Ranger Mattox's 7th Birthday

Mattox has developed a new love of Power Rangers shows on Netflix so he wanted a Power Rangers birthday.  We did our best to make our boy's dream come true.  This year has brought some big changes for Mattox as he finally has his new hearing aid and has already started making big progress in school.  His confidence has already gotten better too.  He is just such a special and sweet boy, and we will keep fighting to get him what he needs for success.  His adorable sense of humor is always making us smile and laugh.  We are just so thankful for this precious rainbow baby! 

The first cake was for our little family party on his actual birthday. 

Some special Power Rangers balloons and decorations. 

Oh I love that smile! 

He loves his little sister. 

But we had to get some pictures of just him. 

Singing Happy Birthday. 

Happy boy with his family. 

Cake time!

Daddy enjoyed his cake. 

And Maggie did too. 

Cheese!!!

Just the girls. 

Best friend Grayson will always be beside his big brother. 

Oh these two and their special friendship.  Grayson was just as excited to see the presents. He knows they share everything.  Haha! 

Oops, Grayson was upset because Mattox gets to do the opening.  

A cool Power Rangers mask. 

And sword. 

Our red Power Ranger. 

Maggie claims the pink Power Ranger. 

And Grayson claims the blue one. 

Mattox had a special friend come to the party who is also in first grade at his school and wears a BAHA on the same ear as Mattox.  They have become such good buddies.  His friend's little sister was a fun friend for Maggie too.  His friend's mom is so amazing and teaches a special needs class at their school.  We feel very blessed that her class got moved to their school this year!

His friend couldn't wait for Mattox to open his present because it had...Hex Bugs.  Mattox loves toy bugs and playing tricks on people with them.  He puts them in one of his favorite teacher's chair sometimes when he gets a new one from the treasure box and comes home to "surprise" me with them. 

He got lots of goodies from his friend. 

Miss Maggie was interested in the jar of slime.  Yikes!

Our neighbor friend came for a few minutes in between a busy day of extracurricular activities. 

Playing with the crazy Hex bugs. 

Enjoying some birthday cupcakes. 

Mattox's new trick of plugging his ears and saying "I still hear you."  His BAHA gives him this "super power."  Haha! 

Singing Happy Birthday. 

Maggie loves sweets!

Some crazy fun on the trampoline. 

I guess it got too crazy for Brody. 

Miss Maggie and her new friend.  Pretty girls! 

And these cool Power Rangers. 

Happy Birthday, Mattox!  7 years has gone so fast, and we can't wait to see how you grow and excel in the next 7 years.  We love you to the moon and back to infinity and beyond!  

Spring Family Pictures at Wormsloe State Historic Site {2020}

You may be wondering how we got our family pictures made during the epic pandemic of 2020.  Well, since we take our photographs ourselves with a self-timer and a tripod, it really isn't that hard.  Since we are moving away from the coastal Georgia area, I wanted to get pictures at this historic site where many local photographers take amazing photos in the beautiful grove of live oak trees.  You drive along the road lined by the beautiful trees for about three miles.  At the end, you can park at the visitor's center and walk among the trees or back to the old plantation house.  I use the term plantation loosely here because the house was really more of a fortress built by a colonial settler who became a doctor, constable, Indian agent, Royal councilor, and surveyor.  From his fort, he commanded a regiment of marines that defended the Georgia coast from the Spanish.  His fortress is a tabby ruins that is the oldest standing structure in Savannah.  We enjoyed our little excursion to this quiet little haven and got some amazing pictures to remember it forever.  One thing that makes this site great for photography is that there are so many interesting spots for backgrounds  There is the tunnel of trees of course, but there is also a white picket fence, an old masonry silo, a bamboo forest, the tabby ruins, and the marsh view.  We just used what worked for us. 

The official family picture of 2020.  This one will likely go on the front of our yearly calendar. 

Outtakes with one or more kids not cooperating.  In this one, Maggie is looking somewhere else. 

Lots of uncooperative faces.  It is just hard to get this many people to cooperate.  The trick is you just have to take lots of pictures so your chances of getting a good one is better.  

But I guess I really like the less cooperative pictures because they often show the kids' personalities more. Grayson and that little finger to his lips and Mattox playing with his glasses or ear are just the cutest things. 

They were definitely not cooperating for a picture with mom.  The sun was also getting in Grayson's face.  

But my baby girl and I got great pictures together.  Eat your heart out, Daddy! 

Clapping because she's so happy!  Her theme song may just be "Happy" by Pharrell Williams.  

Just magical! 

Daddy and his boys.  I loved the moss draped trees behind them and the old silo draped in moss and ivy.  

Daddy and the boys were hiding behind the tree.  I told Mattox to play peek-a-boo behind the tree, and he took me literally and hid behind his hands. 

Peek-a-boo, I see you. 

The only shot I could get of the four boys together.  It definitely isn't great.  

Individual shots were much easier.  I loved photographing my teenager.  He just looks so handsome and grown up these days. 

He may want to be an engineer, but I could see a modeling career as a backup.  Haha! 

Look at that GQ model.  

And finally, a perfect smile. 

 

Brody showing off his usual cheese smile.  He is such a sweet, silly boy.  

Definitely kin to mom.  He's my twin. 

Sweet Mattox may not have felt like smiling, but he was still handsome. 

Just precious. 

I thought this needed to be in classic black and white.  He looks like he's saluting. 

Still beautiful in color too. 

I just let the younger boys do whatever made them happy.  Grayson loved playing with the bamboo sticks.    

I thought this looked so classic like he was going fishing with his cane pole. 

Just sweet. 

And mischievous. 

Either a fisherman or a baseball player. 

Just having fun outside. 

Sweet Magnolia.  I found her little Easter dress on Children's Place.  It had beautiful blue and purple hydrangeas on it which are some of my absolute favorite flowers.  Those and magnolias, of course. 

Beautiful girl. 

Showing off her red hair while playing with her eggs. 

Playing with some sparkly Easter eggs. 

I don't think it gets any sweeter than this.