Happy Birthday, Flag Day Smeall!

Yesterday was Joe's birthday...and Flag Day! With our busy schedules, it seemed best to celebrate Joe's birthday on the actual day...imagine that! We were joined by family and enjoyed pizza, salad, fruit, drinks and of course, dessert. We had a great time!! Janis reminisced about the day she "thought" she was going to have Joe, but it was just a false alarm. Then, when she actually knew she was going to have him on Flag Day, the thought actually crossed her mind (in a joking, funny way) to name him Flag Day Smeall...HAHA...I can say I'm definitely glad that didn't happen!! Could you imagine the torture he would endure with that name?!?! Wise choice to name him something different, Janis!

As usual, Joe loved opening his presents! One thing Joe is good at is making Birthday lists so people know exactly what he wants. He got a new golf bag, new reef flip flops, money, and a Husky snuggie! He loves everything and I'm sure they will all be put to good use...I have to say, I'm likin' the snuggie (in fact, I'm curled up in it as we speak...shhh...don't tell Joe)! Joe's gift from me was money to buy the baseball bat he's wanted to get! The bat is usually pretty expensive, but he found it on Ebay and won the bid, getting it at a MUCH lower price! Way to go, Joe!

Here's to another good year, babe! Happy 27th!

 Yep...there's 27 candles on that cake!

My homemade "flag" banner for Joe! 

 Yum...Can't go wrong with pizza!!

 The fam! Watching Joe open presents!

 Tyler thinks Uncle Joe is pretty funny in his snuggie!

 I have to say, I'm a fan of the snuggie!

 Gram, Janis, Aunt Sandy, Aunt Shiz and Mom

 We were lucky to get Ty's smile in this one...he was getting tired!

 Love my sissy!

 Joe and Mom! We missed you Dad!

 Aunts and Joe

 Gram and Joe

 Joe with his parents!

Me and my birthday boy!

This one is for you, DAD!

Due to the holiday, my momma was able to come out to Tacoma to run this morning! It was a very pleasant morning...no cars, no people...just the birds chirping, the sun rising, and mom and me! As we were going we were commenting that everyone else was probably sleeping in (and we partly wished we were too), but in the end, as always, it was an enjoyable time! 

As usual, mom had a message from dad...most of the time it's "hello from popocho" or "your dad says hi bobo" or "dad says love you," BUT today was different. The message from dad was something like "tell Kim I'm getting tired of reading the bunny post!" HAHA! I was just waiting for dad to say something about my "lack" of blogging lately! I think my dad is the only one that diligently checks my blog so, THIS IS FOR YOU DAD, my dedicated reader with nothing new to read! 

I'm actually glad he said something because for the past few weeks I've been thinking "I really need to blog," but as usual my time has been filled with other things. However, I am motivated again - thanks dad! I've got lots of pics and such that will follow, but for now, this will do.

Happy Memorial Day! Thanks to those who serve and have served our country!

Happy Easter! Sorry folks, this bunny is mine!

How about that Vitamin D?!? Ah, a spring day was much needed and I have to say it came at the perfect time! Today was spectacular! I got to start the morning with my momma on a nice run around North Tacoma. As usual, something happened that gave us a good laugh...this time it was a lion in a tree. YES, you heard me right, a lion in a tree. Even though it was a stuffed one, it did its job and scared the both us us, my mom enough to let out a scream! The funny thing is that some kid probably put it up there to see if it would scare anyone, but unfortunately that little kiddo was probably still sleeping when we went by and had our encounter with that darn lion! Oh, the joys of running with my momma...love it...there's always a new adventure! Here's a picture of the beautiful sunrise...(cell phone quality)...

We finished with our usual treat...Starbucks! I must say that running with my momma in the mornings is one of my favorite things! Can't wait til summer is here and we can do it more often.

After running, I headed straight down to the Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club, to get ready for our Easter Brunch. I'd heard that this event is one of the best at the club, so I was so excited to be a part of it this year! Since I've worked at the club, I've got to participate in several events that are a blast. Joe gets to participate too...he's become the token event character! Hahaha...so today he was the Easter Bunny! The event was awesome...we had over 250 people, over 3,000 eggs, a fabulous breakfast consisting of strata, eggs, bacon, sausage, fruit, pancakes, bagels, pastries and more! All homemade by our wonderful social committee! It was so wonderful seeing all the excited kids! Below are some photos to highlight the day! Enjoy!

What a day! So much fun!

Sun! Oh how I love you!

