Happy Birthday baby Princess!

Well, it happened. Our little princess turned one. She's no longer a tiny baby. She is on the brink of toddlerhood. Smart. Funny. Expressive. Unique. Ridiculously adorable. That is our Audrey. (A bit much?) ;) Audrey is surprisingly picky for her young age. When she is done eating, or doesn't like something, she'll look you straight in the eyes and drop it on the floor. She even has a fairly powerful backward throw. She is very selective about what books she will allow you the privilege of reading, and her preferences change often. If you select a book she doesn't like she'll twist to the right as if she doesn't even want to look at it. If you show her an acceptable book she'll settle back into your lap and allow you too read it with her very Audrey cooing sound. 

Here are pictures from her birthday. Mike had drill and I did a half marathon in the morning, so Audrey got to spend most of the day in her pajamas. 

On Sunday she wore her birthday dress and Sarah and I attempted to take some pictures of her. We realized a book in hand was a necessity. Sarah has a matching skirt and shirt, but Audrey wasn't in the mood to pose. 

That evening we had Audrey's birthday dinner. I made enchiladas because the girl LOVES beans. They were a big, messy hit. Sarah gave her a tattoo crown. I guess it's a step up from eyebrows.

Our friend/neighbor Anna Lloyd made these two beautiful cakes for Audrey. They were almost too pretty to cut and they taste as good as they look. Audrey wasn't sure how to devour a giant cake, so her brothers lovingly showed her how.

Sarah won the sweet sister award by buying Audrey gifts. She bought the stuffed porcupine when we went to Mesa Verde and also bought her the Tiny Caterpillar book, which is one of her new favorite books. (Until she decides it isn't, and then we won't be allowed to read it to her.

Audrey's one year stats are:18 lbs 8 oz (5%), 29.5 in (56%), 18.9 in head (98%). (She has to hold all her big brains)

Audrey's 12th month

This is probably the last month I'll dedicate a whole post to random pictures I take of Audrey. We all just take so many. ;) (Can you blame us?!) It's been a fun month with her, but I already reported that in her birthday post.

Audrey loves to reorganize her drawers. ;)

Audrey found a new friend ;)

Fun trip to the library. Audrey has become more social and I realize I need to take her to interact with kids her age more. 

Audrey likes to make me nervous. She enjoys climbing up the steps and then leaning over to play with the lavender. If I move her, she comes right back. Little stinker! (literally) ;)

Haunted Half Marathon

On Audrey's birthday I sneaked (I still think snuck sounds better, but it's not proper) away to run a half marathon with my friends. I rode with Jamie Wright and Aubrie West and met Emily, Andrea and Jackie at the start line. We decided to dress up like Greek goddesses, because we are goddesses. ;)

Before the race...

I've never ran a race without caring about pace, but that's what we did. We stopped for pictures, stopped to go to the bathroom, stopped on hills. A few years ago I wouldn't think I'd call 13.1 miles a "fun run", but that's what it was. (even if I tried to push the pace a little) ;) Here are some in race shenanigans. The guy dressed as the character from Monty Python ran while clinking the shells and Bob Ross was a favorite. We kept passing him and would yell, "We love you Bob Ross" and he took our pic in front of the waterfall. 

Here are some after pictures...

I case my costume looks vaguely familiar, Sarah wore it for Halloween a few years ago. I think she wore it just a tad better than me. ;)

As I wrote this I had a thought. I'm cool. I think I'm a cool mom and a cool person. I also remember my mom at this age and I'm sure she thought she was cool. She wasn't. ;) I remember her running with friends and thought nothing of it. I envision my kids being inspired by my running and wanting to join me, but it hasn't happened yet. Hmmm...next year. ;)

Mesa Verde Day 3- Long House

The Millers had to leave early Saturday, so it was just us and my parents on a tour of Long House. Even though Cliff Palace is more popular, I think Long House was a better tour. The tour goes into and behind the ruins so you get to see more. Our tour guide was great and had a lot of extra insights for us. It's too bad my sister had to miss it, because Long House had even MORE original bricks. ;) (Kidding Ashley. Love you!)

Audrey wasn't in the mood to sit and listen to the tour (shocking!) so she and I hung around in the back area exploring. She ate some rocks and ruined her clothes. :)

Starting as soon as we arrived all of the cousins started constructing forts. Steven and Adam finished theirs on Saturday and it looked really cool. 

There is a lot of Mesa Verde we didn't get to say, and we hope to come back some day when Audrey is a little older.