He turned 9!!!!

Anders turned 9!!!!

I can hardly believe it!

Where has all of the time gone? When did I get so old?

Okay. Enough about me....back to the birthday boy.

{I think he didn't really want me to take his picture, but I had to. It's what any good blogger would do.}

Dad brought him balloons!

He requested Texas Sheet Cake!

DEEEEELICIOUS! {Yes. I did just sing that in my opera voice.}

That boy loves him some Legos!

Apparently he also loves this book!

His big birthday surprise -- Snaptricity.

{If you have a child that is curious and loves all things science -- this is a lot of fun. It is a kit that comes with different projects that you put together to create electrical circuits. Sometimes you'll make the propeller spin, or the light turn on....or....I don't remember the rest. Anyway, it is very cool. This is the small set. It comes in two more sets -- one of which is really big and very cool!}

A boy and his Dad.

The proud parents!

We love you buddy! You are such a great kid and we are so lucky to have you in our family!

Happy 9th Birthday!!!!!

Happy Birthday Mallorie!!!

Who is Mallorie you ask?

She is my gloriously exceptional sister and today was her birthday!!!!!

(I know. I'm a little late putting this up here b/c it was just ....one of those days. Let me just say these few words: gone most of the day. sick child. throw up on nurse. strep throat. dirty house. You get the idea. So, now I will post about Mallorie.)

I am so lucky to have her as a sister! She is one of the greatest people in the world and if you don't know her,...you should get to know her. :)

(Here we are at her graduation from medical school this past spring. She is so beautiful.)

I can't even begin to list ALL of the things I love about her so I will stick to just a few.

She is a hopeless romantic -- this comes in very handy since she is always willing and ready to watch a good chic flick.

She cries easily -- I know that she will always be there as a sympathetic cry-er (both her and my friend Heidi) :)

She knows so many great movie quotes and uses them in the funniest way -- "Popover?" (that's for you Mal.)

She is SO FUNNY! -- she gets me laughing like none other. I even laugh when I read things she's written b/c I can hear how she would be saying them.

She is geniune.

She is smart.

She is good.

She is kind.

She is devoted.

She is one of the greatest blessings in my life (along with all of my other fantastic sisters!)

I love you Mallorie! I hope you had a great birthday and know how happy I am we are sisters!

p.s. She is single.

(Hey. You never know Mallorie. I had to put that out there.) :)

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Happy Birthday Big Guy!!!

This is my first attempt at a birthday posting. Since I'm still so new at this, I'll warn you now that this won't be a fancy slideshow like my rockstar sis, or an elaborate collage like my amazing friends, but instead will be a simple attempt to celebrate one of the greatest moments of my life -- the birth of my first born.

A few days ago my oldest son {A} turned 8!!!!! I don't know if I can even express in words how much I love this beautiful boy! But here it goes...

He is such a good kid. He is an old soul -- I think he understands more than I ever thought he would or even should. I love how curious he is -- he never stops asking questions about how things work or why things are the way they are. He wants to have a complete understanding of the world around him. I think his intelligence is going to surpass my ability to explain in just a short time from now. I love how kind he is to the underdog, or the new kid. I love how helpful he is around the house. I love how he really does want to do what is right. I love how he always wants to play games together. I love how he will tell me every minute detail to every story or event that he has experienced or heard. I love how observative he is of the world around him. He is an exceptional kid (of course, right?!) and I adore him!


Thank you {A} for being such a great example to me! I adore you and every minute that we get to enjoy together. I look forward to many years of learning from being your mom! I love you!

Happy Birthday Buddy!!!!