"I'm 4!"

Yes, our dear nephew Kieran's new mantra is featured here today as he turns another year older - yikes! Remembering the day he was born will always be special for me because I, along with all the other Visperas's & Llarena's, mind you, had been so eagerly anticipating his birth (approximately 7.5 years, but hey, who's counting?! :). Then because he came a wee bit early via c-section, quickly & suddenly he sprang into the big world and straight into our hearts. This is the part where my hubby pipes in and kindly offers to dice the onion that will be used for our turkey chili dinner tomorrow so he can shed a few tears along with me, because writing this apparently brought up a little lump in my throat, ahem! Anyway, now he's rapidly growing into a "big boy" and getting into trouble constantly as they inevitably all do, but he's smart & curious, sensitive but strong, and he'll always be our "boopie bear". Happy birthday!!

P.S. It was also my father-in-law Chuck's birthday yesterday, but unfortunately I do not have a picture of him holding up his age for all to see :). I have come to appreciate how much of him I can see in the Barton, and can only hope that some of that good ole' McLaughlin engineering intellect continues along the gene path to our kids! Perhaps I should start saving my pennies now for that hefty Purdue out-of-state college tuition, not that I feel any pressure after four generations or anything....Boiler Up!