Finally 5!

Regan turned 5! We had an all day celebration that led us to oREGANo's for dinner and then home for cake and scooter-rides. Before bed she told me it was the "happiest day of her life, better than Christmas!"

This is one sweet kid and she has blessed our lives daily in the last 5 years!

Lyla @ 10 Months

Just in time for boxes all over the house, Lyla began to pull up to anything that she could reach! Her favorite find was the unfolded laundry & now our usual Monday "laundry party" really has some new entertainment.
Among other adorable things she does...her "kissy face"...she pulls her bottom lip in then smacks & it's sweet! (2nd picture)

It Starts...

Yeah, yeah, yeah

I know. I am way behind. So...I back-dated...ALL the way back to January.
But, here is what's up.
(because posts are just better when there is a picture...Regan on the phone with Grandma)

First -Timers

My bro and his family have lived in Cali for over 2 years now and we FINALLY got to go for a visit! Our cute nephew, Jamison was getting baptized so we just had to head over for his big day. SO SO glad we were able to make it. Trevor & Nicole were great hosts/tour guides and we all made it through the crazy weather (5o degrees, and VERY rainy) with some good times & fabulous memories.

Trevor took us for a tour of his office. (awesome)

These shots are from the pizza night we had at their church building (due to the rain) ... nice to sit and visit while the kids played & played. Check out how frustrated Lyla was that she couldn't break off a big bite of crust!! Emma and Regan thought it was so fun to have soda at the church (not quite sure why, but you don't question when they are happy, you ENJOY it!) Weston saw me with my camera and gave me his best smile...hilarious kid! The last shot is the perfect pic to show how Lyla and Regan's relationship is growing...Lyla looks up at us, unsure about what is going to happen to her...while Regan has a sweet, yet mischievous smile. Working on that...

We had to take a drive out on the beach since it's the only one in CA. We tried to get out and take a walk, but it didn't last long. We did get to write our names in the sand and run from the surf (another easy way our girls were entertained).
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Look at this cute family! They have a great life in Cali and we were grateful to be included in J's special day. Brady and I were thankful for his good example to our girls...they talked about it the whole way home!

Our last day there we tried to brave the beach, but lasted only about 30 minutes...still fun! Those who know me well know that, YES I was dying that Lyla was having a great time crawling around in the sand, but I just had to draw the line at her eating it!
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These kids had so much fun together & they are growing so fast. It's always great to see them making memories together.

Lyla @ 9 Months

Poor girl...Lyla has had a 'sick' month.
Ear infection that won't quit, fevers, runny noses, sleepless nights and on & on.
She is weighing in at 15 lbs, 2 oz and is starting to wear her size 6month dresses to church!!
Crawling ALL over and loving it. (I have never kept my floors so clean)
Top 2 teeth that have been bugging her for weeks. seriously.
Figured out that arching her back is a rather efficient way to throw a fit.
Swats at anyone who gets too close.
Laughs when I sneeze.
We love her to pieces.

VaLAMEtine's Day2011( because we had to)

trying to get a cute outside shot of Lyla and she HATED the grass!!

My one accomplishment...cupcakes for Regan's class. (I promise I wasn't sick when I made them)

We had no choice. It was for the kids. They would have been so disappointed.
That was my attitude toward Vday this year. Oh, I started out excited and with big plans, but after everyone of us was bed-ridden/fever-struck/too weak to sit up/sicksicksick for two weeks my mood had fizzled and I did the minimum. The kids were happy and they are young enough not to know better, lucky for us. We did manage cupcakes, class valentines, handmade cards for the kids, some squinkies (they are too weird), pink pancakes, roses, heart balloons, pink & red outfits for the girls, and an attempt-gone-awry at a photo-shoot with all the decor.

Okay- when you put it that way it was still a lot & I am shocked we managed anything at all, but I promise I wasn't in a very loving mood. My favorite part of the day was that Brady woke me up at 430am (his alarm goes off then) with a beautiful card that he took the time to choose and was totally for "us"...and I gave him a card that said on the front, "When I first met you I thought to myself, 'Ok, don't do anything stupid'..." and the inside said something like, "and you did ok! Way to go!" I laughed out loud in the store and still laugh just thinking about it.
But, yeah, like I said...it was lame.

Rounding Up

I am for sure closer to 30 now.
I don't feel like that.
I know I am not the only one who thinks like that.
I have had a nice day.
All the friends and family that have celebrated with me and sent bday wishes are much appreciated.
Made me feel special.
Lyla said "ma-ma-ma-ma" for the first time TODAY.
That made it even better.
I don't need to put a picture because I don't feel the need to document how I've changed in the last year.
Hopefully there have been more inward changes than outward.
I am blessed.
I will keep growing up...
I think I'm ok with that.
Life really is a beautiful thing.

A Mini-Vacation for 4

An unexpected and fabulous Christmas present this time around was this Flagstaff get-away. We stayed at a fantastic condo and relaxed for two days. Lyla had her own "staycation" with the Becks so it was sleep-through-the-night, eat-a-meal-without-interruption, no-diaper-changes kind of fun! I felt guilty leaving her at first, but I got over it...quickly. Emma and Regan had fun playing in the snow, so great to have a built-in bff. There wasn't a ton of snow but just enough to impress and entertain the girls for hours. So glad we don't live in it, but it makes a really awesome weekend trip! And, I decided there should always be some kind of trip in January...something to pick-me-up after my annual "post Christmas-crash".
Thanks for the great present, Lance & Pam!

Lyla @ 8 months

Always so entranced with what is going on...this baby's "curious" face is fun to watch. She is so aware of her big sisters and loves when they come to play with her. Dad coming home from work each day is so exciting too. (for everyone:) She is very into food, but you wouldn't know it by looking at her!