Angie's 60th Birthday!

For HER birthday this year, Angie treated all her nieces and nephews (more like grandkids) and me and her dear friend Maryanne (who is a DELIGHT and oh so fun to be around!) to a fun lunch at THE RAINFOREST CAFE! The kids LOVED it. The atmosphere was exciting, full of vibrant colors, waterfalls, jungle music and noises, "rainstorms"  and animated animals that "came to life" every so often. The food was a little slow coming out, but of course Aunt Angie is ALWAYS prepared and gave each kid a gift bag with some fun little trinkets to keep them busy! After lunch (which all the kids DEVOURED! YAY!) we got to sing to this lovely lady and celebrate with a chocolate lava cake. YUM! Brax was given an extra special treat and got his very own dirt sundae for dessert. I tell ya, that made his day! It came in a cute little pot with gummy worms hanging over the side. He was one happy camper! THEN, as if they hadn't been spoiled enough, Maryanne and Angie gave each kid $10 whole dollars all to themselves to go pick a gift out in the gift store. It was like Christmas! They all found their special toys and left with full tummies, full bags, and full hearts. It was a day they will always remember! 

Thanks Aunt Angie! 

WE LOVE YOU! 

I didn't get a chance to give you a present, and I feel so bad about that, but I hope this expresses what's in my heart and how much you mean to us! 

There is a very special woman in our lives,

 Who brings light and happiness wherever she goes. 

She is kind, understanding, loving, and selfless, 

And is always there to ease our woes. 

Her ear is always there to listen, 

Her shoulder is always there for tears,

And no matter what the future brings, 

We will always love her, for many, many years. 

The Lord says he has given us Angels,

Well I for sure know thats true,

Because when I think of the Angels in my life,

Angie, I can't help but think of you!

Life isn't always easy, 

And its not always what we hope,

But with your help we've learned to adapt,

With your help, we've learned to cope. 

You are a wonderful Aunt, "Grandma" and also a dear friend,

And I am so grateful you will be in our lives

to the very, very end. 

So on this very special occasion, we just want to say,

That you deserve the best, we love you, 

and we hope you have a HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! 

Happy 60th Aunt Angie! 

Bella's FROZEN 5th Birthday Party!

My Bella is 5!!!! 

And all she wanted for her birthday, all she talked about for MONTHS, was a FROZEN birthday! So mom worked tirelessly for weeks to make this come together (as frugally as possible...themed parties are expensive!) and lo and behold...it turned out pretty great! We even had a SPECIAL GUEST...ELSA!!! The little girls were all enraptured by her and they never wanted to leave her side! It was so cute. Bella STILL hasn't stopped talking about it. :) I'm glad it was a wonderful day for her. Hopefully it will be a party she will remember for always! 

I love you my beautiful, smart, whimsical, fun-loving, girly girl princess! You are all I could ask for in a daughter! Can't wait to see what the next year brings...

Elsa did Face painting with all the kids! She was FANTASTIC! 

The Birthday Girl! 

Cousins...I love them! :) 

My little Batman! 

Everyone loves Uncle Jo Jo! 

Everyone enjoying the "Frozen" snacks

They all sang "Let it Go" together...SO CUTE! 

Then they played "Snowball, Snowball, Snowflake!" HA! 

Snowball fight!! It was so funny, as soon as I said "GO" Elsa ran behind the tree and EVERY SINGLE GIRL ran with her and tried to hide with her...cracked us all up! 

The party! 

Braxton

Braxton. My first baby. My boy. He is growing up, and won't slow down! I can't believe I was watching him graduate from kindergarten in May. Before i know it, I'm sure I will be writing the same thing, except he will be 18 and graduating High School! Slow down, my child. Don't grow up so fast. 

I love this kid. He is SO smart. His teacher, Miss Jenna, thinks he is just about the best thing since sliced bread. He is so kind and helpful to the other kids, he is already reading and writing and doing HARD math for his age (multiplication and division.) I am so proud of him and can't wait to see what next year will bring!  

This summer he started swim team...and has fallen in love with it. He LOVES going to his "swimming class," and looks forward with great anticipation to his next swim meet where he gets to compete with the stroke they are learning that week. I think he has found a new sport! Maybe he will go all the way with this one...