What? Audrey's 5?!!

Yes, our little Audrey turned 5 years old on November 14th, and she just keeps growing and growing.

1 Week Old

3 months

5 months

7 months

8 months

11 months

1 year

15 months

18 months

2 years

3 years

4 years

5 years

Audrey had a princess birthday this year.  This is Rapunzel.  Yes, the top of her dress is fondant icing, and the bottom is the cake.

So all the little guests came in their princess dresses and we just had a ball!

You are growing up into a beautiful young lady, our little Audrey.  We love your peacemaking abilities, your giant, kind heart, your ability to recognize how you can help those around you, your smile that lights up the whole room, and all the love and joy you bring to our lives.

Savannah Turns 2

Half a year late, but making an effort to catch up here.  Our little Savannah keeps on growing up, just like the rest of 'em.  On October 14th she turned 2 years old.

6 days old

 

3 months

4 months

5 months

6 months

7 months

9 months

10 months

1 Year 

16 months

17 months

18 months

21 months

Julie tried a new cake decorating technique, which I don't know what it's called.  She basically printed a picture from the internet, then created this flow icing with which she could recreate the picture on top of the cake.  Whatever it's called, it turned out awesome.  See below.

2 years

We love you little Savannah for all the smiles, joy, and happiness you bring into our family and home.

You are such a confident, articulate little girl, and you amaze us and amuse us each week of our lives.

Thanksgiving 2013

This was a grand Thanksgiving.  This was the first (and looks like only :(  ) year that Emily, Steve and crew would be in the NW.  At the time, we were still crossing our fingers that the Army would match him with the emergency medicine residency, but alas, we found out shortly after, that it would not be so.  We have loved having them so near us, but I digress.

Steve and Em hosted everyone this year.  Sara, Kalon, and crew came up from Boise.  Molly came up from Laramie, WY.  I have a cousin and his wife who live just 15 minutes or so from Steve and Emily, so we invited them as well (Nick and Amy).  Amy's  parents live in Portland, and were invited to come up as well.  It was awesome to get together with everyone, and Amy's parents fit right in.  There really isn't much better than lots of good food, fantastic dessert, and great company, and we had it all.

Trey and Audrey hopped in the car with Sara and crew before I got home from work.  Julie, Sav, and I went up later Wed evening.

Em, the master organizer, and head chef.

Steve and Em got a briquette grill at a yard sale for free, so I took advantage of it and grilled the turkey.

Oh boy, it turned out so tasty, moist, and with a light smokey flavor.  Made for a killer soup later, too.

This is the only way we do turkey anymore.  Oven style just doesn't measure up.

Sisters

Auntie Molly with most of the nieces and nephews.  Only Savannah and Ivan missing.

Unbelievable pumpkin cheese cake.

Evening not complete without an apple pie.

Contemplating and researching future adventures.

The whole crew before Nick and Amy left.  It was great to have them there and get to know Amy and her parents a little better.

Friday morning I had to head back to work, so everybody else, sans the babies and dads, went to the children's museum in Olympia.

This picture was taken after we all found out that Emily would give us a new niece or nephew.  At the spur of the moment I decided that the evening needed even more joy, so I announced our pregnancy as well.  It was one of those moments of, "Sshhh!  Our own kids don't even know yet!"   "Wait, what did Aaron say?  Are you guys pregnant too!?"  "Ssshh!  It's still a secret!"  "Huh?  What's going on here?"

Auntie Molly brought her "Insanity" workout, and did one Saturday afternoon.  Trey did the entire workout with her.  I was impressed and he was pretty proud.  Audrey came and went as she pleased.

Saturday afternoon turned out to be a pretty nice one.  Cool, but sunny.    We headed to the park to get out of the house.

Emily Rose and Savannah Rose

And they're out.