5 years old!

This gorgeous child is now 5!  I can hardly believe it.  

His heart is as big as his smile, and his soul as happy as his eyes. 

 I love this child more than he can ever imagine.

He is my wild child, my free-spirit.

He can be unbelievably naughty.

He can melt your heart with his smile, even if you've just met him.

He is sarcastic and quick witted.

He is sweet and affectionate beyond measure.

He is brave.  

He has a testimony of Christ.

He loves his family.

He is mine.

As has become our family's tradition, we celebrated Austin's birthday all weekend long.  Friday night we kicked off the festivities with a surprise (for Austin) visit from his Aunt Kiki.

She came bearing gifts for all the kids, birthday gifts and cake for The Boy, dinner for the family, and lots of love for everyone.  We ate and talked and ate some more, and had a great time.

Saturday, as has also become our tradition, we went to the water park in Albany for Austin's birthday activity. (You can't beat the place for the price.  $16 for a family of 5 to "free swim" for 4 hours).   We couldn't have asked for better weather, and everyone came home worn out, sunburned and happy.

On Sunday, the boys got a surprise phone call from some good friends who had moved to Tennessee last spring.  They got to chat and catch up, and plan to become Skype buddies.  After Austin went to bed, Dad, Jacob and I decorated the house with balloons and Star Wars decor for the birthday boy to wake up to this morning.   

Tonight was family party.  After one of Austin's favorite meals for dinner (Dad's breakfast burritos,mmm, so good) came cupcakes and presents:

 Right after I took this picture, Austin declared that the best part of his birthday was spending it with his family

 This is a new tradition we started this year - The Birthday Cup.  It's a cool looking, fun cup with a crazy straw that I got at The Dollar Tree (of course).  The kids love the idea of being the only with a cool cup on their birthday

 He looked like this the whole time we sang to him.

5 cupcakes with candles for the 5 year old.

Then the present opening ensued.  Austin is one of the most appreciative gift openers you will find - the faces he makes are priceless!  

The evening was topped off with a Skype call to Grandma and Grandpa in Medford, and a rousing light saber battle between all 3 kids.  

Austin Daley Barnhart, I love you to the moon and back again, my crazy sweet boy!  Happy birthday!!