Aubrey turned 6 years old today...

This is not a recent photo of her (birthday party pictures to be posted after the 15 children descend on our house and party down like rock stars) but it is one of my all time favorite snapshots of her. I can hardly believe the baby in the family is 6 years old today. It seems like only yesterday that she came into this world in the middle of the night (2:22 a.m. to be precise). She came into this world with big blue eyes, and a very quiet demeanor from the get go! She certainly completed our family. A few "fun facts" about our girl you may not know: her full name is Aubrey Jennifer. We named her after our good friend Jen (for those of you who did not know this Tim and I would not be "Tim and I" if it were not for Jen introducing us and playing match maker - so we owe a lot to her)!! I still remember Jen calling me in the hospital and what a true joy it was to ask Jen's blessing to use her name as Aubey's middle name - we were both crying by the time it was all said and done. It is a true honor to have a child named after such an amazing strong woman and it is our sincere hope that Aubrey grows up to emulate many of the qualities that are in her namesake!! Aubrey has had a milestone year as she completed kindergarten. She started out the year very shy and nervous about me dropping her off at school (daily). She finished the year out so strong and confident - we are so proud of all she has accomplished this year. A fond memory for me this year is every day before school she would have me draw a "kissing hand" (a heart) on her hand and kiss it, and she would do the same for me. Towards the end of the year, as we were getting out of the car I said "Oh we almost forgot your kissing hand." Keep in mind we had done one for 125+ days and she replied, "That's ok mom. I think I am too big for kissing hands anymore." Sigh.... and so it begins... Happy Birthday Aubrey - I love you bunches, bunches!!