a very special evening...

Today Ryder has his first day of preschool.  I am so excited for him and my emotions are running like crazy.  I will tell you all about it tomorrow.

This last friday night, we had a very special dinner with our very dear friends in celebration of our boys starting school.  In 2010, we were all pregnant together: Ryder born in April, Micah in May, and James in July.  Kit, Tommy, and Angelina all work at our church  and quickly became fast friends in 2007.   

Ryder and Micah 2010:

 Ryder and James 2010:

 The guys this summer:

These three will be starting school together this coming Monday and as we have watched them over the last 4 years, it has been so special to watch how much these three love each other and what a special bond our three families have!

So a few weeks ago, my friend Angelina had a vision for this back to school/blessing night for the kids, and that is where this whole evening came about!

The theme was "grow"...
Here were some glimpses of the evening:

Angelina made chalkboard blocks with a special verse that was prayed over them that night:

(And that felt garland...)

 She also made them crowns and they LOVED them!

 This look makes me laugh!

Dinner was awesome!

(Seth had three bowls of his mama's mac and cheese...)

After a meal of Martha Stewart Mac and Cheese, made by Angelina, grilled Italian sausage, and salad, we got to break into this box:

Which contained this:

 Trying to get these tree to look in the same direction and smile was a little tricky when all they wanted to do was cut into that cake:

I just love being with these people:

I just can't believe that these three are getting ready to start school!

Ryder, Micah, and James~
We love you three and are so thankful to share this HUGE life experience with you!
Our prayer is that you GROW...
We love you!♥