Wiiiiiiii - It's Joshua's birthday!!!!

We didn't receive any guesses on our last post about what kind of party Joshua might be having - we were giving away a free Wii game to the person who guessed correctly - picked by random.org of course - but since no one guessed we have no winner;)

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It's going to be a Wii Birthday!!

Joshua's cake is truly a work of art - if I do say so myself!! 

Chris and I got home late last night after dropping Brandon off at Ranger School.  I decorated very late last night, after everyone was asleep.  Trevor helped me make Mii Characters of everyone in the family, and of our friends the Williams', and we made a birthday sign especially for the Wii Party.  It turned out AWESOME!!  Joshua loved it when he saw it this morning!! 

This is Joshua's Mii character.... 

Of course, we were up in time to see the Donuts being made,

and we had our traditional morning birthday bash.... 

Elli is loving the Donuts.... 

So are Ray and Jay.... 

From Josh:  Thank you Grandma Pauline for my Birthday money.... 

Thank you Grandma and Papa for my books....and mommy told me how you called at midnight with your friends so you could sing to me so thank you for that too ;) 

Brandon was soooo tired when we picked him up from encampment and took him to Ranger School, but not too sleepy, he stayed awake long enough to make a really cool belt for his brother Joshua for his birthday made out of camouflage para cord.... 

Joshua loved it!!! 

It is going to be a fun-filled day!!!  Stay tuned for more pics....

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AND....Happy Anniversary to Grammi and Papa!  Hope you have a great day!  We love you!!

Birthday preparations....

Somebody in this house is having a BIRTHDAY in 2 days!!!! 

Can you guess who?  Can you guess what kind of party he is having?

 Poor Brandon is going to miss out :(  I am busy with all the birthday preps today because tomorrow Chris and I drive to Fort Dix to pick Brandon up and then drive to Pennsylvania to drop him off at Ranger school.  I am going to get to hug my baby tomorrow :) but then he will be gone another week :(

There was only one other picture of my baby on the CAP website, and he looks tired in it....

I cannot wait to get him home and coddle and spoil him!! ;)

Independence Day Finale....

After a laazzy day of lounging and playing around the house....

We BBQ'd some brats....

....and headed to the beach to watch fireworks.... 

Jason was a bit uneasy about going to the beach, and Reagan was a bit uneasy about going to see fireworks, but they each put on a brave face.... 

The sand was soft, the air was warm, but with the most delicious breeze, and the sound of the ocean was sooo soothing.  We had the Atlantic City show to the North, the Ocean City show to the South, all the other city shows in between - we were at the show in Margate - and people all around lighting off fireworks, we were surrounded by fireworks.  It was AMAZING!!! 

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We were maybe 50 yards from where the fireworks were being set off, so it was LOUD and BRIGHT!!!

Jason, Reagan and Elli quickly found my lap when it started!! 

Trevor and Joshua loved it....Trevor looks like Brandon from behind.... 

Trevor looking very thoughtful.... 

Joshua looking.... 

Reagan covered his ears for the entire show....Jason didn't seem to mind it too much (he did mention that he thought that the fireworks were killing the birds ;))....and Elli fell asleep amidst the bangs and booms and lights about 5 minutes after the show began.... 

There was lots of traffic coming home - there are 4 bridges/roads into the areas south of Atlantic city, and 2 are toll bridges/roads - everyone fell asleep except Chris and I.  We got home at about 11pm, but the nap in the car rejuvenated Trevor and Joshua enough to wake up and have strawberry shortcake....

I didn't hear from Brandon all day...I hope he got to see some fireworks....I miss him tons!!

Hope you all had a super Independence Day!!

Happy 4th of July!!

This morning - in honor of America's birthday - Chris headed to Dunkin Donuts for a commemorative breakfast, and I decorated. 

When everything was ready, Chris and I cranked up the cd Yankee Doodle Mickey, and kept time to the music with pots and pans, while our children filed down 1 by 1 (in Elli's case 2 by 1;)) to see what in the heck was going on.  They were very happy with what they found... 

I think this is the first time Elli had her very own donut....me thinks she liked it!! 

Notice the sprinkles on the nose....

After breakfast the kids quickly put on their 4th of July attire.... 

Elli loves her new shirt...Thank you Grammi Faith!!

I am still missing my number 1 son.  He would have loved the festivities this morning.  All of the CAP websites are down this morning so I have been unable to check for pictures of him on line :( .  The 4th will not be the same without him!!

*Just a little side note - I went back and read this post and was immediately reminded of all the friends I have who are missing their children today - I kind of sound silly missing my son when he is only 2 hours away.  So - to all of my friends who have children serving our country in Afghanistan, Iraq, children living in other states, or those friends whose children have passed away, I am praying for you and your families and children this morning!!

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I am missing my Brandon this 4th of July!!!  I only found one picture of him from day one of CAP Encampment....he is the one in front with the black hat on.... his Alpha Squadron is in the white hats....

I love you Brando and I am so proud of you!!

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I feel truly blessed to live in this United States of America.  I am proud of the Christian Foundation that our Founding Fathers laid....

In Their Own Words (4th of July Version)

Sermonspice.com

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Zucchini....

Chris brought home some squash and zucchini today....the BIGGEST I have ever seen.  Somebody from work has a farm and brought them in for people take.

  So....today I spent the whole afternoon - from about 11-4 - in my kitchen cooking.  I have to say that I really do find cooking to be fun and relaxing.  I didn't used to, but I think that through the years I have become better at experimenting in the kitchen and coming up with my own "version" of recipes.  It took me a while to grate all that zucchini.  I used about 6 cups of grated zucchini and I have 12 cups of grated zucchini left in the freezer.... 

  Today I made my own versions of zucchini bread.  I found some recipes on line that sounded good, but then substituted honey for sugar, applesauce and mango butter (Thank you Lucy for the mango butter!!) for oil, and then added blueberries and nuts because Chris looovves blueberries and healthy nuts. 

Chris didn't wait until the bread was cool before he cut himself a slice and coated it with peanut butter.... 

I have to say they turned out really good and yummy!!!