Happy Birthday Dad 11-28-09

I know I keep saying that I'm not doing this birthday blog thing anymore but there are just a couple more I need to write.

How could I let my father's big day go by un-noted? I can't. Even if I was out of town on his big day- he still needs his birthday blog- here goes....



I know alot of people who would say that 'it is their dad who is the most amazing,' and some of them could even compete for second place but NO ONE is quite like my father and anyone who knows my dad will agree.

It is important that you all note how amazing his handle bar mustache was-



Do you think the average man could grow a stash like that? Hardly.

Dad, over the years you have taught me MANY MANY MANY lessons. Some- even you are oblivious to. Some of the more important things I want to thank you for are these;

Thank you for always treating my mom well. Even if I had some hiccups along the way- I always knew I wanted to marry a man like you, who would treat me with respect and love me forever just as you have Mom.

Thank you for teaching me the difference between a fender and a quarter panel- you just may have inadvertently landed me the best job I've ever had. *Side note* I also appreciate you trying to teach me how to change my oil but, I'd rather not. : )

Thank you for teaching me how important it is to treat others kindly and to always serve others when possible. You have been an amazing example at this. I never understood why you'd stay out in the cold to snow blow all the neighbors drive-ways until I realized- it is just because you are a good person.

Thank you for teaching me how good it feels to earn a dollar. Your example has shown me how important it is to contribute to society and not wait around for hand outs.

Thank you for your patience. I know there have been countless nights, days and weeks when you have wanted to ring my neck- and probably should have. But hey- I turned out alright!

Most importantly- thank you for letting me learn the hard way. Since I clearly wasn't into listening to advice as a young one- you allowed me to learn by suffering the consequences of the actions I was taking. You stood by and watched me fall and fall again. I can't imagine how hard that must have been. Yet there on the side lines you watched and waited and then always picked me up and encouraged me to keep going. "Yeah, life is tough" you would say, "that's what I was trying to tell you but no, Dad doesn't know anything." If I had a quarter for every time.... well I'd be writing this blog from my laptop on the beach in Mexico!

I also admire your drive. When you start something- boy you go all out! The additions to the house, any and every home repair, the cars you have built, fixed and restored. AMAZING. I've always considered you the man who can do it all. Still do.


(sorry I don't have a 'finished' photo on hand- this car is beautiful)

So Dad, let me end by just saying thank you. Thank you for everything. You are truly an amazing person and I am so lucky to have you as my father. I love you very much and I hope you had a great birthday!

8 years and growing!

Turns out adults are not the only ones who start 'loosing it' as they get older. I can contest that Isaiah is in fact loosing it too! He's loosing teeth, he's loosing his patience, he's loosing lots of clothes that no longer fit just months and sometimes weeks after buying them! He is also having more and more bad hair days but that may just be a matter of oppinion!



A couple of days before the 'big day' we had a lovely dinner with Papa Dan and Paulette. Isaiah was thrilled to open-



New boots and gloves! I think these will last him through the year but the look in his eyes tells me I might just be kidding myself!



On his birthday we planned on having a pizza dinner and opening some gifts. We ended up having a birthday party with the Kimball/Loring side of things and it turned out to be a blast. Thank goodness things don't always turn out how we plan!

Isaiah opened lots of gifts thought not nearly as many as he did in years past because this was the first year he was actually begging us to substitute quality for quantity. (He really is getting older) All wishes came true and he got the IPOD he's been dreaming about for months.



Miraculously enough he also got some more 'skinny jeans'. After moving heaven and earth to find some boy skinny jeans in a price range I could swallow (I don't spend $40 on pants for me- thank you) he now has a third pair to rotate into his - 'I only wear skinny jeans' schedule. (Some things are not worth fighting about but I can laugh if I want to! So can you... go ahead. He! He!)




Another thing Isaiah has been looking forward to when he turned 8 was Boy Scouts! He has Grandma & Papa Brick to thank for the outfitting!




While I got this great idea from Andrews sister about only having a 'friend' birthday party every OTHER year~ Isaiah lucked out and Grandma & Papa Brick managed to snag a 'MAD SCIENCE' party from a M.S. auction they attended. So that's exactly how we got roped into having a friend party two years in a row! Sadly of the 11 kids we invited only 2 showed up! Isaiah didn't seem to care and the kids had fun making slime and melting stuff!






I also made an attempt at granting one last birthday wish for Grandma Bakers 'money cake'. Should be easy enough right?




Turns out- you really do have to let the cakes 'cool' before you get them out of the pan. Also, it is now extremely obvious to me I could really use those 'cake decorating' classes I've been thinking about for a year now. What's $27 compared to reliving this nightmare? : ) On the bright side the kids were so excited to be digging money out of their cake they didn't even notice the catastrophe and the cake did taste really good.... just not so pretty!


