Super long Joey post

WOW! My Joey turned 4 years old yesterday!! I just can't believe it. When I first had him, it was much more of an adjustment than I ever thought. It felt like he would never get older, that he would always be a baby. So to watch him turn 4 was so surreal to me!! How did that happen? I could swear he was just a baby yesterday. I know that sounds so cliche, but now that I've lived through it, I understand it. I know it will be just tomorrow that I wake up and he'll be headed off on his mission or to college. Hm... Crazy. I do love this little guy so much!

Since I just started blogging not quite a year ago, and I have a TON of Joey pictures that have not been blogged yet, I figured I'd choose some of my favorites and post them in honor of his birthday. At the end of this post, I have pictures from his birthday yesterday. Unfortunately, on this computer, I don't have any pictures of him younger than 1... so no newborn pics to grace you with.

This was taken on our trip in Aug of 2006. We went to Arizona and got to visit with Kris' paternal Grandmother and her husband. Joey is just barely over 1 here.

Another one of him and our trip out west. 1 y/o

I love this one... This is on our flight back from Utah (we flew to Arizona, drove to Utah, and flew back from there). Joey was super tired andf ell asleep, but my arms got tired holding him, so we parked him on the tray tables as a bed - it worked!!

Here's Joey bein Joey... 1 y/o

Joey in his 'thinking chair'. He got this from Meemaw (Kris' maternal grandmother) for Christmas 2006. He was into Blue's Clues back then and would always get in his 'thinking chair' to watch it. He still has the chair - it lives in his room now.

Another one of Joey being Joey. These were my favorite jammies on him - I was so sad when he grew out of them...

I took this picture becase I was amazed Joey had gotten old enough to sit on the couch and eat a snack by himself... I know, lame, but it was a milestone in Mommy's eyes.

Joey turning 2!!

I had laid Joey down for a nap - this was shortly after he moved to a 'big boy bed'. I always had to just lay him down and shut the door and wait for him to fall asleep, then go back in and lay him back in bed because whereever he fell asleep, it wasn't in his bed. Ha ha!

Joey and his buddy Ethan at the zoo

Joey enjoying the joys of finger paints...

Halloween, 2007 - my little cowboy.

Joey playing ball with his Aunt Kara and Uncle Garrett.

This is why Ace is a good dog.... He always lets the kids climb all over him and acts like he loves it!! He's so patient with them.

Joey trying to fill daddy's shoes.

Another one of my favs... Joey's 3rd birthday party

Halloween 2008 - my little fireman

Joey - my bouncing baby boy

Kris and Joey at Coco key water resort, Valentines day 2009

The rest are of his birthday yesterday. We had his party at chuck-e-cheese. It was fun, and decently priced, and I didn't have to do any cooking or cleaning, so totally worth it in my mind! And all the kids had a blast!!

Here are some of the kids that were at his party (L ro R) Ellen, Kristen, Kaylee, Joey, Ethan, and Alyssa. Not pictured are Meghan, Kenny, and Jacob. Meghan didn't like chuck e very much and Kenny and Jacob were too busy playing to stop and get a picture!

Joey and Chuck E

Joey blowing out the candles

My sister-in-law made the cakes - she did an AMAZING job!!!!

She made this Lightning cake out of red velvet cake, so it was red inside and out. I was shocked at how perfect it turned out!! I mean, I know she's talented, but this looks professional!! Thank you so much Melissa!!! Joey LOVED it!!

Earlier in the day I took Joey to COSI - they had a big 'farm machines' exhibit open - Joey LOVED it! Here are some pics from that.

Joey in a tractor - he thought he was soooo cool!

Savanna my water baby

In the farm machine exhibit, they had all kinds of fun farming things to do, including milking a cow. LOL! no, it's not a real cow and the 'milk' is water, but Joey had fun all the same!

Joey in the combine

Joey in the combine again. He was like 'look, mom! I'm in Frank!' (if you've seen the movie Cars, you know what I mean)

Savanna in my most recent 'haley holder' This one is my favorite so far! I had her hair in cute pigtails, but it's hard to see in this pic.

Joey and his buddy Aiden in a tractor

Joey under the sprayer tractor - he was so funny he said 'LOOK mom! I can get under this one! Now I'm out of the sun!'

He was totally enamored with the BIG tires!

All in all, I think Joey had an awesome, albeit very busy, 4th birthday. I love you SO much my little Joey! I'm so proud of you! You are an amazing little guy and I just can hardly wait to watch you grow!