83 years!

Happy 83rd Birthday, Grandma Lopez!

We loved celebrating with you!

Beautiful!

I couldn't NOT include my monster shot.

This was in frustration to the seemingly

endless amount of photos we had to take in which

everyone was still or almost smiling!

Love this crazy bunch!

Happy Birthday, Samuel!

The big 3 - 3 finally came for Samuel and

all I can say is,

"Good grief!  Thank goodness it's here!"

As much as I love celebrating how many wonderful

years he has graced this earth...

every...single...year

(because I'm older by two weeks),

he gloats about how he's a whole year younger than me!

Do your math, buddy!

Even if I have to say I'm 33

and you get to say your 32

-I'm still only two weeks older!

Anyway...

his birthday wouldn't be the same without this

annual back and forth,

and truly,

"Happy Birthday, Samuel!"

I love you, hon!

This year was a bit unconventional for us

in that I was away for the big day in Bakersfield, California.

My grandma's nephew passed away and

I drove her and my little sister down for the funeral.

It was a wonderful opporunity to visit

family that I haven't seen since I was a little girl,

and to be able to spend time with my grandma and sister

was priceless!

What to do about the homefront though?

Well the day before I left,

I baked my buns off and 

gave the girls the secret mission of carrying

on the festivities without momma!

I am so proud of those girls!

They put the finishing touches on a 

hearty lasagna dinner,

wrapped dad's gifts,

AND

served Samuel's favorite chocolate cake for dessert! 

They are wondeful little momma's!

And the boys,

they played their part well too!

Keeping daddy busy with their escapades so

the girls could finish up!

...

When I got home the next day,

there was nothing but hugs and kisses

from all but one...

Gabriel!

He refused to look at me,

or let me hold him!

He was so, so upset with me for leaving!

I apologized and

told him I was home now,

and only then did he crawl into my arms!

What a sweetie! 

I love my brood!

Birthday wishes...

I can't even remember

what my birthday wish was!

All I know is...

I am so blessed!

Isabella, Ava, Iris,

Owen, Gabriel...

I love you!

Samuel,

You complete me!

XoxoXoO

Me

Knock, knock...

Imagine the doorbell ringing

and being presented with these

gorgeous blooms

from a great friend!

What a surprise and

talk about making my day!

Thanks, Meredith!

Love,

Olivia

82 Spankings and a pinch to grow an inch!

My grandma

-my children's great-grandma!-

turned 82 years old!

And what's worse,

we were late in giving her her gift-

almost a whole year late!

For her birthday

we invited her over for a special meal.

And though we celebrated on her actual

birthday with the cake, hoopla, and what-not,

and though, since then,

we've had her over many, many times since that big day...

Not one meal was specifically devoted

to commemorating her special day!

Oy!

And with her 83rd birthday

fast approaching in April,

we needed to burn rubber!

Hence,

her birthday brunch...

finally!

Great-grandma Lopez, Grandma Rose, and Aunt Julia

The kiddos

The Menu

Greek Feta & Spinach Pie in a Phyllo Crust

Lemon Ricotta Puff Pastry Tarts

Sun-dried Tomatoe and Olive Pasta

Fresh Fruit

Cinnamon Rolls

Chocolate-dipped Shortbread Pecan Toffee

Hot Cocoa

Grandma,

Always taking pictures...

Always walking...

Always enjoying life's little (and big) wonders...

I love you!

You are a rock,

and I know grandpa is so proud of you!

Thank you for being a wonderful grandma,

to me, my husband, and my kids!

We love you!

Happy Birthday!

Love,

Olivia

P.S. 

Your 83rd is right around the corner! 

What a blessing!

Happy 30th, Jessica!

 

Old people,

meaning myself,

do get there kicks in now and then,

and never more so than when

we're welcoming the young'uns into the club!

Our newest member:

Jessica Elmer

Complete with gynormous old lady painties

(note the dainty white rosette),

"padded" slippers, a cane,

and an assortment of products

necessary for every infirm person's lifestyle

(Beano, anyone?)!

H A P P Y  B I R T H D A Y,  J E S S !

You rock, 30!



Isabella's 10!

Is there a more beautiful and graceful

girl on the planet?

Well, of course there are!

I made the other two too!

Just kidding, but really,

Isabella is a wonderful, wonderful daughter

and celebrating her 10th birthday is a joy!

Starting the day off right with

carmelized apple and cinnamon pancakes

and blue milk!

We spruced up the house with blue decor

and celebrated with family.

The menu?

Her favorites!

She's totally a diner girl!

Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, & gravy!

Per her request,

chocolate cake with fresh blackberries!

Isabella and her grandpa Jesus.

...

Isabella,

words cannot describe

how grateful we are for you!

You have a wonderful heart,

so generous and kind,

but above all,

you are

choice!

We know that!

And we want you to remember that too!

Have a wonderful 10th year on earth!

