14!!

Happy Birthday to my first baby girl! 
She is a wonderful girl-so full of life, love, happiness, and sincere kindness. 
She is a joy and she blesses our hearts everyday! 

She had a fun birthday planned.  She invited her 2 besties and once they arrived we headed to get manicures.  They it was off to dinner at California Pizza Kitchen and shopping at the mall.  They went one direction in the mall and her Dad and I went the other.  We were close but not too close!  We met up at 8:45, right before closing and heard all about their 2 hours shopping and having "the best time ever!".

Happy 14th Birthday my Love!  

This is the picture I like the best...

K in the middle with her 2 besties!

This is the one K likes!

K's new haircut!

Scary thought...she goes to highschool next year.  She is only 1 year from being able to learn to drive a car.  She LIKES BOYS! 
Oh no...

LOVE YOU MY SWEET GIRL!

New Little Bags

This year for Lili's 9th birthday party, I decided made some cute little wristlets for the girls/guests to take home with them...a special little goodie bag!  They turned out so great and were so fun to make! 

I hand embroidered each girls initials one day while kiddos were in school.  That maybe took 2 hours to get all 9 of them done.  I then cut the outer fabric and the lining to size and ironed on the interfacing so they were a bit more sturdy.  Once I had them all cut out and ready, I spent the Saturday before the party just sewing.  Each bag took about 20 minutes to sew together...not bad and I think they were a big hit!!

They are just the perfect size for each girly to carry some money, gift card, and their library card (oh so important!).

I was so bummed I forgot to take a picture of all of them in the basket before we handed them out to the girls but it got a little crazy...you know how 9 yr. old's are!

You want one too?  The perfect stocking stuffer!!  Email me!

My boy!!

He is now 11...that just floors me. 
He is most always happy.
He makes me smile everyday. 

He loves big hugs.
He loves to wrestle.
He is such a sweet guy. 
He is an amazing brother to his sisters.
He is a good friend.

He has such nice friends (especially when they aren't trying to drown each other!).

I am a bit late on this (dang computer!!!) but Happy 11th Birthday to my sweet guy! 

I can't wait to watch the way you will change over the years.  I know for sure that you will grow up to be such a nice young man...you already are!  I am so thankful for that day 11 years ago that you came into this world and into my arms. 
I loved you from that first second and I always will! 
You have a big part of my heart! 
Love you Buddy!

Mom

Happy Birthday to my Big Sis!

My biggest sis (as in oldest...I don't know which way is better?!) has always been larger than life to me.
She is 9 years older and left for college when I was 10 yrs old.
We haven't lived together in 33 years.  That seems crazy to me.
I always thought she was just so cool and I still think that.
She is independent, strong, opinionated, happy, and faithful.  I strive to be all those things and I am so happy I have such a good example to live up to. 
She has made my Mom and Dad proud since day 1, she is an amazing mom to my 3 nephews, a loving wife to my Brother-in-law, and has always been a wonderful sister to me.

I love you Sis!
Happy Birthday!

13!

My oldest is now a teen...for some reason this birthday was not just a day or a week...this one kept going and going!  Here are some pics of the fun! 

Let's celebrate!

Not only is it her bday, it SNOWED!  She was super excited!

The kiddos have all made such nice friends since we moved to WG...friends make all things better!

Hi girls!

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to Katia, Happy Birthday to you!

YUMMY!!!

Presents are awesome...Thanks girlies!

Flowers from M and D! 

Happy Birthday K!  WE LOVE YOU!

(*I so need a new camera...coming soon!)

Happy Birthday Mom!

Dad couldn't have found a more loving wife...

Lori, Donna and I couldn't have had a better Mom...

Max, Noah, Daniel, Katia, Zander and Lilijana couldn't have gotten more lucky than to you for a Grandma!

We are all so blessed!
Happy Birthday Mom...WE LOVE YOU!!!

Happy Birthday to my MOM!

Today is my Mom's birthday...my wonderful, amazing, talented, beautiful and loving Mom!  Not only is she my mom but she is also one of my best friends and I am thankful everyday that I was blessed to have her in my life.  

My Mom has been there for every important event in my life.  She was not only wonderful when I was going through my childhood and my teens, she has supported all my craziness!  What fun we had planning my wedding...the wedding budget meeting with Dad at Taco Hut in Manhattan, the days spent choosing the amazing dress at the Plaza in Kansas City, choosing the wedding cake, deciding on the flowers (and what a beautiful job we did!), and then the actual day itself was just perfect!

Then, after a few years, came the babies!  Katia arriving so quickly and us leaving the hospital so soon afterwards...she had to search us down. These were the days before everyone having cell phones...she finally arrived at the house and me coming down the stairs to tell her that SHE had just woken up and her reply "Oh, it's a girl!"  How excited she was to finally have a granddaughter?!  She stayed with me 2 weeks.  We have always had such a good time together, no matter the amount, and are always so sad when it's time to go home.  Then came Zander...she stayed with Katia for 2 1/2 weeks while Zander went through all his stuff.  Grandma and Katia had such a magical time together...I think they will both always cherish it.  Katia may not remember it all but their special bond is there because of it.  Then came sweet Lili and back came Grandma to help out!  We just couldn't have done it without her!  

Over the years we have had some wonderful times together...we both love the same things and never run out of things to share and talk about.  It's always been this way and I know it always will be this way.  I can't believe how close we will soon be (only 1 1/2 hours apart compared to 8 hrs) and I can't wait!!!  

Here is a picture of my sisters and I with my parents @ their 50th Wedding Anniversary party!  I loved celebrating their amazing life together and it was so great to get the entire family all there.

Mom is in the center, as deserved, my 2 sisters on the left, me (on the right) and of course my Amazing Dad!  Thank you Mom (and Dad-your birthday is coming up-just wait your turn!) for giving me such a wonderful life!  I am very thankful and love you dearly!