We celebrated Miranda's birthday on Sunday. We were so glad to have Markell and Andre there with us. It's nice to have them close. We missed everyone else that wanted to be here but couldn't. For those that missed it, here is a 5 minute video that is a pretty good snapshot of the event. I LOVE how expressive this little girl is -- it's easy to tell what she's thinking, isn't it?!
I love this little girl. I can't believe she is 2 already. 
She has grown up so fast and so slow at the same time. She is funny and cute and I am still mesmerized by her long eyelashes - just like her dad's. Her verbal skills are developing everyday and she loves it when we understand what she is trying to tell us. Her favorite new word seems to be "Look" and she says it a lot. She is putting a few words together to make sentences and she loves to play. She is a water kid. We have been swimming a few times lately and she is in love with water. We went on Monday and she kept trying to get me to let go of her. She was convinced that she could swim by herself. She loves to float on her back and kick her legs. She likes to jump full force off the side of the pool and doesn't seem to worry if someone is there to catch her or not. She loves to wrestle and play with her dad and her brother and sister. She calls herself "Ma May" (Miranda May) and she loves to see pictures of herself or catch her reflection in a mirror or window. The funniest is when she catches herself in the reflection of my eyes. She thinks that is pretty funny and she will say, "Look, mama! Ma May! Ma May!" While pointing at my eyes! She has a lot of spunk and spirit and we feel blessed to have her in our family! Happy Birthday Mandy!
Since nothing too exciting is going on in our lives that seems blog worthy, I decided today that I should just blog about what is going on in our lives - blog worthy or not - so that someday we can look back and remember -- for better or worse! Lately my daily tasks included keeping Kanyon and Miranda from killing each other. It's not quite that bad but for some reason, these two are either playing and laughing (really laughing) with each other, or they are fighting, yelling, and crying. They are the two that I have to separate at the dinner table (Because Miranda tends to steal food off the plate of the one sitting next to her and Kanyon cannot handle that). They are the two that can't sit next to each other at church (Because Kanyon might take the red crayon --or anything else laying around-- that Miranda was THINKING about taking and then she will scream at the top of her lungs.) They are the two that can't sit next to each other in the car. (Because Kanyon might touch Miranda or get too close to her car seat which will cause Miranda to scream and hit Kanyon which will cause Kanyon to yell, "MIRANDA, NO!" which will cause me and/or Leonard to feel like throwing all of them out the window!:) Anyway, you get the picture. My sister-in-law, Michelle, thinks that it may have to do with birth order. This past week, I was wondering if they would ever grow out of it when the thought came to me that my sister, Courtney, and my brother, Paul, used to fight a lot. They are also the second and third children in my family. I remember when I was little -- maybe 7 or 8 which would have made Courtney 5 or 6 and Paul 3 or 4 -- that they could have some pretty good fights. Usually just yelling at each other but occasionally hitting and punching would be involved as well. I know that it's hard to believe because Courtney and Paul are just about the most mellow people that I know. Courtney is one of my closest friends and I miss her dearly. Here she is on her recent vacation to Mexico - I am still jealous! 
She has ALWAYS been there for me and listened to my problems. She has stepped up to help me out with my kids so many times that I can't even begin to count them. She babysat Kanyon and Miranda both when they were only 6 weeks old so that I could go back to work. I know, without a doubt that she loves my kids almost as much as I do. I trust her so much. I am so glad she is my sister. 
He has his MBA and he is almost finished with Law School. He knows the strangest things and he loves to learn. He also shows a sincere affection to my children, especially Miranda. We have always thought that Miranda looked a lot like Paul. Paul is quiet but really funny and he has a great sense of humor and a great way with kids. He is content to just be with family. AND although he doesn't always show it, I know that he loves to be around all of us. He flew to Coeur d'Alene for Kaydra's baptism. It was a quick trip and he didn't have to come, but he did - and he even spoke. He has a special place in my heart and I hope that he finds a really awesome wife because he deserves one and I know that he will be a fabulous husband and father. (He's available if anyone in the Salt Lake Area is interested - He will probably kill me for that!)
