Our baby is 2

I can hardly believe that Marlee, my baby, is two today! Where has the time gone! The picture of her in the yellow sweater was taken on her first birthday. She is no longer a baby, but a little girl, although she is still sucking her thumb:)


Laun took her out to Wendy's for her birthday lunch. She ate chicken nuggets and french fries with sauce (anything like dips, ketchup, or dressings, she calls sauce). She also enjoyed her frosty, which she calls ice-mmmmm.


I did a little photo shoot of our big 2 year old girl:





She loves to say "peace out", instead of goodbye, when someone is leaving. So I had her flash the peace out sign, since she is two today.




I was planning on having her open her presents after dinner, but she had different plans. I guess she was too excited to wait till later.
She loved this doll from Grandma Turley and didn't want to put it down.

I loved how excited she was this year to open presents. This is such a fun age!

Grandma Frost sent her a box of goodies: treats, a bear, and some cute shirts and cardigans.

We got her the little people happy sounds home (I wish our home was always full of happy sounds). Here she is putting the baby on the potty- it even makes a flushing noise.

We had Tuscany potato soup (may not look appetizing, but it sure tastes good) and braided bread for dinner. Plus we got to use my new dishes that Laun got for me.


I was lazy this year, and instead of making Marlee a cake, I bought one from Costco. It had delicious layers of chocolate cake, chocolate chip cheesecake, and chocolate mousse. The girl likes her chocolate, so it was a winning combo. We had the Allen family and of course Jonathan and Darleen over too.

I usually put her food directly on the tray, rather then on a plate. This way she has less things to throw of course.
We love this girl! She was blessed to come into a family who was so excited to have her and loves her every second. After losing Cooper, we truly realized what a miracle and blessing all of our children are. Marlee we love you and are so grateful that you are part of our eternal family!

Marlee's birthday lunch with Daddy...

Beech Nut

Yup, we got another dog-third time is a charm, I hope. Laun brought it back with him from Josh and Misty's. It is a cute little dog, and it reminds me of cookies and cream ice cream. Laun and the boys named him Beech Nut, they don't even know why. The funny thing is that Laun looked up what beech nut means, and it is a type of tree. That means every dog we've owned has had a plant or tree name. The kids are cute with it and it is warming up to it's new home.

This little cutie Raegan came to visit us- along with her parents & sister. We always have a great time with Ryan and Kami.
And school started back for me tonight. I have english and institute this semester.

fluffy clouds of sweetness

We have gotten plenty of use out of our cotton candy machine already. The coolest thing about it, is that you can even put hard candy in it. You drop in two pieces and you get lots of cotton candy. So far we have tried lifesavers, jolly ranchers, butterscotch, werther's original, cinnamon, dum-dums, candy canes, etc. The kids love it, and Laun and I don't mind it either.

a quiet house today

It is a rare occasion for our home to be quiet, especially when everyone is home. Today was one of those rare days. The boys were reading these books:

Porter just finished reading this book^

Clayton finished reading this^ book.

They are part of a series that the boys both enjoy. I am impressed with them both for reading such long books. I don't remember reading books that big at their age.

Laun and Marlee were watching tv and eating chips:

some of my favs as a mom...

baking with my kids-

hugs and cuddles-

reading to them-

I love my kiddos and feel blessed to be their mom.

Christmas tree burning and roasting mallows.....

Marlee was so happy to roast a marshmallow. Laun let her hold the stick herself, she thought she was so big. Just look at that big grin on her face.


Someday we will get a real fire pit:)



The mallows were those big ones, which made one big sticky mess!

Ringing in the new year- 2011

We spent the new years with our friends Cherise and Graham, my sister Laura and Justin (Justin is Cherise's brother, so I like to consider us related), and their sister Brittany.
We had some yummy food and tried some new cheeses this year.


Cherise and I


Justin, Graham and Laun trying out this really stinky cheese we got. It smelled so bad but, they said it tasted better than it smelled (which still can't be that great).


The boys playing wii, why the grown ups played games.


Graham lit some fireworks



Cherise and I again


Me and my sister Laura- you can easily tell in this picture that I am five years older than her. I'm getting more wrinkly and I sure look old next to her. I think I have really aged lately, but with age comes wisdom, I hope.

My New Year's Resolutions:
-Talk in a kinder and softer voice
-Keep a clean and organized home
-Sew something
-Get healthy
-Volunteer to take photos of babies in the UMC NICU