Happy Leprechaun Day!!!

We recently enjoyed having the Murphy family spend some time with us here in Bacolod. The guys were in meetings most of the week and so Connie and the kids and I hung out together. We spent most mornings doing school and then most of the afternoons relaxing together. Since they were here on March 17th, they were able to enjoy our traditional breakfast of green pancakes!!

Connie, you have my mom to thank for those lovely glasses!!

Our green (-ish) pancakes!

"Frosted Lucky Charms....they're magically delicious!"

A Walk Down Memory Lane

After posting the pics of Caleb's 1st birthday party, I decided to see how he's changed through the years and look back through each and every birthday. So for those of you who are interested, please join me for this trip down memory lane!

2004 - Caleb's 3rd Birthday Party

Toy Story theme

Legazpi City, Philippines

2005 - Caleb's 4th Birthday Party

Bob the Builder theme

Legazpi City, Philippines

The MK Construction Crew - Allens, Dumitras & McKibbins

I think this was my favorite party ever!! It was too much fun. We let everyone "paint" their hot dogs with mayo, ketchup or mustard.

Caleb "painting" with ketchup

We also had a construction obstacle course. The kids had to climb, measure, cut, hammer and paint a wall (with water). After the party, the kids just kept going through the course over and over again!

2006 - Caleb's 5th Birthday Party

John Deere Tractor theme

Conway, Arkansas, USA

Best buds Caleb & Turner

2007 - Caleb's 6th Birthday

Disney's Cars theme

Legazpi City, Philippines

So very Caleb!

2008 - Caleb's 7th Birthday

Water Olympics theme

Legazpi City, Philippines

MKs Allens & Hagens

2009 - Caleb's 8th Birthday

Indiana Jones theme

Bacolod City, Philippines

MKs Allens & Blantons

A close-up of the "8" cake - covered with Indiana Jones legos

It's been a blast, Caleb, watching you grow up. You have been very blessed to share your birthdays with some very special people from all over the world! We can't wait to see what the next 9 years will bring! Love you, bud!

March 2nd, 2002

If you will humor me, I've been reminiscing back to Caleb's 1st birthday party in 2002. At that time, we were living in Palestine, Texas and were just a few weeks away from being elected as missionaries.

The theme for the party was Blue's Clues, which was Caleb's favorite show at the time. He would watch that show for hours! EVERYTHING at the party was blue - blue cake, blue Kool-aid and even blue ice cream!!

We were blessed to have both sets of grandparents there for the event, along with several other family members. What fun to watch a one-year-old enjoy their first party!!

The big birthday boy - dressed in blue, of course!

Cousin Rachel, Carly and Cousin Josh

New toys!!

Trying to figure out how to open the gifts

"Hmmm. What's this green paper??"

Watch out, Major Leagues. Here I come!!

Caleb & Carly along with cousins Josh, Rachel, Kaylee and Kimberlee

LOVE this pic!!

It looks like Caleb is praying over his birthday cake!!

Carly blows out the candle while Caleb gets a handful of icing!

Bring on the cake!!!!!!!!!

See those tired eyes? Too much partying for this little guy.

After the cake, Minnie gave him a warm bath. Ahhh. What a day!

Happy 9th Birthday, Caleb!!

Today my baby boy turned 9 years old!! The last single-digit birthday. No big plans this year. Just a quiet day together as a family, celebrating the life of our special boy.

We had Caleb's favorite for breakfast - corned beef, garlic rice and eggs. After breakfast, he opened his gifts and a REALLY BIG card!

The card says, "Know what's between the top of your head and the bottom of your feet?..........Everything I love!!"

Inside the card was a little surprise!

(The kind of surprise you can spend however you want!)

New Hot Wheels

One thing VERY UNUSUAL happened on this day. As we were opening gifts, the mailman delivered a birthday card from our former church in Texas. How cool that it arrived right on his birthday??!! That never happens with airmail!

After lunch, Caleb had the choice of going to see a movie or bowling. Bowling it was!!

My sweet boy that's growing way too fast!!

That "little surprise" that was in his birthday card happened to be burning a hole in his pocket! So while we were eating at the mall, Caleb went over to the store - by himself - to buy a new Gameboy game.

Later that night, we decorated (Hot Wheels) and had cake!!

Number Nine!!

Happy birthday, bud. You're growing up so fast. We are so proud of the young man you are becoming. We can't imagine our lives without you! Thank you for always making us laugh and always being ready for a hug or a snuggle. We pray this year of being 9 is very special for you and that God will work in your life in an amazing way.

We love you very much,

Dad, Mom & Carly