Happy Birthday Big Brother.

I feel like I missed it, that it whizzed on by. I didn't visit your grave site today. I haven't been in a long long time. That doesn't mean I forget, or don't miss you, or don't feel your absence. I do. All. The. Time. So happy Birthday brother. I hope you're having a party up there. I love you always.

D turns 17!

Today D turned 17! He is my first born. An old soul. A thinker. He is wise beyond his years but still manages to be young at heart. He is a great big brother who even though he sometimes wants to be left alone will still play lego and nerf guns with his siblings. I hope we have instilled upon him the importance of his family. He's grown so much over the past 17 years and turned into such a great kid . We are definatly blessed. We did the usual party with family. Dinner, cake, presents. This year I hope brings him lots of fun and friendships. He will learn and grow many different ways. He will enter into his last year of high school this year. I think he is nervous as he will soon be making some big decisions on what school he will go to and what program he will take. He got accepted to the duel credit program at our local college so he will be taking classes there once a week for the first semester as well as doing a co-op placement and completing 40 hours of vollunteer service. He will also complete his grade 12 course load. He is ready for these changes and this next phase of life. I am so proud of him. Happy 17th year, we love you so very much!

Care for Some Chocolate?

The hubs with part of his B-day gift. Best gag ever!

Happy Birthday Hun. May all your wishes come true. And ummmmm that should last a while....

At the Beach.

For Mom's birthday this year we headed to the beach and then later back to my house for a BBQ, cake, and presents. I have been wanting to try this small beach for a couple of years now as it is not so crowded or well known as the others i would never dream of swimming in. The fact that there is an icecream boat that floats up to shore is the kicker for this one I think:) Funny how the only water pic's I got were at the icecream boat. hahaha. The birthday girl:) When in doubt just get two cakes:)

HE

IS



FIVE!

I know honey, I'm stunned too.

Special moments that made me smile today as I turned another year older.

I was touched beyond word when my daughter presented me with a handmade gift this morning. A charm necklace that she told me she would add a new charm to every year on my birthday.



My husband leaping out of bed at the crack of dawn to let the puppy out so I could finally sleep in even though we attended his Christmas staff party last night and he was just as sleepy ummmmmm heavy headed as I was.



The kids playing nicely together in Drake's room building a fort in his bunk beds and hiding when they heard me get up so they could all jump out and scream Happy Birthday Mom/Mommy!

My mom working hard with the kids last night making handmade ornament gifts. While we enjoyed a night out.



The big smile I always get from my littlest nephew when he see's me.

The tiara my sister wore during dinner, gift giving, and cake, and the comments it evoked. lol.



The cake my mom made me. and the preview I got. heeeeeeee.

My sister's newest post. The fact that she has a personal label just for me.

My husband's new FB profile picture.



My nephew calling me Samantha instead of Auntie Sammy. Super cute.

The surprise goodies I received from a bloggy friend even though I know she had no idea it was my birthday.



All the wishes I received on FB.

All the great food that was made for us to share and having nothing to do with the prep or clean-up. I. Am. Stuffed.

All the lovely handmade cards I received.

The way my mom always tries to conceal her gift so it's not what you expected, or to make you think your not getting what you wanted.

Knowing that I am getting better/wiser with age and not being scared of turning another year older.

Having those I love the most surround me on my birthday.

Look Who's 4!

My boy turns 12, Summertime, and a Challenge!

This past weekend my oldest son turned 12. 12! It seems like yesterday he was carefully placed in my loving, anxious, and exhausted arms for the very first time. In just 2 short weeks he will be pulling even further from my protective arms to enter Junior high. While he is probably just a little nervous, I'm freaking out. I have no idea what to expect. I know he's a good kid, but it's almost high school... My hope is that he meets a great bunch of kids and forges a bond that will last through the years and hopefully a lifetime. (I met my bff at the same age, and after humm xx # of years we are still bf's.) That he will continue to get almost straight A's, knowing that hard work will get him everything he wants. That he will fit in, that he will be every one's friend, that he will find his niche, whether that be sports, arts, or something else. Finally that he will always know we are his biggest fans and that he can come to us with anything.


This past weekend my family, my mom, and a group of our friends packed up our cars and headed to the beach. 13 in total. Yep 3&1/2 hour drive to the beach! It was worth every. single. moment. We had a blast. The kids played in the water for hours, we had a BBQ on the beach with tons of yummy food, and I got a wicked burn... Yes I applied sunscreen. I'm just really fair and should have re-applied every half hour. lol. The beach was wonderful. Sandy shores, beautiful water, and not a cloud in the sky. (Hence the burn.) Here are a couple of pics of our kids playing.

Here's the birthday boy!

The little miss and her friends who paid no attention to me. haha

Mr. Q "saving a lady bug from the water. There were a bunch of them, all over the place...

The kids had so much fun with all the blow up floating toys I brought. I was a little out of breath after finishing that one.

My little man splashing the girlies. Trust me this feisty little one gave it right back!

So moving on to the challenge, if there are any takers. It will be just like last week. I know mama never said there would be days like this will play. 3 techniques and 3 embellishments. they are. photo clips, transparencies, and dies(cuttle bug for example). Distress everything with ink, YAY, emboss, and only use cardstock. No patterned paper at all. Have fun, leave a comment when your done.