A Birthday Surprise

While in South Dakota over the weekend, we had a surprise birthday party for my sister, Mauri.  We managed to keep it a surprise up until the morning of.  Some of us were able to attend First Saturday Mass in the morning.  That was a blessing!

Then we gathered for a painting class in Spearfish at the West River Studio.  Such wonderful people - check them out!

 The birthday girl on the left.

 Sisters!!!

 Painting this picture was one of the most stressful things I have ever tried accomplishing.

Maria agreed with me.

We just couldn't think outside the box.  It had to be "just right".  STRESS!

My painting.

 After painting we went out to eat lunch together.

The service was not good and the food took about an hour to get to us.  People came in, ordered, ate, and were paying their bill in between the time we ordered and got our food.  Disappointed.

 Then we went back to Maria's house for fake feather tattoos....

 baby snuggles....

 and Jamberry nail manicures.

Then about 6:30 we drove out to Mom and Dad's and had supper with all the family that lived in the area.  The little nieces got a bonus of Jamberry nails and polish on their fingers too.

Happy 25th birthday, Mauri!  Thanks for spending the day with us!

Thanks to Mom and Loman for watching all the kids (and John for watching his kids) while we were having a great sisters' day.  Also thanks to Pete for letting us borrow your wife for the whole day.

A New Look

 She walked in my little girl....

and left all grown up!

How does a girl change so much in 10 minutes?

She insisted it be that short (well, she wanted it shorter, though I'm not sure she realized how short she was talking about) and that she have bangs.  She's got opinions and preferences - she's growing up and I'm not sure I'm ready for it.

Now We Know Whose Who

     Twinnie One Ponytail         Twinnie Two Pigtails

    Brigid                                  Kiara

Impressive Moon

First three pictures taken by Blase.

They aren't the clearest, but still a great memory we shared together.

Amazing!

Two Year Old Twinnies

Wednesday was one of the busiest days of our year.  So much to celebrate!

A birthday for Brech.

A birthday for Brigid.

A birthday for Kiara.

A Confirmation saint namesake feast day for Cormac.

Wow, what a day.

 They can hardly wait for the twins to open their presents.

The first and only shared gift was a Tupperware dish set.

LOVE!!

 

 These girls wear out their toothbrushes faster than any of our other children.

 New books for church

and pretty bracelets for all the time.

 A phone for Brigid

 and one for Kiara.

She couldn't put it down.

 See ^^^^^ 

I told you so!

 New pretties for their hair.

 This boy patiently waited until his sisters opened their presents before he opened his.

Whatta guy!

 Still on the phone.

 Maybe calling Grandma?

 Ohhh, fun things to write on with!

 Thanks Aunt Mauri, Uncle Peter and girls for the little dolls and suckers.

 She put down the phone for the sucker.  Amazing!

 New babies for the girls - complete with bottles!!

And Grandma and Grandpa bought them strollers!  Yippee!!

Taking their babies for a walk while talking on the phone.

All the presents!