So for starters, my Mom and Mikey & Honey took the kids and I to lunch at one of my faves: Jason's Deli. Then, the party was later that night.

I informed my husband many months ago, that all I wanted to do for my birthday was to go see Twilight: New Moon (since it was coming to theaters 4 days before my birthday). Then he, along with my sweet sister-in-law and brother, threw me the most amazing birthday party that I have ever seen or heard of!!! We all met up at the Colleyville Cinema Grille and might have enjoyed an adult beverage before the movie started. *wink wink* The 15 of us had an entire theater practically to ourselves (luckily my birthday fell on a Tuesday this year). The food was excellent, and the company was even better. The movie was A M A Z I N G. And we didn't even have to squish into a packed theater with 10 thousand screeching teenage girls. Everyone was so generous and fun, it was just the best night. Thank you thank you thank you all from the bottom of my heart. Now, just to wait the 6 or so months until Eclipse!!!!!

We had Avery's second 1st Birthday party on the following Sunday, with extended family and precious friends!! She was such the gracious hostess, and had a wonderful time!!!

A big thank you to everyone who came to celebrate with us, and of course we would be lost without Aunt Honey's amazing pictures! www.kristinafanelli.com.

Well. We do birthdays pretty big around here, so this was from Avery's first 1st Birthday party... with just us, the grandparents, the 2 Aunts, and Uncle Mike got to watch from Jersey via webcam!!

Thanks Aunt Honey for taking all the pictures!!! www.kristinafanelli.com.

For our traditional "November Birthday Dinner" it was my year to choose where we should go... so guess where we went? To the best restaurant in the world of course!! (That would be Ruth's Chris Steakhouse in case you live under a rock.) I was so excited to introduce everyone to my new favorite... especially Joey. I loved seeing his face when he first bit into that sizzling butter steak. It was like a child on Christmas morning. Magical.

















The OLDEST birthday kid..







Mr. Chocolate Face helped me with my birthday dessert...



It was fabulous... thanks Nana & Granddad!!!!

This is so sweet, I can barely stand it!!!

Since my Joey is more a fan of pie than cake, he got a freshly baked apple pie from me on his birthday. I tried something new and added his initials, "JR". Can you see 'em???

Okay, so I didn't superglue it in there like I thought I was gonna. I actually pulled the thing out because it was just barely hanging on, and bothering my little man. I couldn't have that. So, we are now minus one tiny baby tooth. I'm deciding to be okay with this. Yeah.

Happy Birthday, my dear sweet husband. Here are just a few of the things I love about you:

1. You are a gentleman, like the ones from a bygone era.
2. You are intuitive and wise.
3. You are knowledgeable about a staggering amount of things.
4. You are handsome and classy.
5. You are brilliant... a born leader.
6. You don't use foul language.
7. You read all 4 books in the Twilight Series, just because I loved them so much.
8. You've had me on a pedestal since day 1. (which was 11 years ago.)
9. You're happy just making your family happy.
10. You have great taste in music.
11. You smell amazing.
12. You changed "our song" to THEN by Brad Paisley.
13. You have a positive attitude.
14. You love movies of all kinds, and quote the lines with me.
15. You laugh when I laugh, even when we're the only ones laughing.
16. You are just the right amount of sane for my crazy.
17. You have sports knowledge, and enjoy watching games, without being a fanatic.
18. You are an AMAZING kisser.
19. You are politically minded, and informed.
20. You are a man with skills, who can use any and every tool with expertise to fix almost anything.
21. You are "my confident captain".
22. You are FUNNY!
23. You think I'm funny.
24. You NEVER complain, and work harder than anyone I've ever seen.
25. You have traveled the world.
26. Your "take" on things is inspired.
27. You are a snuggler... (don't tell him I said that!)
28. You are tender, and enjoy our children.
29. You have an appreciation for random humor.
30. You still open ALL my doors for me... I'm not allowed to touch them.
31. You are brave & strong.
32. You are athletic, and irritatingly... great at everything.
33. You are adventurous & "wild at heart".
34. You once rode a bull.
35. You maneuver vehicles effortlessly, including ones with 40 foot trailers.
36. You would never-could never call me names, even if I deserved it.
37. You make a point to know all my favorite things, which is quite a chore since they are so many and constantly evolving.
38. You frequently cook, do dishes, laundry, and general tidying up- even before I can get to it.
39. You like to brush my hair.
40. You call me "gorgeous" and only have eyes for me.
41. You LOVE that I am feisty and sarcastic, "diabolical" as you say.
42. You have nice feet.
43. You banter/verbal spar with me.
44. You offer your assistance to strangers in need, and buy anything that children might be selling.
45. You have UNENDING patience and understanding.
46. You love Jesus.


You are one in a billion, and I love you with all my heart! Happy Birthday to the best husband on the planet!!!

Our baby girl is 1 year old today! It's been one year filled with absolute bliss...















One year of bows and tiny baby clothes, one year of staring into beautiful sapphire eyes, one year of open-mouth baby kisses, one year of rocking her to sleep, one year of the sweet smell of baby lotion, one year of giggles and toothless grins, one year filled with so many firsts, one year of carrying our hearts in our arms, One year of sweetness personified... What a blessing from heaven you are, Avery Adison Reagan! Happy 1st Birthday with all our love: Mommy, Daddy, & Bubba.



*** Images Courtesy of Kristina Fanelli. www.kristinafanelli.com

That's our boy.

I can only imagine what he is pondering in this one.

Reilly became fast friends with the 2 fish that Granddaddy caught. The first, he named "splashy" because it splashed a lot when he tried to grab it. The second, he named "wiggly squirty" because that one flopped around a lot.

There are some things that I wish Joey could have captured on camera, like when he heard Reilly say, "Their eyes are SQUISHY!!! Feel 'em!!" or when he rolled up his sleeves and picked up that fish right out of the bucket, only to drop him back in again.

These tears were for the untimely deaths of his new friends. He had no idea that Granddaddy had designs on eating those fish until the filet knife came out. Reilly said he didn't have a problem with cutting up a dead fish, but to kill a live one was more than he could handle. His heart is so tender and sweet, but it's surrounded by nothing but BOY!

** Joey wanted me to be sure to include the following: There were some men fishing from a boat about 30 feet out from where Reilly was, and he was watching them pull in large bass after large bass. Reilly then cast his line expertly in their direction, and almost hit their boat. The men from the boat hollered out, "That was a GREAT CAST!!!"

Thanks Joey & Granddaddy for all these essential memories!!!

Thank you to all the Veterans, like my Daddy (USMC!) who have ever put themselves in harm's way for all of us at home. We're so proud of you! God Bless You!

Avery can stand up from sitting on the floor without using something or someone to pull up on!

Check out this short video.... (sorry, it's sideways!) And yes, that is a walkie-talkie she is holding, she has to stay in constant contact with big brother. ;) She's so practical.

Just a little shoppin'..



And a little snugglin'




With a little splashin'




And of course, a little playin'



= Perfection!