![IMG_7607](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4148/5069268735_d828a6ba36_o.jpg)
dear ben,
you turn nine today. how in the world did a year go by that fast? i look at you and it seems not much has changed; your hair is still white, you’re still on your way to becoming a rock star and your fingernails are still dirty. but when i really look at you, i realize how much bigger you’ve gotten and by looking at last year’s post, i can literally see how much bigger your hands are (an aspect of taking these series pictures i hadn’t thought about, but am SO happy to see). they will never, however, be as big as your heart.
i love you tons, kiddo.
![IMG_7583](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4129/5069873830_256df9f616_b.jpg)
maddie wanted to say hi. (ps, think of her….the big snip is happening today, too.)
![IMG_7590](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4086/5069874000_dc9402fd7b_b.jpg)
![IMG_7598](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4091/5069268583_332f7220db_b.jpg)