Happy 14th Birthday Annie!

When you were born we were so excited to start our family! I remember it was such a busy day, starting at 2am until you were finally born at 4pm. Everyone from our families was so excited and waited and waited at the hospital all day! We didn't have a moment alone until late that night when our final visitor had left and I think both me and dad were exhausted! We had the tv on low but no other lighting and we were talking about our future, your future, I will never forget it! Daddy was holding you while he sat in the hospital recliner in my room, the glow of the tv just highlighting your perfect baby skin and dad looked down at you in awe and said in a whisper "She's just the coolest little thing isn't she?"

It's unbelievable for me to think that was 14 years ago! You are growing up into such a beautiful young lady and you are still just the coolest thing ever! We are so proud of you and who you are growing up to be!

Have a great day! We love you "Boo"

Happy Birthday!

The Cake Boss...

If you don't already know, Annie wants to grow up to be "The Cake Boss". Ok, maybe not Buddy on the hit TLC show, but she does want to be a Pastry Chef and she sure has been baking up a storm! (hence the extra 10 pounds my booty is carrying around!)

February starts off with yummy Valentine cookies...


The end of the month, my mom's bday and Annie used her new cake decorating set to make this yummy cake...

And the first part of March my sister's bday where she played a bit with fondant...

She really has done a great job so far on baking, I just need to find somewhere to ship the yummies before my booty turns into a 300 lbs nightmare! (maybe then I could make the Biggest Loser! No, on second thought, not worth it!)

Keep up the good work Annie! And if you want to venture into full meals, I'll buy the groceries and you make dinner ;)

A spoiled surprise...

Dear Briggs,

You spoiled our surprise, not once but twice!

Thanks a lot!
Sharalee Byers

And for everyone else...

Since the cat is out of the bag you all might as well know we have another Panther of the Quarter! Shawna will get her award next week and I'll post pics at that time!

We're so proud of you baby! Keep up the good work!

Vacation

I need a tropical vacation! These occasional visits from the sun just aren't enough for me. It's still cold. I want heat, the warmth of the sun when it visits for a long time and I can feel the heat on my bare feet from the scorching hot sidewalk. I want to wear shorts and hang out on the beach, laying on the warm sand and then washing it off in the waves that lazily slip onto the shore. I want to hear the birds (although I don't care to see them too closely) flying high overhead and swat at annoying flies. I really want to get away, but since I can't right now I'm going to enjoy the background of my blog and pretend I'm sipping an ice cold DC and just lazying my day away while my space heater blows warmth on my bare feet, and then, when I open my eyes I hope reality won't bite me in the butt too hard! Happy day!

Happy Valentines!

Some friends and family have posted their favorite Valentine memory. I thought I'd join in the fun and would love to hear about yours too!

Valentines Day, almost 19 years ago, there was this handsome young boy and this pretty cute young girl who had been dating for several years. They were very young, seniors in high school and only 17 but they were madly in love. As this handsome young boy drove the pretty cute young girl to school the pretty cute young girl was freaking out because she hated being late and it was almost time for school to start. The handsome young boy was very laid back, taking his time he found the perfect parking place because he drove a really nice car and didn't want any door dings. He finally stopped the car and the pretty cute girl was grabbing her bag and saying hurry up when she looked at the handsome young boy. He was holding a card and she melted. She sat back in the car and took the card and read the most lovely words she had ever seen or heard, with tears in her eyes she read the last line "Will you be my Valentine forever?" When the pretty cute girl turned back to look at the handsome young boy he was holding a beautifully decorated sugar cookie with a sparkling engagement ring set in a pretty red frosting flower. The handsome young boy told the pretty cute girl how much he truly loved her and couldn't live his life without her and then asked her to be his wife. Happily, with tears of joy running down her face, she said yes. Then they kissed, and ran into first period as fast as they could because at this point they were very very late.

Of course they lived happily ever after, working very hard every day to have a wonderul, loving marriage and building a foundation for their beautiful family and little girls (who are now getting to be very big girls!)

Darrell will never read this post, he doesn't really like facebooking or blogs, but I sure hope he knows how much I love him and I hope I make him as happy as he makes me! Happy Valentines Day!!

Panther of the Quarter

Darrell and I are proud as can be! First Shawna was Panther of the Month, and now Annie is Panther of the Quarter! We have such great kids! We are so proud of you guys!

No school...

Since the girls and boys had a couple days out of school we got together with Bryan and Becky and took our kids to the aquarium and oh what fun!

Duncan watching the fish

Lauren, not excited about touching the sting ray,
But the other kids were all for it!

Shawna and Brock posing by the fish
Bryan showing Mya "Nemo"

Riding the frog...

Lauren in awe at the fish and frogs

After the aquarium we went to the mall food court for lunch

and a ride on the carousel before heading home

for some naptime! (at least I think

Bryan and the girls got naps, we on the other hand

went to my house and played Super Mario WII for the next

several hours!)

WHAT A FUN DAY! I'm so thankful that I have siblings and nieces and nephews

that I want to spend time with! I LOVE IT!

AND FYI... If you're looking for a great membership I recommend the aquarium, you only have to go twice to pay for it. Adults is $18 and children $14 for the year (while it's $9 and $7 and children are anyone between 3 ant 17!) It's a great deal!