picture overload!

I know, finally, right?  Not sure how the days go by so quick, but here are the pictures we had taken while on vacation.  A lot of pictures.  I used to get so uptight about getting pictures with everybody smiling, looking in one direction...ha.  I actually love these pictures b/c it's where we're at right now.  We have one little one (Kemeri) that had never, ever seen the sand before, so she just wasn't real sure she thought much of it.  And Kendi's scowl in most of the pictures just makes me giggle.  She is not impressed with the person that has her "boo bunny", waving it around trying to get her to smile.  And of course, there's all the moments in between poses that we need to get our feet wet, play in the sand, or just silly around for a few.  It was all good. :o)

Quick story about the next picture...I cannot afford to buy outfits for everybody just for pictures, so we always try to utilize basics that we already have.  I did all the packing & made sure everybody had something, but had one of those "uh-oh" moments when we got to HHI.  Somehow, I left Kaya's white tank top behind (Joe:  "Gee, that's not like you."  Thanks, honey, I know...lol).  Anyway, there was no time to go to the store, so I started digging.  All I could find was her white tank top with a very sparkly hot pink heart on it, but it would have to do (again, I'm learning not to stress about it, but forget about it).  When we got the pictures back, the first thing Joe said was, "Look where Kaya is in this picture."  We literally grabbed hands for this picture, & there she is...with "the heart" right in the center of our family. :o)

Yep, we still kiss in front of the children, & they still react the same as they always have!

oh my...she's 5

On August 6, 2007, a teeny, tiny little girl was born, & we were oblivious.

Five years ago today, that teeny, tiny little girl turned our family upside down & stole our hearts.  This is the only picture I have from that day, taken from a friend's cell phone.  Like I said...the world had just turned upside down in a period of a couple of hours, so I really wasn't camera ready. ;o)

I can't believe Kaya Ashley Faith is now 5 years old!  We celebrated our sweetie on Monday.

Scratch that.  We've celebrated her every day since she rocked our world 5 years ago.

This was just an extra special day to celebrate being 5!

Complete with cake, of course.

And lucky for Kaya, her big sister, Kaelee, makes pretty awesome cake!

And in attendance at her grand celebration were special guests...

Great Grandparents AND Grandparents!!!

Along with brothers & sisters & Mommy & Daddy, who happen to love you sooo much!

How special to snuggle in with Great Grandpa to try out a new toy.

And to top off a wonderful day, our princess recieved a beautiful birthday crown from her wonderful friend, Taylor...What a fitting way to end the day!!

Happy Birthday, Kaya Ashley Faith!! You bless us to the moon & back, & we all love you bunches!!

a little facelift

I am soooo excited!  We just got the disc of pictures that a friend's sister took of our family on vacation.  I am beyond thrilled b/c they are sweet, lots of candids, & it's EVERYBODY!

I will share some of the favorites soon, but thought I'd at least take a minute to update the picture at the top of my blog, which of course, led to doing a little bit of changing around of the background (I was not digging the bright pink & black with the beach shot!).

Ok, I can't help it.  Here's a few until I can get the rest posted. ;o)