Ila’s Birthday Tea Party

"Mom, can I have a Tea Party for my Birthday?"

 

Ila May was turning 11 and 

Kimmy wanted to make it fun and special.

Kimmy then called her mother in-law, who is a Picker.

Mema collected everything for this Tea Party.

 

When each girl arrived, she recieved gloves, pearls to wear, plus, and a tea cup to use and take home.

The food table was full of goodies.

Kimmy and Ila May.

Each place setting was colorfully coordinated and

perfectly set.

The inside of the tent was fitted with a chandelier and 

lace curtians that flowed in the wind.

All the girls were thrilled to be at a real Tea Party.

 Mema, IlaMay and me.

My absolute, favorite picture of Ila May,

waiting for her friends to arrive

before her Tea Party.

"For I know the plans I have for you,"  delclares the Lord, "plans to prosper you, not to harm you, plan to give you hope and a future."

Jeremiah 29:11

 

Happy Birthday Kimmy!

Look at those CAKES!

For Kimmy's birthday, 

the kids had a Cake Bake-Off contest.

Each of her children came up with a design,

baked it and then decorated it.

The Judges Table

Kimmy and Mark...

The Judges

The kids wanted them to pick ONE winner.

They didn't want to have a second place.

~*~

Levi and Silas teamed up together for their design.

The Tie-Dye Cake

It also had a "egg and bacon" smily face.

~*~

Ila May baked a 

Lemon Curd Cake

So fancy and coloful! Nicly done.

~*~

Lulu came up with her orginial cake...

Lavendar Lemon Cake

~*~

The Contest Rules:

* You had to carry your own cake to 

the Judging Table.

* Answer questions from 

the Judges about their cake.

* Cut a slice for the Judges.

Ila May getting some moral support from

her youngest brother.

Big cake, Big knife

~*~

Next,  the boy's cake

Questions asked...

Levi was thrilled with the compliments.

Look at the inside!

~*~

Lulu went last.

She made the cake and came up with the decorations!

Fresh flowers on top, along with blackberries.

The sides of the cake were mashed blackberries.

After sampling each cake the two Judges

stepped out of the room to discuss each cake. 

When they came back in, you could cut the 

air with the cake knife! 

TENSE!!

After long and careful consideration...

it was announced that this year's winner of the

Cake Bake Off... is....

Lulu 

and her Lavendar Lemon Cake!

Lulu recieved a certificate and $25.00 prize money.

A few disappointing moments but in the end.

we all agreed, Lulu's cake was the winner.

~*~

The little guys baked a Lego Cake.

But didn't make it to the 

 contest.

They ate their cake for breakfast!

Everyone was really the winner because 

we all ate to our hearts content after the contest.

There was plenty of cake for everyone.

Until next year!!!

(personally, I won't be eating cake until then!)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KIMMY 💓

🎂

March Highlights

March is a fun month.

Long time ago, when Tom and I were planning our wedding, 

we choose March, because it seemed like a quiet month. 

Now, 43 years later, it's been one of the busiest times of the year.

~*~

To celebrate our anniversary, we kept it low key, but fun.

We decided on a dinner and a movie!

We tried to go see the movie DOG,

 but it was sold out!

We ended up going out to dinner.

But..... the next day we went to a matinee!

We were the only ones in the theatre!

Every seat was open!!

One of the many perks of being retired.

~*~

I joined my fellow Patriots on the Freeway over pass.

 

Flags were waving and cheers irrupted, 

as the Truck Covy to D.C. drove through Idaho.

It was very inspiritional.

~*~

Tom is healing from his hip surgery.

Lulu came over to watch a movie with her Papa.

The movie was one in the series of 

 Lord of the Rings.

So glad he had someone to watch with him.

~*~

Banjo got pampered!

After                            Before

He still is recovering from the Pit Bull attack  (PTSD). 

Wearing anything around his neck, like a collar or coat, makes him crazy.

We decided to grow out his fur so he could keep warm during Winter.

He loves his Spring hair cut.

~*~

Isaac and Nathan came over and spent the night.

It was Nathan's first time spending the night with us.

We had to make it special.

A visit to the playground,

special breakfast (cinnamon toast) and of course 

keeping very busy.

Here they are, getting ready for St. Patricks Day.

Love these type of hats! No pinching these two.

~*~

Helping out with yard work.

Mark and Kimmy are busy adding to their backyard.

Here we are raking rocks to get ready for grass seeding.

~*~

Tom had a "Boys Weekend" with 

our son,Todd and grandson, Trey.

I love Facetime...  they suprised me with a call.

The Boys Weekend was at Cannon Beach!

It brought back so many memories!

And now creating new ones.

Tradition is having your picture 

taken in front of Hay Stack Rock.

Crab Shack, a must!

Another tradition... CRAB!

Lunch and Ice Cream...

These three guys are all ice cream aficionados.

Tillamook was THE destination!!!!!

Two very happy guys, Todd and Tom

Todd and Trey with Hay Stack Rock in the background.

~*~

Lulu asked me to take her shopping for her mom's birthday present.

Well, you don't have to ask me twice!

We jump into my convertable and off we went.

We kept the top up before we went shopping.

But on the way home the top came down.

(It's all about the hair!)

The music was turned up and we sang

all the way home.

~*~

"For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline."

2 Timothy 1:7

 

Birthday Celebration

What a great way to end the year!

💓 Family 💓

From just the four of us to...

Sixteen of us!

Todd and his family

Kimmy and her family

Tom and I!

We celebrated my 70th birthday with a catered dinner.

Put on by our friends who own,

 the Double Decker Bus.

We got all dressed up.

The weekend was FULL of playing with each other and

of course eating.

Levi (12 yrs) and Trey (9 yrs), will soon by taller then me!

It was nice to get some one-on-one time 

 with each visitor.

Sometimes it was best to take it easy.

For the cousins, it was non-stop 

activites and playing.

Grandparent picture!

Fairwell dinner

Saying good-bye is always so hard!

Tears and promises!

💓 BEST  BIRTHDAY EVER! 💓

(a BIG thank you to Kimmy who planed the whole weekend!)

~~~~~*****~~~~~

"Let all that you do be done in Love."

1 Corinthians 16:14