Happy Birthday, Carol!

Happy Birthday Aunt Carol - You are one in a million!
Love you - Tracy

Happy First Birthday David Paul!

David Paul wasn't thrilled with cake, but loved celebrating his birthday with his family.
He's growing into quite the  little man.

What a blessing to celebrate David Paul together.
A picture-perfect day (even Emma posed perfectly on cue).

Surprise! Tracy Turned 40!

What a wonderful surprise I had last night.  Let me start by saying that on Friday during 4th hour chemistry 2 dozen roses arrived from my dear Matthew. We have been dating since February and he is. Wonderful man. I was shocked at the beautiful bouquet and my students oohed and awed!

That evening my 'big sis' Deedee and I went to dinner at da Luigi. We had two delightful salads and a  pear and Gorgonzola gluten free pizza. Deedee gave me a gorgeous bracelet with a cross on it. She is such a great friend.  We laughed, reminisced, and talked about the upcoming year. I told her how glad I was to see Mom and Dad last week but that I wish they were here this weekend.  I also noted that I really missed Alaina and Addie and was planning to call them on Saturday.  We headed home and we chuckled about how we were both getting old because it was only around 8:30 and we were both ready to go to bed. :).

Saturday morning Emma and I woke up at 7 and then laid on the coach like potatoes watching tv. We  chatted with our neighbors and played with our neighbor-dog, Cody.  We told our neighbors how much we'd love to see Nana &Papa and Alaina & Addie but we'd have to wait until Thanksgiving.   We cleaned the basement (or at least tried) and then walked to downtown and back. Afterward we watched Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, took a quick shower and then Matt picked me up for dinner at my favorite restaurant, Cafe Muse. We had an incredible meal!  Perfectly cooked scallops - mmmmmm! We walked around downtown and looked at all the beautiful Christmas lights that had just gone up. It was 50 degrees outside and just fabulous. We headed toward the bowling alley to have some fun and then Matt said we should stop t Tim and Sarah's house to say hello since they had invited us to watch movies that evening. We got to the house and they greeted us at the door.  Suddenly, a great big surprise!  It didn't quite register with me but then suddenly I saw Alaina running toward me and I was ecstatic - thrilled!  Pete, Emily Ann, Alaina, Addie Jane, Mom, and Dad had all come into town.  Carrie, my dear sweet little sis, had arranged for them to come into town and had all of my dearest and most love friends arrive to celebrate.   It was such a joyful time - I am so thankful - my birthday wishes came true.

Utter shock!

Happy Birthday!

I was elated to find this nice picture of the two birthday "kids."  Happy birthday Paul and Debbie!

Snapshots from My Year . . .

January:  Addison turns 3!

February:  David Paul Arrives

March/April:  Visited Costa Rica

March/April: Rode a horse for the first time in 20 ish years in Costa Rica

April:  David Paul is baptized

May:  Memorial Day at the Botanical Gardens with my friend Matt

 

May:  Flower Day at the Detroit Eastern Market

 

June:  Alaina turns 5

July:  Visit to Ishpeming

 

 

 

July:  Family Time at Seul Choix

 

July:  More fun at the Eastern Market

July:  All day adeventure to the Detroit Institute of Arts

More birthday celebration pictures!

Looking beautiful at 90!



    

A Few Favorites

Princess Cake

Alaina had a special request for her birthday.
A pinkalicious princess cake!


(Double Click to Enlarge)

Alaina's Birthday Party

Dear Family,

This is very early, but I wanted to announce that Alaina's 3rd birthday party is scheduled for Saturday, June 18th from 3-8pm. I know it will be difficult for most of you to make it down to our house for the festivities, but I wanted you to know that you're all invited and welcome (this goes for any other time this summer you'd like to make your way down to the Windy City).

It's going to be very casual and it's gift-free please!

Hope to see many of you in June!

Emily Ann

Addie

Addie - Happy Birthday to you. I am so sorry that it is so snowy out today and that I won't be at your birthday party.
I am thinking of all the wonderful things about you. You have a precious smile and I love the way your shiny white teeth peek out! I love the way that your hair curls up in the back. I love the way that you giggle when something is funny or the tickle bug has found you. I love that you can still pull your foot above your head without wincing. You are fantastic at playing peek-a-boo and so-big. You have a pretty voice and you can wave hello better than any little girl I know! I love how your sweet spirit shows all of your face when someone you love walks in the room. I can't wait to see the lovely lady that you grow up to be. I pray that God watch over your every step - that you grow in stature and wisdom - that you come to know our Awesome God, intimately and with great trust. Now have a great Birthday Addie - I'll see you soon. Much Love, Aunt CC

Happy Birthday Addie!

Happy Birthday Pasty Princess

I am so glad that you are here.

