Happy Birthday to Hailey!

Hailey turned 7 this past Thursday, January 17. I can't believe she's growing up so fast! She's so smart and so sweet--we truly are blessed to have her! She had a mini-party in school that day (cupcakes and juice) and a mini-family party that evening. Her big party was on Saturday. It was Fairy Princess themed, and all of her guests were invited to dress as fairies or princesses. She had quite a few guests, and it was great fun. Here are some pictures from the party.

Singing to Princess Hailey.

Everyone enjoying cake and ice cream in the Billiard Room.

The Fairy Princess line-up (well, most of them). They are standing in front of the movie screen in the Media Room.

Watching "Barbie as the Island Princess" from the theater seats.

The Media Room

Monkey Mess

So we had some friends over for dinnner tonight. Well, the little girl, Lane (aka Laney), is 2-1/2, and Mia's "best friend". Anyway, Lane and Mia went into the girls' bedroom to play. Hailey proceeded to come out and inform us that Mia and Lane had destroyed the closet. (It's a big walk-in closet that houses all of the girls' stuff.) I thought nothing of it at first. After all, they weren't destroying the living room or my bedroom, and it's not like they hadn't destroyed the closet before. (Those two, together, are a force to be reckoned with.) A little later I decided to check out the wreckage. I was in for a surprise. Hailey had been right, and it was the largest case of mass destruction yet for our little apartment. Chris decided it was blog-worthy, so he took a picture. The full extent of the destruction cannot be captured by man-made equipment, but here's what it looked like through the lens.

Notice how Mia is all smiles and innocence, whereas Lane is feeling sheepish.

(At least it was confined to the closet. Whew!)

12th Anniversary!

This past Saturday (1/5/08) we celebrated our 12th wedding anniversary. 12 years seems like such a long time, but it doesn't feel like 12 years could have possibly gone by already. Well, to celebrate Chris took me to a place he's been anxious to go to for months--Fogo de Chao. (http://www.fogodechao.com/) It's a Brazilian steakhouse where about 15 different cuts of meat on skewers are carved tableside at your bidding. It is fantastic! And, wow, is it expensive! But it is well worth the expense to enjoy the experience. If you are ever near one of the 10 locations in the U.S., save your pennies and be sure to go!

After dinner we took in a movie. "I Am Legend," to be exact. It wasn't exactly my cup of tea (Chris asks how I know what my "cup of tea" even is since I don't drink it--pill!), but it was well done and rather well acted. But don't just take my opinion. If you've seen it and loved it, let me know. I often give movies a second chance. (Except for "Nothing But Trouble"--that was just plain awful.) :)

Almost like home

Ah, we've had such perfect weather in the DC area over the past two days, it almost feels like we're back home in Yuma. We went to the park both days in just short sleeve shirts and pants. No sweaters, jackets, gloves, or earmuffs required. Thinking of Yuma, it reminds me that May is just around the corner. Of course going back in May means we will have missed out on the perfect winter weather our portion of Arizona has to offer, but it also means we will have missed out on all of the snowbird traffic. Oh, I'm sorry, winter visitor traffic. :) Hope things are wonderful in your little neck of the world.