Today is Alice's birthday, and it is

 

Maddy's birthday!  I always thought it would be fun to share a birthday with a family member - and I do, actually - with my sister-in-law Roseann.  

Both these photos are from a summer time visit with Alice and kids - while they were in the foreign service, they would come down to SoCal in the summer to visit my mom - and to stay at our house too.  It was a nice set up - our kids got to know each other and to share some good times.

Happy day to both of you - and best wishes for a great year ahead!

Happy day to my Grandma Stevens!!

Loved my Grandma Stevens.  She used to send me letters when I was in college and when I was a new bride and a young mother.  She died the year Phoebe was born. She had been a stenographer in her younger days - and she always typed her letters - I thought I had saved them - but haven't been able to find them for years - and that's too bad - because I remember them being funny and fun to receive.

You will just have to take my word for it!

Happy Birthday Bruce!

It was a great day when Bruce joined our family - he set the gold standard for sons-in-law - and we can't imagine the family without him.

 

Happy Birthday Bruce - we love you!!

Happy Birthday Eliza!

Eliza was 13 days late! The others had all been 11 days late, so I didn't get upset until day 12!

 

Dad had wanted to name her Anna Magdalena - but I prevailed - I thought she looked like an Eliza - and I still do!!

 

It was great to have a baby in the house again! 

 

Although Phoebe was fond of saying, "I was an only child til Eliza came!" But she loved having a baby sister too!

 

 We did have foster child, Bernie, for a year. So the family of 4 kids had 5 kids for a bit.

And now Eliza is a mom of 4! It is like one big circle!

Eliza is a blessing in our lives - we have felt that from the beginning!!  Have a great day - and a wonderful year!

Belated Birthday Greetings!

Browsing through the old blog - which doesn't get much attention from me or anyone else actually - and realized that I had missed posting on Keesa's birthday!!

She came for a birthday weekend and we had a great time. She is the best little guest! And fun to hang out with.

So grateful to have her in our lives!!

It's great to be eight!!