Happy Birthday Garden Party

Our good friend, Robin, turned the BIG FOUR-OH this year.  We wanted to do something special for him, so a birthday party seemed like a GREAT idea.

It was a perfect day for a garden party!  Absolutely gorgeous weather and our yard looked great with all the tables and chairs set up.

The birthday boy surrounded by some of his family members - Mom, Sister and Brother

Lots of yummy food and drink for everyone to enjoy!

Richard and Pat

Some of our friends, Nancy, Jean-Paul, Frankie and Neecie

No birthday party would be complete without delicious cake and singing off-key!

Blow out the candles and make a wish!

Three of Robin's four kids helped with the celebration!

It was really a perfect day - filled with love and celebration for a special friend.  Happy Birthday, Robin!  Hope this year is the best year yet!

Capitol City Theater

On Friday night we went to the Capitol City Theater located in the Reed Opera House.  What a FUN evening!  Great Improv Comedy - right here in little ol' Salem.  And, they keep it clean - which is nice because you can take your kids, or your Mom and not be worried about the language or topics. 

These are the performers.  They were GREAT!

Go out and enjoy a really fun evening next Friday or Saturday night.  They have two shows each night, 7:30pm and 9pm.  And, if you're in the mood to learn Improv - they have classes every Wednesday evening!  Sounds like the Ya Ya's and I should plan on attending one of those!  Could be fun... but might be scary... You never know when the Ya Ya's get together!

Our 11th Anniversary

Last night we celebrated our 11th Anniversary of love and laughter!  The Ya Ya's were in rare form - although we were sad that Laura and Jamie couldn't join us.

For our Anniversary we decided it would be nice to plant a tree.  Adrienne chose a Ponderosa Pine and we planted it on her property just off her patio.

Here are Kathy and Brenda giving the tree some "Ya Ya Love" before being planted. 

Brenda and Adrienne doing the planting 

All planted and quite happy with its home! 

So Adrienne - it's all up to you now.  The fate of the Ya Ya's is in your hands.  I told her - "so, if the tree dies, I suppose that means the Ya Ya's need to break up."  I doubt we could really follow through with that... tree or no tree.... we're the best of friends - ALWAYS!

Happy Father's Day

Father's Day is a bittersweet day for me.  Of course I want to celebrate my wonderful husband who is a fabulous father to our son John and to Kristi & Brian - but it's a difficult day for me because I miss my Dad so much. 

John Porter was a pretty spectacular man.  He left an impression on everyone who knew him.  He left a legacy in his work at Disneyland - and he left a legacy of love in his family and friends. 

My Dad was loving, talented, kind, honest, had an incredible work ethic with tons of integrity, was funny, smart, brave, an honest and loving husband, the best Daddy, and an all around "mans man".  

I love you so much Dad - and I miss you EVERYDAY!

Craft Cabinets

I love working on crafts.  I stamp cards, make scrapbooks and quilt... and with those hobbies come a lot of supplies.  To this point, one half of my family room has always been piled high with craft supplies.  Tables and shelves were full of the "tools of trade"... and not in any particular or neat order.  So, my dream has always been to have a craft area, complete with counters and cabinets, in which I could "hide" my supplies when not in use - and have plenty of space to spread out when working on a project.

Robin Wengert, owner of Green Rising Construction LLC (click here to view their website) made my dreams come true when he designed and created a fabulous space for me.  (Robin also created my beautiful front door entry-way.  Click here to read my blog post and see photos.)

We purchased the cabinets and counter tops from Home Depot, and Robin worked his magic to make this an inviting and functional space. 

I love spending time in my family room now... a place for everything - and everything in it's place!

Travis' Birthday

Travis is one of my most favorite teenagers... next to my son - of course.  We celebrated his birthday last night. 

Here he is with his sisters, Callie & Kaelie... "Speak No Evil" - "Here No Evil" - and "See No Evil".  Well, Travis actually looks like he was sleeping... but he's not peeking... so he has the right idea.

And what brother and sister photo would be complete without one of these shots??

Travis' Grandma - Mira

Callie and Kaelie looking VERY innocent.... Hmmm.....

And we celebrate Travis by singing to him... loudly and intentionally off key.

Yup.. he had a pretty good time, and got lots of fun presents.

Love you Travis!  Happy Birthday!

Celebrate Richard

Richard didn't want a big "to do" for his birthday this year.  He opted for a quiet dinner at our favorite restaurant, Rudy's.

 Our friends Robin & Travis joined us for a fun evening - filled with really yummy food - a lots of laughs.

Richard is a loving husband and father.  He's a fabulous brother and uncle and a really good friend.  He's funny, smart and generous... and everyone that knows him, loves him.

Happy Birthday Richard.  Love you always, honey!

Angie Comes to Visit

How much fun was our visit with our most favorite two year old!?? 

A LOT of fun! 

Our beautiful granddaughters, Megan and Darby came for a visit.  And Little Miss Angela, Megan's daughter, came too! 

Miss Angie was "very busy" in our yard before dinner.  We were actually experiencing a mild evening with some sunshine, for a change.  So, she had lots of fun moving things around and watching Darby's baby "Tristan" run around the yard.

Darby loved showing us all all the fun tricks that Tristan knew how to do.  We love our furry four legged Great Grandpuppy very much!

 Angie LOVES her Aunt Darby VERY much!

It was so fun having them come to visit!  We love our girls... Oh yes... and boy Great Grandpuppy too!

Happy St. Patrick's Day

May the Irish hills caress you.
May her lakes and rivers bless you.
May the luck of the Irish enfold you.
May the blessings of Saint Patrick behold you.

From our home to yours -

Happy St. Patrick's Day.

Mardi Gras Celebration

Each year we celebrate Mardi Gras, usually the Saturday before "Fat Tuesday".  This year was no exception.  We celebrated last Saturday. 

We love to be surrounded by those that we love to enjoy good food, wonderful drink, and music from our beloved New Orleans.

Our friend, Robin, contributed a delicious bouillabaisse to the meal.  Here "Chef Robin" is being silly and giving his fabulous creation a little taste.

Dodi and Kerry enjoying the festivities.

Rob and Richard

Scott and Dodi

Robin with his beautiful daughters.  They helped prepare the bouillabaisse.

Travis and his Dad being "Rock Stars" on Guitar Hero

The evening was wonderful.  We really enjoyed the fun times with our wonderful friends.

Happy Mardi Gras everyone! 

Laissez les bon temps rouler... That means - Let the Good Times Roll!