Ezekiel is 3 years old!!

June 26, 2008

4:21 am, 7 lbs 15 oz, 20.5 inches

Happy 3rd Birthday Ezekiel Manuia Allen!

Zeke had a wonderful birthday! When we woke up in the morning Zeke opened his first present and then had some breakfast with Nate and Zai. We had a pretty good morning. Zeke helped put the favors in bags for his cousins. We did a very cute train birthday theme and it turned out amazing! The kids loved the favors and everyone seemed to have a great time. Zeke did a great job opening his presents and thanking everyone for all the great stuff they gave him. We all had a wonderful day, especially Zeke!

Kaden, Ezekiel, Danica and Isaiah dressed up like Train Engineers

Chugga chugga, choo choo!!

Dear Ezekiel,

It's hard to find words to describe how completely blessed I am everyday by you. You are such an amazing boy. So thoughtful, careful, curious, grateful, sensitive, loving, joyful... the list goes on. Zeke, you are growing into such a wonderful and amazing young boy. God loves you so much and is shaping you into an awesome person. You want to help all the time, you absolutely love your little brother and you are so good to him. I love the questions you ask, the stories you tell and your silly pretend voices. I love watching you try tirelessly to figure out how to accomplish difficult tasks and that you are willing to ask for help if you need it. I love it when you figure new things out and do your wonderful celebratory dance! Jumping up and down on your tip toes!! Your joy is contagious and your smile melts my heart. Thank you for being who you are. Thank you for filling this house with smiles, laughter, joy and love. I can't wait to see the new things you try and the new things you learn this year. I know that I will be continually amazed. You are a blessing. You are strong inside and out. I love you my little warrior!

love, mom

Happy 30th Nathan!

In honor of my wonderful husband Nathan's 30th birthday I thought I would share some of the many amazing things about him.

- He chose to marry me!!!! For this, I am forever grateful.

- He is an absolutely wonderful Dad and role model for our two beautiful boys.

- He loves me and supports all my crazy needs for exercise

- He hangs out with the boys so I can go out with friends and so I can train for my marathon.

- He works 40+ hours a week so that we can have food in our bellies and a roof over our heads and never ever complains.

- He believes that being a stay-at-home-mom is a full time job and respects me for what I do with the boys.

- He still looks at me like I mean the world to him.

- He gives great hugs.

- He loves what I cook for him.

- He puts up with my rambling graciously and is a great listener. =)

- He loves God and tries hard to lead our family toward Him.

- He is strong and handy.

- He is pretty stinking handsome for a 30 year old!!!

Some of his accomplishments this year (forgive me if I can't remember all of them, I was pregnant half the year after all):

- He lived through my 3rd trimester with Isaiah.

- He was the only one present during Isaiah's birth and he did an absolutely amazing job. He was calm and in control the whole time. Hands down the best birth partner anyone could have asked for. He caught Isaiah! What a MAN!!!

- He took us for a couple amazing camping trips.

- He kept his job through a huge amount of layoffs from his employer.

- He was promoted at work.

- He did the "whole30" challenge with me an made it all the way through!

- He designed and built a very handsome fence gate for our backyard.

- He (along with our brother-in-law) fixed our broken sewer pipe.

I am really so thankful for being Nathan's wife and being able to spend all my days with him. He is a wonderful gift from God. Thanks Tino & Donna for raising such a wonderful man.

I love you Nathan!

Ezekiel is 2 years old!!!

June 26, 2008

Happy 2nd Birthday Ezekiel Manuia Allen!!!

Zeke got to open one gift when he woke up in the morning.

The amazing birthday cake made by Aunt Abby and Grandma Allen. =)

Zeke did great opening presents and had a really wonderful birthday.

Ezekiel Manuia Allen

Dear Ezekiel,

You're 2 years old! I can't believe how fast time has gone by. I still remember the day you were born when you pushed on my chest and looked up at me. You still amaze me the same ways you did that day. You are are great at focusing on tasks and figuring out how things work. You listen very well and try hard to understand what we're trying to say. You're very sweet and love attacking daddy with tickles and you accept all my kisses and hugs graciously. I love taking you out for walks to the park and watching you learn new things. I love answering your favorite question: "What's that?" You have great curiosity and love anything that has an engine... Airplanes, trains, tractors, excavators... I am so thankful to have you for a son. I'm continually blessed by the things you say and do. I pray that this year is a wonderful year for you to grow and learn new things. I love you Ezekiel!!

Happy Birthday Abby!!

Happy Birthday Abby!!!

We went out to dinner at D'Anna's downtown with a bunch of Abby's friends.

Abby asked Zeke for help blowing out her candle and he did a great job. Thanks Abby ;)

Happy birthday to my awesome sister-in-law!! Love you Abby!

6/20/09 Zeke's 1st Birthday Party

The spread

Zeke was a happy boy. :)

The Teddy Bear cake that Grandma Allen made. :)

Looks pretty tasty

Yeah! it's great

What a handsome bugger!

Playing in his cupboard at Grandmas

Playing in the bucket Aunt Val gave him

There is nothing like a good bucket to play in!

Thanks for playing Dakota!

Grandma likes to play too!

Family photos

Abby's Birthday Party

6/6/08 Abby's Birthday Party!!

So many candles!!

Donna hard at work

Zeke working on his walking skills

Amy couldn't be at Zeke's first birthday party so she gave him his present early

Thanks Amy!