Pool Party

Today was Samantha's birthday party. We rented a local indoor pool and it was much nicer than I expected. The water was warm, the kids had a great time & now Sam is sleeping soundly @ 8:15. Nothing like hours in the water to wear a girl out. Fortunately with the floaties and the shallow end, I did not have to get in the pool. I am way too pale to be in a bathing suit this time of the year.

Lori

Samantha's big day

I got the rest of Sam's birthday pictures today. Here are 3 of my favorites.

So, the cake is a sorry excuse. This is why walmart makes my cakes Sam wanted to stack a round cake with 2 different sized cupcakes. Took a lot of icing and the cupcakes kept sliding. Wasn't pretty but tasted good.

Sam saw this doll a few weeks ago and has been begging for it since. Of course I had to get it for her and gave it to her from Cameron. (I've kept open his bank account and use his debit card to buy her birthday and Christmas gifts from him.)

She is sound asleeo beside me now hugging that doll.

Can't believe tomorrow is Monday already. Where did the weekend go?!?!

Happy Birthday Samantha

My little Princess is 6 today!

Her 1st birthday:

Her 2nd birthday, with Cameron & Ian at McDonalds:

Her 3rd birthday was celebrated as best we could at Children's Hospital.

Her 4th birthday - she must have had a big wish that year!

Her 5th birthday was a big surprise party.

Will post 6th birthday pics in a few.

Lori

Be the Match

Joining the National Bone Marrow Registry is free until the end of 2009. Visit: www.bethematch.org for more information. You could be the one who saves a life.

My family

has suffered another loss. My cousin's son (age 21) was killed in a MVA. I am leaving shortly to be with them.

Birthday pictures

I can't sleep. Again. So I decided to check my email. I am glad that I did because I received a sampling of Sam's birthday pictures taken last weekend. I can't wait to see the finished product.

1st Annual Cameron Brown Courage Award

Tonight was the annual football banquet. They presented a new award at the ceremony tonight - The Cameron Brown Courage Award given for "Never Giving Up." I didn't go, but have heard about it from a few people and my brother has it on video. The coach apparently had a hard time presenting the award, he kept tearing up and finally said "I can't do this" and just announced the winners - one for each team. The 3rd/4th grade winner was the first girl to play. The 5th/6th grade winner was one of Cameron's friends who happened to be the littlest one on the team but he never quit trying. The difference he made in this world makes me very proud.

Saturday photos

Taken today after the 5K



I wish I had eyelashes like Sam





Me & my girl at my nephew's 3rd birthday party

Category: What was I thinking?!?!?

For some insane reason I thought registering for a 5K was a good idea. It's only 3.1 miles right? I can do that..... As the day approached, I got more & more nervous. Seriously, what was I thinking. I am not a runner. I am not a jogger.

So, today was the big day. I had 2 goals going in 1) finish and 2) not be last. Turns out, I was first in my (old) age group! Even got a medal. Granted, there was not a load of competition, but hey, it's a start.

Now, I am sitting with my feet up and that is the extent of my plans for the rest of the day. I can barely walk!

My girl....

is turning 6 soon! She had birthday pictures today - the first ones we've had taken outside. I was nervous about scheduling them because the weather is so unpredictable, but it was a beautiful afternoon. I can't wait to get them back. The lady had good ideas and took loads of pics. Sam, of course, was in her modeling mood and posing all over the park.

We got there a little early, so I snapped a few while we were waiting.

She keeps saying that she wants to get her hair cut. I've relented and told her that next week we could get 2-3 inches cut off. I won't give more than that. I think she would regret it.

We are in birthday party planning mode. We are planning a pool party for 11/21. Her invitations came late last week so I need to get those moving. I've drafted my nephews to blow up all 20 floaties and 20 beach balls. I hope to hear back from the life guards this week too.

Off to play barbies & paint fingernails....