Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Kate's Birthday


Katherine Audrey was born on February 18th, 1999. She was
so adorable and such a beautiful baby. We couldn't begin to imagine the joy & laughter this little girl would bring into our lives.





















She didn't have much hair and we let her play cars with her brother. She was a messy baby, but she was so funny too! She grew up fast, but still loves to snuggle & tells us she loves us about 5x a day.














She finally got some beautiful blonde curls. I couldn't have been happier to have a daughter with curly hair, but it soon would straighten out & disappear. Some even got cut off by her brother.



















She has a great smile and loves to get her picture taken. She loves to watch people, make silly faces, and loves to draw & color. She is a daddy's girl and knows how to work her magic on him.








She is a smart and talented girl. We are very proud of her. Don't all parents think their kids are the best?

Of course, they do!!!










Now, She is 10 years old. She is a social butterfly, loves music & High School Musical on every level, American Girl dolls, loves to bake, help in the kitchen, and shop for clothes. She has great friends, still loves to snuggle and play with her baby dolls.


















She had a little sleepover this year for her birthday. We made strawberry cake with vanilla icing, played school, and watched High School Musical 3. She makes me laugh everyday & we are crazy about our little girl.














Happy Birthday Katie Bug!
We love you!

(She really does sleep like this every night. Crazy. huh?)

Monday, February 16, 2009

Happy Anniversary



















It was 16 years ago on February 12, 1993 that John & I decided to spend eternity together. We were married in the Chicago, IL temple on a cold & snowy day.

We had a wonderful reception with family & friends. We spent our honeymoon at Disney World in Orlando and have been addicted ever since.

We have been blessed with a great life & two beautiful children. I am so glad to be married to John & look forward to another 16 years. Then that's it....just kidding!
Happy Anniversary John! I love you!
















This photo is me with my grandparents. I am so lucky to have known & grown up with my grandparents and my great-grandparents.

In this photo...My maternal grandmother, Thelma Snelling, myself, my paternal grandmother & grandfather, Barbara & Bill Hughes.
















My family at the reception from left to right....

My brother Rob (15), my sister Jennifer (17), my sister Vanessa (10), John & me, my mom, my brother Keith (12), and my dad.

I am the oldest in the family & it is crazy to see how young they were when I got married. It was sad that I was leaving home.















John's family at the reception from left to right....

His sisters, Kathleen & Elaine, John & me, his mother, Audrey, his brother, Mike and his sister Joyce. Maureen was unable to make it.

Notice I did not include the age at the time of our wedding. John is the youngest in his family and also 6 years older than myself.

They have been a great addition to my life.

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Spencer gets braces

About two weeks ago, Spencer got his braces. We spent about 3 hrs at the orthodontist getting the mold and braces put on his teeth and I got to read for 3 hrs and watch periodically. He has done a great job taking care of them and doing all the brushing.
He was pretty grossed out by the pictures of the bad brushing and puffy gums. He lost a tooth today and only has one more baby tooth to lose. He chose red rubber bands for this time,but will get them changed every 12 wks at his regular visit. After our orthodontist visit, I took Spencer to get Maid Rites for lunch. He had no problem eating, but had a lot stuck in his teeth at the end. His mouth didn't start to hurt and bother him until the next day. He wanted to eat cereal, but couldn't do it. I have been fixing him scrambled eggs for breakfast and that seems to be his thing now.
Kate has finished her expander stage and is now in the retainer stage. She will be ready for braces in about 18 months when Spencer will be getting his off. How lucky are we?

Science Fair

It's Science Fair time every year in February and I hate it! My kids have been required to do science fair projects for the last 4 years and I am over it. Every year we spend weeks trying to come up with a project, then how to do it, the report, the board, the presentation prep, and the stress of it all makes me crazy.

Luckily, both kids have done well. This year, they both achieved 1st place honors for their projects and we don't have to go to district science fair. We did this last year and I think it was one of the longest days of my life. Spencer did his project on Heat & Evaporation. He tested different light bulbs and the rate of evaporation over a period of time. Spencer will not be required to do one next year in junior high and I could not be more excited.

Kate did her project on Hot & Cold magnets and does the temperature effect the magnetism. Spencer did this project a few years ago & we were able to adjust & reuse it....good idea huh? She was so excited to get a 1st place ribbon and very proud of her project, despite the small amount of work she actually had to do. Kate also had to do a class presentation and did very well.