Happy 1st Birthday Ben!

Grandpa Carlos' Teeth Turn Ugly, I mean 77

Grandpa Karl (aka "Carlos", thanks to Whit) celebrated number 77 on July 10, and we got together at my parents' house for dinner on the 13th.

Jenny gave Grandpa some bling grillz (I would have had no idea what these were otherwise), and he modeled them for the camera. Way to go Grampy! Hey, 77 don't look to bad. Bring it on!

We love Grampy. He's just great. Always good to rub your back. He'll let you know when you, or anyone else for that matter, is out of line. He pretends he hates Barkley, but then feeds him under the table. And he still plays a mean game on the golf course. He was diagnosed with the 'betes a few years ago, but doesn't let it get him. He revamped his whole diet, lost all of his excess weight, and then some, and now he's this cute little Ute fan, still gardening and working at the temple.

Nobody beats him!

Two of my most favorite people in the whole wide world! I love them so much! And how cute are they with their "Child of God" stickers? Everyone's a primary child to Mom!

Happy Birthday Tay-Tay!

Some days it's difficult to comprehend the passage of time as a parent. Taylor turning three years-old was one of those times.

He's so big (big is relative) and does so many big-boy things (minus using the big-boy potty, but that may be a work in progress, as it has been, for awhile yet). Here are a few notes:

• He weighs about 25 lbs and is 35" tall.
• His vocabulary has grown immensely in the last year.
• He sings quite a few songs. Some of his favs: ABC's, Twinkle Little Star, Child of God, Sound of Settling (DCFC), and Best of Both Worlds (Hanna Tanna, as he says)!
• He has a "do it myself" attitude, which my parents would insists he gets from me!
• He wakes in the morning and is extremely reluctant to take Whitney to school, saying "I stay here by myself". Of course he doesn't, but he wants to!
• In the morning he wants "breakthast" and HIS shows (Disney or Nick Jr.).
• He does want to be just like his big sister, including wearing her purses, jewelry, headbands, and playing in her kitchen cooking pam-panks (pancakes).
• No worries, though, 'cause some of his favorite toys are: cars, trains, balls...
• Favorite movies: Cars and Monsters Inc.
• He does have a thumb-sucking habit that we're trying (successfully thus far) to break by wearing a Band-Aid. He really thinks his thumb is hurt, and exercises great caution, especially when the thumb is exposed while we change the Band-Aid!
• Oh, and his favorite beverages are: "choc-milk" and "orna juice". Also, he "not like food".

So, for Taylor's "New Year's Eve" birthday this year, we did as we have in the past and had a lunch-time party. We invited all the fam and had lots of food and fun! (People would especially testify to the "lots of food", because as usual, I ordered too much.) We had sandwiches, pizza, and a BIG Thomas birthday cake complete with a train that went around a small track!

Tay received lots of presents (train track, trains, books, clothes, you know, the usual 3 year-old 'stuff') and went to work immediately on testing everything to make sure it was satisfactory.

We love our Taylor sooo much and we think one of the most rewarding pieces of this life is watching our children grow. I say everyday that I am the LUCKIEST!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY WHITNEY!!!!

Yesterday was Whit's 7th birthday. We had family over for cake, ice cream, and karaoke (in honor of the Hannah Montana theme of the party). Here are a couple choice moments:

Taylor started asking for cake and ice cream the moment he and Steph returned from the store ... at 2:30! Then, after dinner, he stood on this chair, fork and cup in hand, asking for some until we finally cut the cake.

Jenny got her Gwen on with some rockin' karaoke.

Eric got into the fun too!

All in all it was a fantastic evening. Most importantly, Whitney had a ball. "Mom, it was the best birthday ever!"

31 Doesn't FEEL Old ...

It just sounds old.

Well, Monday was the big day for me. It was a good day, even if I did have to go into the office. Steph and I went to a very fancy pants restaurant called Metropolitan. The food was very yummy and the portions very small. Steph gave me a game we played this summer called Blokus and a great DVD of Jim Gaffigan. He's a funny guy ...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY STEPH!!!

That's right, the love of my life has turned 27. After a very enjoyable weekend here in Chicago (pictures and the full detail of the Chicago trip will have to wait until I get back home and can get them off of the camera), she has returned home to celebrate with the kids and her folks.

At this time I'd like to express my thanks to Vardell and Brenda for all that they did in raising such a wonderful woman.