Naturally, No birthday would be complete without at least one more multi-kid birthday celebration with family at the Manzanares household. Complete with horrible randitions of 'Happy Birthday' sung by.... all of us! (please note that while I constantly joke about how awful we sound while singing.... I secretly love it)Our battery died during this event but he got lots of great gifts and had tons of fun!

Happy Birthday Mathew!


Happy Birthday Eli!


Happy Birthday Isaiah!


All in all he had many great birthday celebrations with many gifts from all corners of family!

Blessed are we who have SO many great family and friends to share in our special occasions!

Fall Fun!

We are always trying to squeeze in as much fun as possible and I have to say we did pretty good for the month of October!

We started with a trip to Cornbelly's Corn Maze.



They had all sorts of fun things to do besides the maze. We ended up jumping on a giant air pillow, Isaiah rode a mechanical bull (I'm still kicking myself for not trying it out myself) and we even had disgusting foot-long corn dogs! Don't forget all the cute places to take pictures!







After our anual mull around the local pumpkin patch we hosted a pumkin carving party. Which proved to be a good time with a few family members and a few friends! Next year we'll have to do it a little closer to Halloween. I thought pumkins would last a week before they started to wrinkle and rot but turns out... maybe not!








Halloween was no disappointment this year either. It fell on a Saturday- my favorite-and the weather was BEAUTIFUL for trick-or treating.

We started off our Halloween fun with a parade at Isaiah's school a couple of days in advance. Even if the parade only lasted a few minutes I am always greatful that I get to go and see all of the kids dressed up with those huge grins of excitement!



(alright so this kid isn't really grinning but the rest of them were...promise)

That night Isaiah dressed up again for the schools PTA Family Halloween party. This time he got to wear his mask! He was pretty exicted about it at first but it ended up on his head for most of Halloween night! Figures.


Andrew and I helped out with the trunk-or-treating in the parking lot. Turns out the back of the Prius doubles nicely as a 'Ghost Motel'. Too bad none of the other parents decorated their trunks- the kids all ran to us. I figure they must of thought we had better candy- we ran out FAST!



After trick-or-treating with his cousin Trevann (so bummed I don't have pictures of that Frankenstine) Isaiah had a 'boys only' slumber party at Aunt Boos. Andrew and I snuck away to have some Halloween fun of our own and yes..... we were a Dr. and Nurse. ; )



We hope every one else had as much fun as we did in October! Whew!

Happy Birthday Isaiah!

Dear Sweet Isaiah~

I got everything and more than I ever could have hoped for when you came into my life. You have changed me in ways I didn't realize needed changing. You have touched so many peoples lives with your amazing sense of humor and your beautiful smile.

I wish I could slow the sands from the hour glass and keep you little forever but the truth is your already almost as tall as I am. You are so smart, sometimes too smart and I admire your will to do good and treat people nicely. I hope you will continue to think of others as you grown into a young man.



I love how brave you are son. You are always up for trying new things like snowboarding and wake boarding. I hope that you will learn to be patient with yourself as no one is a professional at first! You dream big and I know you will go far in life. You can accomplish anything you put your mind to- just be patient and practice!!!












Don't forget that girls have cooties, 'fish tales' are sometimes considered lies and going faster is not always better! Also please remember that while I am your mom I am also your friend and I hope you will continue to come to me with you problems and concerns.

Dad and I love you will all our hearts. You truly are such a blessing for both of us. I hope you have the best birthday ever!

Love, Mom

Belated Birthday(s)!

I think I'm about done with the whole 'Birthday Blog Wishes' thing but there are a couple of more birthdays that I will need to recognize in November but first I need to back up and say Happy Belated Birthday to one of the most influential people in my life- Nicole Muir 10/30/2009! So we are having some computer problems and while I am admittedly an avid procrastinator- this is NOT my fault - our computer hates me I tell ya! Any how~ Happiest of Happy birthday wishes to you.

Nicole,

If you had any idea how much I admire and count on your strength- you'd probably take out a restraining order. Truth is~ I have NEVER met such an amazing mother, wife, friend and sister.



I love how you can ALWAYS look on the bright side and how you rarely ever complain about anything. You are always up for a challenge and are constantly challenging yourself and others. As great as you are you still find time to try new things and expand your horizons. You have an infectiously bright outlook about life and the way things are- or could be. It is hard not to feel a new 'zest' for life whenever you are around.





Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of our talks and the inspiration and motivation you share- sometimes- unknowingly. We love and miss you!

And what kind of Aunt would I be if I didn't give a special little shout out to my favorite Brookie Bear? 10/27/2009




I still remember coming over to Andrews house to change your diaper when he'd babysit you (Men are not cut out for all things). At the time I never knew that someday I'd be your aunt and I can't tell you how happy and honored I feel about that.

You are a very special and gorgeous girl and please don't you ever forget it. I hope you know that we are always here for you if you ever need a thing- even hundreds of miles away we will some how make it happen. I hope your new school and town are ready for you babe- because you truly are something special!

Happy belated birthday to you both! xoxoxox