Birthday Partyin'

We've been busy celebrating Miss Sierra ~ 

I still can't believe she is 15!

The night before her birthday we celebrated by starting a fire in the fire pit,

enjoying some S'Mores, and opening a few gifts from mama and daddy {since Jerm was going to have to work on her birthday :( }

Birthday day started with Church, then home to prep these delicious 

single-serving-seven-layer-dips!

A few more presents

Sweet notes,

And reminiscing, by looking through all of Sissy's photo books.

{My big Sissy's first major outing since she started chemo, and we were SO happy to have her join us!}

And then some photos with the birthday girl!

Once everyone left, we got set up for an Outdoor Movie Night:

The perfect ending to a very special day!

Celebrations continue this week as Sierra has her first ever facial and massage at the spa.

Just a couple more weeks of Summer fun, before the reality of back to school hits!

What are you doing to enjoy these last few days?

Road Trippin'

 Last week was crazy-busy with our final Bible study for the season,
errands, and a day with friends at the amusement park. 
But finally, FINALLY. I uploaded photos from our weekend trip to Medford.

We don't get down there often, but we sure do love it!

This trip was hush-hush because the occasion was a surprise birthday party for my aunt!

Medford is {should be} about a 4 1/2 hour drive. 
But, for our little family of six, it's more like six hours.

It takes us forever to get out.
Then we have to stop for eats and treats:

 

 

 

But everyone sighs a great big relief when we've scaled the last mountain pass,
and Medford is in sight.

Once we got settled in our room, there were plans made for dinner with my parents, sister, and her family.

Shoji's is a favorite because it's so much fun to watch someone prepare your meal right in front of you!  And what a show it is!

{Tay LOVED all of the fire}

 

The next morning started with snuggles.

 

 

 

 Then off to the restaurant we went to surprise Aunt Pat.
 

 

She was surprised :)

 

 

And it's pretty safe to say we ALL had a pretty great time.

 

 

 

 We got a little visit time in with family,
 

 

and then it was time to say good-bye :(

 

 

 

 

 Until next time, anyway.

Any great ideas for passing the time in the car? 
We've got several road trips planned this summer, and not one of us is any good at traveling :)  

 

Car games, activities, any ideas to make travel time fun would be much appreciated!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Celebrations

 My little Kameryn Faith is now four years old.  {Sigh}.
I can hardly believe it.
We had such a special day, celebrating this little princess.
 

 

The morning started with donuts from Daddy, and a few presents . . .

 

 

Later we welcomed our guests . . .

 

 

Great Nana and Kam didn't even plan the matchy-matchy ;)

 

 

We each grabbed a magic wand and twirled about through the house . . .

{juuuuust kidding}

 

 

But we did grab these:

{I cannot resist a chocolate cupcake, folks}

 

 

Then there were wishes made, candles blown out . . .

 

 

and even more presents to open.

 

 

The birthday girl was gracious enough to let her little sissy in on the action.

 

 

 

And we ended the afternoon with modeling ~ princess style.

 

 

 I'd say it was a pretty sweet day.

Now . . . the Valentine countdown is on.  And then ~ on to Kenners' birthday! 

 

 

 

 

Happy 4th Birthday, Miss Kameryn!

I love all of my girls just the same.
And I can look back on each of their births and recall tiny details ~
Things that stick out, that I have tucked away in my heart.
But I have special memories, more memories with Kameryn's birth than with the others.

~ Sweet Kameryn Faith ~
I was in the hospital for nearly two weeks before they forced you out ;)
Two weeks of saying goodbye to Daddy and your two big sissies at home each and every night.
Two weeks of visits from precious friends and family.
Two weeks of ultrasounds and machines.
Until finally, they said you would be safer on the outside than on the inside.

On January 27th, 2009 at 4:12pm we got to see our tiny little 34 1/2 weeker for the first time.

You were GORGEOUS.
Machines and all ;)
 

And would you believe that after daily visits from NICU staff, telling me that I could expect you to have a 5-6 week NICU stay, you only stayed there for 8 hours.  You were a toughie.
Still are.
 

 

 Oh how your sissies loved you. 
And you loved them too.
 

 

You did some growing . . .

 

And turned into the most vibrant and joyful toddler EVER!
 

You have a zest for life that cannot be matched.
 I LOVE being around you.  You have this amazing way at looking at the world. 
Every day is a new adventure for you.
 

Then one day you weren't the baby anymore. 
You liked being the baby. 
You were great at being the "little one".
But it turned out you were FABULOUS at being the "not so little one" too.
 

You like to lead. 
And your little sister follows your every move.
 

You're a snuggler.  You love to sleep with Mama on the nights that Daddy is at work.
{And you love sneaking in to sleep with Mama and Daddy on the nights that Daddy is home}.
 

 

You have such a giving spirit.  Always willing to help out and be a friend. 

Always looking out for others.

 

You are a tremendous joy, Miss Kameryn.
Each morning is filled with new adventures with you!
 

 

Happy 4th Birthday, my Sweet Girl! 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Kam's 3rd Birthday

Kam's 2nd Birthday

Kam's 1st Birthday

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Party Prep

We are busy party preppin' around here!

Only one more day until this little Miss turns THREE!

{Kam's Party Invitations}



And two more days until the party!



We've got the decorations covered. 

Next on the list is wrapping presents.

Another little miss, who shall remain nameless {and happens to be cutting teeth at the moment}, has decided to go ahead and skip naps today.  Um, yeah.  Wish me luck getting everything accomplished ;)