Happy Birthday Stephanie!

My niece, Stephanie, celebrated her 7th birthday with a party at the Skating Rink. What memories!! It was Harrison's very first time to lace up a pair of roller skates, and only Caitlin's 4th or 5th time. He went around once, then said it was just too slippery and went to play games. Caitlin had a shaky start, but once she got going there was no stopping her! We ate pizza and a yummy cookie cake made by my sister, Aunt Dana, and then Stephanie tore into her presents (isn't that the best part of any birthday party?). It was a fun way to spend Stephanie's birthday. Thank you for inviting us, Stephanie!


"Happy Birthday to You!"

Oh, cool!! It's the Life game I've been wanting! How did Caitlin

know I wanted it?!

Slow and steady wins the race

Ready to go!

Uncle Scott skated once around the rink with Caitlin to get

her used to it. After that, she was on her own!

President James Harrison

When we first told our good friend, Stacy, what we planned on naming our soon-to-be-born baby boy back in 2005, she commented that it sounded very "presidential." Well since we have been inundated with all the presidential coverage the last few days, we have been talking about it with Harrison and Caitlin. We shared the little name tidbit with the kids, and wouldn't you know Harrison ran with it?! Tonight he has been calling himself President James Harrison. So thank you, Stacy, for claiming the 52nd President of the United States of America!

A Rare Night Out

Part of my birthday present was shipping Caitin and Harrison off to spend the night at their grandparents' houses and getting a rare night out on the town with our two very best couple friends--the Mayers and the Aronsons. We started the night by eating at one of my favorite restaurants, Bonefish Grill. They did not disappoint! We then went to hear a band at a local place. It was a fun night spent with some very special people. Too bad we don't get to do it more often! But you can tell we are getting old because we were home and in bed by midnight!



Look at our yummy food at Bonefish!

Laura, Shannon, and I stop outside for a quick snapshot.

Aren't we a sweet birthday couple?

Tim and Shannon Mayer hamming it up for the camera!

Todd and Laura Aronson being lovey-dovey!

Mommy's Birthday Dinner

Ma-Ma and Pa-Pa let Mommy pick a restaurant for her birthday dinner, and since I haven't had a good steak in awhile I picked Outback. Yum!!!!!! Caitlin even ordered a steak for the very first time and absolutely loved it! We had fun there, then it was off to Ma-Ma and Pa-Pa's house for birthday cake (actually pie). One of my very favorite desserts is coconut cream pie from Gibson's BBQ, and my daddy remembered this and got me one! Thank you Daddy! We then got to open presents (since Randy's birthday is so close to mine, we just celebrate them together). It was a fun evening spent with family!


Caitlin, Stephanie, Harrison, and Daniel all waiting patiently
for our table at Outback.

Woo-hoo!!! Money to spend--on Mommy of course (Ha-Ha!)

Blowing out the candles on my birthday pie

Money for scrapbooking supplies--my favorite

hobby!

The Original Smithermans-Dana, Pa-Pa, Ma-Ma, and Mommy

all pose together

Caitlin's 1/2 Birthday

Since Caitlin's Birthday is in the summer (June 15), she doesn't get to celebrate her birthday at school with her classmates. So we decided in Kindergarten we would celebrate her 1/2 birthday instead. But the only problem with that was that fell in December--right on their Christmas Party day. So...we quickly changed it to her 7 month birthday celebration! That worked out because it fell on my birthday. So now I take a 1/2 day off on my birthday to take cupcakes to Caitlin's class. I'm figuring this will probably be the last year I get to experience this since she is getting to be so grown (3rd grade!). Maybe one more year!!


Caitlin enjoying her 1/2 birthday cupcake!

Caitlin and Carly celebrating

Mrs. Boyer's 3rd grade class at Monrovia Elementary

Mommy's Birthday Breakfast

On Thursday, January 15, I got to pick where I wanted my breakfast delivered from (delivered by Randy, of course!). I would have rather had a home-cooked breakfast cooked by my favorite chefs, the Hollingsworths, but we just didn't have time for that. After eating our croissanwiches and french toast sticks, I got the most thoughtful presents from my family! It was a wonderful way to start my birthday.


Blowing out the candle on my croissanwich!

What could it possibly be?!

"I made it just for you, Mommy, cause I love you!"

Background Problems Solved!

I know you probably don't care, but it has really been stressing me out about this background! First: I went and put turkeys on it in January. Then: I tried to fix it and the whole background turned white. Next: I just put a Plain Jane Dots background on the thing which I was NOT happy with because my blog was not nearly as cute as some of the others who will remain nameless... Finally: Today one of my favorite websites "The Cutest Blog on the Block" is back up, and I have already beat the rush and put a Valentine's background up!! Like I said, you probably don't care, but I stress about the simplest things that usually don't mean a lot to anyone but me! That's what makes my life crazy (with a capital C!).