Birthdays!

Once again we had our annual August Birthday Bash! It was a great day (well, almost... keep reading). Of course, it was the hottest day of the year as it always is on our party day, but the heat didn't stop the fun.

We surprised the kids by renting a bounce house for the day. It was a big hit with all the kids from 12 months to 12 years!


Elsaya, Ella Jane, and Leah


Shortly after the party began the kids were running around the house when Patrick and our little friend, Taylor, came upon a hole. The stomped on the hole only to find out it was a wasp nest. It was absolutely awful. We moms heard the screaming and ran! Unfortunately, our friend, Christine (Taylor's mom), ran while holding her 12 month old. Both of them each got one sting. Taylor's big brother, Connor, also got a sting. In one shot 4 out of 7 people in that family got hurt. I felt terrible. Taylor and Patrick suffered the most. Taylor with 5 stings and Patrick with 7! This is certainly one way to remember his 5th birthday! We handed out benadryl, nursed the wounds, and tried comforting the kids. Nothing was working. Finally, I said, "want to open presents?" That did the trick. Although, Patrick did not want to go back outside for that. Thus, we crowded into our living room and opened presents before we even served food. I know it's not the proper thing to do, but heck, the birthday boy got 7 bee stings!


When things calmed down and we were able to get back to partying we lined everyone up to hit a pinata. We decided to let the kids take their turns from youngest to oldest.


Almost everyone got a turn before the pinata busted open!


Patrick and Maddy


The Guests of honor! Patrick is 5 years old! Ella Jane is 3! Where has the time gone?




I love this picture! I wish I knew what the kids were all looking at. Patrick looks so surprised. I was taking the picture, but clearly, I had no idea what was happening next to me. I love Nick's face, it's such a mess! He must have been having a good time!


Jenna and Marissa Martin. They both liked the cake!

Auntie Jen made this beautiful bracelet for Ella Jane. The other side does have "Jane" on it.

Jack's Bad Day!

At the end of the school year I had a conversation with the school librarian. She was talking about how much fun she thought Jack was. She asked me, "has Jack ever had a bad day?" I told her that no, Jack had bad moments, but never really a bad day. He is my easy going kid.

Well, he will officially tell you now that he's had a bad day.... a few in a row, actually! While heading into the house on an ordinary Tuesday afternoon, Jack managed to somehow slam the door on his own finger. We're a little unclear as to how it happened, but he slammed the door hard and gave himself quite a nasty bruise. The picture below was the day after it happened and not nearly as bad as it got.


By Friday, the finger was swelling and the pain not improving even a little. We got an x-ray, which was negative. Saturday morning Jack woke up in even more pain and the tip of his finger about 5 times its normal size. It was ugly! Off to the ER we went. The doctor said it probably just needed to be drained. OUCH! It was terribly painful. Mom cried as much as Jack. This is when he said to me that this was "the worst thing that has ever happened to me in my whole entire life". After a consult from the hand surgeon it was determined he has done significant damage to the nail and would need surgery. WHAT?!?!? I was shocked! Of course, Jack is an over achiever. He can't do anything half way!

After the trip to the ER I took Jack to lunch, that perked him up a bit. He was quite annoyed by the HUGE bandage on his finger and still feeling considerable pain.

The following Tuesday we headed to the surgery center for an out-patient procedure. Jack was so nervous and expecting the worst. Before going back to surgery he started getting really goofy and he hadn't even had meds yet! I think he was trying to laugh off his nervousness. I promised him that it wouldn't be bad because he got to sleep through the entire thing! The worst was certainly behind him, but he didn't believe me (yet).

It was so sad to see Jack waking up from anesthesia. He was groggy, confused, queasy, and cold. It took about an hour for him to start to perk up, but was surprised that he felt no pain! After going home he took pain medication for only one day. After that, he was back to his old self. the worst really was over before the surgery. Mom was right.

He has since lost the ugly fingernail and we are now waiting to see if a new nail will come back, and if so, what it will look like. The doctor had said he had never seen a nail bed injury that severe that didn't include a broken bone. Only Jack!

Happy Birthday Kevin and Happy Birthday USA!

The Beginning of July always means celebration in our household. Kevin turned 39 this year. We celebrated with dinner and cake in the backyard.


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On the 4th we watched fireworks with Kevin's mom, step-dad, our sister-in-law, and niece.




Patrick watched the fireworks outside for the first time. Typically, he stays in the car and avoids the noise. He didn't even cover his ears.

Jack being... Jack!

Family, Friends, and Wedding Bells

Every summer we make a couple trips to Michigan. Our June visit was full of fun. The highlight of the trip was my cousin, Andy's, wedding to his beautiful bride, Heather. Aside from the wedding we had lots of time with our extended family, including my fabulous nieces and nephews.

Parker John on the Left, Gabryelle on the right.


Isabelle with her friend, Lauren (my parents next door neighbor) on the left
Cousins Ella Jane and McKenna on the right.


My beautiful sister-in-law with McKenna and Ella Jane

Me and the girls: Isabelle, Ella Jane, McKenna, and my cousin's new baby, Allison. That's a lot of pink!!!



Lauren's family has a fabulous pool that we are able to use. Everyone had a great time splashing away. Patrick got very brave in the water.
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My parents celebrated their 43rd wedding anniversary during our visit. To celebrated we headed to the park in Milford to enjoy an outdoor concert and picnic. The performer was Jill Jack, she was fabulous!

The happy couple. They look way too young to be married so long!

Patrick really enjoyed the music; he was jamming and was playing "air guitar". Too cute!

Jack has his own special brand of "dancing". He's such a nut! Of course, Lauren joined us for the outing.

The kids got up and danced in front of the stage. By the end of the evening, Ella Jane was exhausted by all the fun and needed a snuggle with her Papa.

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Mr. and Mrs. Andrew LaHaie

My cousin's wedding was just beautiful. Heather was one of the most gracious and beautiful brides I have ever seen. My cousin was dashing and sweet. What a great day! It was also wonderful to have so much extended family together. All of my dad's siblings were there for the big day. It's not often all 9 siblings are together.

Parents of the groom, my Uncle Robert and Aunt Marcia. I remember clearly there wedding day when I was 7 years old. It's a little crazy to have now been at their son's wedding as well. Not sure how time went that fast! Both of them were just beaming that day. My uncle so sweetly said to me, "I haven't lost a son. I have gained a daughter."

My dad's 3 sisters: Joan, Ann, and Sue
Aunt Sue with her first grandbaby, Broderick

The 6 brothers: Jim, Steve, Robert, Ron, David, and Dad

All 9 siblings (not in chronological order): Sue, Steve, Jim, Ann, Robert, David, Jack, Joan, and Ron

The "outlaws": Ann, Joyce, John, Marcia, Craig, Karol, and Bob


Kevin and I on a rare night out without kids. My Uncle Steve and I dancing to "In the Mood", just like we did at my wedding all those years ago.

Not all of the grandchildren (first cousins) could make it to the wedding, but here are 9 out of the 13. Me, Holly, James, Brian, Jenni, Jeff, Andy (the groom), Heather, and Lexi. Look at us, all grown up! Now there are 13 great-grandchildren from this bunch; grandma and grandpa would have been so proud!