Happy birthday, Alex!!!

Alex is a

T * E * E * N * A * G * E * R

 

He's also one of my favorite people in the world!   Just thinking about him makes me smile! 

 

Alex is smart... kind... sensitive.. handsome... with great instincts and much better judgement that you would expect from someone so young.   Alex is a treasure!

So.... what did Alex get for his birthday?  He got something he's wanted for a long time.  Alex did the research.  Alex verified all of the information.  Alex found the dog and Alex found the money (Okay.. most of the money)!  All of his work paid off.  Meet Coco ----

 

 

 

 

Happy Birthday, Crystal!

Today is Crystal's birthday!  There is no one else in the world like Crystal!  "They" say that people are like snowflakes and that there are no two exactly alike.  Crystal is the working example of that.   We adore her because she is soooo Crystal!

I hope your day is beyond wonderful, Crystal!  You are SO loved!

Happy Birthday, Bryce!!!!

Eight years old!   Imagine!

Bryce called me this morning to wish me a happy Grandparent's Day.  I, in turn, wished him a very happy birthday and then I sang the birthday song to him.  (a dreaded tradition)

In response, Bryce sang me his own version of "Happy Grandparent's Day"... complete with a "cha-cha-cha" ending!   Obviously, his version was much more original than mine and it's always a treat to hear him sing!  

I asked Bryce what he did for his birthday.   He was excited to tell me, but as they say, a picture is worth 1,000 words.

Birthday Mini-Golf

 

 

Birthday Fishing

 

 

Looks like a winner of a birthday to me!

 

Happy birthday to you!

Happy birthday to you!

Happy birthday dear Bryce Austin McKinnon

Happy birthday to you!!!!!

 

 

 



Happy Birthday, Brynn!

Brynn is 3 years old today!

 

Our tutu-wearing, girly girl is three!  Brynn is one of those special people who make the whole world a little brighter. 

 

I didn't see a splash of color or fireworks in the sky to announce the arrival of a special light the day she was born , but there should have been. 

 

Buying presents for Brynn's birthday was easy breezy!  I bought her a set of diaphonous wings - a new tutu - girly girl ruffly shorts with an Ariel top.

 

 

Happy Birthday, Mason!

Mason is ONE year old today!

We celebrated Mason's birthday with all of our extended family (about 50 of us according to a count from Scott) at Crystal and Scott's house on Sunday and what a party it was!!!  Kids everywhere!

Food... family... friends... and the star of the show --- Mason Xavier McKinnon! 

Mason is as sweet and as even-tempered as his big brother, Bryce (the BEST example) and yet he definitely has his own personality.  Unlike his big brother, though, you can't turn your back on this one.  He's into everything!

It's so much fun to watch Mason grow from a baby to a boy.  To my way of thinking, he's still very much a baby, but Scott says the changes and new skills are coming so quickly. 

Baby... boy... or man.  The world is a better place with Mason in it! 

Happy Birthday to you

Happy Birthday to you

Happy Birthday dear Mason

Happy Birthday to you

 

Happy Birthday, Michael!

  The BIG.... ....

Words of "wisdom" on turning 60...


We grow neither better nor worse as we get old, but more like ourselves.
- May Lamberton Becker

You are the oldest you have ever been, but you are the youngest you will ever be again.
- Unknown

Michael and Kate taken a few years ago

Old hippies don't die - they just get better guitars!

Happy Birthday, Michael!

(and many more)

Happy Birthday, Dad!

My father is 89 today.   He was born in 1923 which makes him about 6 in the picture above (I'm a math whiz).

He bowls, golfs and works part-time - and takes NO medication.  I wish I could do half the things he does!  He's pretty amazing!

 This one is Brynn and Dad at Richard's 40th birthday

Scott, Dad, and Richard - same day

I hope your day is everything you'd wish it to be.

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Happy Saturday, Alex!

Today is Alex's 12th birthday!!!

