Rylee is 1!!!!

Hello Everyone,

Well...it happened...my baby is 1! Rylee Hope is now officially a toddler...a walking, whole milk drinking, b-bopping toddler. She has a smile that will draw you in...a fiesty spirit that makes you say, "wow- did that come from that tiny girl?!", and a devious side that loves to play hide and seek, leap and crawl off of furniture, and throw caution to the wind...We deeply love her. I am amazed daily at how much she has grown. The other day I asked her to take something to Daddy...and she quickly took the piece of mail in her hands and walked over to her Dad..and said..."Augh..." Precious...simply precious. Rylee and Ava now play together daily...it is quite the sight to see. They get along for the most part really well...as long as Rylee is in charge! All kidding aside- Ava is double her size and Rylee has already beaten her up twice! We were able to celebrate her B-day at our home and had nearly 30 or so people...She did so well. We had a wonderful time just talking and celebrating her! She got some sweet gift, of which I am sure will be used,used and then used some more! I thought that it might be a bit overwhelming, but I think being the pastor's daughter gets you accustomed to having people around a lot :). I was committed to making her cake, as I did for Ava on her first birthday. I thought about what I should make for her for over a month...Flower? No...not for her...Princess tiara?...No...not my Rylee...Butterfly?....Ummm...way too hard for Mommy :)....I finally came up with making her a cell phone cake! Rylee from a very young age has loved cell phones To the point where she would put just about anything on her ear and pretend like she was talking :)(Must say alot about Mommy!)...So my good friend Christin and I were able to do it. I thought that it might be hard to top Ava's ladybug cake..but I think we matched it! Too fun :)
I have been really enjoying this stage with the girls...they are both so full of personality, and growing so quickly. Corey and I are super pumped that we have been able to undergo our first stage of our kitchen remodel. I was EXTREMELY pumped to actually get a dish washer! YES! Such a highlight of my life! Corey is going to be doing his second triathalon this coming week. I am super proud of him...he gets more attractive to me as the days pass...I can't help but think and say.."That is MY man!!!" YES!"
Ava is as beautiful as ever. She knows her ABC's, can count in both spanish and english, recites various songs, dances all the time, and loves to be out and about ALL the time. She has recently begun to use Corey and I's first names when she is arguing with us or wants to prove a point. Daddy is "Corey" when she wants something or is trying to manipulate him. We laugh about it all the time. Somehow she connected in her brain that when people argue (i.e. her parents) they always use first names! HA!
We will be having some really great house guests soon! Our friend Hunter will be headed into town this weekend, and then the following weekend we get to see Grandma and Grandpa Garris!!!! I have a feeling that the girls will be spoiled all around...So much to look forward to! I have tried to post as many pics and latest videos from the party, and also a couple of other cute videos. Enjoy the latest!
Love,
Cyndia for Corey, Ava, and Rylee