Birthday Pictures Part II

The 2nd Batch of Birthday Pictures

These are a few more pictures from the night of his 1st Birthday- some closer pictures of the spaghetti face and a bit more of the cupcake. There is video of him eating his cupcake but it is too long to post.

This bottom picture is of Caelan playing with the toy his "Southern Aunts" (and uncles and cousins) sent him. They also sent him some cute clothes- he really likes this toy a lot... it goes places with us!He is saying, "Thank you Aunt Mary Margaret, Uncle Jay, Aunt Sally, Uncle Jason, cousin Solon and cousin Luke!! I really like it!!!"

Caelan's 13th Month Birthday

Happy 45th Anniversary Mom and Dad

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad. Wow 45 years. Congratulations and hope you have a good day, Love Matt and Amanda. Miss Amanda and I can't wait until our 45th.

Everybody wish them a happy 45th when you see them.

Sorry the picture is a little old (last year from the NICU - it seems we don't have very many pictures that are not of Caelan).

Caelan's Birthday Evening

I will be breaking down all the birthday pictures into three sections..... these are from Matt's dad's camera, then I will post the ones from our camera of this same evening, then the ones from his cookout party on the Saturday that followed.

We had a spaghetti dinner first.... he was so cute with his orange face! He actually does really well with feeding himself but ya know.. s'ghetti can be messy for anybody.... granted, not in our hair.... or eyes... or ears.... but hey... good stuff!



Caelan opened several nice cards and gifts from grandma and grandpa, and from "Mama" and "Dada" and a couple from some friends.

Then we sang "Happy Birthday" to him and blew out the candle on his cupcake.....

We even had a nice bouquet of flowers! These are from our flower beds.

THEN of course we get to EAT the cupcake!!!

YUM! YUM! YUM!

Sorry so many are sideways.... I never have figured out how to rotate them on here! More to come in a day or so.....

Happy Birthday Caelan James!

Today is Caelan's first birthday and it has been really great! We took cupcakes to dispatch and said hello to everyone there, then stopped by Bonek in Suttons Bay (one of Matt's clients) and then to NICU. It was so good to see all the wonderful staff there... and they were excited to see Caelan and how big he has gotten. We actually miss them! Not the NICU... but the staff for certain. They are wonderful people.

Then we came home for dinner with Matt's parents- we had spaghetti and Caelan had it from his eyes on down and from ear to ear! He does well feeding himself- but s'ghetti is messy. His whole face was orange colored.

After dinner we called my mom so she would be online.... we had the video camera on and mom on speaker phone so she was able to 'join' us. We all sang Happy Birthday and helped Caelan blow out his candle. He received some really cool gifts- a dinosaur flashlight that roars, a wooden pull along duck, a fisher price pull along phone, a little people train, a peg puzzle with animal pieces that make sounds, a duck book with a stuffed mallard (the book character), a check from Pop to go pick out something fun, and one of those 5 in 1 cube things that has an abacus on one side and beads on bended wires.... hard to explain but it is like those you see in doctor offices sometimes.... when I post a picture of it you will all say..'Ohhh.... that!" He also received several nice cards.... he said to let everyone know that the cards were quite tasty!

After he opened gifts we gave him back his cupcake and let him dig into it..... he LOVED it! He liked the way it felt but he loved the frosting!! He ate more than one.... Matt's dad took lots of pictures and we have some on video so I will be posting some soon- I will have to get the disc from Matt's dad.

It was a great day and a wonderful evening!

Happy 1st birthday buddy- we love you!!!

Mother's Day

The Moms

Mrs. Harrison (Lee's Mom), Matt's mom Karen, me, Lee, Debbie

The Dads who support us

Pat, Matt's dad Dave, Henry, Matt, Mr. Harrison

The Kids...

who make us who we are...

Take 1.....

Take 2......




..... Nope not yet...




...... getting there....

YES!!! Excellent!!

Not for long though....

Lee's kids Bailey and Keaton in the middle

Debbie and Henry's girls Katie and Madeline

Samuel, Grace and Erin were with Laura

Caelan was sleeping at this point.

I thought it would be neat to just list all the moms I can think of.... and hope you all had an awesome Mother's Day.... you are all awesome women!!

