Ivan's Birthday...in Three Parts

Ivan was lucky...he kind of had a drawn out birthday celebration in July because he went to camp on his actual birthday, so we had our family celebration when he returned, then later we had a party with friends.

There's a lot of pictures, so I figured I'd get this done in more than one post so you won't have to spend an entire day getting through the photos.

So to start, in keeping with the decorated door/room tradition that I began a few years ago, we decided to bombard Ivan with balloons!

Hannah was kind enough to help me blow them up and when everyone was asleep, we moved them out of her room and set up his door and the hallway.

I knew that the balloons would be good fun, but I wasn't prepared for the ways they would be used...and dare I say...abused!!
(balloon art compliments of Hannah)

Okay...I'm sure that's enough to take in during one blog post, so we'll cover the family birthday party tomorrow!

Hannah's Hair

By this time, most of my blog readers have seen Hannah's hair "in real life" or on facebook, but I wanted to make sure that I preserved this cool day.

Hannah had been thinking about a pixie cut for some time.
As high school approached, she decided that it was something she definitely wanted to do.

We found a great stylist in town who specialized in short hair cuts and were able to get an appointment with her.
They were excited too because they enjoy doing big makeovers.
The people at the salon and I both had our cameras out for the fun before and after pics!
Before...

The stylist, Kristeen, listened to what Hannah wanted, but also worked with her on something that would be best for her hair type and face, etc.

 Then the cutting began!

 Then the finishing touches!

And now
After...

Hannah was really happy with the results as you can see by her beaming face!
And why wouldn't she be...she looks beautiful!
It was a fun fresh start for her freshman year in high school!

Sprinkler Fun!

I've gone back and forth on whether to post the newest "stuff" first, or go back and catch up.
For the sake of me being able to find things in my blog later on, I'm going to start with the oldest events and try to quickly catch up.
That, of course, means I'll need to be good about blogging more frequently...so wish me luck!

This summer the kids were able to swim in the pools that our generous neighbors offered.
But sometimes it didn't work out to leave our house and head somewhere else.
I have thought over the past couple of years how nice it was when they were happy with a sprinkler in the backyard...but those days were over...or so I thought!
On one particularly hot day, after hearing the moans and groans from Ivan and Jenelle about boredom and heat, I told them that they should just go outside and get in the sprinkler that I had on.

They did and guess what?
They actually had fun!

Old fashioned fun...who'd a thunk it?!

Sisters

I'm overwhelmed by the amount of blogging that I would like to do right now.

I haven't even done Ivan's birthday or other events from the summer, and now that we are back from Texas, I have so many more amazing pictures and memories I want to record.

I will get to it all in time.

The kids are heading off to school again next week and there will be more time...and obviously more blogging from that!

But I have kept thinking about this picture...

While we were in Austin, Hannah and I were looking through old photo albums.

I saw this and wow - just had to have it!

I don't remember the particular moment, but, 

I remember loving that red dress...felt like a princess when I was wearing it.

I remember that tree in Granny's backyard.  

I remember it bigger -it looks so small in this photo.

Of course it grew over the years, as did I...

The backyard brings back so many memories!

And look at my precious sister!!  

Look how she's backed up so close to me - her toes even slightly on top of mine!

Look at her little baby arms reaching back and holding her dress.

Look at her face!  Her curls!

And here we are about 40 years later...and she's still my precious sister.

I'm so thankful we were put together in the same family and even more grateful that we are the best of friends!

I love you Stephanie!