Spread The Better: TATE'S BIRTHDAY

Tate is the only one of the kiddos who will be celebrating their birthday on the road. I was nervous that he would feel shortchanged without being surrounded by loads of family members and birthday decorations. Boy, was I wrong. We were so blessed that his 5th birthday turned out to be such a blast!

Tate

We're in Barrett Minnesota visiting the Boots family. It is quaint, peaceful, and absolutely enchanting at their ranch house. They were wonderfully committed to being sure Tate had a great birthday.

Rusty

To start the birthday festivities we went to a local pancake feast. It was so amazing! It appeared as if the whole town turned out for the event. It was awesomely entertaining. The chefs would flip the pancakes off of their spatulas and way up into the air for the kids to catch on their plates.

Jesse, Choice, Juliann, and Jayce at the pancake breakfast

Gary, Tate, and Ryder at the pancake breakfast

Naturally, I told Tate that everyone was there celebrating his birthday with him. They even had balloons, face painting, and a clown.

Tate and Juliann with the clown

The most important decision the kiddos had to make today...WHAT DO I WANT PAINTED ON MY FACE?

Ryder, Shiloh, Juliann, and Tate

Tate

The birthday boy opted for a lizard on one side and a snake on the other.

Tate

Shiloh was the most certain. She wanted a blue puppy.

Shiloh

Ryder got a lizard, a snake, and a ying yang. He wanted to be like the big kids.

Ryder

Jadon and Ryder

Choice selected a two-eyed minion. They put it on his hand instead so he wouldn't wipe it off as easily. I'm not sure that mattered because it only lasted an hour or two...tops.

Choice

The hosts of the pancake breakfast allowed the kids to take the balloons they used to decorate the event. They were thrilled! They have always had a fascination with balloons.

Choice, Shiloh, Tate, and Ryder

Tate

Jadon, Ryder, Choice, Tate, and Shiloh

Tate

Ryder, Jadon, Tate, and Shiloh

Jadon, Ryder, Choice, Tate, and Shiloh

Choice, Tate, and Shiloh

Jadon, Choice, Shiloh, Tate, and Ryder

After the breakfast, we spent some time playing outdoors. The kids, and Rusty, were loving it out there. Country living is amazing!

Rusty and Choice

Jason and Ryder

Ryder and Rusty

Shiloh

Choice

Tate was anxious to open his birthday presents. It is always so fun to see the kids' faces light up when they know everyone is celebrating because it is their special day. And Tate was pretty excited to be turning 5!

Tate

Choice, Jesse, Tate, Juliann, and Jayce

Tate and Choice

Jadon, Ryder, and Tate

Tate

Choice, Tate, and Juliann

Choice and Tate

I loved watching him walk around the room and thank everyone with a hug.

Tate and Shiloh

As quickly as he could sit down he began lacing up his new roller skates. I purchased these skates for him from an antique store in Alaska. I needed to go into the store without Tate so I could get him his present. In way of an explanation for him not being able to come inside, I said, "Antique stores require you to be at least 5 years old to come inside." Ever sense he woke up this morning he has been asking to go to an antique store because he is now old enough to go inside. :-)

Tate

He had a bad case of wobbly legs as this was his first attempt on skates. With the help of Jayce and me, he was able to spend a couple hours getting better and better on his wheels. He was so very brave.

Tate and Jayce

Tate and Jacye

Tate and Jayce

Tate

Juliann and Tate

Tate and Juliann

Juliann and Tate

He decided to give his roller skates a rest and try out some of his other birthday presents. Another one of his gifts was a huge hit. It's an art spinner. You drop ink into the center of the machine and it flings it all around the picture. It was a potential disaster with the risk of a huge mess. Thankfully, it turned out to be hugely successful and the kids made many beautiful pictures that we turned into thank you cards for our next couple of visits.

Gary, Tate, and Choice

Choice, Tate, Ryder, Jadon, and Juliann

Choice, Tate, and Ryder

After his art project was complete, Tate wanted to play with his new Spiderman toys. All of the kids were great sports and played superheroes with him for awhile.

