Maybe She Should Have Been a Dancer

In honor of Audrey's 21st birthday, I would like to share this little glimpse into her past. She is just barely three years old... and dressed all by herself!

My Baby's Not a Baby Anymore!

Twenty-one years ago today a little baby girl was born. She was absolutely beautiful! Her daddy named her Audrey. (I figured he ought to have the chance to name ONE baby.)

She was (and still is) smart, sweet, and loved by absolutely everyone.

Who knew when this picture was taken at the age of six that she really WOULD grow up to be a teacher.

When she graduated from High School, I was asked to write a little something about her.  Let's see if it all still holds true:

She just barely met the air bag weight requirement for sitting in the front seat of the car.

She slept on the floor in her parent’s room until she was 14.  She still prefers sleeping on the floor of her own bedroom to sleeping in her bed.

Girls gather at her home before concerts and dances for an Audrey Collier up-do.  She has quite a knack for sculpting hair.

She is probably the only graduating senior with a 3.97 GPA who just realized that Alaska isn’t an island off the coast of California.  (Information shared in this room stays in this room.)  And yes, she received an ACADEMIC  scholarship to BYU. 

When she laughs she literally quacks like a duck.

 

Her nicknames are “Audge Podge,” “Pookey,” and a self-appointed “Squintz.”

Her motto is “Never Mind the Cloudy Days.”

She serves as the social secretary for about a gazillion friends.

She thinks Costco’s trail mix contains the four basic food groups and constitutes a square meal.

Her hobbies are music, boys, ultimate frisbee, boys, dating, boys...and that’s about it.

She is a master cookie baker.  Her secret?  Just bang the cookie sheet down right when you take the cookies out of the oven.

She knows the value of true friendship.

She can be trusted completely.

There is no doubt that she has a testimony of the gospel. Her love for her Heavenly Father and her Savior, Jesus Christ is evident in the way she lives her life.

Well... not a lot has changed in the past three years, except she does know where Alaska is, and she's trying to eat more vegies; just not the cooked kind.

She is not only social secretary now, but Match Maker too. It is uncanny just how many couples she has been instrumental in putting together.

Audrey has been named this planet’s smartest, cutest, most talented, friendliest, and most loving 21-year-old daughter! We love you Audrey! Happy Birthday, Sweetheart!

Happy Birthday, Katie!

Happy 25th Birthday, Katie!  We're so grateful to have you as a part of our family! David is one smart cookie! Love You!

Emily's Best

In fact, it was better than her best! Emily's senior recital was amazing. I sat in the audience in awe... so pleased to call her mine. 

Emily's Vocal Union Director, Nori Brower, served as accompanist (and even performed a solo entitled "Emily" while Emily made a clothing change.) 

Emily began her recital by singing a few classical numbers -"Oh! Quand je dors" by Liszt, 

"Quando Men vo" by Puccini, and my personal favorite, "Homeward Bound" by Marta Keen.

Sacred Music included "Precious Savior" as a duet with Audrey, 

"The Lord's Prayer" with three of her friends, and "Be Still My Soul" as a solo.

Jazz was next, with her grandparent's love song, "All the Things You Are", then "My Romance", "I Could Write a Book," 

and an adorable rendition of "Won't You Be My Neighbor?" with her friends.

Emily was so fortunate to have her jazz coach as accompanist. Sister Brower has an amazing gift for improvisation. She was incredible!

Emily closed the program with two Broadway Hits, "Still Hurting" 

from The Last Five Years (so tender - I had to wipe the tears away), and "Shopping Around" from Wish You Were Here.

Emily has such a versatile voice. Jazz is her favorite and it is easy to tell that she feels most comfortable in that style, but I'll have to say that I was so tickled with her classical.  I've never heard her sing full voice in that genre before.  She knocked my socks off!

Emily's teacher, Elizabeth Bossard

Congratulations, Emily!  You deserve a boatload of roses, and hugs, and kisses! I am so proud of you. Please keep singing; I need your sweet voice!

Sadie Jane

Eight Months Old

Jenni prayed for a "Mommy's Girl" and her prayers were answered. This little doll is happiest when she is in her mother's arms. I just love her smiling eyes; they remind me so much of Jenni's.

Jenni, Mark, and family

When Warners Come for a Visit...

We all want to be there!  Mark's sister, Kim, blessed her baby on Sunday, so Jenni and family flew in from Seattle. It's such a special occasion when they are here! Like a holiday that happens twice a year!

It gave us the chance to "eat up" our sweet Sadie.

And for the cousins to become reacquainted.

After dinner on the Sabbath, we gathered up as many strollers and other carrier contraptions as we could find and went for a walk through the neighborhood. What a sight! We made quite the parade, I do believe! Witnessing my children laughing and loving is one of the greatest joys of motherhood.

That's what family memories are made of.

"Despite all new inventions and modern designs, 

fads and fetishes, 

no one has yet invented, or will ever invent, 

a satisfying substitute 

for one's own family."

                                          -- Dr. Stuart E. Rosenberg

Crafting it Forward!

Here's a fun little contest! I was the first to spot it on Courtney's blog this morning and I want to play!

Here are the rules:
The first five people to respond to this post will get something made by me! This offer does have some limitations:

1. You will not know what it's going to be, and there are no guarantees that you will like what I make! It may be something simple and small or I may go crazy and do something amazing.

2. It’ll be done this year. Translation: you may be waiting a little while. ( My goal is the next 6 weeks)

3. Most importantly, you must offer the same deal on your blog - the first 5 people to comment on your blog (or Facebook or whatever, if you don't have a blog) get something made by YOU!

Gammpottsie Day

Payton came to town, so it was the perfect time for our first annual Gammpottsie Day.  That's Collier talk for grandparent's day -- a rip-roaring celebration with our "older" grandchildren! Prerequisite:  must be potty trained.

This year we invited Payton and Lily.

First, we changed into pajamas.  Lily would NOT step foot into her zip up footie PJs.  She insisted on wearing two-piece just like her cousin, Payton.  Luckily he had an extra pair to share.

We built a fort.

Popped Popcorn

And watched a movie.

Lily and Payton were more than a little bit excited about going swimming.

But first it was time to jump on the beds,

Say Prayers

And give good-night kisses.

Before we knew it, we were up again with the early birds. 

Waffles for Breakfast

Time for a morning swim.

We topped off our Gammpottsie Day with Lunch and Fun at Chick-fil-A.

I don't know about Potts, but Gammie had to take a nap after all was said and done.  Where did I ever get the energy to raise five children!  But Payton, Lily, Potts, and I had such a great time. We can't wait for Evylee to join us next year.