Family & Friends

Thank you all for the wonderful birthday wishes yesterday! I had a truly special day because of all of you. It was like getting birthday cards every time I checked my e-mail. I also received a couple of phone calls, one from Linda and one from Elizabeth. How sweet to hear the Aussie accent wish me a happy birthday and then a very soft, but definite southern accent sing me happy birthday! I spent my morning baking...I baked Tollhouse Chocolate chip cookies instead of Cheryl and Dani's recipe which will wait til tomorrow. I also made the famous Cinnamon rolls and I can tell you, there are NONE better! Warning...this is not for the novice baker, though I did fine. It was not a job for the kids to help with as I really needed to concentrate. EVERYONE not only loved them but RAVED about them!!! I made 2 trays. Somehow I got 19 instead of 16, Hmmmm. The icing would be great on a cake too! I will be making these for special occasions!

Zach has some kind of radar. He can hear the mail truck 2 blocks away and runs out to collect the mail before the mailman turns our corner. Yesterday he brought me a package containing this... You may have seen this on Linda's blog. I actually "stole" the pic from there! Yes, that is why it looks so clear! I was moved to tears. The wallet is so detailed...when I opened it, Zach exclaimed "LOOK Mom, she sent you a new pen!" There was a pen in the little strap and he just thought that was so cool that I got a pen for my birthday. I will be making sure his future wife picks my gifts once he marries! Thank you Linda, I love it!!

My day came and almost went with no word from my oldest son and daughter-in-love. I felt a little sad, but knew they were very busy this week and my son works nights and sleeps all day. Well, they surprised me by coming for dinner with little TJ!! I was so happy! My mom, sister and aunt showed up, along with my sister's grandkids, Casey and Dominic. My Aunt Robin is only a few years older than me and she lived with us growing up from her 11th through her 18th year. She is more like a sister than an aunt. I have always referred to her kids (same ages as my older ones) as my nieces and nephew. Here is a pic of my sister, my aunt, and me taken 27 years ago.

Here we are today. I see NO difference!!! Do you? (careful) I so enjoyed them. My mom gifted me with the cookbook I wanted, plus a grilling cookbook and an AWESOME book on how to have the perfect Christmas! It is full of recipes, crafts, and decorating. My sister got me the desired label maker... And my Aunt bought me a beautiful Angel key chain and gave me some cold hard cash....I think some stainless steel mixing bowls are needed. What are your tips for mixing bowls??

The food was wonderful...along with the cinnamon rolls (which my sister ate before her dinner) my family brought Broasted Chicken, cole slaw, potato salad, rolls, baked beans, chips and dip, oven fries, and soda. It was sooooo good! (sorry about the pic mom) Here are all the girls...(Casey was missing)

For it being a girls night, all my boys were present (except Sweet Hubby who was at work)...

Zach was already in his jammies and neither little boy wanted to sit still...cinnamon rolls and cookies I am sure!

My sweet daughter-in-love...

TJ entertained me with a medley of The Itsey Bitsey Spider, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, ABC's, 1-2 Buckle My Shoe, and Head, Shoulders Knees and Toes. When each one ended, he put his finger on his cheek and said "How bout....and then he would name the next thing. I was completely entertained. He then colored me a picture, deciding all the crayons needed to have their paper torn off... He looks SO much like his Daddy at that age, I sometimes do a double take.

Kyle and his "favorite" aunt Debbie.

My great nephew Dominic trying very hard not to smile. He succeeded. Casey lost her 2 front teeth!!!! It was a priceless day of friends and a memorable evening of family. What could be better??? I am truly blessed. Today I will make a couple of loaves of bread, and some homemade spaghetti sauce. Kyle is in a bit of a panic because I did not buy Prego at the store!

Laundry and vacuuming are at the top of the list today along with Math tests and starting a major book report. I am looking forward to a weekend of baking, sewing on my machine, hand sewing, and browsing my new cookbooks.