Happy Birthday Baby!

My precious niece and god-daughter is one today! You are such a blessing to our family, Miss Sophie Mae, and I can't wait to celebrate with you this weekend!

Port Huron or Bust

A few weeks ago, I spent the weekend with Lisa, one of my very best friends from college. She was my roomie for 3 years, which means she has all the dirt on me! ;) Of course, I have some on her, as well! She recently got engaged and, since I hadn't met her fiance' yet, I had to make sure he was good enough for her. Not just anyone will do for my Lisa! :) We had such a great weekend together, catching up, talking about the wedding and making the rounds to see her family. Lisa is the volunteer coordinator for the local Habitat for Humanity and I got to go to work with her on Saturday. What a cool experience! They make such a difference in the community. I got to meet Dave, Lisa's fiance' (he passed with flying colors - GREAT guy! Can't wait to be in their wedding next year!) and I also got to meet little Eli. What a cutie! Lisa is definitely one of my "forever friends" and I'm grateful I got to spend the weekend with her.

Visiting one of the Habitat homes

New mommy and Eli

A surprise when I got home!

Where does the time go?

Last weekend, we all met at Mongolian BBQ in Okemos to celebrate Hannah, my "baby" sister, turning 18. The little girl who made me crafts in grade school and came to stay with me during sibs weekend at college has grown into a beautiful young woman. It makes me cry to think about it. (What doesn't make me cry, according to Veronica?) She truly has a heart for the Lord and longs to make a difference in this world. Her vigor for the unborn and helpless is quite an inspiration.

When thinking of Hannah, I can't help thinking of this verse: "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." ~Jeremiah 29:11. As she graduates and heads to college in the fall, I am excited to see just what the Lord has in store for her. I know it is something amazing!

"Happy Birthday to you!"

(Great background, huh?!)

"Take a picture of my grouchy face." ~Maria

Sophie is such a poser!

Christmas Recap

Hard to believe Christmas 2009 has come and gone! Our first Christmas together! The holidays were a great reminder of just how blessed we are. Everyone's generosity and hospitality were overwhelming! The 23rd-25th were extremely busy for us . . . making the rounds to our friends and relatives around the state. Tis the season, right? I don't know about you, but sometimes it is easy for me to forget what we are really celebrating with so much going on. Next Christmas, I have vowed not to let this happen . . . somehow . . .

I would write about all the details, but how about some pictures instead?

Here are a hodge-podge of images from our whirlwind holiday . . .

Christmas Eve at . . .

the Gaston's

then Gma Bisonet's,

then Uncle Jeff's,

then "midnight" Mass

(Phew!!)

Bobbsey Twins

SOOO excited!

Christmas morning at my parents'

Christmas dinner and gifts at Brook's parents'

Bildner Christmas Party

We celebrated Christmas last weekend with Brook's mom's family at Trent and April's. It was a great little get-together with almost all of his aunts, uncles and cousins. Plenty of good food, lots of laughs and a very memorable evening!

Catching Up

Can you believe Christmas is ONE week from tomorrow? IMO, this is the best time of year; unfortunately, it goes by wayyyy too quickly! I just checked my calendar and Thanksgiving was 3 weeks ago - whoa, time to quit being lazy and post some pics.

We started the day with church to thank God for His countless blessings and then went to Brook's grandma's in Parma for Meal 1. This year, I told myself I would not eat as much as I did last year at Meal 1. Yeah right, Brook's mom is a fantastic cook! If only I had self-control when it came to food! Oh well, the food and the company were great.

Meal 2 was at my mom's brother's (Uncle Jeff) house. We always celebrate Thanksgiving with his family and my grandparents. This year, with just 2 families and Gma and Gpa, there were 32 of us. (Gotta love being Catholic!) A fun tradition we have is to all go to a movie after dinner. This year, we went up to the IMAX theater in Lansing and watched "A Christmas Carol."

Love this pic - look at Veronica posing in the back!

In their matching Thanksgiving outfits from Grandma Theresa

Julia pushing Sophie . . . haha!

Gma & Gpa, Uncle Jeff's family and our family - oh my, how we've grown!

Cancun

Ahhh . . . after so much anticipation, I can't believe the trip is over. Maybe that's why I haven't written anything on it - b/c I am in denial! (Haha) There isn't much to write about as we did a whole lot of nothing. And it was wonderful! 4 full days of lying on the beach, relaxing, enjoying a cocktail or two ;) and enjoying time with my sister, BIL and wonderful husband. Luckily, Hurricane Ida passed through before we arrived and we had gorgeous weather everyday. 80's and sunny, doesn't get much better than that!

Our hotel - the Oasis Viva Beach

The view from our room

Volleyball anyone?

(This is right before Brook lost his wedding ring in the pool.)

"My kid is going to be smarter than your kid."

Don't mess with us!

"Sisters, sisters, there were never such devoted sisters . . . "

Awwwww

Sigh

Making friends out on the town

They kept the bartender busy!