1 - 1 PARRRTYYYY

Ari's big 11 birthday was her entire plan.

She wanted it to be a surprise for her bestiessss.
We ice skated, opened presents, dined at her fav restaurant (maggianos) and then headed to a movie. It was a fun/long day. Love Ari's friends and their love for each other. Most of the time they are super sweet to each other.

This Journey

34! Hello. This year is all about enjoying this life. Chatting with my sister, Coaster Boy and Tim on my birthday about what my goals are for this year...the only thing that really came to mind is to chill the freak out! And I think the last couple of months I've gotten so much better at being less of a freaker. But I still have a long way to go.
So my goals for this year:
Not be so up tight - relax. Enjoy this journey (the stresses, chaos, the joys...everything)
Learn more about exercise and the body
Lead a growth group

Easy Breezy.

Photo Booth - 80's style

As you all know, I could live in a photo booth. So much fun!

10

Happy 10th Birthday Arianna - Lulu Bear.

I can hardly believe you are double digits. Since you came into this world 10 entire years ago you have been a complete joy. Seriously. You were such an angel baby. Such a funny little toddler. And you are becoming such an amazing little lady. My heart beams with pride having you as my daughter. You are so laid back and don't get overly excited or sad about anything really (sometimes this worries me). You are so even-keeled and I so wish I had more of this trait. Tonight after I tucked you into bed, after we washed your face with your new fancy face stuff from Nonnie you said: Meme, thanks for everything today. And that my dear, sums you up. Simple. So very sweet. Kind.

You LOVE:
BearBear (still your fav thing)
Music (Taylor Swift)
Sports - favs are volleyball and soccer
Cart Wheels - you've gotten sooo good at them
Animals - always have always will
TV - drives me nuts
Wearing leggings - everyday
Wearing socks to bed - everynight
Spaghetti - although as of late I would say you would pick french dip over spaghetti
Cesar salad
Your Friends!
Playing make believe (love ease dropping on your girls, yes...I do)
Your bro bro - love watching you two love on eachother
Reading (yes, you LOVE to read and I LOVE this about you)
Itouch - almost as addicted as I am to my iphone
Food - you wanted me to add this to the list. xo
Making list - you love making list and writing little stories. You are such a great writter Ari, I hope you always write.

Things you HATE:
Brushing your teeth
Showering
Rats
Snakes
Spiders

I love you so much Lu. The last 10 years you have brought so much joy to my life.

Happy Birthday little lady.

Heather

Happy Birthday Heather!

I know I've said it a million gazillon times. But I'm so glad you married my brother.

And that we are friends. Not only sisters but FRIENDS. Like really stinkin good friends.

You are such a great example to me.
You are such a lover of people and living day by day and not being stressed about ANYTHING. You are funny and carefree and I love how you are with your boys and my bro and your dog. Thanks for your little speak in the cold tub the other night. And for always reminding me that it will all work out.

Thanks Jan and Ed for raising such a great person.

Happy 34th Birthday Heather!!!

Birthday Boyyyyy!

Happy 33rd Birthday Zeb!

My favorite thing to do on Zebby's birthday. 33 things I LOVE about my hubby.

1. Is a die hard Cougar fan
2. LOVES BBQ
3. How he is so proud when he holds Briggsy
4. When he yells at Ari from the dugout
5. That he gets embarased with his sleep mask on
6. Always takes a nap when we go grocery shopping
7. He is a great cook!
8. The way he drives
9. That he gets t-rex arms after TRX
10. How he gets blinky so easily (LOVE LOVE LOVE this about him)
11. How great of a dad he is
12. How much he loves us
13. That he knows so much about whats going on in the world
14. That he is a pretty fast runner
15. He's always up for fun, no matter what
16. That he'll have slumber parties with the kids
17. He's funny, like really funny
18. That he loves only mustard on his hot dogs and tarter sauce for his fries
19. He's almost as bad as an eater as I am
20. That he helps Ari with her homework (when I don't understand it, which is a lot)
21. Is the guy that takes the paper with him to the bathroom (or iPad)
22. Loves surprises
23. That he knows what I need, mostly before I do
24. That he changes Briggs' diaper every morning, and wants too
25. I say this every year...but he has the best hair
26. He's the greatest coach. I mean really good.
27. Always folds the laundry
28. Is a dreamer....
29. Really good at boardgames
30. Is my bestest friend
31. Thankful always
32. Knows when to push my buttons to lighten my mood
33. Loves to be around others!

Happy Birthday Zeb. I'm so very glad you are my husband and my baby daddy!!
You are so very loved.

Suzy Sunshine

That is just what she is!

Sunshine.

Happy Birthday to my bestest homie Suzanne Gamble.

You are the sun to my shine.

Happy 32nd!

Treasure WHAT

Every year Coaster Boy makes Ari a treasure map to find her b-day gifts. This year, she had to use a compass to find her treasures!!

Oh the excitement!

