Morgan absolutely LOVED the tractor.  She patiently waited her turn and jumped right up in it with Uncle Rich.  It's always exciting to get to see her do new things!

Watching, and waiting

She looks like a foreman inspecting the equipment...

Seat belts!  Safety First in Tractors

That's a big door handle!

Listening to Great-Uncle Rich's instructions

Away they go!

Coming back home

She's all smiles...she LOVED driving the tractor!

6th Birthday and Party

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy 6th Birthday dear Morgan, Happy Birthday to you!

Today our little gal turns SIX years old!  Where did the time go?  How is that possible?  She was super excited today for her birthday and especially that her party is actually ON her birthday this year.  We were a little afraid that there wouldn't be a party because most of Morgantown was without power after Stormageddon 2012.  But God smiled on us today and the bowling alley had power!

We started off with a family birthday party at the house.  Aunt Linda, Aunt Karen, Aunt Pattie, Aunt Becky, Shannon, Papa, and Mutti were all there with Morgan to celebrate her big day.

Mama was so happy to make those decorations with her new Cricut cartridge, Cupcake!

Daddy manned the grill with hot dogs and bratwursts 

Morgan and Shannon intently watching TV

Papa brought Morgan a camel made of camel's milk chocolate.  It was super tasty!

She opened presents and we chatted a while before it was time to head to the bowling alley.

The bowling alley was a lot of fun.  We did Cosmic Bowling, so they turn off the lights, turn on the mirror ball, crank up the music and let the kids bowl under black lights.  Lots of Morgan's friends were there and she was super excited to bowl with them.

 Meghan's newest cousins (by soon to be marriage) Braydon and Cadence came.  Below Cadence is getting some help from her mom.

Sisters Gianna and Carina dance to the music

The Bowlers

BFFs Gianna, Morgan, and Lydia, all (finally) SIX

 After the party we jetted home so Morgan could open all the gifts from her friends.  Everyone was so generous!

Josh and Anna came over later that evening.  Josh is helping Morgan build some Legos :)

The final party goers, exhausted but still all smiles after a wonderful day.  

Happy Birthday Baby.

Happy Birthday Baby

Happy 6th Birthday Morgan.  You have brought more joy into our lives than you will ever know.  You are our sunshine, you make us happy when skies are gray.  You'll never know how much we love you.  Please don't ever go away.

Early Birthday at Nannie and Big Pop's!

It's birthday season around here!  As the day of our daughter's birth quickly approaches, we gathered with Patrick's family to celebrate Morgan and spend some great time together as a family.  Big Pop will be in Alaska on Morgan's actual birthday, so we celebrated a little early!  Morgan had a great time at the party, of course.  She got lots of nice presents, including a fishing pole from Julia and Kole.  She had a great day playing with her cousins, being pampered and spoiled rotten, and being around her relatives.

Big Pop manned the grill while Bailey circled below like a shark.

 Morgan and Shay Molly got matching birthday dresses handmade by Nannie

 Look at this awesome cupcake cake!  It was delicious.

 Some of the presents

Lots of family came to help Morgan celebrate

To top off the evening, Daddy, Nannie, Big Pop and Morgan roasted marshmallows by the campfire.