We Interrupt Your Regularly Scheduled Programming...

I am almost caught up.  Finally.

I've found that it really helps to just leave the camera locked in the closet and never take pictures.

But we had some really awesome photos taken for us yesterday:

And we found out that it's a girl!!!!

We're super excited.

Now, I'll get back to the regularly scheduled, somewhat-behind posting.

How To Turn 7

My pretty princess had a birthday.

It's amazing what party hats and sparse decorations inspire.

I love their bond.  I know, you've never heard me say that.

Or... seen me type it.

And don't forget the little one.

Crepes were the requested breakfast.

And it isn't a birthday without candles.  Breakfast birthday candles.

This little guy didn't get in on the party hat enthusiasm for a little while.

I think this was a happy face.

This wasn't, but look how cute it is anyway.

This man needs no reason to pout or act grumpy.  He just does it.  Often.  If you've ever said 'hi' to him, or smiled at him, or talked to him, or looked at him, or maybe even thought about him--you know this.

Kayli designed this cake.  She literally drew me a picture.  And then helped me decorate it.

This is how you make a Littlest Pet Shop Cake.

I'm a pro.

This was the specifically requested lunch.  Squid hot dogs.  And tomato soup.  Big winner with the kids.

I forgot the candles.  That made me a little sad.

We only do a friend birthday party every other year.  Remember last year?  I'm still worn out.  So we have big plans to celebrate, but for multiple reasons, it had to wait for another day.

But, it is a birthday, so we had to do something.

Chuck E. Cheese, friends.

Racing.

Good times had by all.

And then it was time to clean Chuck E's teeth.

Horseback riding.

With a little help from Daddy.

And then Kayli wanted to go to Texas Roadhouse for dinner.

Did you know they have a saddle for birthday girls to sit on?  And a fun cowboy hat.

She insisted that I tell the waitress it was her birthday.  And then she was so embarrassed by all the attention.

She's so cute.

And then before the end of this super fun day, we had to open gifts.  Isn't she pretty?

How sad is this?  It's hard being the brother of the birthday girl.

Remember Blake's white elephant gift I promised to tell you about?  This is it.  A Scooby Doo popcorn popper.  As soon as I saw it, I knew we had to have it for our Scooby-obsessed birthday girl.  So, I stole it the first chance I got and then I had to lay on the guilt pretty thickly to prevent the original owner from stealing it back.

Fortunately, he was a dad himself, so this wasn't too difficult.

Then Blake stole it from me and, according to the in-house rules, it couldn't be stolen again.

We are winners.

Kayli declared it, "The Best Birthday Present EVER!!!" Which was a bit much for me, even though I was excited for her to have it.  But I had gotten her some other things that she'd been wanting for months!

Ah, well.  Such is the life of a mom.

I like how happy and content she looks here.

This is when she realized she's one year closer to thirty.

But, she moved on and blew out her candles like a champ.

And thus endeth a very long, very great day.

2012: The Year of The Birds

We started one of our resolutions a few days early--we are all rededicating ourselves to the study of the Book of Mormon.

Kayli has decided (after a bit of encouragement) to read the entire Book of Mormon on her own this year.  She turns eight at the beginning of next year.  Eight is a big deal in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints--that is how old you have to be to get baptized.  We'd like her to have a testimony of her own before taking such a huge step.

I'm so proud of her!  And how sweet is this picture of her during her first night of reading?

For New Year's Eve, we got together with a few friends to eat good food, exchange weird gifts, and take goofy pictures.

Exhibit A on the goofy gifts.  This was a pretty hot gift and passed through many hands.  I'm pretty sure Jacob was quite disappointed that he didn't get to go home with it.

Here was another fan favorite.  Does anyone else think Drue looks like he's sort of in a trance here?  And Dave looks like he's doing some serious plotting on how to make that inflatable baby all his own.

The turkey seems to have some freaky power on the possessor.

Which is why Blake and I stayed far far away.

And I was quite certain I would be taking this little gem home for myself--who would want to steal a freaky freaky porcelain rabbit?  My sweet friend Sara who never steals from anyone, that's who!

I ended up taking home a most bizarre book cover.  Picture this (since we didn't take an actual picture): Flame-print neoprene.

Awesomeness.

Blake went home with something absolutely fabulous.  I kind of had to play a little dirty to make sure we kept it, but when you see it (in the next post), you'll understand why.  A mama's gotta do what a mama's gotta do.

Photo time!  You can see here why we didn't actually last until midnight.  I was pretty sleepy.

 That's the clicker in Blake's hand.  I just tried to do whatever and then he'd snap the picture when I was unprepared.  More awesomeness.

I took this one.  We are hot.

Not everyone could make it, but these are the awesome friends that were present.   Thanks for hosting, Dave and Jesa!

A Christmas To Remember

Or, at least one we'll never forget.

Before morning had come, Trey had gotten us up a few times and was completely unable to keep anything down.  Then, Kayli joined in the fun, as well.

BEST CHRISTMAS EVER!!!

I thought maybe all the craziness would lead to a late morning.

No such luck.

Fortunately, Kayli had a brief reprieve and was able to experience the magic on time.  We let Trey sleep as long as possible, however.

This was the main event.  They were so excited about these new bikes.

Trying to take them for a spin.

Love.  This.  Face.

Then they started in on the stockings.

At which time, Trey woke up.  He's in normal clothes because he had vomited all over every single pair of pajamas during the night.  You can see how excited he was about Christmas morning.

(And that little fuzzy bit in the bottom right corner is my finger.  I was manning both the video camera and the SLR at the same time.  What can I say?  Skilz.)

Just in case you couldn't tell from the previous picture.  This is just how happy Trey was for Christmas to finally be here.

But we decided to let him try to drink something and that calmed him down a bit.  And this is Blake just now realizing that I'm managing to handle two cameras at once.  He is shocked and proud.  Naturally.

Bryce demonstrating the appropriate usage for the gold coins found in the stocking.

I was so excited about this little tricycle for Treyton.  It has pedals, but it also has that handy handle in the back for a grown up to push and steer.  Perfect for a little guy who has no chance of keeping up with older siblings on his own.

He wanted absolutely nothing to do with it.

Finally, he decided he would open a present.

My sleepy little man showing me his new Pez.

Throughout the morning, he would occasionally "sneak" over to the tricycle and climb on.  But if anyone so much as looked at him he would scream and hop off in a huge tantrum.

So, I had to sneak this picture.

And just for memories--I am pretty sure Kayli was back in the bathroom throwing up again at this point.  But she came back out and finished opening presents like a true champ.  And then insisted that she was up to eating the traditional Christmas Morning Cinnamon rolls, even though I told her they would probably not stay in her tummy long.

Guess who was right?

Always, always, always listen to your mama.

Eventually, he cheered up a bit and let me take this picture.

We lucked out with a warm spell the week following and the kids were able to try out their new bikes a few times.  Shocking news from the North Pole, I know.  But it was a lot of fun and we were very grateful.

I never took a picture of all the gifts once they were opened.  With all of the cleaning Blake and I were doing thanks to our sickos, it just didn't happen.  But, it was a fabulous Christmas.  We are very blessed and spoiled by those who love us.  Thanks to everyone who made this such a great Christmas--in spite of all the flu bugs!

The rest of the day was pretty good.  We had to cancel pretty much all of the rest of our plans because I didn't want anyone else to get sick.  Bryce and I were the only ones who made it to church.  I love going to church on Christmas.  Such a great way to remember why we have CHRISTmas and all the many things I have to be grateful for.