Daniel's 31st Birthday

 My wonderful husband turned 31 July 27th!  We bought a ton of ribs and chicken to celebrate the occasion.  Abby loves helping her dad prepare the meat.  Daniel is an expert BBQer (if that is a word).

 Here is the cake I made for my Love.  He is not one for cakes so I did this instead.  It was a hit.

 For dessert we had Rhubarb pie and brownies.  Rhubarb Pie is Daniel's favorite I make.

Blowing out the candles!
I am so lucky to have such an amazing husband.  I love you so much!

Ruby Mae- 1 Year Later

 Ruby...
...weighs 21 pounds (30%)
...is 28 inches long (30%)
...can have a temper
... is very independent
... however, she is a huge mamma's girl
...is getting a few more teeth

 ...is more confidant in her walking
... loves to play outside
...loves to eat fruit of all kinds especially strawberries
...loves go-gurts
...doesn't need me to rock her to sleep any more.  She does wake up once, but goes back to sleep once I change her diaper.

 ...is stubborn
...has a best friend named Emma
...likes to sit on the couch, and climb on chairs.  Or should I say stand on chairs.
...only uses her binky while sleeping.
...hates getting her diaper changed.
... can say "mama", "dada", and "ba ba" (bottle)
...understands a few directions like, "give it to mama" and "pick up your toy"

 ...continues to play in the dogs food and water after multiple "NO's!"
...has the cutest smile
...gets diaper rash when she eats cherries
...wears 12month and some 18 month clothes
...wears about a size 3 in shoes
... loves to carry around a purse
...tired on one of her sisters princess heels and wore it pretty good!

...makes us smile every day.  I can't get enough of this little girl.

Ruby Mae's First Birthday

 July 20th 2012 was Ruby Mae's first birthday.  Her theme "Under the Sea."  I made white and chocolate cupcakes.  Some had blue cream cheese frosting, a few had pink and the rest had plain cream cheese frosting with crushed graham crackers on top for a sandy effect!

 For party favors the kids took home a coloring book reflecting the theme, crayons, a water gun and of course the fish that was on their cupcake.

 Here is the big birthday girl.  She was not going to leave that bow on her head.  I was so sad because it really added to her outfit.  I am just going to have to get her used to them again.

 Beautiful big sister.

 We had close to 50 people at our house.  Thank goodness for a summer birthday.  50 people in our house is really hard.  Everyone seemed to have a really good time.  We had hot dogs, hot links, and brats for dinner.  Family brought side dishes and drinks.

 It was so much fun to see all the kids at the party playing.  Things were really busy so I wasn't able to get pictures of all of them.

I had an "Under the Sea" vision.  I saw balloons tied to the top of our deck making it look like we were under water.  Praying the same vision I had in my head came out in real life, my cousin Lauren tired over 60 balloons to the top of the deck!  Bless her heart!  She also video taped the whole party.

 When I first gave Ruby the cake she wasn't sure what to do with it.  I thought for sure she would dive right in.  She loves cupcakes and smashes them all over her face.  However, once I gave her a taste of it she jumped to it.  There was a ton of frosting on this cake.  I finally had to cut a bit of the cake so she could eat some cake.  Her poop was literally blue for a couple days.

 Daniel and I both got tagged with the frosting...in the same spot!

 I guess this wasn't the best place for a family picture...at least we are all squinting!

 After eating her cake.  Auntie Kyla bathed her, and cleaned up the entire mess!  I gave her a big KISS!

 Present time!

 Ruby actually did pretty good with opening her presents.  The other girls wanted to help so bad, and they did once Ruby lost interest.

 Ruby received some wonderful gifts.  Here is the list (for her memories):

Grandma and Papa Lee: Rocking chair and some clothes

Grandma and Grandpa Brown: Madame Alexander doll.  It's so pretty!

