28......

I had a birthday. Number 28. I have decided to embrace my age this year. I know I look like I am getting older, but I sure don't feel like it. The day before my birthday, someone told me I looked like I was 17. The braces probably had something to do with that one, but it made me feel a little better about turning a year older.

Brett & the girls bought me a Beach Cruiser bike. It's so cute. I also got a Barbie birthday cake from the girls :).
After Brett came home from school, we went out to dinner at a Japenese restaurant (where they cooked the food in front of us). It was yummy and it's always nice to spend time with just my husband where I don't have to worry about making sure my kids are climbing on the table or something. Two girls from Brett's class offered to babysit for us which was so nice of them.


And as you can see in the pictures......

I got my braces off!!!

Honestly, these last 7 months haven't been too terrible. My biggest issue was just that I didn't want any pictures taken of myself. My orthodontist was fantastic and I am so lucky that he was nice enough to offer me free braces. He did a great job on my teeth & I LOVE my smile :) I now get to wear a retainer day & night for 6 more months & then just nights for the rest of my life. I can handle that....I've always wanted a retainer (seriously).

What a great birthday!!

Another Birthday Post

Avery started counting down the days until her birthday weeks before the actual day! She was so excited to turn FOUR!!

She requested a Ballerina cake, a ballerina skirt, & ballerina shoes. So that is what she got!

Brett ran the mini-marathon the same day so we started out going downtown to catch a glimpse of him running. We then ate lunch at where else but Mcdonald’s! Afterwards, we went to a swimming pool near our house (she had a choice between that or Chuck-e-Cheese).

After swimming, we came home & had cake & ice cream. Then she got to go to her very first ‘friend birthday party’ for a little girl in our ward. She was so excited for that and the fact that it fell on her birthday made no difference to her. She wasn’t about to miss that!

I think she had a fun day…..and of course she got everything she asked for & more.

Happy Birthday Avery!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another Birthday Post VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

The Birthday Party

The Invite…….

The Friends……

The Gumball Necklaces……

The Treat Table……..

The Cake…….

The Decorations……

The Peeps…….

The Birthday GirL………

The gifts………

SHOW

The cutest 6

year oLD in

Indiana…….

I just love this picture of Quinnlyn. It’s not great quality because I cropped her out of a big group picture, but she looks so happy!

The birthday began with presents from mom & dad (Heely’s, a princess castle, clothes, & a new Leapster Explorer game) & Avery (princess shoes). Next was a trip to Mcdonald’s (where else) for the traditional birthday breakfast. Then Mom brought treats (fruit kabobs with fruit dip, & heart suckers) to her kindergarten class.

Today we had her party. She invited some girls from school (Riley, Samantha, & Chloe) some from church( Maylee, Marina, & Cami), the neighbor girl (Anika), her cousins (Mckenna & Gracie) & one little sister (Avery).

We played games, made gumball necklaces, ate lunch, played more games, opened gifts, ate cupcakes & ice cream, & filled candy bags from the ‘Sweet Shoppe’.

I can’t believe Quinnlyn is six! Where does time go? Is this really my dark-haired baby girl who all the nurses oohed & awed over (not to mention her mom & dad)!!?? I remember just crying & crying when she was born because I was SO happy that she was healthy. I loved her so much then, & I LOVE her so much now!

Quinnlyn is:

• Sweet (when she wants to be)
• Silly (all the time)
• Spunky
• Smart (loves to learn)
• Creative
• Artistic (we have piles & piles of artwork)
• Independent
• Sassy (as in…..talks back)
• Shy (around other people)

She loves:

• Her sister & brother
• Writing letters to her friends & family (she started a letter/artwork exchanging trend among her kindergarten class)
• Dressing up (in one particular Arial dress)
• Watching movies & TV
• Playing her Leapster Explorer
• Riding her bike
• Dancing
• Her Ducky

She hates:

• Cleaning her room (or cleaning anything for that matter)
• Bedtime
• Getting her hair done (I knew the day would come)
• Mashed potatoes
• Corn off the cob (on the cob is fine)

Happy Birthday

Quinnlyn!

In case you were wondering….

We did have a great Christmas even though I haven’t posted about it.

We are going to skip the Santa Pictures because…..well…..there aren’t any. The girls had a quick, impromtu visit at the mall in early December and Easton didn’t. That’s it. No ‘First Santa Visit’ for him. Don’t worry though. I am sure he will thank me when he sees all of your children’s pictures with him…..screaming their little heads off. I’m the best mom.

Here’s the short but sweet version:

We spent time together, the kids got everything they had hoped for and more, and it was over just like that!

Decorating

Gingerbread

Houses!!

Visiting my sisters family in Charlestown, IN. We froze our buns off looking at the Christmas lights in town square. Then we had a sleepover

Opening P.j’s Xmas Eve VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

We woke up at 7:30 to open presents. Here are the kids waiting to go downstairs.

I was a terrible picture taker. Next year I will be better I promise!

Quinnlyn and Avery got Pillow Pets, Leapfrog Explorers, Clothes, Movies, games, Play-doh, money, a Hopscotch Mat, and the usual stocking stuffers. Easton got Books, a movie, an Elmo puppet, clothes, shoes, money, and little stocking stuffers.

 

 

30

Thirty Years ago this cute little guy was born…

Today he is still a cute little guy……just a bit more manly.

Happy Birthday to the best dad….

And to my best friend & favorite husband  

We love you!!!!!