Family pics

We FINALLY got some family pictures taken!

  Thank you, Amber, for your patience with my crazy family!  And thank you for some great pics (at least I think so)!

Next time we'll work on a shot of all of us looking at the camera...

Yes...I know there's snot. 

 I just couldn't not post it because he has the cutest smile.  Someday I'll have photoshop and be able to remove the snot, but until then, I kind of like it. 

To the family:  Yes, these will be available, as well as many others. 

Halloween 2011

Maya's school party. 

Notice...she's the only one with a plate of food.  She was quick to help herself!

Maya was excited for Mama Marty to be able to attend the party.

Maya's "boy"friend...Drew.  He's handsome and very muscular!

The neighbors...so cute!

Maya and Kaia heading for the candy.

My little man was content just riding and eating suckers. 

We definitely had to wash the astronaut suit!

Zoo Day

Yes.  We are still alive.  I'm going to keep it short and sweet.  The following are from a fun-filled day that Maya and I had at the zoo.  We got to ride the new sky safari and see Nikita (the polar bear).  Love, love, love my girl and spending one-on-one time with her!

Maya visits MU

We had the best weekend with Maya!!  We took her to MU for her first football game and some sightseeing, of course.  I was a little skeptical, thinking that we wouldn't be able to hold her attention all day, but I was very wrong!  She LOVED it! 

It was pretty special for me as well.  There's something about showing your child where you went to school.  Who knows...she may end up there someday.

My dad and Gail met us in Columbia.  They got the campus tour, as well.

This is my favorite picture from the day...she looked so cute (at least I think so)! She loved the game and was cheering louder than everyone else after just a few first downs (and there were a lot to cheer for during this game)!  She loved yelling Z-O-U and would look over at us after and say, "I said it!".  Too cute!!

I think we may have a little Tiger fan joining us for some more games!

12-15 Months and Baby Haylee

My little man is 15 months old! 

 What has happened in the last three months?  Well...he has FINALLY become a walker!!  We weren't sure if it was ever going to happen, but about two weeks ago, he officially gave up the crawling for good. 

 He has quite the vocabulary....mama, dada, doggy, kitty cat, goat, out, toothbrush (yes, it's more like too-bus...he's kind of obsessed with them...maybe he'll be a dentist), and hot (everything is "hot").

He pretty much copies everything that his sister does.  It's pretty cute! 

This one is for Aunt Becky...apparently she's been waiting for me to update the blog.  You need to move here and babysit for me so I have more time!

We took an unexpected trip home (Farmington, MO) over Labor Day weekend to meet our new niece.  Of course, we had to see all the grandpas and grandmas while we were there. 

And here is Miss Haylee Quynn!!!  Isn't she beautiful?! 

She was born on 9-1-11 and she weighed only 6 lbs, 6 oz (Alyson is lucky with all the big babies in the family).

Alyson (my sister-in-law) had the perfect pregnancy, perfect delivery and so far has a perfect baby!  Look!  She can even smile when she is 3 days old!  Maks is the only boy out of five...I kind of feel sorry for him!



Maya Turns 4!!!

My baby girl turned four on the 18th and we celebrated with a party at our house.  It's so cliche to say that "time flies", but seriously....how is it possible that I have a 4-year-old??  I can remember every detail about the day before she was born; preparing for her arrival (I was induced, so I could get prepared).  I remember laying in bed with Clint a few days before she was born, talking about how we were so excited and so scared at the same time (I also remember telling him that we weren't going to be able to just lay in bed in the middle of the day anymore :)).  I remeber every moment of that day...getting ready, driving to the hospital, family arriving, being scared, excited and anxious all at the same time.  I remember the second that I saw her face and I got to look into those eyes...I hope I always remember that...pretty much the most defining moment of a mommy's life.  She was so beautiful and perfect and she was ours. 

Today, she is smart, funny, beautiful, outgoing, inquisitive, caring, witty, a daddy's girl and FOUR.  Things are sure changing around here...we now have to watch what we talk about in front of her because she is smarter than we like to give her credit for.  She has taken on interests...dancing, gymnasics, music, swimming and baby dolls.  She has VERY strong opinions and doesn't back down easily.  She is starting to pick out clothes, the way her hair is fixed, and what she eats (within reason, of course).  She's still my baby, though, and I think I'll call her that until she tells me I can't. 

Maya wanted to have her friends come over for a "butterfly party" and play on her waterslide and new swingset...so that's what we did.

The cake.

The present.

The birthday girl.

Yes, she's wearing "the dress" over her swimsuit.  I wasn't going to fight it. 

Not sure what was going on here, but this is her "boyfriend" :)

Happy Birthday, Miss Maya!  We love you so very much!