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!

Happy Birthday Harry!!

One of the few photos in existence of the famous - or should I say - infamous - station wagon.  And there's the ever-resourceful Harry F. Terrill repairing his bike - something he still does with regularity!!

Harry was - and still is - a good son.  He was obedient and hard-working and we spent his early years together - when Bonny was off at school.  He was something of a "mama's boy" early on - would not go to the nursery at church until Sister Randall - the bishop's wife and mother of 6 sons - said, "I need a boy like you Harry, to come and help me."  And he was off - never to reject the nursery again!

Have a great day - a wonderful year - and remember, only 5 years til 50!!

A sweet anniversary today!

Our sweet baby Jonah was born 5 years ago today.  He only lived 11 days, but he left us a lifetime of memories.

 

Each of those 11 days, we lit candles and sang "Happy Birthday" and were grateful to have that day.

Happy Birthday sweet boy!

Happy Day to Taylor!!

We are so glad Noah found Taylor - and that she is part of our family!!  (And that she brought Keesa into our family too!)

Hope your day is a happy one Taylor - and that the year ahead is the best ever!!

We love you!

A dozen years old!!

Happy day to this lovely young woman - who is officially a Young Woman now!!

I vividly remember her birth - the other Bolander beauties were staying with me - and we were waiting for Bruce to call with the news - we did not know the gender ahead of time!  

He finally called, asked for Ara, and informed her that they had a new little sister!

And Ara said, "Now we are our own Little Women!!"

They are the best "Little Women" in the world - and Annika rounded out the group nicely.

Have a great year ahead!!

Happy day to you!!

Happy Birthday Hester!!  I have lots of fond memories of visits from the Kerksieks and all you girls playing your hearts out!!

Hope it's a happy day - and a great year ahead!!

Happy Day to Leslie!!

"Happy, happy birthday, Leslie dear,

Happy days will come to you all year,

If I had one wish then it would be,

A happy, happy birthday to you from me!"

Hope it was a great day - since you are a great sister!!

Happy Birthday today to my brother Richard - born on New Year's Day!!  I distinctly remember his birth - and my dad coming home and telling us we had a new baby brother!!

Have a great day - and a great year ahead!!  (He and Julie have been at Disneyland for the last 3 days - so I'm thinking he had a fun birthday!!)

A Man For All Seasons!!

We have always been grateful that Matt joined our family.  And over the years, we have just become more and more convinced that he is the best!!

Happy day to you Matthew - and all year through!

(Is there some reason why I don't have any "single" shots of our great sons-in-law?  Is it because they are always there, supporting kids and cousins?  Maybe so!)

We love Calvin!!

Calvin has always had a  certain charm - and a smile to go with it!!

 

He's a great big brother too!!

 

Happy day today Birthday Boy!!  We love you!!

Happy Birthday Betsy and Jim!!

 

 Happy day today to our good friend and favorite mechanic - Jim McKendrick!!  I always remember his birthday for the same reason I always remember Betsy's - they are on the same day - and it's the day before my birthday!!  Jim was the Cubmaster when I was a Den Leader - if that's not a bond, I don't know what is!

I'm pretty sure I post this every year - but you've gotta admit it's a pretty cute photo!!

Betsy was born the day before my birthday - I'd been rooting for a birthday buddy, but she had her own mind!!  And a great mind it is - Betsy always amazes me with her penchant for travel and adventure and her apparent fearlessness.  To someone like me who's a fearful sort, her bravery is inspiring!

So I pretty much always remember it's her birthday - and I'm hoping it's a happy one - and that the year just keeps getting better and better!!

Happy Day to our man Theo!!

A few of the faces of our man Theo - who  is 6 today!!  Where did the years go??  The smile seems to be a common thread - even with a missing tooth!

It was great to visit with him so much this year - we wish him the best day ever!

Our own little caboose - for the last quarter century!

Noah has hit the quarter century mark!

Have a great day - and a great year ahead!!

Happy Day to David Lee!!

I am pretty sure I don't have any photos of just David. For one thing, he doesn't like you to take his picture, and he's notoriously uncooperative when you try to do it anyway!!

For another thing, he doesn't sit around in "poseable" moments
- he's usually busily - and happily - engaged in doing something useful or fun or helpful or important!




And that's what we love about David! Like Phoebe, he comes to the party and either gets it going or keeps it going!! Perhaps that's how they ended up together - because they do indeed make a great team.

Have a great day David - and a wonderful year ahead. We are so happy that you are part of our family!!