My Fabulous 28th Birthday

Like last year, I was home in Charles City on my birthday. Unfortunately, it was under sad circumstances this year with the death of one of my best friend's dads. You may have read about the Sawyer family on my photo blog, but if not, Tara's dad was diagnosed with ALS on June 7th and passed away very quickly on September 14th. I will remember Scott for his positive attitude, constant sense of humor, and courageous fight with a very powerful disease. My prayers and thoughts will be with Tara and her family in the days, weeks and months ahead. I have learned the grief doesn't disappear just because the funeral is over with. Perhaps the hardest time will come 3, 6, 9 months down the road....
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Despite the circumstances surrounding my last minute trip home, I am thankful for the time I got to spend with some of my high school girlfriends, my parents and my sis and nephew, Weston.  This is about the only time I got to actually "hold" him because he's very busy and active, but hey, I'll take what I can get.
He was much calmer last year as a 2 month old *smile.

Ohhhh, man. This photo shoot just cracks me up. I took a TON of pictures and only got two or three good ones. Such is life with a baby, huh?

This year, Weston just looooved Mober. She wasn't his biggest fan, but did pretty well for the most part. Except for when we had to separate them by a glass door.

We made our way out to my aunt's house for a pizza party and wagon ride.

Oh, AND to see Hannah, my cousin Kathy's miniature donkey. But the pizza was good too.

She was so adorable...my face hurt from gritting my teeth together. Just the sweetest, calmest thing. Kathy's nephews love riding her as she's the perfect size for kids with the sweetest disposition. I think I may have Tom considering getting one. Just google "miniature donkey images" and you'll be adding one to your Christmas list as well, guarantee it. No, seriously...try it.

Hannah hangs out with the big guys in the pasture. She has no fear and they're all best friends. It's hilarious. This is just one of many of their Belgians.

I loved the size difference.

Weston thought they were cute too.

Chatting with Hannah and some others.

Hanging with his cousin, Cole. I missed the hug that happened right before this picture was snapped.

After leaving bright and early from CC, I met up with Erin and Trisha for a fabulous massage in St. Paul and then we headed to the Albertville Outlet Mall for some shopping! We had such a fun day and then to top it all off, they made Tom and I a wonderful steak dinner. YUM. Erin is a fabulous cook and I may or may not have eaten all of mine and half of Trisha's. NBD.

Excuse the haze in the picture - the oven had a slight malfunction.

28 is my favorite number so of course, I've looked forward to my 28th birthday for YEARS (literally.)

Loved the 2-8 on my birthday apple crisp made especially for me from Trisha!

Opening gifts is always fun. Cards with words of praise and love are even better!

Trisha and Natalie only bought me "a few" things *smile.

What a wonderful day! Between seeing friends, hanging with my sister, a relaxing massage, texts, cards and packages in the mail, facebook messages, shopping, delicious dinner and plenty of presents, I'd say I'm pretty blessed.

Happy Birthday, Brooke!

Happy 2nd birthday to our niece Brooke! She is hilarious and we love her so much. Sometimes I forget she's only two years old because she's so tall and she does just about everything her big bro, Grant, does. Brooke adooores him and Grant thinks she's pretty cool too. So sweet! She is already a solid athlete (you should see her on the scooter and how fast she is when she runs.)

Here we are in September 2008 - meeting Brooke for the first time. She was three months old.

September 2009

Happy birthday, Brookie! We think about you all the time and miss you lots.

Happy Birthday, Weston

Happy 1st birthday, Weston! You are such a little toot - I can't believe you're already walking. I have thought from the very beginning that you were going to have a lot of energy (could you possibly get it from your father?) and I was right. I love being your aunt and wish we didn't live so far away. I can't wait to see you very, very soon to celebrate your birthday! 

Here you are a year ago...

and here you are in May of this year. Such a big boy!

He's a walkin' and so pleased with himself! (sorry for it being turned the wrong way.)

