Happy 4th Birthday Bailey!

Bailey and her new twins
The birthday presents she woke up to

Opening gifts

Bailey and her preschool teacher Ms. Riggins

Dropping Bailey off for her special day.

Creating her birthday crown

Eating cupcakes for her birthday

Dinner at the yacht club in her new pearls from Grammy and Papa Charley

Opening the gift

A birthday treat

Blowing out the candles

I can't believe our little girl is 4. Today was a day of celebration. It started out with presents and pancakes in the morning, followed by preschool fun with her new friends at Great Beginnings. Bailey and I had some fun decorating her secret room while Raif was napping. And it ended with dinner at the L.B. Yacht Club with Grammy and Papa, followed by staying up a little late to watch her new movie, "Snow White." It was quite a special day for our special little girl.

Valentine's Evening

Valentine's Day 2010
Sarah and Aaron
A little fire to end the evening
Raif during dinner

The kid's picnic table

This year, instead of going out on the boat, we had the Ireland's and Fox's over for dinner. We set the limit at $50 a family and dined on steak, lobster, mashed potatoes, asparagus, and corn for the kids. For dessert we had decadent cupcakes from For the Love of Sugar. It was a fun evening filled with good friends and plenty of laughter.

Happy Valentine's Day

While my parents are cruising Europe, we're doggie sitting
See Mom, he does love your dogs

My Valentine surprised me with new slippers, my old one's were leopard print and worn

Our little Valentine's

Bailey got new socks and I got new slippers

Bailey and her Valentine gift, a Taylor Swift CD. You now have been warned, if you are in the car with us, you will be listening to Taylor Swift.

Raif and his new book for Valentine's Day. His love for reading and books has been passed down!

Bailey making cupcakes for Valentine's Day. She decorated all of them.

Happy Valentine's Day. I love this holiday. Mainly because it's a chance to decorate, make fun desserts, and buy fun little things for the kids and my Valentine. Colby and I don't put any pressure on each other to make it spectacular. We just make it fun. We are going to have a fun dinner with friends tonight, kids and all!! I hope you enjoy the day with a loved one or friends. Happy Valentine's Day!

Sick Bay

Bailey's Hand Made Valentine's
Play time picture

This is how Raif watches his favorite t.v. show

Or, he watches it like this

It has been sick bay at the Durnin's house. Bailey started with it , gave it to Raif, and now I have it. We haven't been doing much of anything for about the past 10 days. The pictures depict what we have been up to, not much of anything. We have been couped up in the house, minus going to drop Bailey off at preschool this week. Hopefully, we are now getting over it and will have a great weekend.

Allison and Matt's Wedding

The new bride and groom
The After Party

Me, Kaitlin, Jennelle, Sarah and Shanna

On January 23rd, Colby and I went to celebrate Allison and Matt's wedding. We had tons of fun and it was a beautiful wedding. After the wedding, a bunch of decided to continue the dancing at the Belmont Station (it's called something else, but it's still the station to me). Allison came in proudly still wearing her wedding dress! Congratulations to the new Mr. and Mrs. Ward.

Valentine's Day Decorating

Bailey's Card Holder
Our decorated table

Bailey took this and wanted me to include it

Our table decorations have been up for about two weeks, after Christmas I went straight into Valentine's Day decor, but only on the table. Some of the candles were reused from Christmas, and made perfect Valentine's Day decorations. Kohl's and Home Goods are wonderful for inexpensive Valentine's decor. Today we went over to Sarah's house for a play date, and she bought the fun do-it-yourself card holders for the kids to make. We are also going to make Valentine's for her class. It's so fun to take the time to make them yourself. I sometimes miss teaching and at least get to experience some of it now that Bailey is in preschool. I always made homemade Valentine's for each child in my class, personalizing them just a bit. We are going to try and do the same for Bailey's classmates.

Small Changes

I love this photo, she has her sunglasses on top of her head, just like mommy!

This post is more to do with changes in Bailey, that I just witnessed today, than the photo. This morning, our housekeeper, whom we've had since being pregnant with Bailey, came as usual at 8:30 this morning. Bailey rarely talks to her, and if she does it is one word answers I have to pry out of her. Those who know Bailey, think she is not that shy, since she talks their ear off. But, Bailey is hard to get to talk to people she doesn't know, or even those she does and doesn't feel like talking to.

Today, however, there was some kind of change. This morning, after our housekeeper, Maria, came, Bailey quietly came over to me and asked if she should say hello to Maria. I said of course you should, it would make her feel so happy. So, Bailey, walks over to Maria, and says in a rather loud voice, "Good Morning, Maria! How are you today?" I think Maria just about dropped the Windex, but then the two of them had a fun conversation about her nails, outfit, etc.

Then, we went over to Sarah's house for a play date, and her neighbor Andrea was there. Bailey actually was talking to her and when I said go say good-bye to everyone, Bailey promptly went over to Andrea and said, "Good-bye Andrea!"

To those of you who are struggling or will struggle with shy children, hang in there. I used to be one of them, and have definitely grown out of it. And, so will Bailey. It was a huge step for her today and I hope it continues.