The Barton Family Blog

Every summer, the company Johnny works for hosts a special family day at Mt. Hood Ski Bowl.  We were so excited to take the kids on the Alpine Slide! We showed them videos, told stories of our childhood, and pretty much built the anticipation to a crescendo.  The day arrived, dreary and gray.  Literally, the ONLY day the entire summer, that it wasn't in the 90's. OF COURSE. We headed out, SURE the rain wouldn't fall and ruin our day. But as we boarded the lift, the mist became heavier.    By the time we had reached the top, we were wet. Very wet. We didn't let the dampness damper our spirits, and we stopped to pose for this pic, right before boarding the slide toboggans .  By the time it was our turn to ride down, the ride had been closed. We waited for 20 minutes or so, hoping, beyond hope, that the rain would let up and they would dry off the slide. But to no avail. We just kept getting wetter. And as you can see from the pic... Bro...

Sweet Hollie May turned 7 on May 6th!  She rocked her birthday girl shirt & got spoiled with fun presents from mom & dad & sisters!   We love you miss May! You are such a light in our lives!! I love your cuddles and the way you love on us all!! God knew we needed you in our lives!!

Spring break was beautiful at the beach! We headed down for a day trip to do whatever we pleased! We started in Depoe Bay to check out some shops and the whale watching exhibits.  The kids were excited to try to spot some whales... and the visitor/ whale-watching center was super helpful in pointing out blowholes and helping us know where to look!  Beautiful girls!!!!!  They decided the anchor was a good picture-op!      Nonnie and Papa met us a few hours later. They were heading to the Sandcastle Inn in Lincoln City for a night away. We were so amazed by the gorgeous weather, we decided to try to secure a last minute room as well... we just wanted to stay forever!! Having my parents there, meant I actually got a picture with my kiddos! Yay!! Nonnie & Papa's hotel room was literally 10 feet from the sand! We played for hours!!! Papa taught the kids the ins & outs of a good construction hole! :) ...

On March 22, Miss Natalee Grace turned 8-years-old! Wow! How can it have been 8 years since she came into the world!? Time truly does fly!  Sweet little party with family... Uncle Zachy!  Aunt Auttie Maga  Fun gifts from sweet cousins & friends!  Homemade dress from Maga (She may or may not have insisted on wearing it backwards the first few times she wore it! :) ) Her one request was she wanted a nightgown....  and she got two!! (She wanted them so she could wear them to church!) Darling outfits! & Sweet friends! A failed attempt at a cousins pic.... ha ha ha ha ha And.... I think she loved her nightgowns (and flowers from Paga!) Happy 8 years sweet girl!!! You fill our lives with joy!! We are so grateful that YOU made us parents all those years ago.  We can't wait to see all that God will do in your life in the years to come! {smooch!}

This sweet little boy who brings such joy to our world, turned 2-years-old on February 25th!!  We can't imagine life without you baby boy! You are a whirlwind of energy and copy-cat-ing... you love to be YOU... and you love to be just like Brock and do everything he does! You pretty much think Brock is the coolest thing EVER... and the most frustrating play-mate EVER.. just depends on the day... or the moment! :) You love you Daddy fiercely and can't wait for him to get home each day. Yet, often, you are 100% a mama's boy!  You love your sisters, and fight and scream at them at the same time.  You love to be held and read-to... and you love to have fun with them. You also like what YOU LIKE and want what YOU WANT, pretty much every moment of every day, so when that contradicts with what you sisters say... the whole world knows!!  You are such a little cuddle bug buddy... I love the way you want me to rock you each night... and the way you co...

Sweet girl had some crazy stuff going on with her teeth! Adult teeth trying to come in sideways and cut into the root system of her other adult teeth.  Sooooo... 5 teeth abstractions later (which she handled like a CHAMP!).... she got braces. And she was just a LITTLE excited! :) The awkward application process....   SOOOO EXCITED!!!! And MAN does she look CUTE! Can't wait to see the progression through the year!