Vera's Birthday pics!

Vera turned 12 back in February! After weeks and weeks of buildup the day finally arrived! She's so happy to have her birthday celebrated!!

Here they are in all their morning glory! The Spicer Birthday Pic. Settle down, Deano.

As is now the tradition, Vera received a gift sack full of her very OWN treats and snacks. That may have been her favorite gift!

The Nerf gun vest for the Nerf gun enthusiast. We knew she was receiving a Nerf machine gun from her cousins so we had to get her properly outfitted.

The iPod! Remember the iPod God found for her?

No, Ella, the candles aren't for you. Everyone loves the birthday around here!

Ha ha, Mom! Vera let me sit by her for candle time. Maybe it really IS my birthday.

Nope! Louis Armstrong Vera took the lead in blowing out her candles.

Happy Birthday, precious Veronika!

We will happily celebrate your special day from now until forever! You are our treasured daughter and nothing would make us happier!

Fort Worth Botanical Gardens in late fall

Last December, I took the kids to the Japanese Garden and the Rose Garden within the Botanical Gardens. (The pictures were all on my iPhone and I just downloaded them.)

The parks were incredibly beautiful, particularly with the fall color of the Japanese maples adding a red glow everywhere you looked. The kids enjoyed it and we got lots of pretty pictures.

Isn't that amazingly beautiful?

I have always loved the view from the top of the Rose Garden down to the lake. It's hard to believe we're so near the downtown hustle and bustle because the gardens are so purely peaceful...even with the Spicers in attendance.

Song got some great pictures of Anna and Luke, in particular.

Any time is a great time for a pose, right Emma?

God is showing OFF!

God was showing off when He made these eight beauties, too!

I promised the kids we would go back in the spring. I'm sure spring will be spectacular, but a sunny, cool day in late fall is awfully nice, too. As you can tell from the pictures, we practically had the park to ourselves.

I love the Fort Worth Botanical Gardens!

Emma's birthday morning

Emma turns 10!!!

Thanks to my facebook friends, we had many wonderful gift suggestions including the

Pillow Pet Unicorn

IT'S SO FLUFFY!!!

Don't forget to pose, Emmy Lane!

The obligatory family picture...note the snow outside the window. How fun!!

I love that Emma is so excited over coloring books. She's been having a great time coloring them, too.

Digging into the Squinkies! Good call, Amanda T.!

Photographer as subject...deep.

Before the snipping. My new camera gets some interesting details, huh?

It was a happy day for Miss Em. She had a great time playing with her new toys during the day. We had cheerleading and then met the grandparents and daddy for dinner out and more gifts. Emma definitely relishes her special day. What a great quality!

So guess whose birthday is coming up next?

Oh boy! She's ready!!