Up & Away!

A week later, it's still hard for me to believe I'm a mother of a 7 year old lil lady! This year Rylee's only request was to have her close friends over for an 'at home' birthday party. I decided that was a simple enough request. Aunt Missy helped with our totally cute hot air balloon theme. The night turned out to be a huge success! We made necklaces, played an intense game of twister, had a hilarious potato sack race, pinned the tail on Mr. Donkey, ate delicious cupcakes, and enjoyed the chaos! Happy birthday Rylee!

Seven already?

Its still so hard for me to believe my beautiful baby girl is already 7. She's finishing up her first grade year and learning to read like a champ. Rylee has recently decided to quit gymnastics and switch to cheer. She cheers for a local team that I used to when I was a teenager. Rylee is spunky, sweet, smart, honest, such a good friend, a peacemaker, terrific helper, awesome older cousin, loves to cuddle, still has a very tender place in her heart for her grandparents, loves horses, very obedient... I could go on forever! I took Rylee in for a few pics of her in her only year of being 7. I love how these pictures show off her two teeth missing and her love for working the camera :) Your mama loves you and thinks you're pretty special Rylee Kate!!

Florida

We made it! Time to relax and have some fun! Ry found a trampoline on the sand while mom found a nice chair in the sun:) I think a vacation before our vacation was a perfect idea! Cruise time in 2 days! The best part is, Granny Kate has no idea about a big birthday surprise that's coming!
To be continued...

Happy heart day

We had a successful valentines day complete with a fun class party and ending with a plane ride to Florida! Ready for warm weather and sand between our toes!

Blessed

Some nights it's nice to slow down and think about what really matters in life. I'm so lucky to have such an amazing 6.5 year old daughter. She continues to surprise me with her talent daily. I'm so proud of what a smart and sweet girl she's growing up to be. I'm not sure what I did to deserve this incredible little lady but I'm extremely blessed call her mine:)

Makes me smile

Unfortunately Rylee has had a tough time getting into reading... And enjoying it. I've recently come across this beautiful sight the past couple of days. Silently reading the Berenstain Bears. Happy moment for this mama bear:)

Christmas Day!

Wow! What a great day it's been! We started early because Rylee was leaving at 1:00 to spend the rest of the week with her dad. Rylee was spoiled as usual! She made a special wreath this year at school that she was extra excited about giving me! We spent the morning setting up her new Lego sets and dressing her American Girl dolls. After she left cousins came over and I got to hold my newest Niece Laura for quite awhile. She's at the age where talking, cooing, and smiling are her newest tricks. I had so much fun interacting with her. She is such a sweet little girl:) Spencer cooked a buffet dinner for everyone. It's so fun having Nana and Courtney here this year to spend the Holidays with us.