Grandma and Grandpa Brown, Uncle Kyle,  Auntie Katie, Colin, Uncle Matthew and Auntie Lauren:
Princess ride toy (she loves it), Weebles play set, and an Elephant Ball Popper

Mailey and Gabby Peterson: outfit and birthday mug

Ashlynn, Auntie Kyla, and Uncle Ryan: Touch Turtle

Michael, Amy, and Rick: Elephant doodler and OSU onesie

Uncle Nick and Auntie Nana: Little People Tea Set

Brevin, Camille, and Dan:  Rhyme and Discovery Book

Riley, Tim and Becky: Baby, Book, and an outfit

Emma, Hayley and Scott Smith:  Toms

Brian, Lauren and Eloise:  Target gift card

Andrea and Joe:  Singing Scoops toy

Brooke, Lindsey and Josh Boatner:  Swim suit

Cora, Jamie and JJ:  Match and explore city

All in all, I think my little princess had a great time.  She is really enjoying and learning from all of her gifts.  I can't believe it's been a year!  I love you so much Ruby Mae.  You are a very special little girl.

Too Fast!

The last few weeks I have been frantically planning Ruby Mae's first birthday.  Of course I am making it way bigger than it needs to be.  But, it's my last first birthday to plan.  I am really having a hard time with how fast she has grown up.  She is walking and we are sleep training right now.  I think half the problem with the sleeping issue is me.  I don't want to let go of that rocking time we had.  But I know it's going to be a huge benefit for both of us.  I am also having a hard time with the fact of not having any more babies.  Daniel is done, and I still want to have another.  However, I know I would be insane to have a third.  I am already in over my head as it is.  I guess I am asking for the Lords peace to spread over me about the blessings I do have in my life, and to cherish my little girls each and every day.  I know there are fun time ahead....it's just one of those chapters in my life that's hard to close.

Our Annual Trillium Lake Camp Out!

 July 12 was the beginning of our camping trip to Trillium Lake!  We go with some of our great friends, the Schuette's and Lamoreaux's!  We got 2 sites and had a ton of room for the kids to play and roam.

 When we first arrived we unpacked and of course as all campers do started eating and drinking.  Here is Cora(a few months older than Ruby)  with Abby and Ruby.  She has the cutest cowboy hat on.

 Next we had to check out the water.  It was so warm.  There were these perfect shallow areas where the girls could play in the water and the mud.

 Cora and Jaime basking in the sun.  Cora loves the water!  She ran full speed ahead to it.

 Both Abby and Ruby loved the water.  Well.....actually the mud was Ruby's favorite.

 Camp food is so good!  The first night we had pulled pork sandwiches.  When we woke up the next morning biscuits and gravy were served to us.  Lunch was taco salad, then dinner was Daniel's steak and avocado salad mix.  So good!!

 I'm not sure if Cora is a very good influence on our girls.  She tends to  like the bottle!  LOL!

 Relaxing by the fire!  Ruby loved sitting on all the camp chairs.  She especially loved the treats we put in the cup holders for her.  I have never seen this kid eat so much.  She constantly had food in her hands, or walked around asking people for food.  Poor uncle Tim had to share a smore with her.

 I was really nervous about sleeping.  I wasn't sure how the girls would do.  Abby did great!  The last few times we went camping she was not into sleeping in the tent or her sleeping bag.  This time she loved it!  Ruby actually did pretty good too.  All the girls did fantastic.  Of course there were some wake ups in the night, but we all made it through.

 Our view of Mt. Hood.

 These little creatures are called Timber Tigers.  I felt like I was in a Disney movie the whole time camping.  The Timber Tigers and the blue jays were constantly trying to get to our food.  They would actually come pretty close to us.  Abby and Riley would chase them, and hunt them.  The guys even tried to catch them with an old school trap of a box being held up with a stick and a string attached! The animals would go every where around the trap.  It was pretty funny watching the guys get all upset about it.

 Daddy relaxing.  It was a much needed time to get away from it all..

 The next day we went to the water again.  Prepared with swim suits and floaters and toys.  The weather wasn't really cooperating and it was pretty chilly.  The kids had fun though.

 The babies were done after about 10 minutes of the cold.  Poor Cora, who loves water had it so she needed a little rest.  I hope milk is in that bottle.  :)

 There was a mamma and her ducklings in the area we were at.  Here are some of the babies.

 Abby getting on the "relaxation station"  This was the coolest float!  Thanks Tim and Becky!  Jaime and I went back early with the babies so we didn't get a chance to actually use it on the water, but it was pretty cool!

 The girls out numbered the guys!!!

 And of course there had to be an injury.  Ruby fell on a stump and got a pretty good sized goose egg on her head.

 One last trip to the water to play in the mud.

 Ruby fell asleep before we even left the camp grounds.  Soon after sister fell asleep.

What a fabulous vacation!  I hope we can do it again next year.