My big boy! Zach loved every second of his birthday party. We invited his little friends this year, and it was so much fun to watch them play. My favorite part was seeing him SO ecstatic at the "bouncie house." I really think he will want his party here for the next seven years (which will be fine with me). ; )
I'm ready!
Fam pic
The boys with Gran & G-Dad
Zach and Hudson did a lot of climbing...
and sliding. Hudson is one week older than Z, and they are also in the same class at school together.
Ava wasn't so sure at first, but she warmed up. ; )
Handsome Jack
Sweet friends
Cute twin sistas
Westin kicked back on a bean bag
G-Daddy & Gran
We brought Chic-fil-a trays and a cookie cake, and they did everything else. ; )
Delicious!
Another favorite part was when we sang "Happy Birthday." Z smiled taking it all in. It was precious!
Then he was ready to open gifts
Showing Hudson his cowboy Woody
One red balloon honoring Reese
Hillary was here for the weekend, and it was such a treat she came to Z's party. She just found out she is having a little girl in the spring. I'm so happy for her. Love this girl! One of my nearest and dearest.
Instead of presents we asked our friends to bring a headband or hair bow to be donated in Reese's memory to the NICU where she was taken care of for two days. It thrills my heart that these gifts will bless a mom and dad who have a baby girl in the NICU.
I haven't been able to open them, but I know there will be a right time soon. I just can't bring myself to do it yet.
It was a beautiful day to celebrate Zach's three wonderful years of life. I hope it was everything he wanted. He told me today he was ready for another birthday party. ; )
We were also reminded this weekend how very fragile life is. One of my best friend's mom met Reese this weekend. After more than 15 years of battling cancer, she went to be with the Lord. She had the sweetest heart and always wore a smile on her face even when she was in great discomfort and pain. We love you, Halita! Please give Reese a BIG kiss for me and hold her tight until I can again.
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Romans 12:12
I'm so sorry for the loss of your friend's mom. Sometimes other moms are just as special as our own. I bet she and Reese and smiling down on you and your family, knowing how much you love them all!
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Is it just me, or does Zach really look older these days? So precious! I love how you incorporate Reese so easily into everything you do. So very sweet.
ReplyDeleteLove all the pics! Looks like such a fun party. Will celebrate with that BIG THREE year old soon!!!! Love you. You are so right...Reese has LOTS of amazing people loving on her right now.
ReplyDeleteSo so so so sweet! Great idea on the bounce house idea. Lauren loves those places and I'm thinking that's where we'll have a birthday party one day! I'm so sorry to hear about your friend's mom :( Death is so sad but joyous because of being reunited with Jesus. My mom's step-dad passed about 2 weeks ago today. Reese can sit in his lap too :)
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of the bows! There are going to be some very happy momma's blessed in Reese's memory. Zach looks like he had a lot of fun! What a sweet family you have!
ReplyDeleteZ is so presh! Girl we are lots alike, Kelcee had her bday at the bouncie house in our town this year and I looooooved the fact they did all the work accept us bringing the cake and food and I really liked that they cleaned it all up LOL....Look at all the kiddos just presh, Colson is growing by the second and cute as ever and I think Westin is just a doll,I love how Shannon dresses him so cute :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great pic of you, Jason and Z....Kelcee got the talking Jesse for her bday if we lived closer they could totally play Jesse and Woody together LOL
Sorry to hear of your friends mom, the family is in my thoughts and prayers and of course she is holding Reese real tight for you!!
I think that was a sweet, kind idea for all to bring hairbows and hairbands for children in the NICU....It is awesome to me how you incorporate Reese in Everything and Every event ya'll do....she is always there....it is great to see that....love the red balloon before I even read it I knew it was for Reese....
love you
Summer
Happy Birthday Zach!!!! (a little early) I love how cute and excited he is. Love the red balloon for Reese and sweet bows and headbands in honor of her (great idea) I love how you plan and pay attention to all the little details for all the special events and moments in your family's life. Wish I could have been there (well, I'm always wishing I am there!!!) Love you and way to go on the perfect party for Zach!
ReplyDeleteGREAT BDAY pics!!!! Yay Zach! I know he LOVED the bounce house...but did he get to turn them off and on and off and on and off and on is the question?:) I MISS you...maybe our phones will work out to connect soon..hasn't panned out lately! LOVE YOU
ReplyDeleteLooks like he had a wonderful party!! Such cute kids!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun party Z had, those bouncie houses are a huge hit with little ones!! I can't wait to have Parker's party at a place like that one day! I love the sweet thought of how she is being held, rocked and loved on by people you knew and have gone to be with her and Jesus! :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun birthday party! My daughter just turned 3 yesterday but we are doing her party this coming Saturday - also at a bounce place with her little friends - she is so excited too! So nice to have all the work done isn't it?
ReplyDeleteYou have such a beautiful family and I love the way you incorporate Reese in with everything you do - she was blessed with 2 wonderful parents. :)
I can't believe Zach is 3!! What a fun party!!!
ReplyDeleteAnd I love the hairbow idea for the NICU babies -that is so sweet and a wonderful way to honor Reese!
I see you've had a full and emotional weekend of your own. Thank you for being sensitive to God and making time for me in the midst of it. I'm loving the text "gifts"! You amaze me :) Love you, and as always, praying for you ~ Kelley
ReplyDeleteSO fun!!!!! Sounds like Zach had a wonderful day!! According to him, better get started on preparing next years birthday party, ha! :)
ReplyDeleteLooks like a wonderful party! I love how you always plan for Reese to be honored. Many precious families will be blessed because of your thoughtfulness.
ReplyDeleteBlessings~
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ReplyDeleteMy nephew had his party at a place like that for years - the adults had as much fun as the kids on those inflatables. Ha!
ReplyDeleteLove all of the pics!!
It's not on this posting's topic, but I just saw you on 19 Kids and Counting. I live in MD and the show was just on. I can only imagine how amazing it was to hear Michelle Duggar speak.
ReplyDeleteI just saw you on tonight's DUGGAR episode!! I was telling my husband it may not be cool for him, but I was pumped! LOL!
ReplyDeletedid i just see you on 19 kids and counting??? i did; i know it was you!! you looked great!! and i'm SOOOO jealous that you got to meet her; i LOVE their show!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE the smile on Zach's face (the picture with the four of you)
ReplyDeleteHe's so cute!
such sweet pictures, Katie, and such a sweet note about Halita. They are both so dear and missed!! love and miss you all. xo, kambry
ReplyDeleteaww such a sweet & big boy!!
ReplyDeleteI saw you on 19 kids & counting last night and about fell outta bed! LOL... it was the MOPS episode late at night. :)
I'm praying for your friends family through this loss but I'm also rejoicing b /c she's w/ Reese and they are the lucky ones b/c we are here and they are w/ God! THE BEST THING EVER!
Like a few others posted I saw you on TV!! Oh and Colson too! You looked great. What an experience to meet the Michelle Duggar.
ReplyDeleteI started yelling "I read her blog". My husband looked at me like I was insane!
Not sure if I have ever commented on your blog. I am from MN!
Looks like a wonderful party. I love my kids' parties every year. Great idea about the hair bows for NICU baby girls. And, love the red balloon honoring Reese. Such a special day!
ReplyDeleteI saw you and Shannon on the Duggar's show. When Michelle came to your MOPS meeting. Did you see it yet? They did a close up on you! So pretty! Saw Shannon too! Don't know you, but love you through your blog! It aired this week.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a great time was had by all, Katie! I'm sorry for your friend's loss of her mom. But you can bet Reese is being held and rocked and played with and they are both looking down on you smiling. I love your idea of the bows and such for the other moms. You are such a sweet and thoughtful person and though we've never met in real life - yet - I can't wait to meet you in person in January! Put a book on Z's head so he will quit growing though! LOL Have a wonderful and blessed day sweetie!
ReplyDeleteLove your pics, looks so fun! Love that your mom has on a Premier necklace!
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