C'est La Belle Vie: Birthdays

Sunday, November 21, 2010

65 and Still Running...

My Dynamite Dad turned 65 on October 24th, 2010

It was an honor to get the family together to celebrate his special day.
For, without him, none of us would even be here.

(Fun aside: His cake was decorated to look like a Hostess cupcake...he has eaten one in a brown bag lunch at work every single day for 40+ years! I love that he has been humble enough to take his lunch to work for all those years...that must be how he afforded to send his 5 kids to college! ha!!)

My Dad and I have a ton in common with one another...here are just a few:

We are passionate about all things health - from food to vitamins to exercise

We both enjoy learning and love to write

We get up early and spend time in God's Word daily
We are extremely determined and almost never give up

We love a challenge

My beautiful 16 yr old neice Lauren with Owen
(I must add a note that her Tulsa Soccer Team is currently #1 in the Nation!! We are sooooooo proud of her & my brother Kevin who helps coach her team.)

Here are my boys singing *Happy B'day* to Grandpa

My Dad's number one passion next to God & Family...RUNNING

He has been running for decades, & doesn't just do it for fun...due to the above mentioned love for a challenge, he runs races. And I must brag on his latest accomplishment ~ he placed #1 in his age group at this year's Tulsa Run. GO DAD!! :-)

My Dad's Love of 45+ years cuddling on my Ella Bella...

Dad with his 5 children: Kim (far left), Kerri, Kevin, Kendall & moi

(Yes, we all 5 have "K" names :) And yes, my brothers are 6.5 and 6.3 - always been such a funny trait since my dad's 5.7 on a good day!)

My Dad's 12 Grandkids

(16 yrs down to 2 months)

The Whole Gang (23 total)

My Dad has fearlessly led our family & has been an awesome example for each of us!

He coached many a sport, fed many a mouth, but most importantly, led us to the most significant truth of all...to Love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind & strength.
Proverbs 20:7

The righteous man leads a blameless life; blessed are his children after him.

Saturday, November 6, 2010

Owen's All Star Football Party

Tuesday, October 26th, 2010

My baby boy turned 4

We had a small, family celebration that evening

As I always say...I LOVE that face!

Wonder what he wished for??

To beat his big brother in a game, to win the Heisman Trophy one day, to meet Diego in person, hmmm....

Saturday, October 30th

@~*ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL?*~@

I love to go with a theme for my kiddo's birthdays...this year, it was a little challenging. There are so many things that Owen loves, and there were several ideas he kept throwing out.

But, after I decided it would be a little tricky to throw a "Motorcycle" b'day, we went with football - one of his other loves. :)

It took about...oh, one milisecond for all the boys to warm out and start in on an intense game of football in our backyard!

The inflatable ball & goal that we bought for his b'day definitely came in handy!

I was so grateful to have an 11 yr old son who got out there and led the little guys...he was so great! And, oh how the boys looked up to him!

The Cheerleaders preferred the swingset & craft route...

One of the cutest parts of the party was how Owen would come running up to the patio, huffing and puffing, to get a big swig of his Gatorade...he'd mumble a few things about the game, and then sprint back to the "field"