happy birthday katie

This birthday feels really big to me. I don't know if it is the long legs, independence or the difference I see so literally between her and the baby in the house. We love Katie for so many reasons. She loves taking care of people. She is always ready to talk sweetly to Gray when he is crying, get Levi drinks or make him a sandwich, and snuggle with Taylor and I. She loves to tell us she loves us. Every night when she prays at dinner she says, "Dear God, thank for this day and thank you for my mom and dad. I love them so much." She wakes up with a joyful spirit. Every. Single. Day. Mommy could learn a lesson from her in this area. She comes bounding into our room telling us her clock turned green and doesn't stop talking for about 12 hours. She is the type of kid that can throw up every 15 minutes for 6 hours and never cry or complain even once. She loves to be independent and do things herself. Her self-confidence is strong. She loves to tell us all the things she is a "master" of. Example: After she slid down the playset sideways, doing the splits, and managed to land on her feet miraculously. "mommy, I am the master of getting down." She helps with chores, loves to feed the dog, make her bed, brush her hair, can write her name and most of the rest of the immediate and extended families names too. She is sounding out words and is so close to reading on her own. She loves riding her bike with training wheels, just went for her first horseback ride, (and had quite the good seat:), loves dressing up and showing us beautiful dances to this horrible Baby Einstein Classical cd. She asked Jesus into her heart this year and has a childlike faith that God uses to draw me closer to him through her. She forgives easily. Though it takes her a while to warm up to people, once you are on her "in-list" she will stick to you like glue. She is learning to "keep her horse on the path." Our code for not throwing huge fits. This 4th year with her has been such a joy. I am so blessed to be her Mom. I pray that the next year would grow her in her faith, joy, gentleness and knowledge. Our verse of dedication we pray over our kids is from Numbers and I pray it for her again for this year. Katie Madison, May the Lord bless you and keep you. May He make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you and give you strength. We love you sweetheart. Happy Birthday!

Celebrations from years past:
She's Here!http://taylorandbeckysfamily.blogspot.com/2008_04_01_archive.html
First Birthdayhttp://taylorandbeckysfamily.blogspot.com/2009/03/happy-first-birthday-katie.html
Second Birthdayhttp://taylorandbeckysfamily.blogspot.com/2010/03/birthday.html
Third Birthdayhttp://taylorandbeckysfamily.blogspot.com/2011/03/princess-tinkerbell-birthday-party.html

A family pic

A rare occasion with all of us dressed and looking pretty clean. Gray isn't looking at the camera, but good enough! Love love love my family! Thanks Laura for the cute matching outfits and Lisa for taking the picture!

belly laugh

Levi's laugh kills me. It has been amazing since he was a baby. It is infectious and because he is truly just loving life. Enjoy!

Grayson is 3 months old.

What a sweet baby he continues to be. As long as I eat enough he sleeps great through the night, rarely fusses and loves to smile and giggle at people. He has become addicted to his hands and has pretty much phased the paci out. I took him to the zoo this month were he very kindly slept the entire time. He can roll over both ways if he get just the right angle. He has started grabbing things and putting them in his mouth and will start fussing when he can't figure out how to get it out of his face. I have found him with a peanut and playdough in his mouth recently. Thank you Levi. He loves watching faces, lights and television (which, of course, we don't allow often.) He can lay on his tummy and hold his head up now with barely any wobbling. Here is a short video of him at 3 1/2 months!

The Rapunzel Party

Rapunzel, Rapunzel let down your hair! We decorated the playset like a Rapunzel tower.

Levi loves being a "beautiful princess." I told Taylor it is time for me to make some super-hero capes!

They are really pretty good friends...half the time.

Grayson as Flynn Ryder.

Blinding the kids to try and get a picture.

We tried to play a balloon race game. Awesome with all the kids that were 3 and under...almost all of them. It lasted all of 30 seconds before the balloons blew away, popped or the kids were done.

Aunt Emi and the kiddos.

Katie's First 4th Birthday Party

Taylor's family is big enough that we have started doing monthly get togethers and celebrating birthdays then. We actually have a birthday every month except for July! Since it was St. Patrick's Day we went with a rainbow theme! Katie had her green shamrock shirt and rainbow hairdo.Painting rainbow initials. The boys were too busy playing to join in.Rainbow streamers.
A simple rainbow of balloons.Levi's car went behind the chair. This was the way he went to get it. Forget moving the chair or reaching around it:)

Present time!

Me trying to sing Happy Birthday and keep Levi away from the candles.

The rainbow cupcakes. I tried a pinterest recipe that came out ok. The rainbow wasn't as vibrant as I hoped it would be.

Eating their cupcakes.

The crew of Colorado cousins minus Levi and Anya.

Stuff we're doing.

Being cute and 3 months old! Making sad faces.
Cleaning. Before.

Cleaning. After.

Smiling at the flashing light.

Making avocado chocolate pudding.

Playing "bed on the stairs."

Best game ever.

Making handwriting stamps.

Potty Training.

or

Sitting on the potty for extended amounts of time and then peeing and pooping on the floor.

Growing green onions from the shoots. I have harvested them like 3 times already.

Spilling bubbles everywhere. Then running inside, dripping bubbles, to let me know.

Pearly Whites

My little girl had her first dentist appointment today. I can't stand how fast she is growing up. She was very nervous going into the visit. She woke up this morning talking about how she couldn't wait to go and then told me she didn't want to go anymore. We practiced what it would be like so she was somewhat prepped for the day. Our visit went so great and all the staff was so great with her. Once she warmed up to them she didn't stop talking the rest of the visit.

Here she is with her sunglasses to block the bright light. She chose raspberry paste since she picks raspberries at Grandma's house. Getting her x-rays. She was not a fan of the "heavy bib."
I was so happy to see her able to get past her nervousness and be the sweet, cheerful, inquisitive little girl I know she can be:)