Happy Birthday Max!

Dear Max,

4 years ago today I received the best Christmas present I could have ever asked for. 

Your stubbornness shone through at 36 weeks in my pregnancy when you refused to wiggle your way into the right position which resulted in a planned c-section for January 11th. 

Apparently you didn't want to wait until 2007! Early in the morning of December 27th you made it very clear that you were done with the scenery inside of my belly, and after the midwife came by the house and gave the OK, we were on our way to the hospital to meet our first baby boy.

Within a couple hours I heard the most beautiful cry in the world, and finally got to meet you- my little Max.

I had dreamed for months of what you would look like, but I definitely didn't expect Papa to yell, "HE'S BLOND!" after you were born! After you were all cleaned up, it was easy to see that we were the proud parents of a little ginger!

You were the most beautiful and perfect creature that I had ever seen. You were probably also one of the easiest babies in the world! By 6 weeks you were sleeping through the night and your patience never ceased to amaze me. 

On your 6 week old birthday we packed you and what seems like the rest of our house up and headed for your first transcontinental flight to Ft.Hood, TX. You were amazing on your first flight, and also on the 35 flights have since followed!

You have always made the funniest faces! Now when I ask you to smile for the camera, I get the CHEESIEST "cheese" ever!

It seems like yesterday that you sat in your high chair for the first time (june 07), and I can't believe you now can sit in your chair at school and write your name!

Happy 1st Birthday baby!

Papa has had to go on several deployments since your birth, but you two have always been best buds!

In the past 4 years we've gone 4 times to Ft. Hood. During these trips mommy has taught you how to swim, and you've become quite the little fish! By 3 1/2 you were swimming without wings!

You are such a comedian, and we love hearing your stories and jokes!

Happy 2nd Birthday Maxje!

I don't think there are words to describe how beautiful I think you are. 

I know you will do great things one day.

Have I mentioned that your personality always seems to shine through in some way or another...? :)

In April 2009 we told you that you would be a big brother. You were so excited and couldn't wait to meet your baby brother/ sister!

You love to be on the beach or in the water as much as possible! This trip we made to Scheveningen in June 09 with Rebecca and Brian was a fun day!

You are so carefree. I hope your life is full of moments like this!

Finally, after 9 long months of waiting you were able to meet your little brother, Lucas. He couldn't have asked for a better big brother! 

Happy 3rd birthday Max!

Maybe one day you will be a pilot like Papa, but right now I am loving watching you grow and develop into MAX!

Skip, hop, jump! You are always on the go!

Did I mention what a great big brother and amazing little boy you are?

My sweet sweet Max, you amaze me every day and I am so proud to be your mommy. No matter how old you get, you will always be my baby and I will always love you! Happy 4th birthday sweetheart!

Love,

Mommy

A Christmas Medley

It was the night before Christmas 

And all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care

With hopes that St. Nicholas would soon be there

The children were nestled all snug in their beds, while visions of sugar plums danced in their heads...

Here we go a wassailing

Among the trees so green

Here we come a wandering 

So fair to be seen

Love and Joy come to you

And to you your wassail too

And God bless and God send you a Happy New year

And God send you a Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas to you all! 

Love, The Geenens

Road Trip!

After driving 1628 miles (2620 km) in our station wagon I am proud to say that: 

1. I am still happily married, and 

2. we still have two children (each in one piece!) 

Last Friday morning we drug ourselves out of our cozy beds at 3am to begin on our 10 hour journey to visit GiGi and Papa Randy in North Carolina.

We hit Atlanta at 9 o'clock and although we missed rush-hour, there were still some lunatics rather unskilled drivers to deal with!

Max enjoyed hanging out in the backseat while he was sleeping

And Lucas was full of smiles!

After a surprisingly peaceful trip we arrived in NC just in time to celebrate cousin Owen's 5th birthday!

The last time we saw Miley (Owen's sister) she was only 2 days old!

Owen's party was held at Bounce U. It was a great place full of inflatables for the kids to play on!

GiGi entertained Lucas so Mommy could get some pictures!

Lucas showing off how strong he is :)

The birthday boy! 

And his parents, Kristi & Mikey

Even though we were tired, there was no time to rest! Saturday we headed into Winston-Salem to take the kids to the new Children's Museum. Max enjoyed climbing the beanstalk (from Jack & the Beanstalk/Sjaak en de bonestaak)

Lucas was just like Goldilocks and couldn't find a chair to fit him

Until we journeyed upstairs to the magical forest and he found one that was just right!

My green-eyed love

Yee-Haw! Max sure did make a cute cowboy!

And this little cow-dude was getting lots of attention from the ladies!

Apparently the kerchief wasn't a huge success in Frontierland!

Max loved fishing

But I think he enjoyed making donuts at the donut factory more!

GiGi also had some fun in the kitchen!

In fact, he enjoyed making donuts so much that we went to the real Krispy Kreme (read, best donuts in the world!) to enjoy a little sugary piece of heaven!

We really wanted to see our long-lost cousin Leroy while we were in NC, but unfortunately due to weather he was unable to make the drive from West Virginia. After Rob heard this news he yelled, "ROADTRIP!" and there we were, in the car to Bluefield, WV! After a lovely visit with Leroy we surprised Max by taking him sledding.

While the other kids were bundled up in their snowsuits, snow boots, and waterproof gloves. Our little Alabamian was rockin his peacoat, skinny jeans, soccer socks, and sketchers! Needless to say his little bum didn't stay warm for too long!

1, 2, 3

Whee!

And even though he had a few tumbles

He always popped back up with a smile!

Papa also enjoyed showing off his moves (or trying not to run into a tree!)

After we made it back to NC it was time to open Christmas and Birthday presents from GiGi and Papa Randy.

Lucas loves cruisin' around on his new Cars car

And Max was enthralled with his race track!

Of course the Christmas season isn't complete without a visit to Santa. And why aren't my kids looking at me and smiling you might ask? That's because their mom is too cheap to pay $25 for a picture and just brings her own camera ;)

Santa even gave me a dirty look for doing it! Looks like somebody is going to be on the naughty list this year! 

After Santa GiGi and Max went on the carousel. Apparently GiGi was too short to read the big red signs that said "NO ADULTS ON HORSES!"  

After a very busy trip we took a couple of hours to hang out by the lake and try out Max's new fishing pole.

There was a lot of waiting

But finally the boys got a bite! After reeling it in (almost) all by himself Max had caught his first fish!

Max, one very proud Papa, and one very unhappy fish*

High fives!

And fishy kisses were a great way to end a great trip!

*No animals were harmed in the making of this blog!