And may you have many, many more!

xoxo

mom + dad

Strawberry Waffles + Jello Parfaits + Barbie Cake = Iris' 6th Birthday Extravaganza!

I cannot believe it!

Where did the time go?

My baby girl has officially lopped over to

two hands to represent her age...

six whole fingers now!

Her day started bright and early

with strawberry and chocolate chip waffles
and strawberry smoothies-
with the special plate and cup, of course!

Y U M !

For school we celebrated with

pink-swirled chocolate brownies!

D O U B L E - Y U M !

And when dinner rolled around,

we went high-end gourment with...

Macaroni & Cheese

(from a box!)

Cheetos

&

Piggies-in-a-blanket!

Since we have essentially three birthday parties every year-

one with Samuel's side,

one with mine,

and then finally just us on the day of,

we try to mix-up the desserts to avoid cake overload!

Hence the non-cake and non-ice cream parfaits!

She was so, so excited,

and even needed serious help in

blowing out her measly two candles!

{Yes, I'm a candle-scrabbler! 

Whatever's in my drawer is what we use!}

Since I've never made any of my girls a barbie cake,

I felt like this year was my last chance.

This is definitely foreign territory!

And I still can't get over how much cake it took
to cover Barbie's freakishly long legs!

I wouldn't have that problem!

{smile}

Thank heavens for cool whip! 

So, so forgiving!

And yes,

she's sporting a faux chopstick (toothpick) do!

This is what I'm talking about!

Look at that smile!

Even my big girls were thrilled!

We love you, sweet-potato puddin' pie!

Iris Luciana,

You are beautiful,

so funny,

incredibly smart,

and just a plain ol' sweetheart,

which in our opinion,

is the very best way to be!

Keep on growin', lovebug.

It is a joyous journey!

We love, love, love you!

xoxXOxoOxo

Mom + Dad

60 And Still Ticking

My father-in-law,

Gary Elmer.

H A P P Y  B I R T H D A Y !

We hope you enjoyed your many gifts!

Despite the ribbings,

we do love you!

Eight is Great!

 

Ava,

We can hardly believe you're eight already!

You have always been stunning,

but somehow you've transformed

from alittle rascal who hated puffed sleeves

and any color other than blue,

into a beautiful young girl

whose open to pretty much anything!

You're trademark

easy-going way,

tender-heart,

and melt-the-heart brown eyes

still take our breath away!

Your father and I love you

so, so much!

Continue in this way,

work hard as ever,

and know that you are so, so special.

Happy 8th Birthday!

Love always,

Mom + Dad

hApPy bIrThDaY, tAyLoR!

My super-sweet niece, Taylor,

turned eight years old!

H A P P Y  B I R TH D A Y,  H O N E Y !

She loves to give hugs,

calls me "Auntie",

still refuses to give me some of her long golden locks!,

and never fails to make us all smile!

We love you, hon!

Mom is obsessed with taking pictures of us all

when we get together.

It's a neat posterity thing,

but between five cameras we're posing uncomfortably

for awhile!

I love you, mom!

 

Pure Joy & Sunshine

Even though all the birthday hoop-la has

come and gone with the boys combined birthday parties,

we still had a pretty special day when Gabriel's

real birthday rolled around!

Cake for breakfast, anyone?

What must you wish for at the ripe old age of two?

Once the candles were out,

the scrabble for cake began!

Seconds later...gone!

...

H A P P Y  B I R T H D A Y,  S O N !

Gabriel,

We can't express how grateful we are for you.

You were definitely saved for these days,

and as much as we'd like to think you needed us,

we sorely needed you.

Thank you for being pure joy and sunshine.

We love you, son.

Always.

Love,

Mum & Dad

Happy Birthday Owen, Gabriel, & Julia!

I think this picture of my boys looks so, so funny!

Here they are at the ripe old age for four & two,

and yet I can look at this picture

and easily fast-forward to when they're forty-four & forty-two-

and get a good idea of what they'll look like then!

I dearly hope they continue to be a little GOOFY...

...a WHOLE lot of fun...

...and the very BEST of friends!

How is that they're so nice and composed for a picture with dad...

 ...and so silly and squirmy with mom?

The waiting is finally over...

 C H E C K  I T  O U T !

Superheros in the house!

We HIGHLY recommend this set from Amazon-

which is very reasonably priced!

If you're interested,

check it out here!

Since the boys birthday's are in the summer,

or in our house,

- C A M P I N G  S E A S O N -

s'more's are the way to go!

Yup,

that's all that were left,

and even these last morsels were snatched up by sticky fingers!

We're so fortunate to have both our families in town,

so we celebrated yet again with even more grandma's!

Aunt Julia turned sweet-fourteen!

H A P P Y  B I R T H D A Y,  B E A T I F U L !



Sigh.

Another year has come and gone.

Owen & Gabriel,

You are,

and always will be,

my "two boys!"

We love you both so much,

and it is a joy to watch you grow.

All our love,

Mom & Dad

(...and your three other little momma's too!)