Happy Birthday Lily!!

My sweet little Lily, I can hardly believe it has already been five years since she came into our family! I also can't imagine our life without this little spirited girl! There is NEVER a dull moment with Lily around! Yesterday was her birthday, and she was SO EXCITED. She started her count down when Luke had his birthday, so it has made for a long few weeks! She was so excited she woke up at 6 a.m.!! (Which for her is AMAZING, as she is not a morning person.) She told everyone, everywhere she went that she was five, and that she would still be five tomorrow too :)! She had a special day, more on that later, but more importantly she is a special girl.

Lily has such a great sense of humor. Funny thing is, she has no idea she is funny and will sometimes get embarrassed that you are laughing. For example, she talks with different accents all the time and when you ask her how she is talking she always responds, "I am speaking Spanish of course!!" She is such an independent girl. Most of the time she will just play off by herself and I have to check on her several times to make sure she is still ok. (And that nothing is burning down or flooding etc..) She is also very mischievous! She loves to try new things, and has a great imagination which can sometimes be messy. She is very lovable, but super selective in whom she loves. She is a great helper to me and she is a much needed comic relief in a world that has a lot that can bring you down. She is such a wonderful little girl and I am so, so thankful that she came to our family! We would be lost without our little LilyBug!!! 

Just Because

I am so glad that I get to kiss these super cute little chubby cheeks every day!! Just thought I would share :)!

Ten, 10, Diez, X...!!!!!!

 

Every year as it comes time for yet another birthday, I am amazed at how quickly the time seems to be flying by me! It seems like I just wrote about how I couldn't believe he was nine and here we are at TEN!!! I have a child in the double digits. WOW. (And he wears deodorant now, remember?! ) There is hardly a day that goes by that someone isn't complimenting me on this wonderful young man. He is such a great kid! He tries to do what is right no matter what, he is a good example, he is kind, he is obedient, he is smart, he is my baby boy. (He is my ONLY boy!!) I am so blessed to have this little turkey as my child and as the oldest child in our family. He is the best big brother to all his sisters, he is a great help to me and I couldn't love him any more! For his tenth birthday I am going to write down ten things about Luke at age ten.

1. He LOVES to read. He reads at least two books a week, most over 300 pages a piece.

 

2. He plays the piano and practices without being asked to because he really enjoys it.

 3. He just started to play the Viola and also LOVES it. I guess you could say he just loves music, and has a natural ability to pick it up quickly.

4. He really likes Lego's and has them all over his room all the time.

 5. He love the outdoors.

6. His favorite color changes all the time. (It used to be yellow, I bet you couldn't guess that one ;), but now it is green, like his mom!)

 

7. He really, truly adores his baby sister, even though he had wanted her to be a boy. When he wakes up in the morning (usually around 6:15), if she is awake, he will take her for me and let me go back to sleep for a while. He always offers, I never have to ask, and he is happy to do it!

 

8. He wants to be a Paleontologist :).

 



 9. He also wants to learn archery. He has been reading a book series called "The Rangers Apprentice" and now he wants to be a "Ranger". (They use a bow and arrow instead of swords.)

10. He has a heart of gold. One day we were at the park and some 5th graders wanted to do something mean to Gabby. He told them they couldn't because she was his sister. Then he told them they could do it to him, but not her. They just left, but I can't imagine the courage it had to take to stand up to boys older then him AND offer himself in her place. It brings tears to my eyes every time I think about it!

Ten years has flown by, but I am thankful every day for this very wonderful young man. Luke, I love you so much and am so glad you are a part of our family! We wouldn't be complete without you!! Thank you for the amazing example you are to your sisters and to your parents! Happy Birthday Lukey!!!

Sisterly Love

I sure love these little faces! They make my heart melt!! 

 And they love each other! I LOVE to watch them interact with each other!

 Evie adores them every bit as much as they adore her!

 I can't believe she is almost 8 months old!!

 This is her new favorite thing to do. Maybe we have some teeth in our near future...!!

Like I said, I sure do love these little faces!!

Rest of Utah Trip!

 I am so happy, I found my other camera!!! (I have a little point and shoot and then my big one). It had the rest of the pictures from our trip to Utah :).
Nate's mom has a great backyard, perfect for kids to play in a little pool and on the swing set!! We were able to have a few BBQ's with them and Nate's brother Dale. We just wish we could have seen the rest of the family!!
Lily had a lot of fun with Dale and Camille's boys!! (Aren't they adorable!)

 

 And here you can see Camille pregnant with their first girl!!!! (Or not see as she never really shows....I am super excited for them!!) And Gayle with her busted shoulder. (Something like 8 screws in that poor thing!!!) Grandpa Mark was so fun and got in on the water adventures!!

 And later we were able to see some of our BEST friends, the Barnards!!!!! We went to med school together but haven't seen them since the end of our second year!! I love this family, and Tiff, what would I do without that girl!!!

 It was so fun to see them again, even if it wasn't for NEAR enough time!! They are great and I was so, SO glad to get to see them!!