Since Amy has been so sick (but recuperating nicely), Alex's family birthday celebration is going to be postponed for a week or two until Amy is ready to party.  :-)

SO!  I decided to seize the opportunity to have a special day with Alex and whoever he chose to include.  We decided last night that we'd go to Buffalo Wild Wings today for lunch. Our first thought was to take only Alex.. for HIS day... HIS birthday.

But, if you know Alex, you know that his generous spirit would not be able to pull off that whole "it's all about me" thing.   It's simply not his nature.  Alex knows that life is much better when shared.

This morning Alex texted me to ask if it would be okay if he brought his brothers.  Well... heck... I planned on that from the beginning, so.. sure!

Richard added a bonus surprise by meeting us for lunch and to celebrate Alex.  

We laughed about Gregory and Alex ordering wings that were almost too hot to eat.  We laughed while Gregory wiped the perspiration from his forehead and Alex wiped the tears from his eyes.  We laughed while Carnel, the Captain of our area,  danced and sang to Alex and reminded us to always be funky and fresh (like we're not already????)  We laughed while our server, Ezell whispered behind a menu about serving the cake we brought - as if Alex had no idea what we were talking about.

We laughed.... and we celebrated Alex.

Happy birthday, dear Alex.  Happy birthday to you!

Welcome to your 13th year!

Happy Birthday, Bryce!

He's 7!
He's 7!
He's 7 years old today!

Every time we  celebrate another birthday I wonder where the time has gone.  This one is no exception. 

I remember when Bryce was born.  I remember the day when Bryce was a little more than a year old when Scott called and asked... "Why didn't you tell me I would love him so much!!!!"

Who could ever explain to their child the love that they'll feel when their child is a year old?

And who could wish more for their grandson on his birthday than the kind of love that Bryce experiences from his mom and dad.

Happy Birthday,  Bryce!

Welcome to your 8th year!

Happy Birthday, Matthew!

Matthew is 8 today!   EIGHT YEARS OLD!

And when you talk to him you think you're talking to a semi-adult.  His vocabulary is far beyond his eight years!

Greg and Amy had a great party (and I forgot my camera)... and Matthew had a happy happy birthday!

Happy birthday, Matthew!!!!

Happy birthday, Gregory

Happy birthday to you!

Happy birthday to you!

Happy birthday, dear Gregory!

Happy birthday to you!

14 years old! Amazing!

I was on my way home from a book store in Pennsylvania when Greg called me to tell me that Gregory had just been born.  I was sooooo excited and Greg was beyond happy!  My first grandchild!   

I went straight to the hospital to see the new family (and did I mention how beautiful Amy looked) and to hold Gregory.   What an incredibly happy day!

And now it's 14 years later and that sweet, sweet baby has turned into an incredible young man - kind, smart, talented.  I'm so very proud of who he is becoming.  

Happy birthday, Gregory!   Keep on doing what you're doing.  It's definitely working!!!!

Happy birthday, Greg!

 

Happy birthday to you!

Happy birthday to you!

Happy birthday, dear Greg!

Happy birthday to you!

So!  Greg is still "thirty-something" today!  (Enough said about that!)

Greg has always been our family "connector" - the one who checks up on each of us and who doesn't let any of us go very long without a call.

Greg has a heart for his family - a special connection with his nieces and nephews - and a love for all of us.


Happy birthday, Greg!

Happy birthday, Brynn!

Happy birthday to you!

Happy birthday to you!

Happy birthday, dear Brynn!

Happy birthday to you!

 
The world is a brighter place since Brynn's entered it.  She shines... and her incredible face tells the whole story!  It's not possible for me to look at Brynn and not smile.

Happy birthday, Brynn!

Happy Birthday, Amy!

Some birthday!  Amy is in Florida, working on her birthday.  Somehow that just doesn't seem right.  When I run the country, everyone will get a day off for their birthday.

Alex thought it could be a great idea if we all flew to Florida to surprise her!  How fun would THAT be?  Alex has great ideas  Now!  If we just knew someone with money!!

ANYWAY... Happy birthday, Amy!  We miss you!

