Happy Birthday!

I can't believe my baby just turned 4! But, like it or not, he's growing up. And, as he tells me, he won't stop until "he's tall as daddy". I have loved every stage he's grown through and often find myself thinking this is my favorite age. And, right then, it is. I could list a million reasons I love Matthew, but I'll just list my favorite 4:

1. He's thoughtful. He constantly wants to be a "happy helper" and finds ways to be kind on his own.

2. He loves to learn. From the time he could form a sentence, he would ask How does that work? And he won't stop until he figures it out.

3. He's fun - and funny. He loves to laugh and play and we willingly follow him.

4. He loves his mom. OK, that one is totally selfish, but it's true! When he snuggles in my lap or puts his still-chubby hands on my cheeks, I feel like my heart will burst from happiness. As I've told him before, You're everything I've ever wanted in a little boy. And he is.


Now for the pictures:

Our alien - robot cake! Matthew did most

of the decorating himself.

Matthew's last day to be 3!

His first day to be 4!

Cookies he decorated to share with his class

A few more sprinkles ought to do it...

Dad and Matthew at his Chuck E Cheese party

Happy Birthday Time

Checking out my loot

Read My Shirt!

You read it right! Matthew is officially a Big Brother!

Our newest Nauman will arrive in July 2010.

God has been so good to answer our prayers for another

child. When you think of us, please pray for the safe

arrival of our baby....love to you all!

Medieval Times!

What does 3 months of saving and a coupon-sleuthing husband get you? A trip to Medieval Times in Dallas TX! Sword fighting, horses, eating with your hands, yelling and knights that take a picture with you - it's a little boy's dream.

Matthew and Dad in front of the castle

Matthew with his wooden sword trying to

look "serious like a guard". (According to

Dad, the sword was an absolutely necessary

purchase. Matthew totally agreed.)

Posing by "our Knight's" banner.



Here they come!

One of our favorite Knights. Who's more excited -

Matthew or Daddy???

This day was a blast for us and full of fun memories. Thanks, Alan...

Lions & Tigers & Preschoolers - Oh My!

Here are the pictures of Matthew's fieldtrip to the zoo!

Checking out the giraffes.

He really liked the petting zoo.

When you get to wash your hands in hippo
"spit", even boys are interested.

For some reason, the penguins avoided coming
to close to the glass. There were only 25
preschoolers staring them down.

Mom and Matthew

Costumes!

Matthew's school has a costume parade every year. The children dress up and "parade" through the chuch offices (his school is housed at a church) for candy and other goodies. It was a lot of fun!

My favorite scarecrow!

Mom and Matthew scarecrows...I know,

my job is soo glamorous!

Ryder, Matthew and Hughston at school

Collecting treats from Mrs. Dorothy -
one of our custodians and very sweet.




Seriously, Dude, don't even think about it...

We also spent some time with our good friends, the Davis and Patty families. Matthew had his batman costume for this night, but decided to go "in disguise" as a regular person instead. That way, no one knows he's batman. Made sense to me...

All five kids in costume. They were so cooperative for

the pictures. Starting at the left: Ryan, Trinity, Blythe,

Matthew and Turner