Lauren's 9th Birthday

With Jamie's birthday around the corner, I figured I better get going on Lauren's birthday post before all the memories get fuzzy.

Her birthday was on a Tuesday so we had her birthday party, on Saturday February 23rd at the West Valley Fitness Center for the FOURTH year in a row.  We tried to talk her into doing something else, but she insisted, so we obliged.  

Here was her awesome Barbie cake!

Pink goodness!!  Yum!

Singing Happy Birthday, with her bestie, Shelby.

Shelby, Lauren and her friend Chrystie. 

Jamie eating his cake and ice cream with his buddy AJ. 

 The whole crew!


How freakin cute is my nephew, Zander!!!

One of my best friends, Melissa and her daughter Arielle and her son Carson joined us!  I love these girls!!

 Carson playing in the market.


Cute pic of Chrystie!

By the end of all the play..Jamie was sweaty and his hair was crazy!!

After all the fun. Matt's brother Greg and his girls and my sister, Ashley and her son came over for lunch and to visit some more.  

Lauren and Bella are the best of friends!  Bella has green teeth from her "lik a stick".  

Jamie and Zander are great buddies too!  Such cuties! 

After everyone left...we headed to the mall to get Lauren's ears pierced!!  It is one of the things that she asked for.  We decided she was responsible enough and old enough to make that decision for herself.  Here we are in the car!

Here we are at Claires.  She was trying to be brave but she was so scared!

After a few tears, we walked around the mall.  I had a few quarters, so the kids enjoyed some kiddie rides.

Sunday the 24th we had the family over for some cake.  Lauren picked this cake out.  Very cute!

 Look at those flames!

Jamie even put on a little show for the crowd.

 She was spoiled as usual.  I am so thankful that she gets to be surrounded by family and friends on her birthdays!

 Papa Leo, Grandma TT, Lauren, Diana and Uncle Greg.

Oreo kept everyone's coats warm!  Silly cat!


Crazy eyed Lauren.

Lauren, Uncle Dave, Ethan and Aunt Kristen

 Aunt Sarah, Lauren and Colin.

 Throwing up deuces!

 My mom and Dad, Jamie Lauren and Ethan.  I realized too late, that with ALL of the birthday pics...I didn't snap a single one of Lauren with Matt or me!  DOH!

 That next day she wanted to wear one of her cute birthday outfits from Grandma TT!

 My best friend Misty would be proud of me!  Here is the back of the blanket I helped make for Lauren's birthday.  I gave it to her on her real birthday, Tuesday the 26th.


The front of the quilt.

A close up of the quilt.  Pink and brown to match her room...and full of cats!  I hope she loves it as much as I do!!


 The setup for her on the morning of her birthday.

 Her birthday weekend was such a whirlwind, we didn't get to a show that weekend.  We promised we would take her the next weekend...and we did.  We saw Oz The Great and Powerful  and it was awesome.  They wanted their picture taken with The Croods advertisement.  So cute!

 My precious girl!

Lauren in her new PJs from Grandma Anne!

On her real birthday, I took the day off to spend the night with her.  I brought these cupcakes to her class, she was so excited and all the cute boys and girls were so appreciative.

 I hope that my Miss Lauren had a great birthday.  She is such a special little girl.  She is so smart and so sweet. She is just the light in my life.  My best little buddy.  She impresses me in so many ways.  I could go on forever, so I will just end now. Here is to many more my little baby.

Lauren's Nine Year Old Shoot

Lauren's birthday was approaching.  I got in touch with my awesome neighbor and made an appointment with Bree to get Lauren's ninth birthday pictures taken.  I shopped for the perfect outfit.  I was all set.  February 16th came and disaster struck.  Well, not for me...but for Lauren you would think it was the end of the world.  She drug her feet getting ready...and was the last in the tub and had a cold shower.  It set the tone for the rest of her day.  My beautiful and sweet little girl POUTED the entire shoot.  She is usually so good at picture taking...but these last two years Lauren was not a good model.  I was mad, I was sad, I was dissapointed, I was embarrassed, I was thinking "we didn't get any good shots".  Bree really worked her magic and got some pictures that I just love!  I was set up for low expectations..and when I saw the sneak peak...I literally said out loud "Oh, my GOSH!"....not only did she get great pictures, she captured my not so little girl...really growing up. 

Nine years old.  EEK!  I love this big old bow and cute chalkboard that Bree had. 

 Here is a sort of smile.

 I love the hat.

 If looks could kill.

 I love this face anyway.

 She has my heart.

 Kinda sweet.

 I love the way Bree plays with the light.

 Big brown eyes.

 This was her idea.  Awe!

 We were telling her "don't you smile"....

 Precious.

 Pretty in Pink!

 She has huge feet!!!

 She has the cutest little shape...she loves candy just like me...and I warn her all the time of the dangers!

 So tall and skinny.  She looks SOOO grown up here!!

 Sassy!

 I have been trying to grow out her bangs.

I found this scarf at Children's Place and I had to have it!

 I am kinda shocked she didn't literally cry that day, I almost did!

 Well..now you know what she looks like when she is mad.

 Trying to fake a smile....wish we would have got her to give at least ONE good smile.

 Guess, I will have to settle for big smile, closed lips.

 This was the shot that shocked me...I can't believe my baby looks this old!!

 Lauren SuzAnne Lovato.

 Doing the splits...her idea....Bree and I will have to remember that next year.

 I loved Bree's blue chair.

 Black and white.

 I love the blue matching headband.

 I loved this headband too.  Good call Bree!

 I think this captures her age.

 Love it.

 Trying to smile.

 Back to pouting.

Maybe the closest thing we got to a smile.

 I guess I will keep her.

 Usually following this look is her saying "Mommeee".

 NINE!????

 Too cute not to love!

 I do like this one too.  Such a stylish thang.

Thanks Bree for the always excellent pics, thanks for your patience!!  We sure do love you!!!