Happy Birthday Colin

29 years ago today he was born and the world hasn't been the same since...

Growing up little girls dream of their future spouse - I was no different, but never in my dreams did I imagine someone quite as amazing as Colin. He has changed me for the better, is an example to all who know him, and I love and appreciate all he does for me. There are more than 29 reasons I love this boy, but I thought I would start with just that....

1. FUNNY - Nobody can make me laugh harder

2. Imaginative - The Scenarios that play out in his head are incredible

3. Friendly - I gave him the nickname "Coli-spaniel" early on

4. Talented - If I can dream it, he can build it

5. Ambitious - Maybe because he is so talented he feels comfortable with having big dreams

6. Big Hearted - He will always ask how I am feeling if, or if someone is okay when he knows things haven't been going so well. 

7. Excited about Life

8. Compassionate - He is always offering to help those less fortunate

9. Honest - He can be blunt, or embarrass his wife, but never tells a lie

10. He plays my games 

11. Generous - Except with his cupcakes

12. Smells Amazing

13. Can say he is Sorry 

14. Knows how to have a good time - Karaoke!

15. Silly - Ask him to make up a song on the spot... you will see what I mean

16. Brave - He always checks out the bumps in the night

17. Loyal 

18. He loves songs you get to yell when you sing 

19. Smart - Still remembers how to do every math equation

20. Athletic - He can still bust out back-handsprings and flips with no problem

21. Curious - He MUST know how it works and why

22. He lets me be me - Never once has he asked me to be different than I am

23. Hard Working - Even on his days off he is working on something

24. Authentic - I don't think he could be fake if he wanted to

25. Supportive 

26. Loving

27. Gentle - I love to see him with kids, he is so sweet

28. So Cute - I never get jealous when girls check him out... how could I blame them?

29. FUN - Never a dull moment in the last 3 years, or I'm sure the 29 of his life

Happy Birthday Babe!

Here are some of my favorite Colin Videos....

Not Gone... Just Away

(That title is for you A) 

We're here. So so busy, but still here. This last weekend Colin and I tried to find out exactly how much you could fit into 72 hours. The outcome? Quite a bit. First we started in the Dunes, with boys and their toys. Yep, I was the only girl. Then Friday night we made our way to San Diego to see the Campbell's and the ocean. Sunday we headed back to Mesa, but not without stopping in Quartzsite to see my Grandparents on another one of their motor home adventures. 

Studly Dune Cody

Colin's Idea of Romance = Mary & the Dunes

Colin's idea of Sand

Dune Sunset

Mary and Grandpa

Grandma and Aunt Lola

Mary's idea of Sand

Mary and Adrianne - Squinty, but Happy

Festive Lunch - Ole!

Hannah treating Colin and I to a story - Yes, 3 year old Hannah can read!

La Salsa

Let me please express to you... the wonder that is...  Rebecca Dent's salsa. 

In talking one day, my friend Rebecca explained to me that she makes and sells salsa out of her house. This was all new news to me, and Ms. Le Cordon Bleu chef mentioned it so modestly that I didn't really think anything of it, but I gladly placed an order. Once we received the salsa it only took us 3 DAYS to finish 3 containers. I couldn't get it in my mouth fast enough. Colin and I would do that "okay, just one more chip" game until we would finish an entire bag and were forced to finish. I have to admit that my stomach didn't feel very well from the massive amounts of tomato acid and tortilla chips... Really, I just couldn't stop! 

There are 3 amazing flavors -- Red (like you would have at a Mexican restaurant with chips before your meal), Green (This is Colin and his families favorite), and Chunky (which doesn't taste like chemicals and preservatives like at the store). I understand this is a lot to say about a little salsa, but I feel like when you come across a little gem like this you need to share. If you're interested, I am happy to pass on the Chef's information.

There's No Place Like Home

I don't think there is anything more comforting than Christmas with your family. Christmas is magical and fun - add your family and it's all the better. Every time we go home (Christmas or not) my parent's don't hold back on the fun (and food), and there really isn't much resistance from us girls.  I guess it's their tactic - leaving us always wanting more. 

I'm glad to say that I assisted in Colin's first white Christmas. Seattle was so white and full of snow we we're actually worried we would never make it. While cabin fever did set in around day 3 we still loved every minute. I can regret the extra lbs later...

Lets Start it off with double of the girl who 

has never shied away from the camera!!!

She takes so many pictures it drives her husband to drink!

(J/K - it's one of the many root beers consumed)

Dad and his girlfriend Lilly

Hey Mom, I know about this party....

Colin's first snow man (well, Hockey Man)

Adam, the snow native, showed him how it is done.

Mama getting ready for WhirlyBall. 

WhirlyBall involves electric carts, plastic scoops, a wiffle ball, 

and apparently when you play with competitive boys, lots of bruises.

We were all still friends in the end.

Dad making his famous pancakes

Snow from the Car

It's tradition to all get pedicures together while we're home...

Yep, even the boys!

Sisterly Love

Bro-Mance 

(they were sharing the blanket before I took the picture)

Girls doing a little shopping

Laura couldn't pass up another photo-Op

All that fun was exhausting...

Close your mouth Mary!

Thanks Mom and Dad for a Great Christmas!

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

This really is my favorite time of the year. Even in Arizona when our winter lows are at 50 degrees I still love Christmas music, dressing in fuzzy sweaters and making festive gifts. I hope each year that I will gain new Holiday Inspiration for something creative to make or yummy bake. This year, I was thinking more on the "Budget Friendly" side of things. I can't quite let go of giving holiday cheer altogether, but I was sure I could be a little more thrifty in my finds. Admittedly, I have a tendency to go over-the-top and spend much of my days scouring the Internet for the latest in all things holiday. I'm constantly getting sidetracked by the beautiful things I have found. I need to remind myself that delight does not reside in things, but the real gift that Christmas brings...hey, I can rhyme!

Nothing says Happy Holidays like Homemade Treats and Ugly Sweaters.....

Sugar Cookies Made with Love

Red and Blue was my theme this year

Ugly Sweater Party - I think we won!

Someone couldn't get enough of the photos...

Lloyd Christmas was the hit of the Party

Now tilt your head to the left - Yeah, that looks good

Wow, That Was Swell!

I feel so warm and Fuzzy in my Poinsettia Ensemble

Love is in the Air

Something about this time of year brings out the love in everyone.... well at least a big handful of couples I know. So here is a little tribute to all of those celebrating their anniversaries right now. Congratulations, you're a great example to Love's Possibilities...

Happy 10th Anniversary Tami and Devin!

Happy 5th Anniversary Chad and Ashley!

Happy 1st Anniversary Kelli and Doug!

Happy 2nd Anniversary Jenny and Skyler! 

Happy 5th Anniversary Laura and D-Dally!

Happy 6th Anniversary Rebecca and Jared!

Happy 2nd Anniversary Sarah and Tom!

(sorry guys, I don't have a wedding picture of you)

Happy 2nd Anniversary Sissy and Adam!

Tagged

I was tagged by my friend Aimee... thanks Aim!

You are suppose to just copy and paste this to your blog and bold the ones that you HAVE done.

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band 
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland ... and Disneyworld!
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud 
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

Now I tag Kelli and Terina!!!!!!!!!!