one!

ready for spring!

Today we loaded up Kirby and the kids and headed to the park to soak up the sun and have a picnic. 

The boys are going to start soccer next month, so the boys broke in their new soccer cleats and practiced kicking the ball while Lauren and I cheered them on. 

 

It was a gorgeous day and it was nice to get a preview of what spring will be like very soon!

gimme a push

 

melting snow fun!

 We got home in time yesterday to see the last of the snowman I made for the boys.  They were so excited that he was still standing and there was actually a little snow left on the ground!  Kirby promptly ate his nose and oreo eyes while the boys and I laughed!

 There was definitely enough snow for a good snowball fight!

They worked quickly with the last of the snow still shaded by the fence and came up with Frosty #2!

They had a blast and I'm so glad we got to play in the snow together!

missing...

While I LOVE that it snowed on Lauren's first birthday, something was missing...

My boys! 

They left Sunday to spend a couple nights at Eric's parents' house.  They were so excited to go spend some time with their Gege and Grandaddy!  We have talked to them on the phone often and they always sound so happy.  I love that they aren't missing me too much, even though I'm missing them like crazy.  The only tears that have been shed are mine!  

It snowed all day today.  All day.  Lots of powdery, perfect snow.  At Gege and Grandaddy's house, the snow did not stick.  There was no snow for them to play in.  I was so sad all day that they weren't home to play with me, so I built them a snowman. The snowman may be melted by the time they get home, but hopefully they will like to see a picture of him wearing their clothes.  I'm heading to pick them up today and it couldn't come soon enough! 

Eric got home from work just in time to play in the snow with our little birthday girl.  What a fun way to spend a first birthday!

12 months old!

Today Lauren turns

ONE!

We celebrated by playing in the snow!  What a great birthday present for our little sweetie!

Look how much she has grown! 
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This month she has really changed!  She started walking last week and is getting more steady on her feet.  She loves to cruise around holding onto furniture and is so proud of herself when she walks. She is talking more and more now.  She says bubba, daddy, bye, momma, up, and all done.  She signs all done, more, bye and milk and likes to give high fives.  Her favorite toys are balls and cars and she just started pulling bows out of her hair.  I take it on as my personal challenge to put the bow back in her hair when she pulls it out until she gives up and wears it. She may be the sweetest little tomboy ever, but momma wants her to have a bow! Ha! 

We love you Lauren and are so blessed you are our daughter!

Happy Birthday Lauren!

We love you Lauren!

a year ago

 A year ago today, we anxiously waited to meet our baby girl.

A year ago tomorrow, our sweet baby girl was born!

Lauren's 1st birthday party!

Today we celebrated Lauren's first birthday with family and friends!

I may have gone just a tad overboard decorating, but my baby girl only turns one once!  Inspired by the porcelain angel my parents gave me on my first birthday and Amy Butler French Wallpaper fabric, the cupcake party colors were pink, red and blue.

I had fun decorating the cupcakes and the kids loved picking which one they wanted to eat.

Thanks to Kathy for helping me make this fun banner, Samantha for helping me bake 50 cupcakes, Jan for helping me frost the cupcakes and Tony for shooting video!

Lauren loved her cupcake and daintly ate it a pinch at a time. 

Lauren had so much fun playing in the castle ball pit and the girls had fun playing with their living doll.

Just in time for her birthday, she started taking steps this week!  By party time, she was walking six feet stretches. She gets so proud of herself and her momma is pretty proud too!

I had fun opening Lauren's presents while she played with her new toys. She got such thoughtful presents and we are so lucky to have such great friends and family!

Happy birthday Lauren!

sweet treats

Yesterday we broke out the Valentine's candy and enjoyed the beautiful weather.

 

I love my little sweeties!