James turns six!

Our "baby" turned six! Can you believe it? A few days ago while we were reading together I looked at James, and I said, "You look like you are six, and I love you just as much as I did the first day I met you! Which is an enormous amount!"

Here is a picture of that first day we met him.


His first Halloween:


The first track meet he attended to watch his Aunt Kristie and Uncle Aaron.


A trip to the Edmonds Market with his Mom and Kristin.


One of many trips to a Mexican restaurant as an infant:


Playing with Dad in a hotel in Rhode Island.


Wearing a Bee Costume at the Boston Childrens' Museum.


Playing with his Great Grandma Donna in a pool in her yard.


He loved the Edmonds waterfront park.


Playing with Grandpa John.


With his Grandpa James (copy) and Auntie Joy.


Our first Festival of Lights event in Charleston, SC.


Swinging with his Grandpa James (Copy) and his Grandma Susan (Meow) in Murtle Beach, SC during the holidays.


Preparing for a bike ride.


One of many visits to the Charleston Aquarium.


Attending his Dad's Power School Graduation.


Feeding a Llama in Italy, that is what you are suppose to do along with playing in fountains, of course when you are a few months shy of being two.


All three James in the Coliseum in Rome.
Fourth of July during a Legend Oaks neighborhood parade in SC.


Flexing with Grandpa Jody.

My sweet Mom and James.

One of many coffee and visiting dates with Grandma Umiker.

Meeting baby Gabriel for the first time.

Enjoying a pop-up book with Grandpa James (Copy).

Enjoying our backyard swing in Norfolk, Virginia.

One of many visits to the children's section of the Norfolk Library.

Holding baby Gabriel.

Jamestowne, Virginia. One of my favorite pictures of James.

Visiting the Norfolk Zoo. At the Butterfly exhibit.








A warm stretch in November at Norfolk. They took me to Cape Henry for my birthday for the day. This another one of my favorite photos of James.










The boys' first puppy. We told James years ago that we would get the boys a puppy once they were both potty trained. Miraculously Gabriel was fully potty train slightly after two and-a -half years old. The encouragement from his big brother who was motivated by getting a puppy, has its rewards. ;)







James is very social. I have no clue where he gets it from "wink, wink" ;). He invited 16 friends to his birthday party this year, and they along with siblings came to a total of 21 kids. Wow! And James while he was putting together his birthday list put his brother as the number one guest, which was incredibly sweet and thoughtful.

James on his actual birthday this year. After piano lessons, he continued his scavenger hunt. He found his next clue on a purple post-it at a local park. The scavenger hunt ended by finding a bike without training wheels inside our house.
It has been a joy to be James' mom. He is such a sweet boy and we are delighted everyday by him. I am so lucky that I am able to spend as much time as I do with both boys.