Five steps SW to the DRY Dessert

Present in the dryer :)

8 passes NW to the Enchanted forest (aka Christmas tree)

Next up, east towards the porcelain thrown (bathroom)

And FINALLY to the Princess's castle to find the hidden ring (aka cell phone ringing)

ALL. GROWN. UP. and pure joy with her new little pantech slider.

After we had our treasure hunt, it was off to lunch with Coley Bear and Aunite @ Subway (per Ari's request)

And Blizzards for dessert!

Nice smiles Z and A

Nonnie came over to celebrate Christmas and B-day. Ari got Nonnie's very special chime bracelet from all the places she has been.

So very special.

I was a little jealous.

Up next HEDBANZ with Uncle and Nonnie {my new favorite game}

And a party wouldn't be the same without Suzy and Johnny there..

Oh Uncle

And the boys playing with Ari's new toys...

She made out really well.

And I think she deserves every single little thing.

Bring on 9, but please don't go too fast.

xoxox

Brothers

I wish everyone could have one.
Unfortunatly my brother didn't have one growing up!
But he had ME and my sister.

I've been blessed by probably the coolest, meanest, toughest, biggest brother anyone could ask for. I mean, I'm pretty sure we all say that about our brothers.
But mine tops yours.

Benefits of growing up with a big brother:

• His hand me downs make a pretty awesome looking little sitter
• You'll always know gross terminology guys use: FUPA, skinny fat, butter face, I can't even name some....
• He'll total your car, but in return...buy you a better one
• You'll have bruises from endless punches and dead legs
• You'll run out of gas on the way to school more than once
• He'll beat up any guy that puts his hands on you
• You'll get great Christmas gifts: thigh masters, robotic fish tanks
• He'll fart in the car. Lock the windows and blast the heat.
• Maybe, he'll tackle you, hold you down and have a loogie hang long enough to almost touch your nose
• Your boyfriends will fear him
• All HIS FRIENDS!
• April fools day will always be eventful
• You'll find his boogers everywhere (on the wall even) oh and gum

Happy Birthday Patrick!

In honor of Movember.

 And just because...

2, dos, deux.

Happy Birthday Cole Patrick Conniff!

Your Auntie, Uncle and Cousin love you mucho!

You little two (you say four) year old!

This Guy

Happy Birthday Coaster to the boy.

32 things I love about you:

Your hair

That you love to have lunch dates with me

How you drive like a grandpa

That you quiz Ari on her math (even over summer)

Your third nipple

How you make me feel oh so loved

How loud you talk (ok maybe I don't LOVE that)

Your sleep mask

How you love to cook

and that you FOLD all our clothes

That you smell your hands all the time

How we grow a little with our little talks

That you will take anyone up on an offer for anything

How you get anxious when flying

That you are always up for anything

That you love to spend time with others

How you always ask me what I want to do with my life (Africia?!?!)

How you remind me that I need to take a deep breath (a lot)

How you have NO butt 

That you copy all my little sayings and claim them as your own

Your sense of direction, or lack of...

Your love of concerts

How you munch every night at 10pm

That you never really pee

Your love for sports

and your fun facts about every sports person since 1927

Your toes

When you buy clothes for me

For coaching Ari in softball

That you love your ray bans with a passion

And lastly, for understanding me, and loving me despite of it.

Happy Birthday Zebediah Jack. May this year bring lots and lots of new, exciting things!

All my love in this huge world,

Meg
(oh and I love it when you call me Meg)

xoxox

Happy Birthday to the prettiest

Happy BIRTHDAY Momma.

Today you are 57!

Remember, this is the year.

I'm wishing you a year full of great flights.

Nice passengers.

Your yard tidy.

Your house warm...maybe some new windows?

Cable Television!

Lots of great books.

Memories, lots of great memories.

Maybe a mom/daughter trip? :)

It's going to be a great year.

I wishing you great health

(NO KIDNEY STONES)

and lots of long walks.

More grandkids!

Maybe a new fancy uniform?

Thanks Mom for wanting the very best for us, and for giving us your very best. 57 will be a great year!

I love you mucho.

xoxox

Your Youngest (and funnest)

My 31st Year of life

My 31st year of life:

Started out with these babes and will probably end it with them

I taught some riding lessons

played my 1st 19 holes

watched him, coach her

was spoiled rotten

spent the 4th of July with the besties

did a lot of planning

and had little party

then went on a little honeymoon

and then off to Ocean Shores (for a new tradition)

started 2nd grade. xoxo

had a night i'll never forget

watched him grow a lot

hung out with this hunk of love

went to our favorite farm, several times

Headed down south to visit the Tuckers

had our 1st slumber party

got a little ink

and celebrated our

1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY!

Dear 31,

You've been great.

I grew a little wiser.

Understood a little more.

And tried my darnest to live you to the fullest.

I was blessed. I am blessed.

I'm excited for 32.

Maybe you'll bring Lulu a sibling?

xoxox,

Meg