Happy Birthday Amanda!

My little sister, Amanda turned 21 today-Hooray! I am such a proud big sister. When my mom was pregnant with her I REALLY wanted a sister. I had a brother (love you Anthony!) but I hoped and hoped for a sister to dress up and basically be my doll. I loved helping my mom take care of her-I was 7 when she was born, so I got to change diapers and give her bottles...I remember loving that.

She is a beautiful and smart free-spirit. She is a dreamer, doesn't always have to have a plan (like me) and is easy-going but will absolutely stand up for herself and her family. She is an awesome aunt-my girls love their "aunt manda". I am amazed by her many talents and love her tons and miss her dearly! Bring her back to the West coast Joshua!!! Hope you have a great Birthday Amanda! We love you!

Everybody needs a Kencie....

This is Kencie.

She is my amazing littlest sister. I just love her and the title of this post is a direct quote from my good friend Roz. She often says "everyone needs a Kencie" Roz is right!

Kencie adores my girls and is such a good aunt to them. She plays with them (even when she has friends over!), teaches them, shares all of her things with them, squeezes in our backseat on long trips (or short ones if they ask) to help us entertain them and recently she has started babysitting them. The girls love her to peices and often fight over her-"My Aunt Kencie" says Annison, "No, My Aunt Tencie" yells Lilly. But, more than being who she is to me, Mitch and the girls she is really one of the best people I know. She is kind, sincere, charitable, funny & BEAUTIFUL. She is a really good girl and everyone from my friends to her teachers shower her with compliments. I feel so very lucky to have her as a little sister and friend. So, yes, Roz is right. Everyone does need a Kencie...but we got her!!!