CindaRYLIE's 3rd Birthday Party

We celebrated Rylie's 3rd birthday this weekend...a Princess Party no less. 10 kids and 10 adults running all about our pink castle house. It was SO much fun. We played lots of games:
- Dancing at the Ball
- Mr. Beast What Time is It?
- Musical Terra's
- Kiss the Lips on the Frog
- Decorated fancy glasses
- Pass The Princess Slipper
The kids were hilarious! We also had a small room filled with pink balloons that the kids jumped around in...which Jaden LOVED.

The highlight, after lunch and cake was when the REAL Sleeping Beauty arrived. The kids were AMAZED. Each one got to sit in her lap, have a picture taken, get her autograph and hold her Princess shoe! Becca (former nanny) was the PERFECT princess...in character and all. It was such a fun surprise!!!
















































































































































We cannot believe Rylie is 3. Where has the time gone? Slow down!!! She is VERY energetic, uninhibited, welcoming, and totally gets energized by people. The more the merrier for her! She is often on the run, yet also enjoys playing by herself in her imagination, and reading books. She is full of personality, a great communicator, sweet as can be, and then as stubborn as ever. She is even learning to help out with Jaden which is so cute and appreciated. We feel so blessed to be her parents, and have so much fun with her. We are so proud of the little girl she is becoming (some days more than others!!!)

Here are A LOT more pics from the party...(especially for you Nana and Papa!)



















We love you Rylie-Lou!!!

Jaden at 11 months!

Little Jaden is almost one year old!! Oh she has grown up so fast.

She has an infectous laugh...



And just started to walk (which we still need to vidceo). Here is a clip of a week or two ago while learning...

We love Rachael who lives with us. We wish she could just stay with us for the long haul. A perfect fit in deed. For the amount of time she is with our family, we do not have many pictures! Here is one of her making cookies with Rylie.

















Twister is one of Rylie's favorite games, as she often asks for it when friends and cousins come over. Here is one afternoon she and J were playing.

Make-up Madness

Earlier this month, after we put Rylie to bed...we heard a bit of running around upstairs. Chad went up and found Rylie in our room, after having gotten into my make-up bag. He had her come downstairs to appologies, and this is what her face looked like:



Can you see the tears...she knew she had done something wrong. We had a friend over that night, and we could not contact ourselves from laughing. Yes, that is mascara on her forhead, lips, cheeks, etc. We went upstairs and there was also mascara on our fur bed spread and carpet. Oh my goodness. Fortunately it all came out after stain treatment and scrubbing!

When I asked her about the incident, her reply was, "I just wanted to be like mommy!" She said this several times while crying. Oh so cute.

Christmas Day at Granne and Gramps...

Christmas morning...

Christmas Eve Hike!

We'd love to make this a tradition...hiking the day before Christmas. We also would love to guarantee the 60 degree sunny weather! Ha!

Jamaica Mission Trip

Chad and I just returned from a 2 week long mission trip to Catadupa, Jamaica, with a team of 90 students! Needless to say it was an AMAZING time, where we saw God work in our own lives, the lives of students, and in and through the beautiful Jamaican people. We hosted vacation Bible school for kids, built LOTS of: porta potties, cement walled rooms/buildings, roads, and fixed homes. We got to hear the story of MANY locals...some that would break your heart because of the despair...and others who would bring you to tears because of their beautiful devotion to God. We came to give of ourselves...but I know we were the ones who gained the most. Words cannot express this trip...so here is a 3 minute video recap, one of our team members created...



Thank you for your prayers. And of course, a HUGE thank you to mom and dad Walker for watching Rylie and Jaden the entire time. We are still wondering how you got them to sleep in each morning...you are pros!!!!!! Your lives are such a display of extravagent love, support and generosity. We love you!!!