Happy Birthday Thomas Robert Dale Neeleman.

In about 3 minutes (depending on how fast I can type this), Thomas will be celebrating his 55th birthday.

I wish he read blogs; just not his style. :)

But I want to tell him how much I love him, even when he's teasing me or poking me or trying to eat my food or dancing with a pillow on his head or pretending to use my toothbrush just to see what I will do or when ............... fill in the blank. That's just the way he is.

Here are some other things that he is:



He is a master builder. He can build just about anything. I don't know what he can't build but I'm still waiting to find out.

He is a Black Belt in the ancient art of Tae Kwon Do ... and is sure to inform every jerk driver that he will pull them from their car and kick their ass if he catches them.

Again, master building of decks this time. I never thought it was possible that we would be able to fortify and strengthen the deck after the Northwest rains, but we did. I say we, of course, meaning him.

He is a business man, starting several successful businesses in his young life. This was his latest, "Legal Donuts." Man o man. I do miss those kolaches. Mmmmmm!

He is a great father. He is a iron support to every single one of his kids - in good times and bad.

He is a HUGE tease and jokester. I have never met a man who loves to laugh and make people laugh as much as Thomas.

He's been known to consume large quantities of energy drinks, just to keep from biting off his hand during long road trips.

He is a wonderful grandfather. We've added a few more grandkids to the mix but everyone of them loves him deeply.

He is a mighty outdoorsman. A man's man. See him scope out the wilderness in search of his family's next meal (that would be the nearest restaurant of course).

He is a good first-date kind of guy. He was lined up on a blind date with me and wouldn't tell me his real name at first, just in case.

Luckily for us, he gave in and convinced me that we should be together and he was right.



He willingly added two more children to his brood and has supported them in their endeavors as much as the firsts.

He is my husband, friend, sweetie, sometimes sparring companion, forever date and I love him so.

Happy Birthday Thomas. Here's to the next 55 years.

Happy Birthday Angie! (about 7 days late)

Last Friday was Angie's birthday. I had the unfortunate luck to not bring my camera nor bring in my phone. So I have no pics of her birthday dinner. Sigh. Sorry Angie.

But luckily, Bob (Steve's dad) had his camera ready and handy and captured the candle blowing moment. Thanks Bob!

We had a great dinner with all the kids (minus Emilee and company of course) and got to see Bob and Kathie's new home in Bellingham.

Hard to believe it's been almost 13 years and that Angie had just turned 16 when I first met the family. She and I spent a lot of time together since she and Ben were living with Thomas at the house in Centerville. I think I even went to a basketball game with her and Rachel at Viewmont HS.

Rather brave of a teenager to ask a new step mom to attend a game with her and her friends with the possibilty of having to introduce this new person to others. Especially in the fishbowl of Centerville, Utah.

Thanks Angie. Here's to the next 13 years ... if no one kills me, that is.

Felix's new 'do!

Felix decided she was ready for a new, more middle school hair do. So she's been bugging me for DAYS to get her an appointment for said hair do.

I got one for her at a local salon that is quite nice.

Here she is before.



Here she is before also .... with that really weird eye thing she does.

And here she is after. This is the hair do that ALL the girls have at school and since ALL the girls have it, then she has to too.

"So," says I, "if ALL the girls put elephant poo on their hair, would you do the same?" Spoken like a true mother who had her mother say the exact same thing when I wanted to buy the latest fashion in jeans.

And I say IT ROCKS!! (this is from Felix's hand)

And she looks lovely. She'd probably look lovely with elephant poo on her head too, so I guess it doesn't matter.

I know that I'm alone in my opinions, but it is extremely difficult for me to watch my children grow older. I feel them slipping away from me like waves on the beach and I cannot hold on.

Post for today

So today I spent most of the day driving cars back and forth between Arlington and Burlington as a fund raiser for Arlington High School. Don't ask.

Anyway, I also got the oil changed in my car.

I clipped the hooves of the goats.

I fed the goats.

I did Felix's wash (actually still doing it).

Being an adult is soooooooooooo much fun.

Sigh.

SUPER BOWL SUNDAY

Super Bowl Sunday at the house. Food and family galore!



Robee and Owen wrestling. The game got a little boring for them and so they found their own form of entertainment.

Thomas, looking very much like a silver-backed gorilla, discussing the game with Greg (you can see his leg).

Jen, Ang and Steve --- eyes fixed on the game. Actually it appears Jen's eyes may be fixed on the Ruffles!

Thomas, with his analysis of the ongoing game.

Felix and Ben, intently watching the game. Felix is especially interested in the latest play.

And no Super Bowl Party is complete without ........................................... FOOOOOOOD!!! And lots of it!!

Thanks to Ang and Jen for the preparation (Ben: excellent chicken enchiladas!)

This was not junk food. Almost all the food groups were met. Behold:

Meat group

Fruit Group

Dairy Group!!

The final score: Pittsburgh 27, Arizona 23. Too bad, so sad.

Where's that Alka Seltzer?