Even though I've been working all day, it's been SOOOO nice to see the sun! The sun literally makes everything and everyone happier. Today Joe and Ty came down to the club to see me! We all had lunch together and then walked over to the park. Surprisingly it was warmer than I thought...it felt so good to soak up some vitamin D. Below are a few pics from the park! Gotta love Ty's smile...

 

Really!?! The sink...

Our cat is so strange.

Here's a recent shot of her in the bathroom sink. It's funny because she's gotten so big that she just barely fits. I'm not sure if she likes the sink because it's cool or what...but really...the sink!?! She has so many other places to curl up in that are "cat approved," but instead she chooses the sink. Apparently it's her new spot. It's really the least of our worries...Don't worry folks, she DOES NOT get in the kitchen sink!

And so the Lucy "weirdness" continues...

Spring (not so break-ish) Break

Today was the first day of my Spring Break...or...as I'm calling it my Spring "not so break-ish" Break. Most of the time when people think of Spring Break they think of a whole week off, possible vacations, sleeping in, etc...WELL, my Spring Break does not include any of that! The joys of Grad School continue and even though I'm on Spring Break from class, everything else goes on. As I was sitting here complaining that this "doesn't really feel like a break" week and dwelling on the fact that I'd much rather be on the beach in Hawaii having a "real" Spring Break, my ever so positive thinking husband helped bring me back to reality, reminding me that this week IS INDEED better than my "normal weeks" and that I do have reasons to be thankful for this Spring Break. First, he pointed out that I don't have class. Even though class is one day during the week, I suppose it's nice to have that one day off! Plus, I'm having my long overdue eye appointment that day and a haircut! Secondly, he pointed out that I will be home by 6pm everyday which is a change from my consistently being home at 8:30 or 9pm. Thirdly, he pointed out that I'm still getting internship hours this week which gets me another step closer to finishing my hours.

Whew, thank goodness for him pointing out these things!! It helps put things more in perspective and I suppose my Spring "not so break-ish" Break does have some benefits. AND I just realized I may actually be able to Blog more this week - so there we go...that's just another benefit! And on top of everything else THERE'S NO READING THIS WEEK!! That's the best part of all...

So now that I've processed my thoughts I suppose I will change my saying to Spring (be thankful for what I get) Break. And there we have it...I'll take what I can get.

Oh Baby!

Last weekend was full of babies!! On Friday morning, I was pleasantly surprised to receive a text that one of my best friends was at the hospital in labor. Friday afternoon, Bennett Daniel Osburn came into this world to meet his wonderful parents, Brent and Angela! Joe and I were able to go visit on Friday evening...we made it into their room just before visiting hours were finishing. Angela told me "just get in here before 8pm and they won't kick you out. "Haha! It was so nice visiting...It was just the four of us and of course Baby Bennett too! Joe and Brent had time to discuss March Madness and watch a bit on TV...I think that was a nice relief for Brent...He had a long day! While the boys did their thing, Ang and I did ours...discussing all the details of the birth and so on. Babies are such an amazing gift from God! I admire Angela...she looked absolutely fabulous and it sounds like she was a champ during labor! WAY TO GO! And Bennett...that baby is adorable!

The birth of Bennett came in perfect timing for Melinda's visit! On Saturday, Melinda and I got to go visit Ang and Bennett again! It was so fun to be there when Auntie Melinda got to meet him. The three of us were reminiscing about elementary school and how it's crazy that one of us has a baby now! Mel and I are glad it was Angela first...hehehe! On Saturday evening, Joe and I got to spend more time with Melinda and the Ray family. We had so much fun and lots of laughs! We miss Melinda and it is always wonderful to have her in town...Come home Melinda!!

On Saturday afternoon, my mom, sister and I had a baby shower for our dear friend, Amy Oakley! Jedd and Amy have an awesome story of their new addition, Trent! It was such a blessing being able to celebrate Trent's arrival to the Oakley family. I can't believe how much he's grown within a month. He is the cutest thing ever and was an absolute gem during the shower! He slept the whole entire time and made so many cute little grunts and squeaks as he slept...I could listen to those noises forever...soooo cute! We had the shower at the Tennis Club and it was small, intimate and JUST PERFECT! We had a wonderful time!

Below are some pics from the weekend...Enjoy!

Meeting Baby Bennett

Sweet Bennett

LOVE baby hands!

Friends

Auntie Mel and Baby Bennett

Mommy and Baby

Welcome Baby Trent - The banner I made!

Cozy setting!

Baby Trent

Me, Amy and Carlee with Baby Trent

Love Baby Trent!

Mmmm...Yummy desserts!