Princess Birthday Party

This year Rubi's Princess Birthday Party turned out a little cold and wet. Does that stop a four year from enjoying herself? Nope!

For weeks we've been asking Rubi what she wants for her birthday. Her answer (consistently) has been POOP! Or, a BIG GIANT PILE OF POOP! Well, because they do not sell edible poop anywhere (that I know of) I made Rubi her BIG GIANT PILE OF POOP. As you can tell by the picture above, she really enjoyed it!

Kira modeling some sunglasses Elton John dropped off for the party.

Kiley, Tori, and Rubi enjoying the bowl of jewelry (what girl wouldn't).

Rubi allowed taking of pictures for about 5 minutes at this year's party. It's a good thing I wasn't in the bathroom or I would've missed it.

Rubi turns four (a little late).

Happy Fourth Birthday Rubi Lyn McCann.

Year One

Year Two

Year Three

Year Four! (She's almost as tall as her father..tear!)

I cannot believe that our little-tiny-baby Rubi is now FOUR YEARS OLD (and not at all little or tiny or a baby)! It's both heartbreaking and exciting to see her blossom into a li

ttle human. The heartbreak often occurs when i ask her to give her mother a smooch or to cuddle and she looks at me and says "NOOOOO".

Don't get me wrong, Rubi is by far the most affectionate little girl i've ever came in contact with. Often, during dinner she stops eating looks at us and says "Mommy, I love you...Daddy, I love you too". She then drops her fork and asks for hugs and kis

ses. If i was able to use her candle this year to make one wish, it would be that she always remain this affectionate.

Rubi is still the most careful child I know. She still chases other children on the playground, screaming BE CAREFUL!

This year when I asked Rubi what she wanted to be when grew up, she said, "STOP IT, leave me ALONE!" Oh well, there is always next year.

Rubi now has standard lines that she uses every day...

"That sounds like a good idea, right?!"

"I waaaaant Grammmmyyy"

"I'll be the princess and you be my majesty"

This year has passed so quickly I can hardly stand it. Rubi has certainly developed into her own person. She is still very outgoing and talks to almost anyone willing to listen. Just this past weekend at her birthday party, she invited a woman walking her dog to sit down and join the party.

I cannot express how much I love this little girl. It's hard to believe I will be able to experience this much love for another child. I think that Rubi (while it may take some adjusting) will be an amazing big sister. She is caring, loving, and very kind. I can picture Rubi talking Margot's ear off from the moment she enters the house. The only request Rubi has made so far about the new baby is that she get her own bedroom and her own car. Fair I'd say.

Virginia Beach, 2011

This year we had (once again) a fantastic trip to Virginia Beach. This was our last trip as a family of three (minus Deuce). The trip included Rubi turning four, Rubi's first trip to an emergency room, and our first year being joined by family. It was awesome, just what we needed before the new addition made her appearance.

Our first walk on the beach this year.

Taylor trying to get Rubi closer to the ocean. Which is actually closer than her father and I have ever been able to do.

With Margot on the way, Rubi was very cuddly with Daddy this year, which I know Neil loved every second of.

This usually only happens twice a year, I'm always sure to capture it on film.

Enjoying the park and boardwalk by the beach.

Most mornings this year, Rubi and I would sit on the front porch to eat our breakfast. With a fantastic view of the ocean, Rubi didn't even mind eating with her Mom.

Frisbee with Daddy and Uncle Tommy.

Daddy and Rubi digging for treasure, which Rubi was obsessed with finding this year.

Rubi "filling" her bucket with water. For a child that goes to the beach every year, you would think she would be a little more at ease with the ocean.

Tommy, the only child brave enough to be buried. Although, I think Neil may have forced him to do it.

Tori, Rubi, Taylor and Tommy.

Family photo (plus one).

Enjoying some ice cream on the board walk.

Rubi decided to take her own beach photos this year. On our way to Virginia she was constantly snapping shots of the road and cars passing by.

We all had our fair share of sun this year. By the second day most of us were wearing huge hats to cover our very sun burnt heads.

My Sister Tawnee and Me.

(As we do every year) On the rainiest day of the week, we headed to the Virginia Beach Aquarium. It never disappoints.

Rubi's cousin, Tommy.

Rubi and her cousin Tori.

This year, we were lucky enough to be joined on our trip by my sister Tawnee, her Husband Tommy, and their three kids. Tori is about 5 months older than Rubi, as you can imagine they are very close. The two usually have a love-hate relationship, but they got along all week (well, most of it). The week went really well, the only cranky child was our dog Deuce.

One of the last places we were able to visit this year was the Wildlife Refuge. The refuge is only about 5 blocks from the house we stayed in. This was actually the first year we went on the hike. We didn't see any wild horses, but we did see a few dolphin and a gorgeous, clean beach.