New Year's Eve

Drennon, Jake, and "little Ryan"
Yes, Jake is in his PJ's and fireman rain boots.

Drennon in night vision.

Sydney in night vision.

I'm pretty sure night vision might be my favorite effect. Can you tell?

I even caught a picture of Tyson...in night vision, of course.

I think this is called "color sketch." Weird.

I shot this in "manual." Cool huh?

This was right before Drennon set the Madden's grass on fire. For real.

Where are the women? Oh yeah, putting the children to sleep.

Pretty nice set-up...especially when the power went out for about an hour!

Ok, so I went a little camera crazy with Jake and the sparklers- I was trying out some different effects on my camera. What do you think?

We had such a fun New Year's Eve. Jake's party was earlier that morning, and we basically continued to party all day. We got together with the neighbors and played on our inflatables, rode our new Power Wheels, ate pizza, and played with sparklers. Is it sad that that is what I consider "partying" these days? Ha! After the kids went to bed, the adults met outside and enjoyed a fire while watching the Auburn game on TV. So much fun! And for the first time in a few years (other than when I was working), I actually made it up til midnight!

Happy New Year! Up next, Jake's actual birthday post. :)

Jake's 4th Birthday Party

The birthday boy!!

The massive cake.

The party favors and the masks I made thanks to pinterest.

Jake sporting his mask.

Jake LOVES Power rangers, and he thought this was the coolest thing ever.

More fake smiles even though he was having the time of his life.

A little pre-party fun just us.

Walker was mesmerized by the big slide...from afar.

Kaitlyn!

Poor Walker begging me (or anyone) to save him! Ha!

Macy and her little dare-devil self.

We couldn't keep Dr. Huner off the slides.

Sweet sisters, Emma and Ellie.

Coach Bowens and Walker's buddy, Tanner.

Rick Allen

Tyson and the Bowens' big boys.

G-Mama came! Thanks for your help, Mary Ann!

Macy

Hannah Kate

Allie

Braden

Tanner. I could just eat him up.

Jake and Thomas...best buds and the two troublemakers of their class.

Thomas shares Jake's love of superheroes and camo.

Drennon

James Kellen might have an athletic bone or two in his body.

Ella (Thomas' twin)

Bryce

Sara and Mariah

This is when everyone was singing "Happy Birthday" to Jake. He was only slightly embarrassed.

Poor thing...the mask kept getting in his way, so it took him 3 or 4 times to blow out the candle.

Waiting on cake.

Eat cake or look at the camera? Hmm...

I love how Walker looks like a big boy here.

Yes, I gave cake to my child who is allergic to eggs...

...and he enjoyed every lick of it. ;) Love Tanner in the background.

Silly Hannah Kate.

Can you tell that the masks were a hit?...

...except for with "Big Ryan." Ha!

Some of the neighborhood crew.

The neighborhood crew again...with some stragglers.

PRESENTS!!

Besties.

Ashley and Kaitlyn

Sorry for the massive overload of pictures! I just wanted to make sure we got lots of pictures just in case this is our last birthday party in Birmingham. There were like 26 kids there, so not everyone got photographed, but I got pretty close.

I can't believe Jake is already 4 (well, on Wednesday)...time has just flown by! Happy birthday to our little man! We love you!