Me, my mom Jo, Wanda, Karen Perry, Lee Perry, Debbie Chung, Erin Harrison, Jan Harrison, Mary Margaret Sparkman, Sally Rabinowitz, Sharon Hill, Jan McCurties, Abbi Ansorge, Ronda Coleman, Rhonda Garvin, Jessica Plamondon, Krista, Christine Kolndorfer, Amy Jensen, Judy Skowronski, Rosie Schaub, Judy Jones, Judy Hughes, Peggy Sparkman, Vanna Sparkman, Penny Varner, Mary Hughes, Betsy Varner, Emily Varner, Mailee Garton, Barbara Coger and Barbara Coger, Sarah Lacrosse, Terra Moody, Jeanne Rice, Alethea Massey, Kimi Welch, Elaine Ainsworth, Judy (Leafie's mom), Faith Ridgeway, Emily Stookey, Catherine Collins, Tracey Webb, Stacie Seago, Karen Seago, Rosemary Seago, Gina Seago, Patty Carruth, Michelle Clische, Heather, Sue Gillon, Katie Burleigh, Kristen Harker, Linda Ashpole, Cathy Thompson, Cheryl Galtney, Vicki Ellenburg, Donna Jacobs, Christina Felks, Dianne Hyland, Cissy Perkins, Rebecca Fite, Karin Starr, Penny Booth, Martha Wells, Rachel Ries, Tracy Ries, Laura McDowell, Cynthia McDowell, Rita McDowell, Angeline Tess, Rebecca, Gail Fuller, Miriam Harper, Stephanie Steffans, Margaret Arena, Joy Baker, Jennifer Richmond, Ina Norwood, Ulla Lagrone, Mary Ann Mace, Becky Northcott, .......... and many many many more..... I am sure I will think of as soon as I sign off. Blessings and Love to all ya'll!!!!

Visit to Work (January)

These are actually from January... it is so weird cause he looks so little! I had taken him up to dispatch one day to see everyone.






Ms. Sharon- showing him the fish tank.

Ms. Jan











Mr. Matt

Mr. Skowronski (my boss)

Ms. Rosie (Tom's admin assistant)

Undersheriff Wooters

Mr. Bruce

Easter photo attempt

Easter Sunday

Grace, Samuel with Caelan, Erin

Ok.... this is the only one I actually got... I know Matt's parents were trying to take some as well. Getting 3 1/2 year old twins, a 5 year old boy and a baby (whom all three kids want to "take care of") to ALL look at the camera at the same time is almost impossible. It wasn't long before Caelan slid off Samuel's lap face first onto the floor and everyone just gave up. Oh well... it was the thought right?

I like this one a lot though... I love that Samuel is sitting there with his arm around Caelan... so sweet!!

Sundays at Wind Drift

I LOVE this picture!!

Keaton and Gracie with Lee holding Caelan

Pat (Matt's brother) and Lee host a Sunday get together each week. It is an open invitation to anyone who wants to come for dinner and fellowship. Each week has a different theme- favorite recipes, breakfast, asian, picnic, ka-bobs, spaghetti, and several others. We have met lots of people and really enjoy the family time each week. Some of the 'regulars' there are.... us, Matt's parents, Pat and Lee and all five of their kids, Henry and Debbie Chung with their two girls, Lee's parents, Lee's sister Erin and John.... but no matter who is there... Caelan always gets plenty of love!

This is the associate pastor at Baypointe Church- I had never even seen him before and he was following me as I carried Caelan in.... no sooner than I sat Caelan down than he was scooped up for some lovin from this guy!

Technicolor Yawn

Enough said... Just in case you were unaware, Miss Amanda likes to do crossword puzzles. So, below is a small puzzle that is themed around things that were a part of this meal.

Rip Dennis

Richard Lee "Rip" Dennis

April 20, 1954 - May 3, 2009

My heart aches- I miss you, I love you......

http://mem.com/Story.aspx?ID=2998070

For those of you who are not familiar with Rip-

Rip was my uncle and VERY dear to me. He and Wanda (my close aunt) have been together for 20 years. Going back even further- his oldest daughter Allison was best friends with my sister Sally when they were about 5 years old..... Allison loved her daddy something strong and whenever she'd come over to spend the night with Sally, she would end up having me call him in the middle of the night to come get her because she missed him. Now 25 years later, I am the one missing him; however, Rip won't be making a trip in the middle of the night to come scoop me into one of his big ole bear hugs to make everthing all right. He was really good at that.

Rip was a 'solid' in my life. One who was always there. He supported and encouraged me. He loved me a ton. I never in a million years thought he wouldn't be here- that that solid would be gone. That I would be sitting up in the middle of the night trying to fit Rip into words.

Rip stood well over 6 feet, had a gruff voice with a thick Southern accent, a smile that stretched for miles .... eyes that sparkled with a constant twinkle, shining with excitement, mischief, or love. His heart beat bigger than all of us together. There wasn't anything he wouldn't do for others- he gave, he tended, he cared, he loved.... and there was no exception to who he helped.

Rip was a fine man. He was greatly loved and is missed by so many. He is one of those people that we will all sit around and tell stories about- he has filled so many lives with memories. I know I sure have been blessed with many of them.

Stand Up

Look who's standing (with just a little help from the chair). He is not quite pulling himself up yet, but if you stand him up, he'll hold onto things and maintain himself pretty well...

...that is until a kitty comes over. Then gravity takes over and he usually does a faceplant onto his blankets (sometimes he actually gets Bruce - now that's a cushion).

RIP^2

Last Sunday we lost a member of our FAMILY. We will always remember you Rip.