Can you say "Dramatic!"..YES, even in her sleep! : )

Joe was leaving for work the other morning and I heard him say, "Mandy, come here and look at this!" I was a little nervous because it was 7:30 in the morning, and it was in the girls room. I was kind of expecting a big spider or something. I go in there and he pointed to Alyssa's bed and here is what we saw....

A few days later, we were on our way to Bear Lake for a Gambles family reunion and Alyssa was in the back telling me that she was worried that I would be chased by cows. I said, "what are you talking about?" She proceeded to tell me that she had a dream that Mommy was being chased across the street by cows. She kept saying "I was so wou-weed about you" (while grabbing her cheeks). That must have been the dream she had that morning or something. We have definately laughed about that one! She has the funniest facial expressions and is so dramatic. If you want sympathy or for someone to make a fuss about things, you just tell Alyssa. :)

BAPTISM DAY!!

Katie has been counting down for this day for MONTHS!! The day finally came and boy was she nervous. She looked so beautiful in her white gown. She looked so grown up. It was such a "Special" day for her and for us. When she was done, she come in and said, "I want to do that again Mom!" Too bad you can't! Sometimes we all could use a practice dunk to get rid of the nerves. We made sure her hair wouldn't float up and Daddy put his toes on hers so they wouldn't pop up either. While she was getting dressed, she turned to me and said, "Mom, this is the start of a new life for me." I always want her to remember that day and how she felt. It was neat to have our family here for her.

Happy 4th of July!

Ok! It was definately a crazy weekend. Joe's family came up for Katie's baptism on the 5th of July so they were able to be here for the 4th. We packed in quite a lot in those few days. The guys went golfing the morning of the 4th and we raced down to the annual parade that we have. We were a little late so we were literally running across the highway to get to where we parked the truck the night before. I was pretty tired by the time we got there so the pictures I did take, weren't the greatest. Sorry. Then I realized that I didn't take any more for the rest of the day! What a ditz I am!

Happy 8th Birthday Katie!!

It was on the 14th of June, 8 years ago that a beautiful 5lb, 16 1/2 inch baby girl came into our family. We were definately so grateful for her being healthy and what a blessing she was to us. These past 8 years have just "FLOWN" by. She has truely brought us such joy and excitement. There is never a dull moment around here! Here are a few recaps of some of the things Katie did when she was little:

5 months old: Katie drinks out of a big glass. Forget the sippy's and bottles!!

6 months old: Katie would grab her two fingers and put them over her head and smile. Daddy called this his "SUNSHINE"

8 months old: Katie loved giving people "FIVES"

9 months old: Katie would say "Mmm" when she wanted to use my chapstick. She loved putting it on everyone else too!

1 year: Katie would howl like a coyote! She would tip her head back and say "owww".

14 months: Katie counts to 3.

15 months: Katie pointed to the picture of Christ in the hall, and then pointed to her eyes then to her heart and then she said "Jesus." She was syaing, "I love Jesus."

18 months: Katie knows and points to most of her body parts

19 months: She knows the whole alphabet. When she has to say "J,K,L,M,N,O" she would say, "J,K,"ELMO",P. It was really cute.

24 months: We had all gone to sportsman's Warehouse in Idaho Falls. Daddy had been looking at safes and guns for a long time and so the girls were ready to leave. Right before we left, we were browsing throught the flashlights and Katie started pulling accessories out of the next isle and putting them into the cart. Daddy said, "Katie, put them back." Katie refused and said she wanted them. Daddy then asked, "Well, do you have money to buy them? Katie quickly replied, "Yes I do," as she reachind in her pocket and pulled out a quarter that she got from Mommy's dresser early that morning. Daddy was pretty shocked when she pulled that fast one on him!

28 months: Katie loved to learn poems! Here is her version of "Little Bo Peep"

"Little Bo Peep, lost her sheep, and don't know where to find 'em

Leave 'em alone, and thill come home, wag their tails by hind them!"

30 months: I was making a cake and Katie asked if she could lick the bowl when Iwas done and I said it was ok. While I wasn't looking, she climbed up on the counter and said, "My life has been saved by the miracle of chocolate!"

Definately a girl after my own heart!! There has been so many more things that surprise me from Katie but one thing that stands out is how big her heart can be. She is always so caring and wants to take care of those around her. You don't know love until you see and feel the love of a little child. Thank you Katie for being part of our lives. We love you so much!! We hope you have a GREAT Birthday!

Golf Anyone?...

Well, it was only a matter of time before Joe got his way. The girls love to golf with their daddy! Alyssa thought it was really neat to have a pink ball to hit. Joe took her out in the back yard with Katie's clubs and hit a few with her. Then she wanted to venture out on her own. She actually is a really good hitter! She chased the ball all over the yard. Katie is sure getting a good swing. Joe will take her out the the golf course by our house and she can really drive those ranges!! Way to go Katie and Alyssa! That is definately something they didnt' get from Mommy! I guess I can cheer for them. (although I wasn't a cheerleader either! :)