Dane's 2nd Birthday

We want to keep the tradition of doing something fun as a family to celebrate Dane's birthday.  Bracken had a full load of classes on that day but we still made it to go see the Lions at MGM.  Really it is kind of lame, the lions are sitting in a cage with their caretakers and they pretty much just sleep since the cage is their break from training.  The kids liked it though so good enough.  Then we went home and had cake and ice cream.  The kids decorated the cake themselves. I didn't get any great pictures, now I wish I had gotten at least one of all of us together.

Lyla had her first visit to her brother's grave in July. Added them here since I never posted them earlier.

This year was harder than last year, I'm not sure why.  You would think having a baby to take care of would  make it easier but around his birthday the "hole" in our family between Kamri & Lyla seemed much more tangible to me. Maybe it's also because I think 2-year-olds are so darn cute. Always getting in trouble but making you laugh at the same time.
I'm writing this post in January and last week I was making cupcakes with Hayes and he asked if the whole family could help. I told him yep and he responded. "Even baby Dane can help! Mom, he is always with us."
really?  "Yep, but we can't see him, I'm not sure why you can't see angels."  I'm grateful that Hayes is so willing to include his brother, even if we can't see him.  Kamri has also made comments at random times about baby Dane and how we can't give him things because he is in Heaven.  It will be interesting to see Lyla's take on everything as she grows and knows she has not one but two older brothers watching over her.