Funny Faces

Just a quiet weekend here at home, but Alivia kept us entertained!

3 1/2 Years Old!

Our sweet Alivia is 3 1/2 today! To treat her, Matt and I took her to Chuck E. Cheese's and then came back for some cupcakes with Mimi and Pa. 

Things I want to always remember about our little girl at this age:

1) She loves to pick out her clothes for the next day before going to bed the night before. She even picks out her bows and underwear and places them at the foot of her bed.

2) She looked over at her brother last night and said, "Will, you look very handsome."

3) After I told her that I loved her, she said "I love you as much as I can."

4) This interchange with Matt.

M: Look, Alivia, our regular mailman is not delivering mail today, it is a woman today.

A: Yeah, it's the mail MA'AM

5) She is a total rules follower and reminds me when she needs to have her vitamin, brush her teeth and take medication.

6) She remembers people's names better than I do.

7) She can remember who gave her what gifts and on what occasion. It is remarkable.

8) She is starting to identify letters, especially anything with an "A" in it.

9) She is cautious and often shy in new situations, but after warming up she is a natural leader.

10) She is God's incredible gift to our family. There are days when I just cannot believe He has entrusted me to take care of her.

Alivia, I love you more than words can express. You are such a blessing to our family. 

Happy Half-Birthday Sweet Girl!

4th of July Weekend

We had a really low-key weekend. It was so nice! We decided to not even go to the lake and just hang out here as a family. Alivia and I walked in the BW parade, we went to the mall as a family and just played around the house. It was great. We took some family shots today after church because I thought the kids and Matt looked so cute. 

Beatin' the Heat

Since our neighborhood pool is still closed for remodeling (grrrr) we have to be creative around here. So I made a make-shift slide/pool combo that the kids had fun playing in today. 

However, I think the person that enjoyed it most in our house was REMY! 

Afterwards we all had lunch and I caught some video of the kids in action.

Will has started to smile on command but what it is actually just him blinking his eyes. So funny.

My Cookie Monster

Alivia (like me) loves all types of raw cookie dough and batter. We both agree that a majority of the time the batter or dough is better than the final baked good. When she says she wants to "help me" make cookies and cakes, what she really wants is a good licking of the bowl. Yummy!

Weekend in Shreveport

We just got back from an incredible weekend in Shreveport visiting my friend Red and her husband Brian. I really loved Shreveport - the food, the homes, the beautiful trees. But the best part was getting a weekend away with my dear friends from college. I hope we make it an annual event. Red is due with her first baby boy (Baker) in November. Thanks Red for a great weekend! Brian, those steaks were incredible!

Father's Day Weekend

Happy Father's Day to my dear husband, Matt. He is the best father I know and I am blessed to be married to him. To celebrate, I gave him this crazy soda making machine that carbonates any liquid. It is hilarious. He has been making homemade soda water (all different flavors) all day long. We spent Saturday night at the lake the with entire Taylor clan which is also always very fun. Alivia rode in the kayak for the first time with Pa and had a really good time. Matt got out his good camera and took a few action shots of me on the wakeboard (yahhooo!)