Friday, November 9, 2007

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.

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Bren,
How sweet. Sounds like you had a wonderful day.
You did a great job on the cinnamon rolls.I am off on my shopping trip today.
Hugs,
Elizabeth

Unknown said...

Had a bit of a giggle at the "clear photo" comment.... Sounds like you had an extremely blessed day. Dinner sounded yummy, have you express posted left overs for me?

Melzie said...

aww what a wonderful bunch you have :) I wonder why all your comments were from Aug. yesterday? Oh well now i know it WAS your birthday so happy day belatedly ;) xoxo melzie

Darlene said...

A wonderful day, indeed. Thank you for sharing. I'll be you'll be smiling all day.

((HUGS))

Libby said...

Sounds like a wonderful day*s*

Julia said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Bren!!!!! Sounds like you had an absolute perfect day!!!!

SuBee said...

There is no better way to spend your special day!

Niki said...

You have a beautiful family! I loved seeing the pics of all of you. What great gifts, that label maker is speaking to me........
glad you day was so special!
hugs

Mel said...

Happy belated birthday! It looks and sounds like you had a wonderful time. I've got to try those cinnamon rolls. But they won't last two seconds in my house.

Solstitches said...

It sounds as though you enjoyed the perfect day.
What a lovely set of family pictures. TJ is just adorable.

Margaret

Lib said...

Bren,
You are Extremely Blessed.Looks like a fun B.day. I am so happy for you that your day went so well.
Blessins',Lib

Teresa said...

Oops - sorry to have missed your birthday - many happy returns!
It sounds like you had a lovely day Bren!

Kathryn said...

I'm sorry I didn't make it over here yesterday to wish you a Happy Birthday. I'm here to wish you a belated one! It sounds like you had a great day!

I still owe you an email, and I promise I'll get to it this weekend!

Hugs ~ Kathy

Sweet P said...

Happy belated birthday! Sounds like a truly wonderful day!

Rose Johnston said...

Bren ur day sounds wonderful, thnx for sharing all the lovely pics with us. Sneaky Linda to have made the bag and wallet for u, isnt she the sweetest??
Glad u had a good day!!!

ann said...

Bren,
Happy belated birthday.

It sounds like you had a wonderful day. I'm so glad you had your whole family there with you to celebrate!

Belvie said...

Sounds like you had a wonderful day. Lots of wonderful family pics...but the one that jumped out at me is the one with Charlotte's smiling face and her holding the grillng cookbook. She looks so happy! No doubt happy to have a wonderful mom like you.

Unknown said...

Dear Bren, my very best belated birthday wishes, I didn´t visit any of you in blogland now for two days so I missed your birthday. I see you had a wonderful day with your family, there is nothing better than have the opportunity to have the family all together. Thanks for sharing the pictures.

Charlene said...

Happy Belated Birthday! I agree there is nothing better than family and friends. I am also so glad I found a bunch of bloggers that love taking care of their familes and homes! Thanks!

meggie said...

Hi Bren, Missed your birthday yesterday.. dont know how! But many happy belated birthday wishes. So glad you had such a wonderful day.
Nothing like family to make a perfect day!

Jeanne said...

Bren, it sounds like a wonderful way to celebrate your special day! There's nothing better than being with family on the days that are so important to us. I'm going to have to try those cinnamon buns. They sure looked yummy.