Nana's Place: BIRTHDAYS

My sister Marti at 18

Today is my sister Marti's birthday. I have only been able to leave a message on her cell phone as she is away on a trip. She has turned into one of the best people I know. She is smart, caring, organized, and fun. She is one of my best friends though we see each other rarely. I wish I could say more, but it is late and this blog promises to be long. She is still in the process of raising the last of their five children who are each wonderful unique people themselves. She has brought out the best in each of them. She owns a scrapbook store in Mesa, AZ that sets the standard for the rest of the country. Marti has also helped her husband establish a cardstock business that is unparalleled in its field.

With two of my sisters, Rosemary and Marti

One of the best compliments I could give my daughter, Lindsey, is that she has always reminded me of Marti. It is interesting that they, too, have developed a close relationship. I think they also see the similarities in their personalities.

Marti and Lindsey

I was 12 years older than Marti and loved her from the beginning. This is a scan of a scan--the best I could do.

I am 12 with baby Marti

Here is Marti as a junior bridesmaid at my wedding. What a dress!

I love the way Ashley's mother-in-law, Ann Harris, pays tribute to each of her family members in her blog on their birthdays. I would like to do that as well. Too bad it isn't the first of the year. Too bad that I have 8 birthdays in April alone. Oh well, it will use up lots of days on this blog. Here are a few of the birthdays I have missed blogging about in the last four months. I am only putting in the ones I have taken pictures of the event because they were with me. There are many that won't show up until their next birthday.

Kayla (5) with her cake at our house. Birthday March 11th.

An unhappy moment at this butterfly's party. When you are five you can cry at your party if you need to. For some reason she didn't want anyone to sing to her. Smiles returned with a little understanding from Dad. She is normally the happiest little darling!

How can you be unhappy with a cake like this!

And a clown that makes you laugh and lets you be her assistant!

Bailey got to go to Salt Lake and then Hawaii for birthday.

We gave her her presents a day ahead.

Birthday February 26th.

She got a Happy Birthday pie! Her favorite.

The Young Women decorated her bedroom to welcome her into the Young Women's
Program as she turned 12 years old.

Isabella turned one at our house. She wasn't sure she wanted anything to do with it.
Birthday February 21st.

She is also not sure she wants this present. So cute!

Casey had her birthday in January. It was a low key one this year, I think.

Birthday January 16th
But we honored it with a cake on Sunday...

..and met them for breakfast the morning of at Cocoas.
She celebrated with family and friends that evening.

Just before the Harris family went back to Boston after Christmas we all got together with many of the Harris extended family and all of ours that were in town for a beach birthday party for Toby (6) at Capo Beach. Toby's cake was definitely unique. Of course, he had another party later when he was at home. Birthday January 6th (which is also Max's birthday).

Had a great time!

I couldn't resist doing a traditional cake on Sunday!

Jessica has a birthday just three days after Christmas. Since both the Wrights and the Toblers joined with us, including the Harris family who were here for a long visit, following Christmas, we were able to celebrate it with her as well. She had lots of cousins to help blow out the candles.
Birthday December 28th

Our camera was acting up and this was the only picture that was clear enough to print. At Jessie's request we went to Ruby's in Laguna Beach for lunch so she could have a butterfinger shake on her birthday. They have a special place on the roof where we could all be together and be noisy and normal without disturbing anyone. It was very fun! Too bad our camera only got poor pictures. Other people got good ones but haven't shared with me yet.

We were lucky to have Jade visiting when her 20th birthday came around. We gave her this cake and also a birthday blueberry banana pie with candles (like the one for Bailey). She always requests that pie when she comes to visit.