The BIG 4-0

Well, I reached another milestone in my life. I made it to 40 in one piece! I was surprised by Dan and good friends with a birthday get together at my most fav place to eat...P.F. Changs. I knew that I was going out to eat with Dan and Jason & Ami but I had no idea that when I got there neighbors, SunTrust friends and my nursing buddies would join us. It was such a fun, fun time! If turning 40 is this much fun then I can't wait til 41. Thanks to everyone that spent their Saturday evening with me. AND keeping it a secret...you all did good!

I actually turned 40 when we were in Chicago....When we got home, this was my view when we drove up...Thanks Ami for decorating my house! My neighbors and tennis pals...didn't leak a word! Thanks y'all for helping plan such a wonderful time :) Dan could not have pulled it off w/out your help!

My favorite SunTrust buddies...I really don't know what I am going to do without them after I leave ST! And these stinks couldn't answer my calls for almost a whole week because they were afraid they would spill the beans....

My nursing pals...See why they have the reputation that they have?!?!?!?

Tara, Andi & Holly ~ thanks for being such great classmates & making every class so much

F-U-N!

Everybody was told to dress in black (why not pink?)...Even Matt and Jason dressed in black! Dumb me...I didn't get it until I was looking at the pictures after the fact. I think I was in such a state of shock and excitement that I failed to notice what anyone was wearing (shocker, huh?).

Thanks Dan (and everyone that helped) for throwing a party that I didn't think I wanted. It was a total blast! Since it was a couple of weeks after my actual birthday, you made sure I got to celebrate my birthday for just about an entire month...something I seem to love to do! But hey - I only turn 40 once, right!?!

Birthday Day Party ~ American Girl Style

Anna Kate celebrated her 5th birthday at the American Girl Store in Chicago. Just as she wanted, she invited two people...Grace and Emily! Dan and I were invited ONLY because the curly headed princess needed someone to foot the bill..

She had such a wonderful time. She got to pick out another American Girl doll, an outfit and have one of her doll's ears pierced. The AG Cafe was very similar to the AG Bistro here in Atlanta. The actual store does not even compare to our store here. The Chicago store has a larger hair salon (where hair is done and ears are pierced), a hospital, photo salon, bakery, craft area...just to name a few things. They had tons more clothes and accessories than the Atlanta store. It was a treat to go and the girls had tons of fun!

Anna Kate, Gracie and Emily walking to Water Tower Place ~ Home of The American Girl Store.

This was Gracie's first visit..she was thrilled!

The girls in front of the store. Gracie had just gotten Chrissa.

The store was very overwhelming. It took Anna Kate forever to decide on a doll.

Anna Kate in the Cafe...They had this neat conversation starters on every table...so cute!

AK, Gracie and Em all selected the American Girl Picnic lunch as their meal.

She got a cute cake served with peppermint ice cream...it was very yummy!

Happy Birthday, Anna Kate.

We hope you will always remember your 5th birthday celebration!

Happy Birthday, Mimi!

Happy Birthday, Mom/Kathy/Mimi. We have A LOT of summer birthdays...once we get past the summer birthday expenditures, Christmas sneaks up on us. :)

Hope you had a great birthday!

Happy Birthday, Anna Kate

Happy 5th Birthday, Anna Kate. You are such a loving, caring and funny, funny child. We NEVER know what might come out of your mouth....but we know it is always followed with a hug, a kiss and/or an I love you!

Anna Kate chose to have a small birthday party at the American Girl Store in Chicago (in July). Of course, we could NOT let her birthday go by without some type of celebration. On her actual birthday, she decided she wanted to go to the pool, order pizza and have a Princess cake.

Emily and Anna Kate tubing at the pool

Anna Kate eating cheese pizza and cheetosA princess cake for a curly-headed princess. AK opening presents...her wishes this year consisted of American Girl, American Girl and more American Girl.....Oh and "I'll take some Polly Pockets too".

Happy Birthday to you! Hope you had a great day.

We know you are so looking forward to the American Girl party in July.

Happy Birthday, Grandpa!

Today is Dan's Dad's Birthday. Happy, Happy Birthday to you! Hope you had a great birthday!(this is a picture of Jerry and Anna Kate on Grandparent's Day @ AK's school)

Happy Birthday, Emily!

I'm still trying to catch up on my blogging scrapbook....

Emily turned 11 on tax day! I really just can't believe that she is 11 years old. It just seems like yesterday that she was born. Time has really flown by ~ This year she decided that she did not want a party....now coming from a Mommy who LOVES to celebrate with birthday parties, I was just heartbroken when she made the big decision of NO PARTY! :(

The only thing she wanted was to have a friend spend the night and eat dinner at the American Girl Store.

Emily started off with her favorite....pretzel bread.

Then came out the next favorite thing....PASTA!

And then came the polka-dot birthday cake....it was actually very, very good.

Emily was pleased with her birthday celebration this year. Matter of fact, she told me and her Daddy that this was the best birthday party she had ever had...I'm not surprised coming from a little lady that doesn't like to typically be the center of attention nor gets excited about much! :)

Happy Birthday, Emily! I still just can't believe you are 11!

Happy Birthday, Mother!

Happy Birthday to my Mother! Her birthday is one day before Emily's....so 11 years ago, my poor mother celebrated her birthday in a labor and delivery room "patiently" awaiting the arrival of our precious little Emily. Three years later, in 2001, she buried her eldest son (my older brother, Chuck). Her birth "day" is far from an ordinary day...it is bittersweet, for sure.

This year we had a celebration at my brother Chip's house....a good time was had by all. The Chicago peeps made an unexpected, grand appearance. My brother lives on a pretty large piece of land and has a wide variety of motorized vehicles and toys for the kids of all ages.

Grandmother blew out her candles with the help of the grand-boys, Louis and Luke....

The grand-girls were excited about giving her presents...

The girls had fun on the golf cart ~ I do hope Emily's driving skills improve between now and the time she gets her driver's licenses. :)

Anna Kate really likes Michaela. Michaela was the designated driver for Anna Kate.

Cla and Dan had fun racing.

Happy Birthday, Mother! Hope this birthday was filled with happy memories.

Happy Birthday!!!

Today my dear, sweet, only SISTER celebrated her 29th birthday (wink, wink) ~ she looks pretty darn good to be 29 and 3 little ones. Gosh I wish she lived closer to me. I love, love, love talking to her on the phone (every day -- okay Dan, several times a day) and love it when she visits. She always makes me laugh and always has time to listen! She is such a strong person (gets it from our Mother) and always seems to manage to hold her head high when the going gets tough! Happy Birthday, Aunt Cole...We love you and miss you so very much!