Turning 49

Last Friday I turned 49. Hard for me to believe. I really feel much younger at heart although I have aches and pains that make me feel a little older. 

It was a super nice day. My mother-in-law was in town and we took a drive to a local gift shop and then decided to have a lunch of cream filled doughnuts. Yum!

My super sweet girls gave me some awesome gifts and made me precious birthday cards. John gave me so many beautiful plants and a super fun Bose speaker for out by the pool (or anywhere else we want to use it). And he also decorated the house with balloons and streamers---too cute. 

After gift giving, we went to a favorite restaurant for dinner. It was a perfect night with my favorite people. Then we came home to enjoy a slice of ice cream cake. My favorite!  The perfect ending to a lovely day. 

And me at 49!

Summer Adventures

Wow, long time no blog posts! We have been busy soaking up the summer.


The girls and I made a trip to Virginia Beach on Saturday, the 21st. We hit the beach, hung out with family, shopped, and ate some great food.

A day at the beach with friends

Cousin Krissy cooling off

Shelly & Aunt Linny

Pancakes by Grandpa

Breakfast for dinner
A family favorite

YUM!

Lily & Jim Jam

On Monday, the girls went to camp at the school where my sister works in VB. I was proud of both girls. They didn't know any other campers and headed off happily and willingly to volleyball and cheerleading camp. They both had a terrific time and made some new friends. 

Camp Day 1

The girls and grandpa

Cheerleader & Volleyball player

While they were with my sister and her family, John and I took a trip to Biloxi, MS and New Orleans. It was the first time in 6 years that we took a trip as a couple, alone. It was just what we needed. We laughed and laughed and laughed. Such a fun time.

Heading to NOLA

On Bourbon Street

John's childhood nickname!

Waiting in the airport
heading home

We were so grateful that the girls were with family while we were gone. It was a fabulous 10 days of new and different adventures for us all.

Happy Day

We had a sweet and simple birthday celebration on Tuesday. It was my birthday and I was still pretty much confined to the house at that point. Shelly was home sick with me on Tuesday. So we kept things simple.


The girls and John presented me with sweet gifts and balloons. A friend brought over dinner for our family. And, we had ice cream cake for dessert. It was all just perfect!

A Kitten book that Shelly bought for me at the book fair!

Love celebrating with my family.

Me and my girls

Rag Dolls

On my continuing theme regarding how much Shelly & I resemble one another as children, I have more photo proof. 


Shelly was in her 2nd grade class play and played the part of a rag doll. She wore the exact same costume that my mother made for me when I was 8. Right down to the yarn wig that my mom had saved in the box of Halloween items at my parent's house. Can't tell you how happy I was to find the costume and even happier to reveal the wig in that box. I was not eager to recreate a Raggedy Ann yarn wig. 


Thank you, mom---once again---for being there for me. I love you!

Me in 1974 as Raggedy Ann

Shelly as Raggedy Ann

My sweet ragdoll

Ragdoll Girls
Shelly & Elli

Shelly, Connor, and Elli
The ragdolls

Starting off the play

The toys waking up and coming to life

The cast

Waving ragdoll behind the reindeer

Stripes

Moi

Some photos of me that make me smile:

Baby Me on baptism day
Love seeing my mom's hands in this photo

Loved this cake
Mom made it for my 4th birthday and I loved the M&Ms around the sides

On the beach in my bathing suit (1976)

Love that Humpty Dumpty lamp
It is currently in my guest bedroom

Me on my banana seat bike in the 70s!!!

The bunny costume made by mom
Wearing snow boots for an Alaskan Halloween

Me with socks in my hair creating the perfect curls

Girls Who Love Dolls

As I go through the many photos from my aunt's home, I am warmed by the images that show our family similarities. Like the one of my mom and aunt playing with their dolls. And then one of me as a little girl with my doll. And, finally I find pictures of my own girls with their dolls. The circle is complete. We are a family of doll lovers!

Look-a-likes

When I look back at photos of myself when I was a little girl I am amazed at how similar Shelly and I look at the same age.