Happy 4th birthday, Summer!

Happy 4th birthday, my sweet Summer! I can't believe that you are FOUR!  What a fun and super fast year this has been with you.  Let's see what you've been up to. . . 

Here you are last summer at Papa and Gigi's house.  We traveled to Arkansas for a family reunion in the month of July.  While we were there, we celebrated your birthday!

You got your teeth cleaned for the very first time, and you were so very brave!

We celebrated your birthday on the actual day with a doughnut breakfast!

You played soccer for the first time. 

Daddy and I took you and Carter to your very first Braves game, and you both had so much fun!

We spent some time with Mama and your cousins in August to celebrate Tilly's birthday. 

Miss Lou gave you a back to school hair cut.  

You spent lots of time playing with Carter and Tilly.  I love how the three of you love each other so much.

Here you are on your first day of school at The Heiskell School.  Miss Nancy and Miss Kacy were your teachers. 

We spent many HOT Saturdays watching Carter play soccer.  You and Tilly loved cheering for your big brother!

I would say without a doubt your most favorite thing you did this year was take ballet with Miss Chris.  

Here you are with Carter sporting your cowboy duds for Western Day at school.  

This was nursery rhyme dress up day.  You dressed the part of a Christmas nursery rhyme.  "Christmas comes but once a year, and when it comes, it brings good cheer!"

We visited the pumpkin patch, and you wanted your picture taken in the sunflower field.  

Here you are with the pumpkins!

We took our first trip to New Orleans.  Here you are beside the Mighty Mississippi.  

This year for Halloween you were Rapunzel.  So pretty!

My sweet little ballerina.  

With Carter ready for Hilarious Hat Day at school.  

I got to observe your ballet class in November.  I was so very proud of your hard work.  You are a beautiful dancer!

Here we are at Lowe's picking out our Christmas tree.  

Getting ready to ride the Pink Pig, one of our favorite Atlanta traditions.  

Christmas pictures at church.  

Getting ready for the Christmas program at school.  You spotted Daddy in the crowd.  

At Cafe du Monde in New Orleans with Daddy.  

We celebrated Daddy's doctoral graduation in December.  

This is you on Christmas morning, so excited and wearing all of your headbands at once!

Having some sister time with Tilly.  You are such an amazing big sister, Summer!  

On New Year's Day, we celebrated Christmas with our cousins at T's house.  

In early January, we missed an entire week of school due to snow.  We had SO much fun playing at home together!

Playing with Story in the kitchen.  Your little sisters love you so much!

Papa and Gigi came for a visit.  

Here we are on Valentine's Day after church all dressed in our reds and pinks.  

We had several picnics at the park.  

For spring break, we spent the week in Little Rock with Papa and Gigi.  We went to one of Daddy's favorite places for lunch, The Purple Cow.  

This was the day you were fitted for your ballet costume at school.  You were so excited, and I was so thankful to have my camera handy!

In the spring, we ran in several 5ks.  You and Carter loved to run in the kid's races!

With your best buddy on one of our family date nights!

This was Wacky Wednesday at school.  You got to dress so silly!

You made me this picture when I came to your class for Muffins with Mommy!

Here we are at the Muffins with Mommy!

In June we went with Papa and Gigi to the beach for a week.  It was so much fun!  

You and Carter having fun at the splash park in Destin.  

Summer at Grayton Beach in June.  

At the end of June, our church participated in VBS.  Here you are on the last night singing your songs.  You loved the music!

I adore this picture of you, my sweet girl because it captures the essence of who you are, fun, loving, beautiful, and just excited about life.
Happy 4th birthday, Summer!  We are so thankful that God picked us to be your parents.  It has been the most fun watching you grow up these last four years.  Thank you for being such a sweet big sister to Tilly and Story.  You are kind and helpful and nurturing.  Mommy and Daddy love you just the way you are, and we pray that God will continue the work He is doing in your life and use you in a mighty way to bring Him glory.  We love you!