Sunday, March 30, 2014

54! Ouch!

Yesterday was my birthday.  I didn't want to do anything.  I wanted to stay home, and relax.  Which is exactly what I did!  Then, in the afternoon, all of the kids and grandkids came, bringing everything for dinner with them.  It was a perfect day!!!!!   Gennifer and the girls made this delicious chocolate cake!
She also made a fabulous chili dip in the crockpot.  I could have eaten it straight with a spoon!!
The first thing we did though, was go on a lizard hunt with Geeps.

Found one!
He is hard to see on that wood pile.  Follow the string.  The noose is going down over his head.  It won't hurt him...I promise.  But you can snatch him up that way, and the kids get the biggest kick out of it!  So does Geeps!!
The above photo is overexposed, but I love the looks of excitement on their faces.
If you have never been on a lizard hunt, I think you should try it.  Give each kid a fishing pole with a string and slip knot on it.  A bucket for their catch, and watch them delight in the hunt!!!
There were several tetherball matches going on.
Uncle "Goo" got beat.  And Jake broke up a couple fights on the courts.

There was wild 4 Square going on, at the sport court.  No photos of that, as I was playing too.
Erika supplied the bbq of chicken burgers and hot dogs.  A beautiful fresh fruit salad.  And the girls did ALL of the prep, cooking, set up, and clean up!  What a treat!!!!  I just got to sit back and enjoy!!
It was so yummy. Our first bbq of the season outdoors.  These following two photos make me happy.  All three of my kids, my son in law Jake, and Drew's girlfriend Christine.  The only one we were missing was Erika's boyfriend Neal, who was working.

Having all of us together last night was such a special treat for me!  I was so happy!!!
Hannah and Claire discovered one of the girls on the patio next to the house.  These hens think they are cats!
 I put all of the patio cushions out for the first time this year, and it all looked so inviting.
Noah will be  having his big birthday bash here in a few weeks, so we need to get it spiffed up and ready for a party!
I liked this shot because if you look carefully, through the fence around the pool, you can see a big game of tetherball going on, and then on the bbq patio, Geeps is cooking dinner, and some of the kids are sitting out on the wicker set, talking.
We stayed outside playing until it got dark and chilly.  Then inside we went for cake and ice cream.
I had some helpers in blowing out my candles on the cake.  You can't see Clairey, but she is in front of me.
I love this picture of all three of the kids giving me a hug.  It is terribly blurry, but I love it anyways.
I got some beautiful gifts.  New shoes, jewelry, Bed, Bath & Bodyworks lotions, and gels and smell good.  Some new Ball jars, and a gift card to Michael's.  Fun stuff.  But by far and away, the best gift I got for my birthday, was my Mom's good news following her surgery last week.  Yesterday, to top it off, I had a perfect day and evening with my family.  They spoiled me rotten, and I was loving it!!!
Have you heard of Origami Owl?  My Mom got me this beautiful necklace.  They are lockets, and you open it up to add charms.  She got three charms to put inside.  One is a heart that says Family.  A ball of yarn with knitting needles, and a sewing machine.  How perfect!!!  It is rose gold, on a long chair, and I just love it!
There are hundreds of charms to choose.  I can't wait to add more!
Well, it was a perfect day!  I am blessed.  Best birthday ever!  Greg took this lovely shot of me last night after everyone went home.  EXTREME close up!  No eye make up on.  Ran out of time.  See my daughters......every photo doesn't have to be a flattering one.  As Geeps would say, " This is what we look like people!!"
Yes, I have wrinkles.  And I have a skin disorder called Vitiligo.  My Dad had it too.  It is now spreading to my face.  My forehead and ears are showing the loss of pigment.  Oh well, whatcha gonna do?  Wrinkles are only places that show where the smiles have been!  And I have so much to smile for!!!!!
See you soon!!!
XO  Kris

34 comments:

Gloria Baker said...

haha! Happy belated birthday dear!
pssttt! you are Young! really:)
have a nice day!!
xxx

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

HAPPY happy birthday, Kris! You ARE blessed (and beautiful!)! It looks like the perfect family birthday!! XO

Dawn said...

You are to cute :) It looks like you had a wonderful day, thank you for sharing it all with us.

Bethany said...

Happy birthday! Love that necklace!

podso said...

That's a beautiful photo and you do have much to smile about especially with your wonderful family giving you the perfect birthday party! Happy Birthday (oh and what a great necklace).

Unknown said...

Happy Birthday beautiful!

I know I have told you this before, I just LOVe your yellow bench!

Between Me and You said...

Happy Happy Belated Birthday, Lovely Lady. You look fine and dandy to me - glad you had such a terrific birthday.x

Holly said...

Birthday perfection my beautiful friend!

Teresa Kasner said...

*H*A*P*P*Y* * *B*I*R*T*H*D*A*Y*!*!*!* to a wonderful woman, wife, mom and grandma.. and friend! It looks like you were pampered and spoiled by your family, which shows how much they love you. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Amy at love made my home said...

Happy Birthday! Glad that you had a good time, I hope that you have a wonderful year to come!! xx

Kerri said...

Happy Birthday Kris! Sounds like you had a fabulous one! And, coming from someone who gets a new mole or freckle just about everyday...I think your skin looks fabulous!!

Lauri said...

Sound like a perfect birthday! You look fabulous--with or without makeup.

I love the necklace too. I just saw someone with one on a few nights ago and fell in love. Now I'm going to have to look for one for me

Betsy said...