Happy birthday to you!

Happy birthday to you!

Happy birthday dear Amy!

Happy birthday to you!

* * * * * * * * * * *

Happy Birthday, Richard!

Today is Richard's birthday!  40????  Reallly???

I told Julie that he can't be 40!  How could I possibly have a son who's 40???

She said... "I know!  How could I possibly be married to a man who's 40?  I'm much too young!!!"

I totally agreed with her!

Yesterday those of us who could make it, went to Grotto's to celebrate and I (as usual) forgot my camera!  (Nice move, Slick!)

BUT... Julie got some great pictures (as usual).  I think in her next career she should be a "family photographer".  She does such a great job!!!

 Richard did get a picture of my father and Brynn that cracked me up.  She was fascinated by his goatee and kept running her finger back and forth through it.

Thanks, Julie!

 

 * * * * * * * * * * *

Happy birthday, Chase!

Chase Richard

7 lbs. 15 oz.

19.5" long

Born at 9:04 this morning

What a dear, sweet baby - the third for Richard and Julie.   Kate is now 5 (as of a couple weeks ago), and Brynn is 19 months.

I told Julie that she should be the poster child for pregnancy and childbirth.  She was one of those glowy pregnant ladies who just looked beautiful all the time.  (I, on the other hand was one of those pukey pregnant ladies who should have  been locked in the basement for 9 months.)

When I held Chase this morning, I cried.  He is so sweet - so precious!  God is incredibly gracious!

Amazing!

* * * * * * * * * * *

Happy Birthday, Kate - Party Time!

Happy 5th birthday, Kate!

Julie and Richard invited us to their house to celebrate Kate today.   Kate was beyond excited to see us all arrive.

Opening gifts is serious work!

Kate loves bracelets (and I love making them for her).  The problem with bracelets is that they tend to accumulate and fill up a jewelry box. SO!  I had this great idea to buy a mug tree (you know... one of those wooden things that you can hang mugs or coffee cups on) - paint it white - make it girly and pretty and call it a "bracelet tree" - and give it to Kate for her birthday.  The look on her face below says a lot.  But the best was what she said....

As Kate opened the bracelet tree, she said quietly... 

"It has my name on it...

and it's all decorated...

but I don't know what it is."

She's pretty cute!!

 

With a little explanation, Kate thought it was a great idea!!!

Aunt Crystal, Uncle Scott and Bryce provided a new PINK softball bat!

(we all felt a li'l safer with Richard's hand on the bat)

A cute, cute T-shirt (among other things) from Aunt Amy, Uncle Greg,

Gregory, Alex and Matthew

 

Brynn enjoyed being the first to share Kate's new umbrella.

 Brynn made the rounds today, beginning with Uncle Scott

(It almost looks like a game of "Pass the baby")

A look at Uncle Greg's camera

A visit with Alex

A determined walk.

(We did let her walk a little.  Not much, but a little.)

Kate generously shared ALL of her presents with Brynn.

Scott and Bryce sharing a moment.

Amy and Matthew doing the same.

 Matthew and Julie

(Julie just has a few weeks left before the new baby comes)

I told Greg that I don't have any pictures of Matthew that aren't blurry.  He is ALWAYS on the move.  FINALLY!   Two pictures of Matthew that aren't blurry!  I think we discovered the secret to non-blurry pictures of Matthew - someone has to hold him!!  :-)

Grandkids!  All 6 of them:

Gregory-13, Kate-5!, Bryce-6, Matthew (in the back)-7,
Alex-11, Brynn 19+ months

(And that's Crystal in the way back)

Gregory, the teenager!  How can it be???

It seems like just yesterday that he was Kate's age.

(Yes... I am getting old)

Bryce, having a thoughtful moment.

Ok... so it was a quiet celebration... not a loud "party-on" kind of atmosphere

(two new babies on the way this year)

In the end... it was a great party for a great girl!

and a special day for a special family

Happy 5th birthday, Kate!!!

* * * * * * * * * * *