Happy Birthday To My Favorite!

Happy Birthday to you ~

Happy Birthday to you ~

Happy Birthday, dear Daddy!

Happy Birthday to YOU!

You love your birthday.  I haven't always "got" this, but I do now and won't ever try to skate by with anything less than the full blown celebration that the kids get.  And that's one of the reasons I love you ~ you're still one of the kids.  Not in the demanding sense, but how you delight in the simplest of things....the anticipation of your birthday....the cake....the dinner request.....the gifts.  While many of your friends, and your wife too, hope their birthday slips by unnoticed in the hope that somehow this will allow them to not add another digit to their age, you savor it, love it, and are thankful for the gift that you've been given.

I Love You!

Allison xo   

Your crew ~

Nickles can hardly contain himself!

A masterpiece painted by your very own son!

I didn't even know what he had wrapped up ;o)

And now for hot fudge sundaes ~

Mmmmmm

Independence Day

It seems as though the 4th of July was years ago, and not the couple short weeks that it was.  Uncle Matt threw his annual float party at his place along the Jefferson.  The kids have the best time and the adults don't have too much to be concerned with since the river moves at such a slow pace. Katherine, Shannon and Eric found a bridge jump off.  As we are missing Theresa on this day, we remembered that she would have been right in the thick of that, if not the first one to jump!

I'm not certain what will happen if/when Matt decides to no longer host this event.  My kiddos will certainly be disappointed!  They begin talking about it around the 1st of June.
Thank you, Matt!

We made t shirts the day before.  Each one turned out differently 

than what I expected which was fun!

On the river earlier in the day to beat the crowds that typically tube on the 4th.  

Ben's mutt, Kreo, had to be in the same tube with his master.

Joshie and Kolby discussing something important.

My kids think this is hilarious ~

Matt taking a picture of us, while we're taking a picture of him.

Boys ~ ~ 

My littlest angel ~

Nickles wasn't too excited to have me on his tube, even if it was only for a few minutes.  

According to Matt this looked much more exciting than it actually was.

Since the raft was longer, it was a bit more thrilling.

Annika bobbin' along ~

Kath is so excited to have pictures taken lately ~

she should be happy now that her braces are off.

Big blue skies and bridges ~

Uncle Matt's super powered water slide ~

Mentally preparing for the swim race ~

And they're off!

Race #2!

And Race #3, the life jacket race!

   

June Funnies

Shannon was in a meeting with some new clients.  Their realtor was discussing children and asked Shan how many children he had.  Following Shannon's reply, she exclaimed, "And I thought I was busy with two!"

Shannon, always quick with a reply said, "Two. Yeah.  When we have two at home we call that date night!"

Shannon's brother was staying with us for a few days.  During this time we were installing new flooring and fixing other random items around the house. To say the house was a disaster is an understatement.  One night Nickles and I carved a corner out in my bedroom to play cards among boxes of flooring that were waiting to be installed.  Putting on my pj's, I sat down with Nickles.  He matter-of-factly stated, "You can't leave the room now, Mom."

When I asked him why not he said, "Well, Uncle Ryan is here and he'll see your pajamas and say, 'Oooooo.  I'm going to copy you.  I'm going to get some of those for my mommy.'" 

And these weren't risqué pj's! 

Katherine wanted me to drop her off early at work so she could be out of there before the younger guys arrived after noon.  I asked her why this was such a big deal.  

"Well, Mom, they're just scary. They have tattoos up their arms, and they're all skinny.  AND they're bald." 

I kinda thought the bald thing wouldn't bother her too much, what with the baldness in our family and stuff.  After all, her favorite uncle is bald! 

Referring to Dwayne Johnson, Josh announces from the back seat of the suburban, "Mom, The Rock isn't that big naturally.  He took sterilizers." 

Wellllll, incidentally......

Upon Nickles hearing his friend (actually Kath's friend) was coming over, "I need to change clothes.  Hannah Bee doesn't like these."

Then later as I was leaving for a meeting he said, "Bye Mom.  I like you." 

Apparently, he had just informed Hannah he loved her.

The following morning as he and Hannah were sitting at the counter eating breakfast and I was again leaving for an appointment, instead of giving me his typical hug, he stretched out his arm to shake my hand.  

Tomorrow he will return to his spot as my little friend, but meanwhile being displaced by one of my daughter's friends smarts a little :o)

One Saturday evening we were visiting with friends.

Dom was sent to take a shower.  

He had been in there forever, or rather the water had been running forever, when Shannon peeked in to check on him.  

Apparently, he got it good and steamy, then proceeded with bathroom art.  

All I can picture is a naked little boy drawing all over the mirror, 

kinda reminiscent of Calvin and Hobbes.

Happy Birthday Eric!

Happy Birthday to you ~
Happy Birthday to you ~
Happy Birthday, dear Eric!
Happy Birthday to YOU!

Now you are 14 and almost ready to pass Dad up in height!  Every time I turn around you seem to need larger shoes or shirts with longer sleeves.  Thank heavens you've adopted a rolled-up sleeve style or you'd never have anything that fits correctly.  How blessed I have been to have your muscles around the house; you're always willing to lend a helping hand.  Of course, you still love to tease your siblings, but you also show them a lot of love! I'm enjoying watching you become a fine young man.

I love you, Eric!
Love,
Mom

All these boys crack me up ~

Sharing your presents with your little bro ~

He thinks you're the greatest.