My Beautiful High School BFFS

Beautiful, Funny, Loyal, Kind, Amazing....
I've known them since second and seventh grade , and still today count them as my best friends....

This pic was from our trip to Wheaton in August....taken in the parking lot of Cozymels......

I really have to start bringing out my good camera at some point instead of always using my phone, but I love this pic and love my friends.

Just Thankful....

For a great steak dinner out.... For a family picture in which we are all looking forward....
For my amazing just turned 12 year old boy and the reason for this party.....
For tons of amazing food and trying new things....
For my kids who may be crazy.....
but ultimately really do love each other.
Happy Birthday, Will. Your smile and sense of humor light up our lives. We are SO proud of you and love you so much.

WE LOVE ROBBIE

When we were back in Chicago, we were able to visit with my sister Karen and ROBBIE, our awesome nephew. He ran right out the front door, yelling "Cousins! Cousins", when we arrived, which cracked us up.
You know, it is REALLY hard to get a good picture in our family. Someone is always running by and doing rabbit ears behind your head. Those belong to Evie.
Evie was being restrained in the above picture, therefore this pic is rabbit-ear-less, and you can more fully concentrate on Robbie's cuteness.
I'll upload more pics when we download from Callie's camera....but needless to say, we had a great time. Karen made us the most amazing red velvet cake, and we had a great time looking at old funny pictures, Karen's BEAUTIFUL scrapbooks, and playing with fisher price toys (what memories!) The kids are all in love with Robbie.....can't wait for our next visit.

WILL IS 12!

The girls were so excited.....
They insisted on staying up late with me to decorate for Will's 12th birthday. It was a snowboarding theme and we had fun making the centerpiece out of our leaf blower and some sheets, tech dechs and Christmas decorations. Callie made styrofoam snow men, and Annie got the snow boarder to finally stand up!
He was pretty excited..... and so were they. Jim was in Houston for the night so we had him on the phone and did some "face time" so that he could see Will open his present.....a snowboard.

Did I say PRETTY EXCITED?

BIG understatement.
I know he was feeling very happy because he let me take lots of pictures!
When he got into the car for car pool, his friends all yelled "Happy birthday" and Ryan G. blew the horn.

I love my boy....Happy Birthday, Will. Can't wait to go out for your birthday dinner tonight!