Happy Birthday Lauren!

Nine years ago today our little "Lou" joined our family. I can't believe she's already 9 years old! We love her so much. She has the sweetest disposition. She loves animals, playing with friends, playing outside, collecting things, hunting for bugs, drawing, playing computer, painting, watching movies, riding her bike, rollerblading, and swimming. She is shy, kind, creative, fun, and cute as can be. We are so thankful that she's a part of our family! Here's how we celebrated...

I always leave a birthday message on the mirror with lipstick.

Dad made her whole wheat waffles for breakfast...I always take them lunch at school on their birthdays...she picked Dairy Queen. Yummy! When I was eating lunch with her I asked her if the P.E. teacher knew it was her birthday. She said, "No, and I didn't tell her cause it's kinda mean to walk around saying, It's my birthday! It's my birthday!"

She picked roast for dinner and strawberry cake for dessert. Dave's sister came down with her kids to celebrate with us!

It was a bit crazy and we forgot to sing "Happy Birthday" before we cut into the cake. So, we put a candle in her piece and sang to her...

Then we put 9 candles in the remaining cake and sang again...

Happy Birthday Lauren! We love you!

Lauren's Mess!

The other day, Lauren informed me that when she grows up she wants to live in a "dirty house" and be "really messy." I believe her...

(Lauren's room)

Unfortunately for Lauren, I don't want to live in a "dirty house" and I don't function well when things are "really messy." Therefore, she had to do this...

...much better! :)

Boyscout

Introducing our Boyscout...We are very proud.

What? It's Monday already?

Carter & Taylor~2000

Happy Valentines Day!

Grandpa Matheny & Taylor~1999

Valentine Party Aftermath

Do you remember doing this?So do I...wasn't it grand!

Valentine Boxes

We've been hard at work at our house! Take a look...Ta-DA!!!

A look back...Part 2

More slides of Yours Truly...

Me & my big brothers (I was "spitting up" in this picture)...Chad, Halli, & John

We were camping and evidently I kept trying to crawl into the fire, so they hung me in a tree...

One Year Old...

My mom and I

Halli & Grandpa Cline

A blustery day indeed...

Grandma McDougall & Halli

So fun to take a look back! Thanks for indulging me. ;)

A look back...Part 1

A couple of years ago, my dad gave me two reels of slides (about 200 slides) of me growing up. When I was little we would pull out the projector and watch slide shows. I always loved that... but I haven't seen the slides for about 20 years. Last week, we got a scanner that will scan slides. So, Dave (bless his heart) spent several hours scanning all the slides for me. We laughed and laughed as we took a look back. The kids thought it was hilarious and Taylor said, "Thanks mom for not making us dress like that!" Here are some of our favorites...

This was taken at the fourth of July parade... Can you believe my mom let me go out dressed like that?

Can you say Dorky...

In Hawaii learning to hula with my dad (the big fella in the white and blue striped shirt)...

All I have to say is thank you mom & dad for investing in braces!

I LOVED Annie. My Grandma Cline made me this Annie doll for my birthday. Check out my mom's clothes! Ha-Ha! That couldn't have looked good then either!

My Mom, Grandma Cline, and yours truly!

top row: Me, Erlynn Shultz, Jody Jacobsen, ?, Heather ?, Stephanie Smith

bottom row: Anna Marie Smiley, Cori Hein, Lila Bennett, Danelle Olson, & Tammy Hunter

I wore this beauty to the 7th grade dance... Taylor died laughing when she saw this picture! I can't say I blame her. Yikes! :)