let's back track

let's do a bit of a back-track here.

because i've been lame, we're gonna have to go way back.

devan turned five in september 

and had her first little friend party.

these little girls were all soooo sweet and cute and FUNNY.

then we took a quick trip to sun valley.  oh my goodness!! it was the perfect time to go because all of the trees were changing and the skies were so dramatic and beautiful.

there was lots of mountain biking, and walks, and bike cruises.

number one rule to visiting sun valley : bring your bikes!

there are paths all over the town and into the hills and mountains.

baby elle had had quite enough of this walk

there's this crazy living vine hut/fort thing.

i totally want to go back in the spring to see it in bloom.

i have a feeling we'll be making a lot more visits in the future.

you're gonna want to see this

well, i have a bunch of stuff i need to post to catch up, but i'm not feeling it right now, so this is what you get instead.

you're welcome.

don't even think about not watching this.

it's awesome.
and yes, we play the edited version at our house.

baby elle one month

well, she's more than a month now, seven weeks actually, but these are all around her one month mark.

this little lady is one easy baby.

she sleeps 8-10 hours a night

she smiles a lot when she's awake and started cooing and "talking" a few weeks ago.

the kids all adore her.  how could you not?

my good friend, amy, took these when elle was two weeks old.
i love them.

she's already so much bigger.
sad.

can you even believe those lips?

they get kissed all day long, which is probably how she got a cold.

these were all random pictures from my phone

second time out on the boat for little miss

the evolution of a first smile

funny bib

trying to wake up after 10 hours of sleep

it's. just. so. exhausting. my. life.

aaaaaand more sleeping.

she's good at it.

cheeks turns the big fat five

it's obvious how devan got the nickname cheeks.

she's got squishy ones.

both types.

well, this little thang finally crossed the threshold into 

full-blown, true blue, no turning back, little girl-hood.

she's five.

FIVE!!

why is five so much older than four?

so much bigger, and smarter, and spunkier, and totally not a baby anymore-er?

why?

really.  why?

i dont' know, but it is.

devan had been counting down the days until she'd turn five.

and then she did.

cheeks and turtle man keepin it real.

turtle man looks a little possessive with cheeks' present.

i'm not sure exactly what she is smiling at, but that smile cracks me up.

it looks a little pyromaniacish to me.

or maybe she was thinking about her wish.

this one says, "i love you, number five candle.  i've waited so long for you."

leave it to nik to bunnyear-bomb a photo

or two

devan's self "portrait" bares a striking resemblance...

especially in the hair department.

this girl is kooky.

the most random and dramatic things come flying out of her mouth on a daily basis.

on an hourly basis.

and she is so so sweet and loving,

even if she does throw a mean eye roll or "duh" face around every once in a while. (or more)

her first day of preschool was another much anticipated day.

and it did NOT disappoint.

what a sweetheart.

happy birthday, devan. we love you!

you've made the past five years amazing.