BIRTHDAYS BIRTHDAYS BIRTHDAYS

Ok, really, did you expect me to keep up with three birthdays that feel within 10 days of each other?! :-) I hope you didn't think I forgot just because I didn't post the birthday tributes! :-)

SO, to begin, Dane and Brooke turned TWO on July 2. They are Jen and Cam's twins and they are simply adorable. I choose this picture of them because they are the most caring, sweet, adorable cousins to Isaac. They just love him.
I remember going to the hospital when Dane and Brooke were born, and in thinking about that, it just blows my mind that they have grown so much and are now two. I love seeing their personalities develop...Dane is the most easy going, happy little boy and Brooke is the most sweet, patient little girl!! When Braden came to stay with us a few weeks ago we asked him if he missed Dane and Brooke and he immediately nodded and said yes. I love the sweet and special spirits Dane and Brooke bring to our family! I love them!

On July 9, Alexa turned FIVE. I am having a hard time with this one. FIVE. She's so BIG!!! Alexa holds an extra special place in my heart. She calls me "Ball-er-ie" and I think it is about the cutest thing ever.

Alexa loves horses, kitties, and dinosaurs. She dances--which I think is just awesome--and is just the most adorable girl ever. She is so sweet and so fun. I decided to put traits/sayings to her name:

A--ALWAYS smiling! She has the cutest laugh too.
L--LOVES horses, playing with her cousins, and her mom and dad and brother...and Aunt Ballerie
E- energetic and enthusiastic
X- X-tra special to me!
A- An angel

I love you Alexa!!!

And, on July 11, Clayton--my brother-in-law--turned 29.....whew, he's getting close to the big 3-0! Now, I KNOW Clayton is looking forward to this tribute because he emailed me on Saturday asking where it was! :-) I like calling him Clay-ton-ian. I don't know why, but I do. Clayton is also the family sports guy, if you need to know anything about any score, you go to him--it's pretty cool. Clayton also broke his hip earlier this year and it just amazed me how strong he was through it all. What a painful experience it was but you never ever would have seen him complain! So admirable to me!

And, one of my fondest memories of Clayton occurred on Taylor and mine wedding day. As the family and friends were leaving the sealing room and walking by us, Clayton gave me a big hug and said, "Welcome to the family." I don't know if he even remembers saying that, but it meant a lot to me and I have never forgotten it!! Thanks Clayton, and I hope you had a WONDERFUL birthday because you definitely deserved it!

Happy Birthday family, I love you!