Rye and Eddie

Ali's 3...How could that be?
Wow! It's hard to believe that my precious little girl is 3 years old!!!

What an amazing journey and adventure~

************************* Ali, *************************
we are so grateful that God allowed you to be such a special part of our lives. I remember so vividly when we found out I was pregnant, then when we knew you were going to be a little girl, then the days leading up to your birth... I enjoyed being pregnant and looking forward the special day we would get to meet you! We were so excited and so anxious to meet our little girl! You are everything I ever dreamed of and SO much more! You are so beautiful, so smart, so tender and loving, so independent and brave, trusting and open for adventure. You are the perfect mix of your Daddy and myself. I love our tummy to tummy time, I love the look on your face when I get home from work or when you try something new and are so proud, I love to see your face light up and your precious smile. I want to cherish every second of every day with you because you are changing so fast and growing up right before my eyes! I want to take lots of pictures and try to capture on video all the cute things you do and say, yet I also want to spend that extra time with you when you say, "Mommy will you just rock me for a few more minutes". I know I should hold you tight in my arms while you still fit! Ali, You are a great big sister to Avery and are so sweet to her. I'm so glad you have each other to grow up with - You are very special to me and I am so proud that your my daughter. I look forward to every new day with you and hope to be the best Mommy I can be for you -- you deserve no less! I love you Ali Payton Myers!!!

Our prayer:
Lord look down from heaven above,

and touch this precious child with love.

Remind us often that it's true,

this little life is a gift from you.

A miracle you've sent our way,

Lord bless this little child today.

************************* *************************

This year we celebrated Ali's birthday on the 1st of April (instead of the 10th)...

It worked out even better than planned since my parents were going to be here and her birthday fell on a week day closest to Easter weekend. It was special for us all, and we just kept celebrating!

We had a great setup at the new Rodes park pavilion and playground...

Ali had lots of fun with all her friends!

She knows Ava and Amiayah from Ms. Shelia's... Bryleigh & Elliana are April's twins that were due on the same day as Ali (and their Aunt Kristin is soon to be married to Uncle Dru this May)!

Sophia was born about a month after Ali and her mom and dad are good friends of ours.

Ali had lots of little friends and family come out to celebrate...

Caleb & Eric

Mama & Daddy (CiCi & PopPop) were a big help...

especially when it came to keeping up with Avery!

Little Avery was on the move...

me & Daddy

We played a fun game where all the kids danced to The Bird Song by the Doodlebops, and when we pressed pause, everyone had to freeze! By process of elimination, it was down to Ali & Amiayah...

Then it was time for cupcakes!

Ali did a great job opening her birthday gifts... she had some priceless comments!

(I wish i could capture more of them b/c they are so cute and her vocabulary is amazing)

Kristin & Kiera laugh while they watch

Tegan and Chris "help" Ali as she takes her NEW bike for a spin...

Proud Mama's...
April w/ Keira (5mo), Marja w/ Greyson (2mo), Rye w/ Avery (8mo)

Proud Daddy's...

Phil w/ Greyson (2mo) & Eddie w/ Avery (8mo)

Look at Ali's face ~ This picture says it all...

She immediately got the hang of the big girl bike and is doing great!

Yes, we got her a helmet too! (She just didn't unwrap it yet)

She wanted Avery to have her little try-cycle and ride with her...

To continue our birthday celebration, Nana and Guga came through and spent the night with us on their way to Ft. Lauderdale. They were going on a cruise the next evening, so we had a birthday breakfast with them and sent them on their way!

Tues, April 10th, Ali's official birthday we celebrated with a small group of our friends.

Uncle Dru had to add even more excitement to the b-day with training wheels for her dirt bike!

This is the little PW50 we had when we were little!
Dru and I share lots of great memories that started like this...

Happy 3rd Birthday Ali!

We had a great Easter celebration this year.

Ali was only days away from turning 3 officially, and it is amazing the complex stories that she can understand and repeat back to you! She puts two and two together to make assumptions and realizations... so cool! We read the Easter Story about Jesus and his resurrection. Now, she tells me the story about Jesus on the cross - and shows everyone the cross on her special necklace.

And, she was excited about the Easter Bunny coming to her house! As we were putting Ali to sleep Saturday night, she wanted us to make sure that when the Easter Bunny came, he didn't ring the door bell. She said, if he rings the door bell, he will wake me up! Eddie made the call and let him know -

The next morning, Ali came to our room and asked if the Easter Bunny came yet because she didn't hear him ring the door bell. She had to tip toe around until she found her Easter basket outside on the patio. She was so excited!

The girls with their Easter baskets...

Sweet Sisters...

Avery loves her big sister so much & Ali is so gentle with her...

Easter Sunday, Ali and Avery went to big church with us to sing songs, then went to their little church to learn about Jesus - After church, April had invited us to join her family for the traditional pot luck lunch and Easter Egg Hunt! Ali had lots of fun with Bryleigh & Elliana!