January 4 = Birthday Surprise Dinner

Zachary arranged a surprise birthday dinner for me since we'll be back in Rhode Island, isolated from the world, for my birthday.  This is the only picture I have from it... ha.  You'll just have to trust that it was fun!

July 16 = Malia's Birthday!

So it's Malia's birthday but since she's three and didn't really communicate to us what she wished for her birthday plans- we had our families meet at La Cocina!  This is a birthday tradition for my family so it was the perfect plan, at least for me ;).

Here's some pictures from dinner:

After dinner, we went back to Grandma & Dops house and I snapped this picture of Kayleigh and Gramps before they left.  I got a tad bit emotional when my family left because I knew it would be the last time they'd see Kayleigh as a itty bitty baby- I was surprised my dad let me get this picture but he might have been thinking that too.

I can't believe little Miss Malia is three years old!  She is so full of joy and love.  She's always willing to help, very generous with hugs and kisses (as long as it's on her terms) and so very smart.  She talks so much and so well- you never have to wonder what she's thinking.  I love her wild spirit- I think we should have named her Tarzana- she can give you a look that makes it look like she just belongs in the jungle.  She's got lots of energy like her daddy but also loves naps like her momma.  I can't imagine our family without our Malia Mae!

May 13 = Big Graduation Day

Well I saw this and I have to start with it because it fits me very well...

And now I'll post some pictures from Matthew's graduation!

Oops... found something else that fit me very well.  Graduations are boring, okay?

I was in seat 13 on May 13th- our dating anniversary- had to take a picture!

Meese's parents came to watch Matt graduate- so cute :)

After graduation, Matthew & Meese's church group threw Matt a party- Zachary met us there with the whole clan... my dad got to have some bonding time with Miss Rosie.

We didn't stay very long because... we rarely stay anywhere besides the gym or home for very long... here's Rosie meeting Abbie.

Soon after, my parents got home and they watched the kids for us so we could go grab dinner at La Cocina.  Still working on the final baby name...

Then it was time for bed.  Haha, not.

March 16 = Travel Day

It's been nice just having Malia all to myself but I'm a bit bored at this point.  Also, some crazy person was knocking on my door at 11:30pm and I had to call the cops to make them go away and my dad's birthday is tomorrow so this morning I woke up and decided to drive to NC.  

It was a 6.5 hour drive.  Malia fell asleep literally five minutes before we got to my dad's office to surprise him.

One perk of going to NC- La Cocina!

December 19 = Matt's 21st Birthday!

The first part of Matt's birthday celebration was going to La Cocina- yet another place I must go when I come to NC.  Here's Liam walking in with Mimi.  It used to be Grammy but he calls her Mimi so that's what we're going with.

My mom made the same cake for Matt as I did for Zachary a few weeks ago- delicious!

Matt let Liam try on the hat- he was a fan.

Malia got to spend some time with her great aunts, Deanie & Lynn.

After lunch, we went home, got the kids down for naps and relaxed for a little bit before heading to Raleigh for Matt's birthday dinner!  Grace had left after lunch to make him another cake so we met her and her parents and her brother at this cute little restaurant.  She brought sparkling cider and root beer since Matt is not interested in drinking alcohol- what a smart one he is.  

Malia liked the cake!

March 13 = Mebane Food Day

Every trip to North Carolina must include La Cocina, barbecue and lots of sweet tea.  Today we got to all three of these things.  Here's Liam waiting patiently for his barbecue-

 And Malia just being Malia entertaining herself at the restaurant.

Later we went to La Cocina to celebrate Dad's birthday- this first picture is him singing Happy Birthday do himself.

 And here's me with my Daddy- boy do I love him!