Happy Birthday Annabelle!

Happy Birthday Annabelle! Annabelle was SO excited for her birthday this year! She began talking about it in August, and mentioned it almost every day up until the magic date. It was so fun to watch and listen to her get so excited about getting older and becoming a "big girl." She was actually more excited about turning 3 than she was about getting presents and treats! When the day finally came, I said "Annabelle! It's your birthday!" She replied "I'm Three?!" Her eyes lit up and she was so happy!

Annabelle's birthday fell on a Sunday this year, but there was no shortage of fun and love for her special day. We were on a camping trip with the Bos family, and they made sure she had a wonderful birthday morning. As she and I came out of the trailer, everyone sang to her and made her feel very special. Then she got to open up some awesome presents including a darling princess pillow, 2 prince barbies (she has all the girls, and is now on to collecting their true loves), and tinkerbell dishes. She was more than thrilled with her new toys!

Then it was on to Grandma and Papa's house for more celebrating! She had an adorable princess cake waiting for her, and everyone sang "Happy Birthday" (including her). Who can blame her...it's a catchy song and she's just barely learned the WHOLE thing :) Too bad she wasn't as excited about the candles...she made Paige and Daisy blow out her candles because she was scared of the fire :) After eating some yummy cake and ice cream, she got to open more thoughtful gifts such as Cinderella and Snow White dress-ups, a doll house, princess and tinkerbell puzzles, a personalized princess CD, and a Prince Phillip barbie! It shouldn't be any surprise that she had a wonderful night!

We're so glad you had such a happy day Annabelle! And more importantly, we're so blessed to have you in our family, and to share days like this by your side. Thanks for being our beautiful, 3 yr. old Princess! Happy Birthday!

"I love this!"

"That Cake is AMAZING!"
"Mmmmm...even more amazing than I thought!"

"Happy Birthday dear Annabelle..."

"I get to keep all these little princesses from the cake!"

"Puzzles!"

"I want this on...yes before I continue opening presents"

"The princesses are hosting a delightful Royal Ball...And proclamations have been sent one and all! The visitors are eager for the merriment to start--they await the guest of honor who is dear to every heart! This fancy ball will celebrate the birthday of a star...And who is that celebrity? Why yes, of course--You are!"

Our little Cinderella

"Whoa! A doll house! My 1st one!"

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANNABELLE ALYSE!

SEPTEMBER 3RD, 2010

Happy Birthday Friends!

Annabelle LOVED celebrating birthdays with her friends last month! It was fun to watch her play with her friends and develop stronger relationships with them. We are so lucky and blessed to have such wonderful close friends and neighbors. I truly LOVE where we live! Thanks everyone for inviting us to celebrate with you :) HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Mercedes turned 5 and celebrated at Jump On It ("The Jump House")!
Always excited to see what the presents are!
Mercedes and her cute cousin Lydia

Annabelle's BFF Lily

Jumpin' with Braden and Lydia

Look who came along?! This bright cheery face makes any party better!

"Annabelle sure LOVES jumping!"

Up the stairs and down the slide. Over and over and over again.

Happy Birthday Lily! She turned 3 and celebrated at the outdoor pool! Annabelle was so excited to give Lily this cute picture of the 2 of them together.
Lily, Annabelle and Lydia

"I want that pink one!"

Summer days at the pool are the BEST!

Happy Birthday Braden! He turned 3 and had a super fun Toy Story party!

"Happy Birthday dear Braden..."

"Look at all this candy we scored from the pinata!"

Jackpot!

Kenny might as well be Annabelle's uncle :) She LOVES him!

Waiting in line for a fun game

Braden let all the kids help him open presents! What a great kid!

Happy Birthday Avery and Ayden! They turned 5 and 2, and had an adorable party at the clubhouse.

Pin the Butterfly on the Flower

Annabelle went fishing and caught some bubbles!

Thanks everyone for all the cute invites! We had so much fun partying with you!

Camping!

We went camping this year over Labor Day weekend! This was our 1st time camping together as a family, and we were so happy to share it with the Bos clan. I'll be the 1st to admit that camping with a baby--a 2 month old baby--has its challenges! Phew...I get tired just thinking about it :) Thankfully Aaron and Kristy let me, Annabelle, and Stockton invade their space in the trailer--what would I have done without them?! They--and their wonderful trailer--were lifesavers! We are so blessed to have such a wonderful family.

Our days were filled with conversations by the camp fire, searches for wood, meal preparations, feeding Stockton, trying to get Annabelle and Stockton to nap, a little reading, eating, and playing. As busy as it was, it was great to be able to spend time with family and to let the kids be free to roam and play. Annabelle loves her cousin Liv, and had a great time with her. And us? We love hanging out with Kristy, Aaron, Nikki, Eric, Piete, Mimi and Papa. There's always an abundance of conversation and laughter! I'm sure we'll be doing this again next year!

Annabelle's cute camping 'Do'
Staying warm and cozy with "Prince Eric"
Annabelle and Liv playing with their glow-in-the-dark sticks!

Lots of attitude wrapped up in one adorable little girl!

Nikki keeping Liv warm with some hot oatmeal--Mmmmmm

Me attempting to keep Annabelle warm. It was somewhat successful :)

Baby Stock enjoying nap time with Mimi

Rocky sitting in his favorite place--Papa's lap!

My trailer buddy Kristy

Good Morning Piete!

Nikki and Eric showing Prissy some love

I love this picture! Annabelle looks like a deer in headlights: "Uh-Oh! Am I in trouble?"

My little camper :) Can she possibly get any cuter?

Thanks for a wonderful time and for all the help everyone! We love you!