Jayce and Tate

Tate

We interrupted their game with a song of Happy Birthday and a cake lit with 5 birthday candles.

Tate

Tate with his birthday cake

Shiloh, Tate, and Choice

Tate

Shiloh, Tate, Ryder, and Choice

Tate and his birthday cake

Tate and Jadon

Tate

After stuffing ourselves full of birthday cake and root beer floats, we had one last surprise for the birthday boy. We had tickets to the Douglas County Fair!!

Choice, Juliann, and Tate

Choice, Jason, Judy, Shiloh, and Gary

Ryder

Before riding rides we checked out the wildlife. The kids had a chance to ride ponies...

Tate

Shiloh, Choice, and Ryder

Choice

Shiloh

Ryder

act a little corny...

Tate and Choice

Choice

Tate

and pet several different farm animals. The baby pigs were our favorite!

Choice, Tate, Shiloh, and Ryder

Juliann, Choice, and Tate

Ryder and Choice

Tate and Choice

Choice

Juliann and Tate

Tate and Gary (having his shorts eaten by a goat)

Shiloh and Gary

It was time for some rides. I'm not sure who was the most excited, kids or grownups?

Shiloh, Choice, Jayce, and Tate

Tate, Gary, and Jayce

Ryder and Juliann

After the rides we had to grab a quick bite to eat before the finale of Tate's birthday.

THE DEMOLITION DERBY!!! This was so awesome! A first for the kiddos and for me.

Demolition Derby

Choice

Reid, Shiloh, Ryder, Jadon, Jesse, Jayce, Gary, Judy, Juliann, and Choice

Demolition Derby

Tate, Shiloh, Ryder, Reid, Jadon, Choice, and Jayce

Choice, Shiloh, Ryder, Reid, Jadon, Choice, and Jayce

Tate, Shiloh, Ryder, Reid, Jadon, Choice, and Jayce

Demolition Derby

Choice and Jason

Juliann and Choice

We got back to the ranch house after a wonderful day of celebrating Tate and the incredible little boy he is. I hope it was as great for him as it seemed to be by watching his face.

Shiloh

Another chapter of the journey is over and we are back on the road. So long Minnesota...on to North Dakota.

Thank you so much Judy and Gary for having us and providing wonderful birthday memories. We will miss you and the peace we felt in your home.

Jason, Tate, Juliann, Choice, Shiloh, Jadon, Ryder, Jayce, and Jesse

Shiloh, Ryder, Juliann, Tate, Choice, Jason, and Rusty

Tate, Judy, Shiloh, Gary, Jason, Choice, Ryder, Jayce, Jadon, and Jesse

Tate and Shiloh

Tate, Shiloh, Choice, and Ryder

Shiloh, Tate, Choice, and Jayce

Choice, Jayce, Shiloh, Tate, Ryder, and Juliann

Just want to share a thought that's on my mind as we drive along the open road. Perhaps it is because of my filthy hair that hasn't been washed in a month, or the black on the bottoms of my kids' feet from running around barefoot on the pavement, or the smell of wet dog from Rusty splashing around in creek beds...whatever the reason, what does it matter? Why do we put so much emphasis on the way that we appear? Is how we appear more important than how we behave? IT'S NICE TO BE IMPORTANT BUT IT'S MORE IMPORTANT TO BE NICE. No one will care if your teeth are a little crooked when you smile at them out of kindness. Your hair is much prettier when donated to a charity than perfectly groomed on your head. Hands are far more intriguing when the calluses and scars represent a life of hard-work and dedication. Stretch marks from baring children are trophies and should be seen as badges of honor. Just as wildflowers in a beautiful garden, all are different and beautiful in their own way. Let's celebrate our individuality and remember what really matters and deserves our attention. You will be far more beautiful in the eyes of others if they see you as a loving and gentle soul. God bless us all for what makes us unique. Love yourself. Support others. Spread the Better!

Spread The Better

Tuesday, August 25, 2015

TATE'S BIRTHDAY - Barrett, MN

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