Abby Kate and Joshua at Five Years

Joshua and Abby Kate are FIVE!!!

It is so hard to believe that our babies just turned five years old. It seems like only yesterday that we were sharing the news that we were expecting a baby with our families at Christmas. I will never forget seeing two little "blurbs" on the ultrasound screen as our doctor was trying his best to describe to Jason what exactly we were supposed to be looking at. I still remember the look of shock on Jason's face when our doctor told us that he thought that there might be two!! I, on the other hand, couldn't contain my laughter at the thought of having two babies!!! I will never forget leaving the doctor's office that day and then following back up a few short days later to actually determine that we were in fact having TWO babies! Our families and friends were so happy for us and we were just as excited.

The babies came much earlier than we expected and we sat surrounded by our family and friends 7 weeks earlier in the hospital. We were thrilled that we were blessed with two precious babies. Those first few days were pretty rough and we couldn't wait to bring home both of our babies. The doctors and nurses at the NICU were some of the best and we will always be grateful for ALL that they did for our babies.

August 7, 2004, we were finally all home together. These last five years have gone by so fast. I am amazed each day at both Joshua and Abby Kate. I am so grateful that God blessed us with these two precious children. They are both so full of life and the love that they share between them is very special. I love watching the two of them play together. They share so many "melt your heart" moments throughout the day. They both have such inquisitive minds and are eager to learn so much.

Abby Kate loves all girly things. She loves playing dress up, loves playing with her new kitchen (thanks PawPaw and Nana), with her babies, and she loves arts and crafts. She is such a sweet big sister to Jackson and is always looking for ways to help him. Abby Kate loves reading books together and she also loves to pretend to read books to her "class" (we think she wants to be a teacher someday). She also loves helping out around the house.

Joshua loves all boy things. He loves playing with his superheroes, watching baseball (he knows so much about the players and the game), playing cars, playing ball and learning how to ride his new Diego bike (thanks PawPaw and Nana). I would say that he is slightly obsessed with sports, but that is okay, because we kind of all are. Joshua is passionate about his play and loves making Jackson feel a part of his play. He is also a big helper around the house and loves getting down on the floor for a good wrestle with his daddy.

Abby Kate and Joshua, we have been so blessed! We love you both so very much! Happy Birthday!

Fun Facts about Abby Kate

Favorite Color: Pink
Favorite Food: Chicken Nuggets
Least Favorite Food: Green Beans
Favorite Treat: Gum and Cake
Favorite Princess: Belle
Favorite Things To Do: Open presents on her birthday and Swing
Favorite Restaurant: McAlister's Deli
What she wants to be when she grows up: A Momma

Abby Kate's "Ariel" Birthday Cake

Abby Kate waiting to blow out her candles

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Fun Facts about Joshua

Favorite Color: Red
Favorite Food: Chicken Nuggets
Least Favorite Food: Raisins
Favorite Treat: Chocolate Candy Bars
Favorite Superhero: Spiderman
Favorite Thing To Do: Play catch with a baseball
Favorite Show: The Movie, Cars
Favorite Restaurant: McDonald's
What he wants to be when he grows up: A Cowboy

Joshua's "Baseball" Birthday Cake

Joshua's smile couldn't get any bigger as he waited to blow out his candles

Jackson and Jason

Jason and Joshua

Nana and Abby Kate

"Cheese"

Jackson

Joshua and his John Deere "Tractor"

Princess Snow White