handsful

I’m finally getting around to posting about Lainey and Dylan’s birthday last week. After the birthday-palooza, I kinda crashed. And, then got busy with life. Life these days is a tad full. Plus, our camera isn’t functioning correctly and the pictures just aren’t that great. Irks me to death. The favorite pics I took of the trips somehow didn’t even save to the memory card. THAT makes me mad. In the words of Francesca B, “this is the stuff that drives me crazy…”

Like my cupcakes? Spiderman and Hello Kitty (her bow, that is) designs. But, I’m jumping ahead. Their birthday was, of course, on July 4th. We had a somewhat lazy first part of the day, and then broke out the presents.

It’s a shame some of these shots are fuzzy (trying to remain calm…)

Lainey got a Rapunzel Barbie (she requested a Barbie with “very long straight blond hair”…I think I hit the mark on that one), and skates. She wears Marley’s all the time, so she was thrilled. (She even got to try them out at MPE’s party the following night!)

Dylan got his first bike. We attach his prosthesis foot to the pedal with a strap of velcro and he’s been biking all over the house. We might get a pedal clip, but for now this is working. How much do I love watching my boy ride a bike?!?

As is the custom, we then took the family out for dinner, to celebrate. We had a gift card to a certain restaurant, so we talked the littles into going there ;)

Fast forward to July 7th. Which is Marley, Payton, and Ethan’s birthday. But, this post is about the littles! We actually had their party ON the trips birthday. Yes, we asked them if they minded that. They were happy to lounge around the house that morning (after their mega-sleepover the night before…more on that next post).

We met a few of their friends at the local splash park for some water fun.

It was HOT that day. Almost 100. They took turns going in the playground section and water section.

Next stop, our house for more fun…

Back into dry clothes, and added another friend :)

Presents!

Cupcakes!

In the end, we’ve now got a 6 year old and a 5 year old. No more “preschoolers” in the house. I feel like we’ve somehow moved to the next level. Which makes me shake a little in my boots when I think of this coming school year. But, that’s another post.

Happy Birthday, Lainey and Dylan…we love you bunches.

So, where did THESE kids go? Happy 14th birthday to Marley, Payton, and Ethan! I’ll post more pics asap…between all 5 birthday kiddos, we’ve been partying for the last 72 hours! And, we still have a birthday dinner to go. :)

They’re a year older, and the celebrating is still going on. More pictures to come!

This past weekend, our trio of 13 year olds invited their friends over for a day of lake fun to celebrate their birthday.

The weather was less than perfect, but not a party-canceler by any means. Just cloudy and cool. The water temp (82) was warmer than the air (72)!

That didn’t stop them. After pizza….

They headed out on the boat. Thankfully, we got the new boat the day before. We had 13 kids and Randy drove. Boat holds 14. Nice.

They left at 1:10. Party was scheduled to end at 4:00.

4:00 came and went, and parents started arriving. Still no Randy.

Time got away from them, and they pulled in at the dock about 4:30.

Worked out nicely, all the parents got to share the brownies and birthday cakes.

These cakes went like lightning. I never got a piece!

Party went perfectly, everyone had a blast, and I’m clear of birthdays for a while! Whew!

Before, they were just kids.

Now, they’re teenagers. Unfortunately, that word “teenager” can be viewed negatively these days. We prefer to think of Marley, Payton, and Ethan as entering young adulthood. Which, I honestly can’t get my head around.

Has it really been that long since they looked like this?

Care to guess who is who??

Can you stand the cuteness?!

And, today…

Marley becomes more like me everyday. People even say she looks like me. Lover of all animals, rider of horses. Requests regular late night talks with mom. Sweet and quiet, but can be grouchy. (you know it’s true, Marley!)

Giving their best teenager glare

Payton? He’s my height. Already has his own cartoon character (you’ll be seeing Harry the Stick Dude in print one of these days), is learning to play the drums, and has a heart for others.

Ethan desperately wants a growth spurt. He has a style all his own – shaggy hair, shaken just right. Skinny black (never blue) jeans, loafers, and plaid fedora hat. Musician is written all over him. And, he’s good.

All those years ago…coming home from the ultrasound that showed we were expecting three babies. We were so blessed. Given the privilege of carrying those three babies was awesome. I remember Sundays at church, when we would sing “I sing for joy at the work of your hands”…those words made me smile and cry, all at the same time.

How could we have imagined what they’d be like today? 13 and they are such wonderful kids. Such different personalities, and different likes/dislikes. We thought we were blessed back then? We had no idea.

Their day was fairly normal at first, since it was a work day for Randy. I did make them cinnamon rolls for breakfast, of course. When present time rolled around, Marley went first.

