Charlie is FIVE!!!

Happy birthday (Jan. 12), Bubba Snooks! Are you really the big FIVE already?? I cannot evenly (as you would say) believe it!

This has been a fantastic year! Watching you grow and grow up has been such a joy. You are so sweet and kind, and just the thought of your infectious laugh makes me smile. You have become this wonderful little artist, and I cannot believe how well you can paint. You have a taste all your own—one that exceeds your years at times. You love to get dressed up and really wanted dress clothes for Christmas (Thanks, Nana!). You also love good food and will eat anything. In fact, your request to Grammy for your birthday this year was to have her send you some smoked salmon from Alaska. Now how often does a four-year-old make that request?

You have become quite an impressive skier, and right now your favorite thing is finding jumps to go off of at Snowbird. Daddy loves going skiing with you each weekend, and I know that you have gotten so good because he takes you out so much. You had a great time playing soccer this year and have grown leaps and bounds from where you were a year and a half ago. Plus, I think Coach Tracy is about the coolest coach ever!

I think one of your best memories this year will also be the fabulous Mrs. Lee. I know she will be one of those teachers you remember your whole life, and I will never forget the day you told me, “Mommy, Mrs. Lee is MAGIC!” And she really might be! You have learned so much, and I am always amazed at how smart you are and how much you remember.

You and Ryan are becoming much better friends now that he is old enough to really play with you. And boy does he look up to you. He tries to do everything you do, so always be good to him—he loves you so much!

We had a great celebration for you on Saturday. You, Daddy and I went skiing at Snowbird, and it was a blast—despite the freezing temperatures (maybe 5 degrees!). Then we surprised you with a night at the Newpark Hotel in Park City. You were so excited! You were also so appreciative. You kept saying, “Thanks, Mommy and Daddy for doing all of these nice things for me!” You make my heart melt! We got take out from Maxwell’s, hung out in the hot tub on the deck of the room and then spent the next day at breakfast with Uncle JB and then swimming. You told me that the coolest part was how you went under water in the pool and then you would swim outside. Too funny! It was a great night! You and Ryan had your first sleepover, and you almost made it through the night in the same bed. Ryan woke at 4 a.m. crying.

Thank YOU for being wonderful you. You are always there to dole out the compliments—you tell me how pretty I look (even on days when I know that is not the case). And you always, even since you were really little, you always ask us how our day was. Lately, you like to ask, “How was your good night’s sleep?” You are always so willing to learn, and you want to know everything about everything. Thank you for making us laugh and helping us to remember the pure joy of things in life. There is no one like you. We love you too, too much and are so very proud of you.

Love you forever,
Mommy