40 +1=Andy's Birthday

     Poor Andy's birthday was soooo low-key this year.  It was kind of a broken up celebration.  We had friends over on Saturday for the first time since we moved and had a great time.  But that wasn't our celebration.  And then on Sunday, we had half  (Christy) of one of our favorite couples over for dinner with her daughters, Faith and Josie, while Paul her husband was out of town.  But that wasn't our celebration.  On Monday, the day before Andy's birthday, we had our usual practices--Brenna's soccer from 5:30-7:00, Noah's football from 6:00-8:00 and then Tobin's pick up around 6:30.  And in between, we had a quick left-over dinner of Macaroni Rosa with cookie pie and ice cream for dessert...and that....that was Andy's birthday celebration.
   We gave him a glimpse of his wrapped presents.  He really didn't think twice of them.  The only thing that he thought was, "Shoot, it's not an Ipad."  He didn't share this with us, but that was what he thought.  Andy has been wanting an Ipad for a long time, since they came out.  But I didn't really see the point.  I still don't really.  Everybody talks about how cool they are and what they can do, but it seems like everything the itouch can do, only in a bigger screen.  But it was what Andy wanted...
     We collected in the family room for Andy to open his presents.  There were two wrapped presents and two cards.  He opened the card from Bre and me first.  On the front of his card we wrote Andy + Daddy = Anddy!  He laughed and opened the card.  It talked about our joy at showing him how old he was.  Then he needed to open up the bigger present first.  As he opened it up, he was thinking, "I'm going to have to pretend to be excited about whatever this is."  And then he was truly excited as he realized it was an Ipad!  What my baby wants, my baby gets....sometimes.  The second present was a case for it.  And then it was time for the card from Tobin and Noah, where Noah's present was hidden.  It was an itunes gift card which Andy very much appreciated!  The card talked about how the boys were going to give him two presents, or three or four...and showed a monkey sitting on a toilet!  This made Andy laugh and was especially funny to him!
     Tuesday was his actual birthday!  Thank goodness for Facebook and mom and dad!  Facebook gave him so many birthday wishes from friends and he spoke to his mom and dad, and my mom!  I wished him happy birthday as well, but unfortunately had to spend his birthday night getting ready for a procedure the next day, the likes of which I won't go into, but suffice it to say I had to stay near my bedroom suite.  Andy again had double dad duty and ran the kids around to gymnastics, basketball, and football practices.
     Happy Birthday babe!!  Next year will be better!

Light the Night Walk

     I learned something about my friend Katie that night!  In this we are not the same!  Katie is freakishly serious about being early or at the latest, on time to an event.  I, on the other hand, am freakishly serious about arriving fashionably late to an event, or at the earliest, about 15 minutes after it's begun.  It's not because I'm trying to, but because I run from one place to the next and sometimes, the events overlap.  Luckily, my friend was understanding and we were off to "light the night" the right way with our daughters, Bre and Mackie!  It was so much fun driving and talking, and laughing and sharing as we drove to our night of good friends and good deeds by walking two miles to fight blood cancers with our other friends!
     Some of you might remember that Bre's friend, Faith had cancer five years ago at the age of 3 1/2.  She will be 5 years cancer free this February, so this was an especially triumphant walk.  At 5 years her chance of a relapse drops to 1%.  Faith's mom is an incredibly inspiring person and has been the #1 non-commercial fundraiser for the past few years.  Her team name is "Leap of Faith" and I am so grateful to be a part of it.
      Red, white and gold were the colors of the night!  Lit balloons seemed to float in the air just above our heads, music filled the air, the smell of food tantalized our senses, and friends embraced in a united purpose!  We arrived at the tent excited to see our friends.  We found out that the girls were all around playing games, getting their faces painted, making buttons and picking up their t-shirts for the night.  We joined in the merriment making.  The pulse of the night was pretty exciting.  And then the walk began-the two mile walk that said, "In your face blood cancers! We will win this."  Red balloons were for participants, white for survivors, and gold for remembrances.  As we started walking, I couldn't help but think about my Uncle Klaus who lost his battle with lymphoma several years ago.  He was truly the most gentle soul I have ever known.  His love of all things good came to my mind--banana pancakes, walks in nature, a good book, his nickname "Lovie" for his wife, and white Christmas lights,--I missed him and walked for him.  Brenna ran with her friends through the walk.  She walked with Mackie and a newer friend Briana and her twin sister Arielle.  I started walking with Katie, but in the mass of walkers ended up walking with Briana's mom, Shari.  It was fun getting to know her a little bit better.
     I loved seeing the balloons fill the air and friends around me.  The weather was absolutely beautiful.  It was a great night to "Light the Night".

Brenna's a Pom for the week

 Brenna's big sister Nicole.  Brenna loved her and didn't leave her side all week long!

 Brenna and Caroline had fun doing it together.  Future Pommies!

 This was Caroline's big sister, Jamie, who is also good friends with Tobin.  Brenna loved getting to know her to on her own.  Now when she sees Tobin with his friends, she has someone she can talk too!

 Waiting for the team to come onto the field.

 Brenna, Caroline, and Caitlin. 

 Getting ready for the performance!

This may be only one a few times Brenna has poms in her hand.  I relished every minute of it.  Thanks Mommom for coming and watching!  Brenna you did great!

Homecoming-Part I

         I love these pictures. So cute as they try to navigate the corsage and boutonnière.

                                            Beautiful picture!

                                    Love this.Tonya and Colin and me and Tobin.

                                         Middle school friends!!

                                      Trying to get a group shot.

                                         Freshmen Boys!

                                      Lookin' Good Tobin, Andrew, and Colin.

                                           BFFs for a long time to come!

                             Cousins!

                                               At Dinner.

Spirit Week

I love Tobin.  He has so much fun dressing up and participating in Spirit Week, the week before Homecoming.  I was excited thinking about the week Tobin was going to have.  I knew it was going to be a full, fun week for him.  I was giddy with the anticipation and honestly felt like I was going through this with him. :)  And I was as his mom. I am just so grateful that he includes me.

                     Wacky Day!

                               Creating the Freshmen Clue corner

                                                           Jersey Day

                                            At the pep rally!!