The Auctioneer's daughter: Everyone knows Katie!

Today is our little girl’s birthday. A time to celebrate, Katie is 4 years old!!

Time does go by amazingly fast.

Funny thing, as I was cleaning up files on my computer last week, I came across a photo of Katie when she was just a baby, sitting up on the block with her father while he auctioneered.

Katie has been exposed to the world of auctions, flea markets and yard sales for all of her existence on this earth -- and even earlier! The sound of her father’s voice and the familiar auction chant is likely something she heard while in the womb!

She was brought to auctions regularly until she was about 2 and 1/2, at which point she just wouldn’t sit still long enough for me to be able to do much else but chase her. Since then, her visits have been infrequent, but she’ll go on occasion. She does have her favorite auction friends that she visits. She is an extremely outgoing child, and she knows all the regular attendees. Katie will climb up on a chair and sit next to them, even helping herself to their french-fries!

Many times, people who I don’t always readily recognize will approach me and ask how Katie is doing. They remember her at the auctions in her baby carrier! Of course, when she does come in now, everyone is surprised to see how much she’s grown.

Katie and I at her family birthday party Sunday.

Being cute, sweet, and outgoing does have its benefits too! When we go to the flea market or stop by yard sales, Katie loves it. More times than not, she’ll pick up a toy and the seller will just give it to her. After a while, she has so many things, we need to put together a lot of her previously-loved toys for the auction ourselves.

She has a Hanna-Montana microphone she was given for Christmas. Yes, she sings into it (She thinks she’s on her way to American Idol!), but she also does her own version of the auctioneer chant, mimicking her Daddy and giggling through most of it... She knows we get a kick out of it too!

Katie smiles at a family gathering over the weekend in honor of her birthday

No longer a toddler, she’s a big girl now. Happy birthday, Katie!!