Many Birthdays

September has many birthdays in our family and friend circle.

Our neice, Claire, had her second birthday on the 17th. Then Susan had her birthday on the 18th.

Today was Dawn's 35th birthday. Dawn is Mark's oldest sibling. She lives in the Va. Home in Richmond, so we drove to Richmond for a birthday party today. We brought Gizmo with us, and he was suprisingly well behaved in the car. The residents of the VA Home are so loving and nearly everybody smiled and asked his name. Many of the residents asked to pet Gizmo, and he was just so calm and happy to get some attention.

It was good to see Brady and Karissa, who drove down from D.C.. Mark's aunt Jane was able to come. Jennifer and Gary (Jane's daughter and her husband) came with their two adorable boys, Mason and Jacob. I was able to meet David's son, who is also named Mark. He brought his two little kids, Brayden & Alexis. The 4 children had fun walking Gizmo, and again he was very patient with those wanting his attention.

This was the first time I have ever met Dawn. Mark and I have known each other for 3 years and been married for almost a year and 1/2. Finally, we are living in North Carolina where we are close enough and had the time to take a weekend to go see her. She is such a sweet girl. She was so exicted to see her family! When she came out of the elevator we sang the primary song Happy Happy Birthday, and she was just all smiles. She calls Mark Boo Boo (or Boo Boo Head), and she calls her Gandma Mom, but calls everyone else by their name (even her mommy she call's Susan). We had her favorite foods for lunch, homemade mac & cheese, ham, rolls, and salad. Followed by two really big chocolate chip cookies that were frosted instead of a cake. It all tasted really good!

Today is also Kristi's Birthday. Kristi has been my friend since my first year at college, and my best friend since my sophomore year. I call her my guardian angel and think of her as my sister! This will be the first year since meeting that I haven't been able to take her out for her birthday dinner or make her a cake. I miss many things in UT, but being close to my family and being close to Kristi are what I miss the most!

Happy Birthday Everyone!!!