The week after Ryan's birthday, I drove my mom up to Tennessee to see her "sister", Beverly. My mother and Beverly met as toddlers and as they say, the rest is history. (how many people do you know who have been friends for over 60 years?) Beverly had flown out to TN to be with her son, David, for a month. She currently resides in Idaho, so to know that she was so close prompted my mother to go up and visit her. I have the most flexible schedule, therefore I volunteered to drive. It was a wonderful weekend...despite us all getting ill. We passed a stomach bug around all weekend. Yuck! David and his partner, Nick, have a beautiful home full of love and life and pets...3 cats, a dog, and a talking parrot. The kids absolutely loved the parrot, Cocoa. He babbles all day long and is quite entertaining. Dave and Nick and aunt Beverly took us out to eat and showed us the surrounding area. You can never be bored, there is sooooo much to do! I am so glad we all were able to be together. Life is short so you have to love and laugh as much as you can, take advantage of the few moments we have on this earth. I feel so blessed to have people like Aunt Beverly, David, and Nick in our lives. They are gracious, generous, selfless, and radiate God's love...I am blessed to call them family.
chillin' with Uncle Dave
'Aunt' Nick showing the kids Cocoa, the talking Parrot
story time with Nick
Dave and Nick (I love them so much!)
they look so serious playing Mario on the Wii
BESTIES!!!
strike a pose! 
Throw me something, mister! 
Bubbly and Beads! (don't worry, it's non-alcoholic)
walking with Uncle Mikey in the Second Line
Mikey's gal, Giselle
what Ryan thinks wine glasses are for (lol!)
Representative Shroeder
Dancing with Uncle Mikey
chillin' with Uncle Dave
'Aunt' Nick showing the kids Cocoa, the talking Parrot
story time with Nick
Dave and Nick (I love them so much!)
they look so serious playing Mario on the Wii
BESTIES!!!
with friend, Ainsley
Natalie made Ryan's cake 
Playing on his new rug from Nana and Papa
Birthday Picture =)
tasting his homemade cake (Natalie said it had to be green)
blowing out the candle
Natalie took Ryan for a ride on his new truck!
Sophia was dancing around the room and I managed to capture this moment of her in a spin
She loves her skates!
cousins taking a break
It's our tradition to play games on New Year's Eve
Sophia sparkler fun!
Natalie sparkler fun!
He didn't make it to midnight =)
Making New Year's Day cookies on their new picnic table
Natalie wrote both of their names and Sophia is pointing to her name
