The Difference a Year Makes

We got together with my family last week at my parent's house... my brother and his family came over from Japan and we spent the week doing fun things with the kids, hanging out, talking, laughing and just enjoying our time!  The kids have all changed so much since we were together this time last year and looking back at last year's pictures you could really see that!!

 McKenzie (Matt's oldest) ... she is the oldest of the group and was

such an amazing helper for all of us!

Maddie (Matt's second little girl) ... one thing that hasn't changed is her love for her Goombie :)

Micah (Matt's youngest)... he has changed so much!  

He went from being a baby to being a little boy since we saw them last!

Eli (my younger brother's little boy)  He also has changed and

grown up so much in a year's time!

There are a few other things that even though the kids have grown up a little bit the things they love haven't!  For example, looking back at last year's pictures I had a lot of Maddie holding the baby of the family, Eli.  This year, she was head over heels in love with the newest baby of the family, Luke, and wanted to hold him every chance she got!  

 Maddie in Jan. 2010 holding Eli, the baby of the family

This year there was a new baby of the family, Luke, who had just turned 5 months old!  Maddie took such good care of him!!

The kids loved making trains out of the toys last year and this year

there were enough kids old enough to participate so they opted for a human train! :)

One other thing that has not changed even though the kids have gotten older is Chase's infatuation with McKenzie and Maddie.  Last year he just adored them and this year it was no different.  My oldest is a very affectionate child and all week he went around hugging them and telling them "I love you!".  Thankfully the girls were both very tolerant of my very in-touch-with-his-feelings child and showed him just as much love and he showed them!!

So great to see another baby added to this picture of Nana & Pop-Pop with their grandkids and GG & Goomba with their great-grands.  So sad that Noah and Colin weren't present to be in it also but next time we're all together will be that much more special.

This family has been blessed above and beyond and we are so thankful that the Lord has blessed us with so many healthy children!  Pictures from the rest of our week will be coming soon but this is a post I've been working on and thinking about for a few days so I wanted to go ahead and put the finishing touches on it!  What a fun week we had!!!!