Happy Birthday Tenley!!!

Today we celebrated Tenley turning 3.

Aunt Casey and Tenley's Mom Claire put so much work into this party.

Casey found this party idea from Mel at Larson Lingo and had her do the Invites and the poster above.

They thought of everything.

Here are the girls enjoying the decor.

Tenley's family friend made this sign.

Isn't is the cutest?

Everyone was given a hat.

And a Bandana

Jack liked pretending to be a "Robber"

Photo Booth!

Jack especially loved the props for the photo booth.

Delicious food.

TONS of desserts.

Candy for the ride home...

And Horsey rides!

My kids could not get enough of the Pony and Horse.

They must have gone around the circle 100 times.

They LOVED it!

Jack and Maddie had so much fun today!

Thanks Aunt Casey for all your hard work, and for such a fun filled day!

A Mothers Dilema

It was bound to happen.....

Our first Mother/Daughter fashion disagreement.

Up until now Madeline has had full confidence in my ability to select her wardrobe.

Those days may be over.

It all started in the underwear aisle of Target.

(let's all take a moment and praise the lord we were even IN the underwear aisle of Target.  We are FINALLY peeing in the potty...poop is another story...but were at least headed in the right direction and I'll take what I can get.....)

So.

Mother and Daughter shopping for panties...or as Maddie calls them Chonies.

I immediately see the most adorable panties.  Little pink ones with ballet slippers embroidered on them. Solid pink, purple, tiny flower.  Adorable.

My daughter simultaneously reaches for the cheap, cartoon covered Dora the Explorer Underwear.

I give her the absolutely not look (which she hasn't quite learned yet) and said NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!  (on the inside)

On the outside I said....

"Maddie!  Don't you want these pretty pink ones, look how pretty, these are so nice!"

"No Mommy!  I want Dora"

*cringe*

(Somehow I'm being punished for demanding puffed sleeves in the 3rd grade after reading Anne of Green Gables......)

This discussion went on for a good 5 minutes.  When I finally looked up and came out of my underpant blinders, I realized another Mother was smiling to herself as I pleaded for my daughter to please like the adorable floral panties over the horrible cartoon briefs.

Then.

  I realized.

  There was no winning.  My daughter is finally peeing in the potty...who was I to deprive her of the Underoos her heart desired.

So...

We happily agreed on Disney Princess panties and headed to the check out.

Hmmmmm...

A headstrong daughter?

However did this happen??

:)

At least she knows what she wants...

And I'm not sure what it was that made me so adamant against Dora. 

I just couldn't do it...

God help me when she really gets an opinion.

For now, I'm glad she lets me dress her...and only dresses herself at home before dinner.

Tonight I needed to run to the store, I grabbed my purse and yelled to Clay, I'll be right back!

Maddie yelled back "Mom!!  Wait! I want to come!  I have my shoes on!!"

 Yes she did.

Shoes. On.

What more could a Mother ask for?

Flashback Friday!

With St. Patrick's Day last weekend....I wanted to post this.... But was a little busy.....

Happy Irish Day!

We LOVE Green!

And St. Patrick!

Above is Madeline's First St. Patrick's Day and Jack's 4th.

Where does the time go??

They Did it! HOORAY!

So...it came and went.

Done.

I can't believe it's over.

And it was AMAZING.  So. So Wonderful.

I'm exhausted and too tired to blog in detail...but I know you have been waiting....So here they are...pictures from the wedding weekend.  There aren't many...because carrying your camera around Tahoe is almost impossible. But I did capture a few....I'm not too worried we had the best photographers in the world getting every detail that I know I missed.  So here you are...

Ben and Britt's wedding weekend, starting from door to door.

p.s.  Not one picture of Clay and I together.

Not. One.

Let's all beg Mia Hope to post their pictures ASAP, so you can see all of their hard work.

Have I mentioned how wonderful they are???

And just for fun.....

My Wedding toast!

Everyone knows these two kids hold a special place in my heart.  I could not wait for Ben to pop the question.  And when he finally did I was ecstatic. 

This story starts way back in  Fall of 1986 when Mom and Dad told me they were pregnant.

Again.

  I had been through this twice before, and I knew the routine....

but this time.... this time, it was going to be a girl.  I was going to finally get my sister.

I could feel it. 

But March 9th, 1987 arrived and so did Benjamin.

A Boy. Another Brother.  AWESOME. 

But, being the only girl has it's perks.  Having three brothers is pretty cool, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

And Ben is Awesome.  Don't get me wrong, if you need a laugh, he's your man.  If you need loyalty, he's right by your side, He has been an amazing Brother.   And he definitely completed our family.

But in the back of my mind, I always yearned for a sister. Someone to share clothes with, someone to play dress up with, someone I could teach make up tips too....

And while Ben was good for all that...

I always dreamed for another girl in the family.

Let's fast forward a few years...

The first time I met Brittany she was an adorable teenager who clearly only had eyes for one.

I loved her immediately.  It was an easy choice to persuade her to be my nanny for Jack.  She fit into our lives like a missing puzzle piece.  We clicked from the start.  I love her breeziness, her kindness, her loving heart and the ability to calm a very colicky baby. 

I have been lucky to call Brittany, my employee, my roommate, my friend, and now, finally My Sister.

Brittany, THANK you for saying yes.  THANK YOU for putting up with Ben, with all of us really.  We need you, and we love you so.  I could not have hand pick a more perfect addition to this family.

So please raise your glass for an Irish Toast.  

May the road rise to meet you

May the sun always be at your back

May god be with you and bless you

May you see your children's children

May you be poor in misfortune and rich in blessings

and 

May you know nothing but happiness from this day forward.

To Ben and my new sister Brittany  

I wish you a lifetime of Love.

Britt's Last Night of Freedom!

This weekend we headed to San Francisco to Celebrate Brittany's Bachelorette Party.

We arrived at the Westin St. Francis on Saturday Afternoon.

The rooms were perfect.

We started our weekend off right with some drinks at the Cheesecake Factory on the 8th floor of Macy's in Union Square.

Some of the girls met up with us later in the evening.

We enjoyed some leisurely shopping while we waited for them to arrive. 

When we got back to the room, Brittany's Sisters had arrived and Decorated.

Very Nice.

Decked out in Brittany's favorite colors we headed to Asia SF.

If you have never been, Asia SF is a Drag Queen Show and SO MUCH FUN.  Only the best for Britt, the Limo dropped us off and there was a Red Carpet to welcome us.

Inside we had a private VIP section

The food was delicious.  And there was SO MUCH.

Brittany was provided with a Scavenger hunt....

(most of which was not completed)

After dinner Brittany was brought up on Stage.

Where she was greeted by an Asia SF Performer

And it was Awesome.

So, So Awesome.

Brittany was such a good sport.

Especially

When the second Performer came out and gave her a SECOND spotlight show.

And 

That was DOUBLE Awesome.

Britt wasn't the only Bride to be there celebrating.....

:)

After the show we all climbed back in the Limo and headed out on the town.

We hit a couple of other places, but ended up where we knew a good time was guaranteed.

Johnny Foleys.

So. Much. Fun.

Nothing beats a Piano bar.

Brittany said it was the perfect night.

I can't believe the Wedding is in 13 days. 

Holy Cow!!

Let the countdown continue!