here we go again

Happy Birthday Mark! (Part Two)

Happy Birthday Mark!

Today is Mark's birthday. In honor of this very special occasion I decided to list 10 things I love and appreciate about Mark the most.

10) He loves old movies.

9)   He cooks good AND cleans up the kitchen!
8)   He always opens my car door.
7)   He has good taste in music.

6)   He's related to Elvis.
5)   He's a snappy dresser, holes and all. ;-)
4)   He's a great dancer (NOLA, tennis shoes, jumping jacks) [wink wink]
3)   He accepts, without qualm, my crazy dog lady-ness.
2)   He loves my kids AND he's a great grandpa. and the number 1 thing I love about Mark!

[drum roll please]...

1)   He makes me laugh!!! Even when he's trying his hardest to "get my goat" (and aggravating me to death in the process) he STILL makes me laugh. :-)

Thank you Mark for being such a wonderful boyfriend all these years and always remember, no matter what, no matter how hard you try, no matter how many times you attempt it, you still cannot have your ring back!! heehee

Happy Birthday Mark!!!

Seems I'm not the only one who loves Mark.:)

Looking back on 2012

Highlights:

January - Monet's Water Lilies at St. Louis Art Museum...Living room, dining room and hall painted...Mark celebrated a birthday!
 
February - Valentine's dinner with my sweetheart...Lots of fun times with Jude...Sue celebrated a birthday!

March - Wine country with Aunt Mary and Uncle Denny...Mom celebrated a birthday!
 
April - Easter Sunday...Warm weather...Jeff, Marilyn, Deb, and I celebrated a birthday!
 
May - Beautiful flowers...Memorial Day barbecue...Mel celebrated a birthday!
 
June - Family/dogs/Fred vacation in Galveston...Bob celebrated a birthday!

July - Drive to Grafton...Mandy came home!
 
August - Danielle's shower...Emily's new class...Eric and the cutest 2-year-old in the world celebrated a birthday!

September - Kee family reunion...my engagement...Mandy came home...Jake and Danielle's wedding!
 
October - Halloween...Mandy celebrated a birthday!

November - Thanksgiving and MUCH to be thankful for!

December - Christmas...Mandy's home again...Jake, Emily, and Danielle celebrated a birthday!

Jake and Emily's 27th Birthday!

This year, Jake and Emily picked the Old Spaghetti Factory for their birthday celebration, a very good choice and which has nothing to do with the fact that Mizithra Browned Butter Spaghetti is dee-lish! :)

HAPPY 27TH BIRTHDAY Jake and Emily!!!

Happy Holidays 2012

Emily's pre-birthday celebration

...Emily and friends at Bossanova in Alton.

Historic St. Charles

Every year Mark and I look forward to visiting St. Charles at Christmastime. Strolling along Main Street with its sparkling lights, decorated storefronts, and street characters straight out of Charles Dickens Christmas Carol never fails to bring the Christmas spirit to life. It's a fun night for young and old alike and hopefully a tradition we'll enjoy again and again!

 

O christmas tree

an angel from heaven

there's a dog under there

sweet winnie

This boy loves to throw rocks

and oh how we love this boy!

sunsets, dogs, and Mark

a few of my favorite things :)

Boys will be boys

he's so handsome ;-)

ditto

One more slideshow

It's been a little over a month since Jake and Danielle became husband and wife. I'll never forget the tender feeling of seeing my son stand at the front of the church with his son in his arms, proudly waiting for his lovely bride to walk down the aisle. Here, made up of pictures taken by the wedding photographer, is one more slideshow of their simply beautiful wedding.

time with Jude

I love time with my grandson. I love watching him learn and grow and take in the world around him. I love the way his silly little smile never fails to melt my heart. I used to think there could be nothing as strong as the love a parent has for a child. Then I had a grandchild. I am so blessed to have Jude in my life.

the beginning of a great Friday afternoon

a little time for art

click here to see "the Artist" at work:

http://gottalovejude.blogspot.com/2012/11/the-artist.html

off to the park

Jude, looking way cool in grandma's sunglasses

come on grandma!