Sweet Tyler

I've been meaning to post this picture ever since my Birthday, but just haven't gotten around to it. I just LOVE Tyler's face in this...it makes me teary actually thinking about my sweet, not so little boy loving me :) Love it.

Also I've been meaning to post a couple of stories about my children during my birthday celebrations. Well actually they are both from the mouth of Adriana, so I guess it's just one of my children. Anyway here they go:

Audrie was watching every intently as Dad cut the cake, with her nose and mouth about two inches from the frosting waiting impatiently for her first bite. As she receives her piece she quickly takes a bite and says, "Mmmm...this is good Dad, I can taste rosemary, is there rosemary in it?" RANDOM and so funny!

Next story: I was talking to the kids about how we had to call Cami because it was her birthday too and this is how the conversation went

Me: "Kids, we need to call Aunt Cami and sing happy birthday to her."
Audrie: Completely amazed quickly pops up and says, "It's her birthday TOO?"
Me: Thinking how many times I've explained this and wondering why it's like new information every time said, "Yes hon, we were born at the same time. We were in my Mommy's tummy at the same time."
Audrie: "Oh, so now you have the same birthday but your different. You just don't wear the same dresses."

Ok so it may not be too funny, but I just had to laugh. I mean, somehow this girl relates everything to clothing! And ironically I bought Cami the exact same dress I am wearing in the pic for her for her birthday.

I get to share my Birthday :)

I am lucky enough to have been able to born into this world with a best friend! My twin sister and I were stuck together everywhere we went and was mortified the day we went to preschool (I still remember this) and were put into separate classes. Cami got the teacher with the long beautiful hair...it was just not fair. We played together every time we had free time, but I still envied that teacher with the long hair (weird kid, I know).

Because we were military brats we moved a lot. With each move we grew closer.

As we got older things became more competitive, but we quickly learned that was not what we wanted and have been close ever since. Thanks Cam, for being the best! Fortunately we have had Jami, Ali, Lyndsey and Katie added to our family since then. We are all close and I cherish the sisterhood we have and look forward to the many memories we have yet to create. I love you all!

It's my Birthday :)

Andy whipped out his Wilton Cake Decorating skills and made me a lovely chocolate cake with chocolate buttercream frosting and a strawberry and fudge filling. It was yummy, rich, but yummy. Pretty don't ya think? Thanks Andy!

Tastes good!

Opening presents with all of my helpers (notice the lack of birthday wrapping paper...yes, it is Christmas themed)

One of my birthday gifts. New knives...Hallelujah. Seriously, it was time to graduate our Walmart set. Thanks everyone for all the birthday wishes!

My First Quilt

Ok, so it's been a year in the making, mostly just sitting and collecting dust, but it's finally finished. Here is my first attempt at a REAL quilt. I saw a quilt on Pottery Barn Kids that I really liked and thought maybe I could try and mimic the style and attempt to make with my own spin on it. This is the end result. It's definitely NOT perfect by any means, but it was my practice quilt. I learned a lot, and I'm sure that I did some things completely wrong, but it's hard learning something without a teacher. I'll take a class one of these days, but until then my own ingenuity will have to do.
Our Stake hosts an annual Interfaith Quilting Bee where we make quilts as a ward and donate them to women and children battered shelters. My goal was to have this finished by then and donate it to the cause...it's tomorrow and I just finished today :) I'm not a procrastinator or anything am I?

More Beach and a FUN backyard Swing!

Tyler being the builder and creator spent the majority of the time trying to build a sandcastle. He wasn't very successful, but he had a great time anyway :)

Notice the sand all over her face...she didn't even care. She loves the outdoors at all costs, who cares about a little crunch in your mouth and sand in the eyes!

In Grandma and Grandpa Hart's backyard they set up this tree swing. I don't know if you can see Tyler's expression very well in the pic, but he is just ecstatic about it all and he's not even the one swinging! That swing will go down in these grand kids history books. Thanks Grandpa!

Florida Trip

Audrie and her cousin Annika. They were like two peas in a pod; pretended to be sisters and did everything with each other. It was great fun!

The Beach at Sanibel Island was a lot of fun. Lots of shells to play with and some fun waves too :)

As you can see Kaylee was in heaven...that girl has no fear at all!

Tyler's 7!

My little Tyler is growing up sooo fast. I mean he's SEVEN years old, next year he'll be eight and then he'll hi adolescence and then preteen, followed by teenager-hood, then he'll be gone! He is such a light in our family, always concerned about his fellowman, doing whatever it takes to make someone feel better. He definitely is a sweet, tender, sensitive spirit. (the camera was acting up, sorry for the blurry pics, but I had to document :)