HaPpY bIrThDaY Kris! I knew we had lots in common. I just turned 54 also! I want so much to come to one of your family gatherings, it looks like so much fun and full of love and happiness. You are so blessed to have family close by. And the best gift of all...the great news about your Mom.
Blessings my friend.
Betsy

Deb~in~Denver said...

Looks like a perfect birthday! That necklace is gorgeous, I'm sure you'll have lots of fun filling it with charms! LOVE that picture of you, you are beautiful, with or without makeup! Inside and out, too!

Poppy said...

Happy Happy Birthday, Kris!! What a fun time you all had, the best! So glad that your mom is doing well after her surgery! All the very best in the year ahead, and always!

xo
Poppy

priscilla said...

Happy Birthday Kris ! Sounds like the perfect day ! Glad your Mom is doing well !Great photos !

Unknown said...

Glad you had such a wonderful day, you deserve every bit of it! Great news about your mom, glad she is doing so well!

Maryjane-The Beehive Cottage said...

Happy Birthday pretty Kris! Sure looks like it was a super fun day! Nothing like family! Great pics!

I have a Origami Owl necklace too! I have the big heart filled with adorable charms! Now I need to start a bracelet! LOL!

When should we plan another Lunch Bunch Chicks lunch? We can meet up at Tom's Farms again, and again and again! Gotta get one in April!

Love ya,
Maryjane

kim said...

Well first I want to wish you a late happy birthday .. Sounds like you had a wonderful time . Second is that my sister in law sells Origami Owl.. She has a website and everything .. I have a necklace too .. I'm about to order more charms.. Have a great week ...

Joolz said...

What a beautiful day you had. Happy Birthday! I don't see too many wrinkles, either! I think you look wonderful for 54 and yes, wrinkles are caused by smiling too much so that's a good thing!

Cheers - Joolz xx

Grammy Staffy said...

I am glad that you had such a special birthday with your sweet family. You deserve to be spoiled.

Happy belated birthday.
Hugs, Lura

Patty Antle said...

You are a pretty lady! You have such fun family parties. Happy Birthday!

Sue Pinner said...

Happy Birthday for yesterday, looks like it was a great birthday...they only keep getting better form now on hehe
Hugs x

Pammy Sue said...

Well, happy birthday, Missy! I'd feel bad for not knowing, but it looks like you were well taken care of. How fun to have a party and none of the work! Glad you were treated like a Queen.

Pam said...

Yay for you! I am glad you were able to spend your birthday with your kids & grandkids. It looks like you all had a fantastic time.

I love the last picture of you! No make up needed - beautiful inside and out. :)

Happy birthday!

NanaNor's said...

Hi Kris, You are still such a babe! You look so cute and full of life!
Loved seeing how your family spoiled you; mine spoiled me too. Did you guys experience the earthquake. I know Debbie did-hope it didn't rattle your area. May this new year for both of us be filled with joy and love that overflows to others.
Hugs,
Noreen

Susanne Tyree said...

Happy Birthday to you dear friend. It would appear that you had a wonderful celebration with your family all around you. It was good news indeed about your mother. I hope she is mending and feeling better every day. Yes, I know about Origami Owl. My first contact with them was at the benefit at the Developmental School where my daughter is a social worker. They had that fund raiser before Christmas and many people had set up their goods to sell and one gal was a dealer for the OO. I was tempted to buy one, but was more excited about the little green monster in the green basket, lol that was to be up for auction. I wanted him for my grandson. The vendors all donated an item for the auction. You need to add a hen to yours. Oh I am sure you have all kinds of ideas on what you would like to put in there. I love the photo of the hen on the patio with your granddaughters. I also think the red nasturtium plant that is blooming lovely. I do believe that is an edible flower just like pansy. They would be so eye catching on a cake frosted with white and blue for 4th of July. When you get a chance stop on by. I mentioned you in my very last post.
(((HUGS))) Susanne :)

Annette - MyRoseValley said...

Dear Kris
Who cares about wrinkles? Who wants tos tay young forever? You have had the most wonderful day ever! It makes me all weepy to watch your pictures. I miss my family back home in Sweden. I miss for us all being together and have lovely dinners and laughing kids all around. Sigh. Happy birthday dear. And the church by my yellow tree? It is an old bee hive. The owner wants to throw it out but I refuse. I think I will try and repair it some this year. It adds something really special to my garden.

Xxx
Annette
My Rose Valley

Nicolle said...

Happy Birthday Kris!
It looks and sounds like a perfect day of celebration!
xo

Sinta Renee said...

Happy birthday to you Kris! What a beautiful day you had... couldn't get better than that! Hanging out with the family is the best! Your outdoor space looks fabulous!
My DIL has Vitiligo also. Here dad has it too. I personally embrace the "character" wrinkles and time leaves with us. It's a good life!
Many happy returns! xxoo

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson said...

Yup, we've earned every single wrinkle. All of the smiling is worth every one! I think you look sweet. 54, you're still a young chick. I'll be 61 this July. Scary! Glad you had such a wonderful relaxing day! I've hunted lizards, but only using my hands. The pole idea is great! Happy Belated my friend!
hugs,
Jann

Grammy Braxton said...

Happy Birthday!!!!! 54 is young and you are such a lovely lady. Glad you got to spend your day with all the ones you love. That makes any birthday special.

Hugs,
Sharon

Home Meadows said...

Happy birthday Kris! I'm looking forward to catching up with all my blogging buddies. Have a wonderful day. Heather

Astri said...

Happy Birthday Cutie! Never would have thought 54...I will be 54 this year too...but I would have thought that! ;-)