Abbey gave her a birds coloring book (the kind for big kids), and we gave her a tee shirt and Toms. Which means I got a new pair, since we wear the same size. Yippee.

Abbey gave the boys coon skin hats (they loved), and we gave them a dad/son day at the shooting range. They’re at the age where anything involving fire or shooting things is cause for excitement.

As a gift to all, they got a new pair of skis and a new knee board. Marley has really been wanting to learn to ski, and we only had adult size. These are junior size. And, our kids are all doing so well on our current knee board, this one will allow them to do more tricks. Everyone was excited over these!

After much discussion, we decided to head to Outb*ck for dinner. Given it was a Thursday night, it wasn’t busy and we got right in.

Big dishes of ice cream with cookies, and the standard quick clapping birthday song.

We were the last to leave. lol…

Another triplet pose…gosh, I like this one.

Heading home for cupcakes…

Directing our rendition of happy birthday…

Make a wish!

And now, it’s true. We really have the Bigs and Littles. I can now say they are the Teens and the Kids.

Last weekend, we had the privilege of traveling a few hours east to attend my grandma’s 90th birthday party. In this last year, she’s become more frail. She’s now living in a wonderful assisted living home, since she can no longer care for herself.

But, her mind is sound and she’s just as beautiful as ever.

About 80 some family members gathered to celebrate. Some I’d not seen in many, many years. That was a blessing to her and to the rest of us, too.

One of my favorite parts was looking at ALL the old photos. People brought in albums with photos of grandma as a child, teen, young married woman, and on and on. We laughed at our weird hair dos, 70’s clothing, and noticed how all the old shots were posed behind their cars. I absolutely love looking at my history.

Love the “90” balloon! And, the goofy grin on her face! That’s my mom in the pink and white shirt…she and my Aunt Gail arranged and planned the whole party. It was a lot of work, I’m sure, but oh how we appreciated it!

Grandma has had a hard life, and a great life. Married at the age of 15. She lost my granddaddy years ago, when my dad was just a teen. She married again, and lost him very soon after. Most of her life has been lived alone, but she’s always been surrounded by many friends and always family.

All of her children came…that’s my dad, 2nd from the left.

We were only missing one of her grandkids.

And a couple of great grands weren’t there. But, this is the first time that some of these kids have ever met. Ever.

Wonder what her wish was? And, I hope I inherit her gorgeous white hair. Softest hair ever. Dylan kept trying to play with it! She thought that was a hoot.

My favorite memories of her are when I had sleepovers at grandma’s house. We lived just down the road, so I spent a lot of time with her. She would always give me one of her pretty nightgowns to sleep in, and safety pin them so they’d fit. Her home was heated by coal, and the grate was in the hallway…I still remember how warm it was standing over that! Days were spent watching baseball games from the tree in her backyard (the fence looked down onto the little league field!) or climbing the tree in the front yard.

And, oh my, could she COOK. Chicken pastry, her creamy boiled potatoes, and chocolate pie to die for.

You are a treasure, Grandma, and I’m so glad that we could show you that on your special day.

Love, your granddaughter
Donna

I sound like every other mother, I’m sure, when I say…WHERE did the time go?  Abbey turned 15 yesterday.  Wow!  I look back at pictures of her and wonder “where is THAT little girl?”  Not that I’d turn the clock back.  Yes, she can be a TEEN sometimes (ha), but I love her to pieces.

This was her actual birthday…we might do a cake this weekend, but her birthday landed on youth night at church which she was THRILLED about (built-in party, seeing your friends, can’t beat it).  On the way home, we stopped to get her a special doughnut.

Backing up to the night before her birthday, she chose a good ‘ole steak dinner for her birthday outing.

Awwww…she’s always been a daddy’s girl.

sisters, fooling around.

brothers being mysterious.

L and D being cute, as usual.

A great b-day dinner, followed by a great…

birthday dessert.  She shared with the rest of us…ain’t she sweet?

Now, back to the birthday night.

Present time! Present time!  Open a present and see what’s inside!  Abbey used to heart Blues Clues.  Abbey’s camera died a while back, so here’s the replacement.

The necklace she hinted about.  A sterling silver key that says “TLW” (true love waits).

A beautiful young lady…with an edgy side.  She’s proud of that last part.

Okay, bear with me as we go back even further to last Sunday…the big game.  Yes, I know we LOST.  I’m over it now and looking forward to next season.  Anyway…  Abbey wanted me to post these pics of her and her best buds who came to “enjoy” the game with us.

We had our own half-time show complete with group dancing.

She had a blast….despite the final score.

The littles love all the big kids in the house…more people to play with (and more buttons on more phones).

Happy 15, Abbey.  At this rate, she’ll turn 16 next week!