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