Happy 9th Birthday!

Life is happening faster than I can record it these days.  This time of year is filled with milestones, and events that I'd love to record...if only there was time!

Matthew woke us up at 7am on his birthday (remember, we had gone to bed around 2am the night before after Mike's big bash?)  So his excited, smiling face was a very sweet sight....it would have been nice to have seen it a couple of hours later.  :)  I wished him a happy birthday, gathered my energy and rolled out of bed for birthday celebration #3!

The nephews &  cousins were all up and so happy to be together.  Even after the day was over, Matthew said that having Isaiah there was his favorite part.  I could tell he was really happy so I called Michelle and told her not to rush over and get the boys.

Mom was still there so we opened gifts after Isaiah & Noah left so that she could see Matthew open her gifts.  Matthew had seen his presents wrapped in my room and reprimanded me for buying "too many gifts."  It was mostly a lot of little things.



Matthew was very sweet about his gifts.  He was happy and gracious even about receiving pajamas.  It was nice to see.



He was especially excited to receive his planner that he asked for so that he can "plan things."  I don't know how he ever managed without it.  His busy schedule, and all.



He loved his little ipod and has listened to it a LOT.  Dan pre-loaded it with a mix of music.  Muppets, Classic rock,  Disney, Vacation Bible School music, Christmas Music...sentimental favorites like, "Return to Pooh Corner" and even a favorite by Black Keys.
 


I think it will be fun to look back and see what Matthew received at the age of 9.  We introduced some classics to him:  The Rubik's cube, and Clue (Dan and I had a great time playing with him), Narnia: Prince Caspian DVD ~ we've read the book and haven't seen the movie yet.  Mom gave him The Indian & The Cupboard Book and movie, and the big Mario remote controlled car that the kids have been chasing each other with.  He wanted Mancala, and Pokemon cards....his "big" gift was an ipod suffle and then we gave him gift cards...one to the Lego Store so that he can go out with Dan and have a date and go pick out a new lego set, and a gift card to Barns & Noble ~ when it'll be my turn to have some one on one time and pick out a new book.  Matthew loves the book store.  He loves one on one time and so I thought it would be fun to combine a gift and a date.

The truth is, I love to buy my kids gifts.  I have to work hard not to over do it.



Nana left after we opened gifts (thanks so much, Mom for making the trip and watching the kids for us!!!) so we took a quick picture and then headed off to play Miniature golf which was what Matthew wanted to do for his birthday.



This little scene reminded me of when I went miniature golfing with my Dad when I was pregnant with Andrew.  I have a photo of him bent over Matthew just like this, teaching him how to golf.



It was quite chilly, but we still had a great time. 



I got a hole in one.  And I might have won too.
And I might have had a little fun with that.  Being that Dan is so competitive and all and not always the most gracious winner.  :)



We met up with Brandi at Red Robin for our traditional birthday dinner.  Matthew was a good sport with the singing.  It was nice having Brandi there, but it was also where Andrew and Kaitlin hit the wall and melted down. 



We headed home.  It's funny how spirits can change when the word "cupcake" is uttered.
All smiles!!

It was really fun having Brandi there.  I took full advantage and we walked the house and talked of all things decorating.  We stayed up late talking & catching up, it was wonderful.

Even though it was Matthew's day, it felt special for me too.
Happy Birthday, Matty!!

Party Like a Rock Star ~ Mike's 40th Birthday Bash!

When Michelle told me the plan for Mike's 40th Birthday bash, she acknowledged this wasn't my usual sort of night out (I'm pretty boring  tame).  But I do enjoy an adventure, and I would never miss such an important milestone for my brother!  And this night was perfect for my brother and that's really what mattered.  I am a homebody and sometimes need a little push to get me out, but once I'm out I always have a good time!  So I got dressed up as "rocker" as my wardrobe and make up, and hair product supply allowed.  (My "rocker" attire does not run deep in my closet, and I received coaching from Dan as I was getting ready).

And before we get to the party fun, I just thought this was funny. Here I am last Wednesday. This is my usual life. Being the wild and crazy girl that I am, I was heading out to go paint Vacation Bible School decorations. I put on my old Periodic Table T-shirt from college. (Remember, I was a chem major). And yes. I really did wear this during college. When I came downstairs Andrew said, "Mama! That's a fancy t-shirt! You should wear that when you get married!" :)


Truth be told, I couldn't bring myself to wear it out of the house, and changed but Dan took a photo and we had a laugh.  And then here I am ready to go out for Mike's party. (Might I add, Andrew had nothing to say about this outfit.  But tonight as I'm wearing sweats, no make up, hair in a pony and my glasses, he said, "Mama!  You look so beautiful it makes me want to marry you!"  Go figure!)  :)

This is not at all how I usually dress (I shop in stores where most of the patrons have grey hair) and Dan was loving it, so we took a fun photo. I felt really self conscious and silly while taking this photo and hoped that no one drove by as we were doing this, but I think it's a fun photo to have years from now.  I was wearing a lot of eye makeup and had a ton of hair spray in my hair ~ if you got too close when hugging me you could have stuck to my head.  :)  But it was actually really fun to feel like we were headed out for a special night ~ and it really was a special night!




Dan took this close up so we could see my Grandmother's earrings. This is only the second occasion I've had to wear them, I think it's fun to have a little piece of her.


One of the reasons why the evening was so special is because our dear friend, Brandi flew in for the party. Her husband Aaron worked with Mike and Michelle (Michelle actually interviewed Aaron after we introduced them the night before!) We lost Aaron to colon cancer last July, but Brandi came in his honor ~ it wasn't hard at all to picture Aaron there, sitting back and just laughing at everything. I can still hear his laugh! And we missed him...but were so happy to have Brandi there with us. Brandi is quick witted, and speaks her mind, so she fits perfectly in with my family. Not to mention, she has a great eye for decorating, so I put her to good use while she was here! :)

Michelle and Brandi were both bridesmaids in our wedding and we're still friends! :)


Love this photo of Mike and Michelle. We started the night at Lapellah, for dinner. There was a large group of us from various places in Mike's life ranging from co-workers, to family, high school friends.


We then piled into a Hummer Limo and headed out on the town! This limo was something else, and was so much fun!



Cheers! We toasted to Mike's 40th. :)


That's Elizabeth ~ her son is one of Isaiah's best friends, and she is a lovely, fun person. I enjoy visiting with her at birthday parties.
Brandi remarked that Dan and I are her and Aaron's oldest friends. I can't believe that much time has passed. Dan loves Brandi too.  She's very capable of holding her own with Dan's teasing.



Our first stop was Kell's ~ an Irish Brew Pub.



That's just plain trouble, right there. :)
The next stop was The Wonder Ballroom/Secret Society. Mike and some of his friends went to a show while the rest of us saw this Johnny Cash Tribute Band. I like Johnny Cash, so this was great, and they were actually pretty good!

It was made even more enjoyable by some Macaroni & Cheese and Frito Pie. Comfort food at it's finest.
The last bar was closed when we made it there, so we piled back in the Limo and since this is how I was seeing things...

It was time to go.
I'm completely kidding. :) I had one cocktail and a half glass of sparkling wine in the Limo. But there were these crazy lights in the Limo it was like a disco tech on wheels! I think Mike had a really great time, and it was nice to meet more of his friends and to have the chance to celebrate him.
We got home at 1:30 in the morning. My nephews stayed the night here with Nana (the kids were SO happy!) And so I peeked in on their sweet sleeping faces and then dropped into bed, to be awoken 5 hours later by a very excited and smiling Matthew! And it was on to Birthday celebration #3!!