Birthday Buddies

January is a very full month when it comes to family birthdays. We celebrate Lilly, Janet, Granny, Eden, Kelley, Austen, Scott, Laila and Mitchell. Nine birthdays. Wow! (We only need to remember 7 dates though, because Kelley and Austen share the same day and Scott and Laila share the same day. Nothing personal Mitchell, but I bet Brandi is glad that Laila didn't pick your birthday to double up on!)

But I digress.

I'm briefly going to talk about Austen's and Lilly's birthday celebrations in this post and the difference 14 years (and an attitude) makes.

It even rains at the Happiest Place on Earth. Doesn't stop people from coming though. These soaked folks are entering Downtown Disney. It was a rainy, windy, blustry, cold stormy day - got about 4 inches of rain that day - but we, along with lots and lots of other people, didn't let it stop us from having a birthday lunch with Austen.

Went to the Rainforest Cafe, where inside and outside you heard thunder and the pitter patter of raindrops - constantly. This is the biggest smile I could get from the newest 15 year old on the block. He did seem pretty happy to be there though.......

On the other hand, this is what the newest 1 year old on the block looks like when she turns one and has a new sun hat to wear on walks! Gramma's going to have to put a strap on it however. For a few moments, she forgot that she had it on, so it stayed, at least for the picture. Good Girl, Lilly!!!

Note: Do not have a birthday party for a 1 year old from 2:00 - 5:00. Prime nap time. (Lilly missed about 85% of her party!)

Brothers love birthday parties, no matter who they are for. He knows that he will be able to get Lilly to share EVERYTHING!

Toto, We're not in California anymore.....

No Toto, we're not in California anymore. We're in Buh Buh Boise!!
Have you ever seen a better greeting party in your life????



Good thing Fo'ou took us to Savers looking for snow gear the first morning we were there because this is what it looked like the second morning we were there! Austen's were the first footprints in the snow and now I truly know why they call it a "blanket of snow".


On New Year's Day, some of the kids went to the show to see Avatar and some of the kids went to the mall where Eden got her ears pierced a few weeks early for her eighth birthday!

Finally got to meet this sweet little one after waiting three long months. Eleni Jean belongs to Tyler and Kelley..(Longest three months of my life.) As is with all of her previous 13 cousins, this one is perfect too!

All is well with the Schultz clan. Glad to report that Gunner (the dog) is still alive probably because Tracy is confined to upstairs for a while. She is under doctor's orders to take it extremely easy for 6 weeks, as she had a hysterectomy. Gunner is downstairs, Tracy is upstairs. Lucky lucky Gunner. Tracy is recovering nicely.

The girls of the Maka'afi clan. Anela is excited to turn eight so she can get her ears pierced too!

Felt lucky to get this cute grin from the oldest Maka'afi.

Back in California, will never get a grin from this one. Proud of him though and all the hard work he put into the H20 Polo season.

A wonderful way to end 2009 - seeing everyone in Boise and begin 2010, recognizing Austen's accomplishments!