Monumental...

Well, our baby girl celebrated her 10th birthday last Saturday and she declared that this particular birthday was MONUMENTAL because she is now DOUBLE-DIGITS!!! Don't ya just love how kids find such fun and excitement in the simplest of things!?!

To mark this "moment-in-time" Mallary decided that she would rather embark on a family overnighter rather than have the typical traditional party so that is just what we did. Kyle surprised her and took a half-a-day off of work on Friday so once he arrived home, got cleaned up and we ate a quick bite of lunch, we loaded our luggage and away we went!

We enjoyed a fun and delicious supper at Texas Roadhouse...

(Yes, she had to sit on the saddle while everyone yelled, "Yee-hah"!)
(Please excuse the Budweiser sign in the back...Yuck!?!)
A cool blessing that took place here was when we saw one of Kyle and I's most favorite nurses that cared for him immediately after his surgery walk through the door! We try to keep in touch with Ashley but it was so good to see her!

Enjoyed fun times in the pool and hot tub at the hotel...

(This child can never get too much time in the water swimming!?!)

Shared in special times of family devotions...

(We used this opportunity to share with Mallary, just as we did with MaKayla at this age what a special, beautiful and unique creation she is in Christ! We all took turns affirming her!)

Tantalized our tastebuds by trying Gelato (Italian ice cream)...

Ate a yummy lunch (pepperoni pizza) at Cheesecake Factory
(complete with an ice-cream treat)...

And just plain had a great time as a family! Shopping, eating, swimming, laughing...

Mallary has such a sweet, warm and contagious spirit about her and we are blessed beyond measure by her life! When she was sick a few weeks ago it was as if the "life" of our home was missing...the activity ceased, the singing was absent, the non-stop chattering was silenced, the bouncy happiness was missing...we all realized how much we love "her life"...the life God gave her! :o) We decided that life would be really boring without her! We decided that although there are times when we just want to say, "Shhhhh", we wouldn't trade her for anything!!! She is a complete JOY and we love her more than words can say!

Happy 10th Birthday Mal!
Thanks for letting us celebrate in such a fun way with you!
They are memories we will forever cherish!!!