Your smile is contagious. Your spirit is engaging. Your love is amazing.

You are loved.

Addie Jane is one 1 year old today.

Week In Review

Monday's Mediteranean Feast

Friends came over to celebrate another year with me. We ate and ate and ate. Lemon Peppered Chicken, Spinach Pie, Meze Platter, Syrian Rice, Staffed Dates, Baklava, Pomagrantes, Cake, Greek Salad, and much Fun.

Tuesday's Two-In-A-Row

Tuesday I managed to double book myself, scheduling my alternating bible studies on the same Tuesday.  Nice.  So I met at Deedee's earlier to study Jonah.  It's kickin' my butt.  A quick drive home and I met the ladies of Genesis for our almost final week of our Church Wide Initiative Study "Portrait of a Disciple."   The ladies all brought me beautiful cards and for the second week in a row Michelle brought me FRESH eggs from the farm.  They are deliciously rich eggs.  I am thinking of photographing the eggs and using them for the art in my new kitchen.  The colors are perfect!! 

Wednesday's Whimsy

Wednesday was my birthday.  Carrie stopped into my classroom and announced my birthday to each of my classes - it was very sweet of her. I told my students that I was older than dirt.  They proceeded to guess my age . . . 24, 30, 52.  Fifty-two?!?!?!?  What kind of grade do you want in my class?   It was a pleasant day that ended with spinning class, meeting with my friend Luann, and going to Wednesday Night Bible Study and Fellowship.  I love Wednesday nights because it always ends with good friends and conversation.  I received a lovely book, several heart-felt cards, and many lovely calls and text messages.

Thursday's - That's the Way the Cookie Crumbles

It was work, work, work on Thursday.  My kids were fairly well-behaved and cooperative - even my not-so-easy-to-manage kids had a pretty good day working with nuclear reactions (alpha, beta, and gamma decay).  I showed them a video about the Radioactive Boyscout.  (A local man who got himself into a little bit o' trouble)  We thoroughly discussed the potential harm/effects of radiation in order to discourage them from getting any "wise" ideas!  They loved the clips.  Your'll love them too.

My Biology class finished their webquest and started making old fashioned "Flip Book" animations of cell division.  They then watched these two videos clips. 

That evening we had an open house for middle schoolers and their parents to see the school.  There are always a ton of parents and questions and kids and question and parents and kids and well . . . that's just the way the cookie crumbles.

Friday's Fun

I rehearsed with James for Sunday's service after work.  I love to sing - to worship our Great God - and that is FUN for me :)

Weekend Plans

Clean up a bit, do some photo editing, lunch with Kim, take a long run, watch the derby girls at Cobo Center, grade papers, Sunday service & Community Summit at Genesis, and get things ready for Thanksgiving!  I can't wait!

Happy Birthday Dad!

Happy Birthday Dad.  I'm so glad that you are my Dad. Love, T

A Birthday Tribute (think Beatles Song)
When you get older losing your hair,
Many years years ago.
I'll be sending you a special valentine
Birthday greetings bottle of beer.

If I'd been out till quarter to three
Would you lock the door,
Will you still need me, will you still feed me,
When you're sixty-four.

I'll be older too,
And if you say the word,
I could stay with you.

You could be handy, mending a fuse
When my lights have gone.
Mom can knit a sweater by the fireside
Sunday mornings go for a cart ride.

Doing the garden, digging the weeds,
Who could ask for more.
Will you still need me, will you still feed me,
When you're sixty-four.

Every summer we can go to Florida
Swim the Atlantic and surf the waves.
We shall scrimp and save
Grandchildren on your knee
Alaina, Addie & we'll wait and see!

Send me a postcard, drop me a line,
Stating point of view
Indicate precisely what you mean to say
Yours sincerely, wasting away

Give me your answer, fill in a form
Dad for evermore
Will you still need me, will you still feed me,
When your're sixty-four.

Happy Birthday Grandma

Grandma - I hope you have a wonderful day!  I can't wait to see what adventures this year brings to you!
Love, Tracy

Happy Birthday Pete & Joy

I agree with Debbie - Happy BIrthday - Much Love to both of you.

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear Joy and Peter, Happy Birthday to you. Wishing you both a geat day for two great people.

Love, Debbie

Blokus

I gave Adam and Isaac the game Blokus for their birthdays. Hope they love it!

Welcome To the Double Digits!

We had fun at family camping. It was a great time also for Adam to celebrate his first double digit birthday. Most of the rest of us have been in double digits for some time.

Adam and Isaac were checking out the greenbacks in his birthday card.

Happy Birthday Lovely Linda!

L: Lovely Librarian

I: Intelligent Industrious

N: Noble Nurturer

D: Doll & Dahl

A: Angelic Admirable