she's a biker chick!

 Schaeffer Jo & dolly Betsy taking a ride

 ready to hit the road with her helmet

 inaugural ride on the 'road'

Griffin keeping SJ safe

free coasting down the hill

brake testing

I'm not sure when SJ began asking for a big-girl bike, but her big birthday morning surprise was many months in the making. We'd see kids riding their bikes--or families out on a bike ride, and she would remind us just how badly she too would like to have a bike like them--a bike that was not a tricycle. 

Griffin and I were not sure how to fit a bicycle to her mini-size stature without physically taking her to the bike shop, so one afternoon she and I just went to 'look'. It was so much fun watching her ride around the bike shop, select a helmet and fluff the streamers. She made plans about what she would carry in her basket, and how loudly she would ring her bell. 

Then we left without purchasing it. Crisis. So, on her birthday morning, when she received both her bike and her long-lost baby doll Betsy was in the basket--wow. That's a birthday. 

Happy Bouncy Birthday, Schaeffer Jo!

 the birthday girl taking the first bounce

 a princess castle bouncy-house for our birthday princess

 Me, Griffin & SJ having a family bounce before the party got started

 "come on, mom & dad!"

 cheese!

 I'm not sure who was more excited for the bounce house--SJ or Tobi

 the kids starting to arrive 

 happy party go-ers

 rock it, Eli!

 sweet cousins

happy birthday, sweet girl!

 a birthday bo-boo, a not so sweet ending to the day

 is that Schaeffer or Rapunzel?

 Muu-wah!

 getting our 'last jumps' in

 all tuckered out

the war wounds. with birthday pajamas. 

Even now, a month later, my heart swells thinking about Schaeffer's birthday. I feel so blessed to have the privledge of raising my beloved daughter in a community of people that love her as I do. It has been our prayer that she would be quick to establish life-long friends that love God and love her--friends that will walk with her in the great times of life and in the difficult times of life. 

We had a glimpse of these friendships at her party when after much fun was had, she fell head-first off the slide of death a steeply pitched metal slide. Her tender-hearted friends were quick to come to her aid, offering words of comfort and compassion, even offering up prized princess band-aids. 

Her ouchies have been long healed, but the memories are long-imprinted in my memory and heart. 

Birthday Breakfast (Day)!

fancy party table at Cracker Barrel

happy birthday, sweet girl!

I love you, my little SJO

walking into Cracker Barrel...

seeing everyone for the first time!

she loved her balloons and table decorations

MeMa Debbie & the birthday girl

SJ eating her special 'birthday cake'

snuggling with her MeMa

on to the next fun-stop of the day... downtown Saint Joe!

enjoying the music at the Brown Bag concert at the band shell

MeMa Laurie and SJ watching the water splatter at the fountain

'take my picture, Mom!'

we took a rest and took in the sights on the bluff

on to the Carousel with MeMa Laurie and Papa Al

waiting in line for the Carousel--it's MeMa Laurie's first time!

MeMa Laurie, Papa Al & Schaeffer Jo's ride on Octavia at the Carousel

What a extraordinarily fun day we had! Birthday breakfast has become a treasured tradition--a day that I so look forward to in celebrating my sweet girl each year.

While the logistics of this year were undeniably different--we were in a restaurant, not our home, we still had a wonderful time and made sweet memories. I feel overwhelmed with gratitude for the family that we're blessed with--and the daughter that God has entrusted Griffin and I with.

wow.

Happy birthday, Winkler kids!

Schaeffer Jo & Eli waiting for the slip-n-slide

MeMa Debbie & Jane

Eli in the splash pool

the 'kid' table

toothy grin

birthday boy

hey you, birthday girl

yummie!

i want it ALL

Hard to believe that my sweet Eli is turning three (which means that my gal SJ is turning FOUR), and that Janey Bean has turned one. Amazing how time flies--especially when you're having fun!

BCYF 2011

did someone forget to feed that goat?

SJ got to give pets to a baby goat

that was only 1 day old

that's one big wheel!

the spinner teddy bear ride

Eli & Schaeffer Jo waiting for the bumble bee ride

the excitement tired Jane out

hey you, fashion model!

Schaeffer Jo & State Representative Pscholka

look out world, it's officer Schaeffer Jo!

sweet pictures, Schaeffer & Papa Doug

smooch!

corndiggity dog