12 Months

Don't know that I can bring myself to type the words.......
O-N-E Y-E-A-R O-L-D.

Because it can't possibly have been a year ago that Bree joined our family.

The big milestones of sitting, eating first solids, first teeth, crawling, & cruising couldn't possibly have already been hit.

Nope--not possible that we've already cycled through 4 stages of clothing, changed more diapers than we'd ever want to really know the count on, had less sleep than we'd like to indulge in, and "protected" Bree from her adoring brother and sisters and somehow you've miraculously survived. And survived you did, despite being the baby that gets a cereal bar that was rummaged through my bag to find after you've been carted all around the city in lieu of a pleasant nap at home. You are the 4th, the caboose, the baby--and we are relishing you.

So, instead of being in denial about turning...I guess I can say it...ONE, I'll reflect and delight in the fact that you are growing. Growing from a sweet, smile-so-big-that-you-just-might-burst baby to a happy, curious, contented toddler who has endeared us all to you. Our life is happier, richer and fuller because you are in it! Can't wait to watch you take on those first real steps, and eventually wings to fly in this big, wide world. Happy 1st, Bree-doll!

My Secret Identity...

24 hours of the day, 7 days a week, 365 days of the year since 2001, I've been wearing a rather large name badge....

And boy do I love this badge.

But sometimes a girl has got to play--tuck the mom badge safely in a drawer, join forces with other girlfriends and put on our secret, maybe hidden or forgotten identities. And I've been lucky to have had some fun, inspiring, good-to-the-core friends throughout different stages of my life.

Last weekend I got to hit Chicago with these gals...

And yes, we did rent a 6-seater bike, rode along the coast of Lake Michigan and raced 4 teenage boys (we let them beat us...) We didn't feel so bad about the defeat when we realized that we had 24 kids between the six of us. Together, we form a small village!

It's hard for me to explain just how dear these girls are to me. We all lived in crummy University housing together, met at the playground every day together, started raising our kids together, became FAMILY to each other. These are my bonus sisters--we laugh, encourage, "get" each other and I just love them dearly! Thanks for a memorable weekend C-villers! And because I'm a lucky, lucky girl, I thought I'd give a shout out to all my girlfriends (wish I had pix of all of you!) who help me come back more fulfilled and ready to tackle all that the mom badge entails... And these are too ridiculous not to share. This is what happens when you see your back-door neighbors light on at midnight and throw an impromptu "rump chuck" .....

Vegas

We took the two oldest for a quick spring getaway to Vegas. This is what 6 hours in a car does to these people......

And it wouldn't be Vegas without BUFFET'S. Ash had finished off a whole plate, and decided that this Chica wanted bacon. She wasn't about to share with her dear, old dad. Because she just didn't have enough to share....

We hit the awesome aquarium...

Played in M&M World

Ty struck a pretty fierce pose with Red...

And spent a majority of our time here.... We'd almost forgotten what 70's feel like on our skin!

And the trip was a big thumbs up!

Easter

This

+ Ash getting into and really loving dying...

+ Tink....well, she just really loves the color of split-pea soup

and Puce (Say CHEESE!)

+ Bree just hoping to find the candy that is left behind

+ These boys wishing the flash weren't so bright on the camera

+ The girlies just interested in eating all of their loot, and NOW please!

+ This fun cousin crew

+ Easter morning hunt/sugar buzz

= bouncing off the pews by church time

All fun and festivities aside, Easter is always a sacred, special time of year for me. What a wonderful blessing it is to have a renewed reverence for the atonement and Christ's resurrection. Truly, that is what made this a wonderful Easter Season.

Swan Princess

Ash got to perform in Swan Princess at Kingsbury Hall and had such a great time! This kid is a born performer, even if I did want to start crying after putting on a little bit of stage make-up!

I can't help it, as I realize how quickly these past 7 1/2 years have flown, that it's easy to fast forward to when she'll really start wearing real make-up, then wanting the car keys, then throwing that cap....

And then I snap back to reality and see this happy, darling 7 1/2 year-old in front of me and I'm just so stinking proud of her and want to soak up this very moment. Filled with costumes, ballet slippers and her first big performance. It's a milestone--and was made that much more special from the amazing support and love from the huge cheering section that came to watch her performance. I don't know that a mom can ever express how much it means to know that her kids are loved so intensely, but I DO know that Ash felt so special and was beaming for days.

Insert famous quotes of the night:

"Is that a girl or a guy?" "ummm....a guy...."

"Well, that was sure thoughtful of you, what-ever-your-name-is!"

And here are pics of some of the best fan-base a kid could ask for: