Happy Birthday Tyler!

On Friday, October 30, Tyler turned 14.

He was very happy I didn't force him to choose a cake this year. You see, Tyler is a weird child. He doesn't much care for cake. This year I made him something I knew he would enjoy...a donut and Rice Krispie treats tower!



Here he is with his new MacBook. He was so happy and surprised!

Rachel and Mallory's birthday!

I can upload pictures today! :)
Time to do some catching up!


Mallory (l) and Rachel (r) at their birthday party.

Why yes! I did make the cake. Thank you!
I used a bear cake pan and iced it to look like a dog.
I added the "woof!" just in case it was hard to tell!

Proud dad of 4 teenagers now!

Tyler gave the girls a ridiculously sappy card. It was funny because, we're just not that type of family. The girls were reading it like...."what is going on here!"

Yummy! Slumber party breakfast!

Rachel (l) Mallory (r)
14 years old
October 8, 2009

Time...

flies when...well, when you're having fun, when you're sad, when you're sick, When you're well, when you're bored, when you're busy. Time just flies! I can't believe it is mid-November already!

So much has been going on in our lives this past six weeks (that's how long it's been since I've truly blogged!) I'm not sure any better way to put it than as a "Random Thoughts" post!

• My son is a Cross Country super star! He was consistently the #1 runner on his team this season. He was named Athlete of the Week in our local county newspaper. (I bought 9 copies at Walmart that week!) He placed 2nd...SECOND!...in the regional race on October 24. And he placed 21st in the Kentucky State Cross Country Meet! He set a PR (personal record) in the 4k (about 2.5 miles) of 14 minutes and 56 seconds. It was an amazing season! We are all so proud of him!

• Rachel and Mallory turned 13 on October 8. I am officially the mother of 4 teenagers! They had a few friends over for a trip to Mr. Gatti's and a slumber party. They got 4-wheelers from us for their gift. I was very hesitant about them and they got quite a safety lecture from me. Mallory tumbled off the first day (don't worry, she wasn't injured) I think that scared them both straight and I haven't had many concerns since then.

• My friend, Becky, gave birth to her third beautiful daughter, Madelyn, on October 16. I just received her birth announcement (hand-made by her super-creative mama!) and she is so beautiful! I can't wait to meet her and snuggle her close!

• Speaking of babies and snuggling, I have been babysitting my perfect little nieces, Jozie and Kealie twice a week. Whew! Those girls wear me out! I guess that's why I am the mother of teenagers at 32 and not toddlers! I don't think I could handle it full time! Regardless, they are beautiful and amazing. I love that they are smiling and trying to laugh! They've got such big personalities already. Oh and Little Miss Kealie stole something from me! What, you ask? My husband's heart! He is in love with that girl and she with him!
  

• Tyler turned 14 on October 30. We got him a new Mac Book. That was the only thing he asked for. Yes it was expensive and No he did not expect that he was going to get it. That made for an awesome gift presentation on the night before his birthday! He was so surprised. It was an avalanche of emotions and made the cost well worth it! He had another boy-girl party the week before his birthday. It was pretty much a replay of last year's party.
  

• Halloween was uneventful. The kids all went to parties or trick-or-treating with their friends. It was a quite night for us at home. We only had about 10 trick-or-treaters. I felt bad for Jim. He loves Halloween. He decorated the yard as a cemetery and was dressed up very scary and then didn't have many kids come by. Michelle and Josh brought the babies over though. I made a big chili supper and we all filled all bellies with chili and all the candy we didn't pass out. It was a nice evening.

• We've had a few illnesses throughout the house. Rachel, especially, has been struggling to stay well. She has missed eight days of school in the past three weeks. She is having a lot of sore throats, so a tonsillectomy just might be in that's girl's future! Tyler and Jimmy have both missed some days for general "not feeling good-ness"...is that a legitimate phrase? Oh well, I just created it. They both ran a fever but it only lasted 24 hours, so I wasn't too worried. Mallory has managed to stay well and we, as a family, seem to have avoided the H1N1 that seems to be making it's way through our town. We've even had some local schools closed because of it.

• I am addicted to Facebook. If you want to know the real reason I have not been blogging, I think you can blame FB. Whenever I have a free moment, I seem to be checking out every one's status. Most of them are people I haven't seen or talked to in over 10 years, but now I MUST know what they had for lunch or where they spent the weekend. Honestly, it can be a little overwhelming, but it has been a nice way to reconnect with lots of people. Hey! I just had a thought...if any of you are on Facebook and we're not already friends...look me up!

• My blog (and Facebook!) friend, Renee, just returned from Eastern Europe. Her husband stayed behind to bring home the newest addition to their family, Kellsey. She was officially adopted on November 10! I can't wait to see their whole family together. It has been an honor to share this journey with them!

• Another blog friend of mine, Raine, has been feeling down lately. I truly hope that you are feeling better this week. I worry about you, girl! Let me know if there's anything I can do to lift your spirits! {{{hugs}}}

• I am soooo looking forward to the holidays this year! I have already done some gift shopping and I just can't wait to get out the Christmas decorations. I will follow the old family rule though. Nothing Christmas until Thanksgiving dinner has been consumed!
  

I'm sure there are things that I forgot. I really want to get back on the blogging wagon. I love my bloggy friends so much and I will not lose touch with you guys! Don't forget that I am reading every post (thanks Google Reader!) on each of your blogs, even when I don't comment or blog myself!

Happy Thanksgiving! I just can't help wishing a happy holiday of some sort!



P.S. Still no pictures. Actually, I was able to upload pictures when I started this post, but I had to save and restart my computer and now I can't upload again. I just can't figure it out. I can upload to Facebook though, so if we're friends you can see a few new pics there.

My birthday...

was Monday. I am 32. Sadly I can now honestly answer questions that begin, "remember 20 years ago?"

Sunday night my mom made me a yummy birthday dinner and I got some lovely presents from my siblings.

On Monday, Jim took me to lunch at my favorite Mexican restaurant. We had dinner at Red Robin when Tyler got home from practice. I got some more lovely presents from Jim and Tyler.

On Tuesday, I'd like to say I did something productive, but that would be a lie. I did nothing all day!

On Wednesday, I got to babysit the twins! I was so happy!

Hanging out at Aunt Jen's!

Sisters playing nicely!

Miss Jozie Reed, laid-back lady

Little Miss Kealie Jean, Drama Queen

Tuckered out!

Thursday was another wasted day. I have absolutely nothing to show for those 24 hours!

Today, Jim and I put together my birthday presents from my Mom and Dad.

Aren't they nice?!?!

Feel free to come have a sit on my porch anytime!

Tonight, Michelle, Josh and the babies are coming over for dinner and one more slice of cake to celebrate my birthday!

I hope you all have a great weekend! I hope I can get back into the swing of blogging more regularly next week.

Somebody's 30!!!

Birthday Cakes from WiddlyTinks.com

Today is Michelle's birthday. The big 3-0! She always said she wanted to be married and have kids by the time she was 30...well, she met that goal with 9 days to spare!

Michelle and Josh took Jozie home yesterday. Here's hoping they get word that Kealie can come home tonight. I know that is the only "present" she wants today!

Happy Birthday Michelle! I hope it is the best one yet!

Lazy day!

I am having an impossibly lazy day today. I am still in my pajamas and all I have eaten today is two pieces of birthday cake. I've just been playing on the computer and i-Phone and doing some crossword puzzles.

Jimmy had a good birthday yesterday. I baked him a cake while he spent the afternoon with his mom. Then he decided he wanted dinner to be guys only. He and Jim and Tyler went to Buffalo Wild Wings and I stayed home and waited for Michelle and Josh to come over. Then we had cake and presents and stayed up too late! A good birthday in my opinion!

And, like I said today is just a lazy day, so I am going to cheat and copy a Facebook survey for my post! I hope you'll copy it. I'd love to see your answers!

Survey for Grown Ups!

Tired of all of those surveys made up by high school kids?! 'Have you ever kissed someone? Missed someone? Told someone you loved them? Drank alcohol?Well, here are 38 questions for the people who are a little older.

1. What bill do you hate paying the most?
Jim pays all the bills now! :)

2. Where was the last place you had a romantic dinner?
I guess any of the dinners we had in San Diego

3. What do you really want to be doing right now?
Actually right now I am craving some Skyline, so I wish I was there eating a 3-way potato!

4. How many colleges did you attend?
JCC

5. Why did you choose the shirt that you have on right now?
It was on the floor next to the bed when I got up this morning and I never did get dressed today!

6. What are your thoughts on gas prices?
Gotta buy have it, so just suck it up and pay for it!

7. First thought when the alarm went off this morning?
No alarm...it's summer break! :)

8. Last thought before going to sleep last night?
I better charge my phone

9. Do you miss being a child?
Not really, but I do miss being able to just have fun with my sisters and brother. We always had a lot of fun!

10. What errand/chore do you despise?
I don't like to clean the litter boxes. I usually make the kids do that one. I also don't love to sweep and mop, but I've been doing that a lot more often lately!

11. Get up early or sleep in?
Sleep in...mmmmmmm

12. Have you found real love yet?
Of course

13. Favorite lunch meat?
Ham

14. What do you get every time you go into Wal-Mart?
A could drink at check-out

15. Beach or lake?
Beach, baby!

16. Do you think marriage is an outdated ritual?
No, but I do think big, pricey weddings are.

17. Sopranos or Desperate Housewives?
F*** that, no question! Sopranos

18.What famous person would you like to have dinner with?
I have no idea. I like a lot of celebrities, but I don't LOVE any one person. I think it would be interesting to meet Oprah. I think Heidi Klum and Gwen Stefani would be nice. Will Ferrell and Jack Black are hilarious.

19. Have you ever crashed your vehicle?
Sadly, more that once.

20. Ever had to use a fire extinguisher for its intended purpose?
Never used one at all!

21. Ring tone?
I think it is called Guitar Strum

22. Strangest place you have ever brushed your teeth.
Now that I have braces, I brush my teeth in almost every restaurant I eat in.

23. Where in California you've never been and would like to go?
Hmm, LA seems interesting, but too obvious. Maybe San Francisco?

24. At this point in your life would you rather start a new career or a new relationship?
Career

25. How old are you?
31

26. Do you have a "go to" person?
My honey, Jim

27. Are you where you want to be in life?
Exactly

28. Growing up, what were your favorite cartoons?
Looney Toons, Muppet Babies, Gummy Bears

29. What about you do you think has changed the most?
I am not as uptight I as used to be. I try to go with the flow and love life for what ever it brings me!

30. Looking back at high school were they the best years of your life?
I have really loved all the years of my life. High School was great, but I would not go back so I guess that means they weren't the BEST!

32. Did you ever own troll dolls?
Maybe a few little ones to put on a pencil

33. Did you have a pager?
Yes. That's weird to think about now!

34. Where was the hang out spot when you were a teenager?
DeSales, football games, what was that one place at the Louisville Motor Speedway???

35. Were you the type of kid you would want your children to hang out with?
Yes. I was a good girl! If my kids only did the "bad" things I did, then I am in for an easy ride!

36.Who do you think impacted your life the most?
Wow. I'm afraid I will hurt people's feelings with this one...
The honest answer is Tyler and Jim.

37. Was there a teacher or authority figure that stood out for you?
I really had a lot of great teachers. My first grade teacher, Mrs. Otte was great help to a shy little girl like me! I was so scared of going into 3rd grade with Mrs. Burke and she turned out to be a great teacher! I loved 4th grade and Mrs. Davis. Even though she threw eggs at me and Dana at breakfast once! In high school, I liked Sr. Rose and Mr. Miles.

38. Do you tell stories that start with “when I was your age..."?
Not on a regular basis, but yes I do!

Now off to pick up some McDonald's! See...Totally. L. A. Z. Y!

It's my Mom's birthday today...

So I'm here to say...

To my beautiful mother!

I'll be going to visit with Mom tonight after Mr. T gets home from school. We got her a gift card to Lowe's. She loves to plant flowers in the Spring. She also loves to paint and decorate her home, so I thought this would be a perfect way for her to get some things she would really enjoy.

We'll be celebrating at the hospital. No worries though. My youngest sister gave birth yesterday morning, giving my mom the gift of a beautiful baby girl. Congrats "R" family!

Happy Birthday Wes!

Today is my baby brother's birthday! He is 26! I can't believe it. I am 5 1/2 years older than Wes and we have always been close, despite the age difference and the fact that he's a boy and well, I'm not! I remember when he was born and in fact, I have vivid memories of the day he came home. He is the only of my siblings that I remember as a baby and my some of my favorite memories of him are as a little boy. He may just be the cutest kid I've ever known...well, he's in the Top 2 anyway!

I know that is probably the most adorable thing we will all see today!

Just being the Little Brother!

Wes is a man of few words, but he is a wonderful man.

He's a great brother and I know I can always count on him to be there for me! Wes is also an amazing uncle and I know that Mr. T would not trade him for anything in the world.

Just the two of them goofing off!

This is one of my favorite pictures of the two of them. We were at King's Island (a theme park) and waited in line for a roller coaster for at least an hour. Mr T. got tired and his uncle held him the whole time we stood in that line! That's the kind of thing I'm talking about...

I love you Wes! I hope you have a great day!

Love, Your Big Sister

Happy Birthday

to my youngest sister, E!



Wishing you love and laughter this year and many years to come!

A Boy-Girl party!

Mr. T had his birthday party this weekend.
Yes, that is 13 candles.

Here's what I think about all of this...


Anyway, the party was, as stated, a boy-girl party...that started at 5:30 and lasted until 9:30.
Am I crazy, you ask. I don't think so....

It started out with the boys outside.


And the girls inside...watching them


Slowly they started to mingle...


The graffiti table was helpful with the mingling process...


Of course, there were the traditional party moments.

Presents


Cake


Time for a quick game of "Would You Rather..."
You know, the game of ridiculous choices.
Like, would you rather eat a 3 foot spider web or drink 8 oz of sweat from socks? Or, would you rather get stuck on a non-stop merry-go-round or ferris wheel? Or, would you rather run out of toilet paper in a public restroom or a date's apartment? It gets very interesting!


Then...It. Got. Dark.
They go crazy after dark!!!






The night ended with some hugs and dancing!






But, not all of the dancers were willing!


All in all I think they had a good time. I've heard a rumor that the party has been described as WILD!