Happy Birthday Bauer!

August is a BUSY birthday month in the Barrus house -- we celebrate 5 birthdays within a few weeks of each other.   And to top it off, you add the start of football season and school and life gets really interesting while trying to celebrate these special days.

Bauer Adrian was a "surprise" baby...and I cried for three days when I found out I was pregnant.  We were jobless and insurance-less and we already had a special needs baby that was just a few months old when I learned I was pregnant with another bundle of joy.  But God is good and He knew that despite all of that, Bauer would bring a light and joy to our family that we would desperately need.  :)

Bauer's curiosity is endless and his energy rarely has bounds.  He has an amazing imagination and gives the BEST hugs on the planet.  I love this boy to the moon and back and will forever be grateful that he is part of our family.  HAPPIEST of Happy Birthdays to my little "what-tee".

AND, in keeping with tradition here are the TOP 5 THINGS WE LOVE ABOUT BAUER...

1. BIG things come in SMALL packages and you have the BIGGEST heart to love all of your siblings and your parents.  WE LOVE have you tell us many times throughout the day how much you love us.  
2. You have an amazing imagination -- from trucks and cars to an imaginary friend named Jack, you don't need much to keep you entertained. 
3. You should have been born with gills and flippers permanently attached -- swimming is your favorite thing.  When leaving the YMCA on his birthday Bauer said, "mom, I want to stay here forever."
4. The Energizer Bunny is your twin because you can go, go, go, GO all-day long and then some. 
5. Your nickname is Jack-Jack, like the little guy on the Incredibles.  And, you are just like him -- it fits you perfectly!

Brothers -- On our way to the YMCA for some swimming to celebrate our little fish's birthday!

This month is such a special one...It's BIRTHDAY time.

The Birthday LOOT!

Sweet sister made fish cupcakes for our little man -- he was in heaven.  

Seaside 2013 -- Barrus 2.0

Barrus 2.0...what a great little escape to Seaside, Oregon!!  Big Ben and Little Ben played in the Seaside 2013 Beach Volleyball Tournament last week and the rest of the herd decided to tag along.  While they played volleyball, we enjoyed the sun, sights, and sounds of the beach.   We even managed a little side trip to the Tillamook Ice Cream factory. 

Hundreds of miles and 4 days later we pulled back in the driveway.  We were happy to be home and extraordinarily grateful for the opportunity to spend time as a family.  And what's even better -- the Ben's came home as CHAMPIONS of the tournament in the U-15 parent/child division.  Nothing better than a little sun, our family, and limited wi-fi/phone connections (we were unplugged from technology...it was GREAT!) Enjoy the pictures!