Happy Birthday, Hayden

Hayden turns 5 today! How is that possible?! Seems like just yesterday I had graduated from college and was living with my brother when he was born. Hayden Matthew has bloomed into a rambunctious and active little boy with a big heart and sweet personality. He adores his big brother, playing outside, trains and most recently his swim lessons. Happy birthday, Hayden! We love you.

Happy (late) Birthday, Tom

Tom celebrated his 27th birthday on Saturday. With our travels, I wasn't able to wish him an appropriate sarahbandfamily birthday but I certainly can't forget about my hubby!

We celebrated pretty well, I'd say. Staying at the Ballynahinch Castle was fabulous! Can't wait to see what he gets me for my birthday! *smile.

The view from our room.

Filet mignon for dinner - hard to beat.

Surprise dessert back in our room. Ah-mazing.

Coffee creme brulee, vanilla custard and coconut cream in dark chocolate.

Happy (late) birthday to my favorite life traveling companion and best friend. You are an amazing husband and I can't imagine this journey with anyone else.

We ended our time in Ireland (and Tom's birthday) with a last-minute decision to see Riverdance in Dublin. Absolutely amazing.

Love,

Happy Birthday, Natalie

I married a really great guy, who has a really great brother who married a really great girl. And today is her birthday. Happy birthday, Natalie!! In fact, I remember when Tom and I were dating and he was telling me how fun and wonderful Natalie was and I thought to myself, "awesome! No pressure at all." *smile. She lights up the room when she walks in. Natalie is outgoing, loving, generous and has such a great sense of joy doing what God has made her to do, which is being an incredible wife, mom and friend. I wish you all could taste just one of her meals - delicious. She is gifted in the kitchen! I have tried and I can't seem to get things to taste as good. Natalie is always making people laugh without effort. She loves life and does everything with her whole heart. I appreciate her advice and take what she says to heart.

Here we are waiting for what seemed like forever to get Danny Goeke's autograph after the American Idol concert last September. Natalie's good to have around when you're in long, tiring situations. She just has this way of keeping things light *smile.

Happy birthday, girlfriend! I hope you have a wonderful day to match the wonderful sister and friend that you are. You are loved!

Happy Birthday, Mom

Happy birthday, Mom! It was so fun to spend the weekend with you and be able to celebrate your birthday with special outings and lots of Jacob laughs. One thing Jacob is sure good at is melting the heart of his grandma! You delight so much in us kids and in your grandsons. You are always there when we need you - whether physically or in prayer. You love showering us with gifts and emailing just to say, "Hi, I am thinking about you." You are a teacher through and through and always have advice and knowledge to share. God has blessed you with many gifts, but one is certainly your ability to brighten people's days and lift their spirits. You inspire me to do the same. 

Thanks for all you do for each of us, but also for being the wonderful mom, grandma, wife, sister, aunt, teacher and friend that you are. Hope you have a beautiful day, Mom! Love you lots and lots.

Happy 31st Birthday, Becca

It's my big sister's birthday today. Happy Birthday, Becca! Where do I begin?! I absolutely adore my sister and think she's one of the greatest people on this earth. Becca and I have always been close. I don't remember fighting that much growing up, and even at a young age - when most would find their younger sister annoying - she was including me in her "cool high school stuff." Some of her high school friends even call me "Sister Sarah" because I've been tagging along with them for so long *smile. Becca has a big heart and loves to make people happy. I've always been inspired by her selflessness. In some ways, we are very similar - I catch myself sounding like her all the time, but we're also very different, which makes learning from each other fun and interesting. It's tough living 6 hours apart (*big sigh), but we talk several times a week so that kind of makes up for it. Tom wonders what we talk about so often. To which I reply, "everything, Tom!" TV shows, work, Weston, what we're having for dinner, stuff we're struggling with/need advice on, etc. Lots of important things. It's been an absolute joy watching her with her first son, Weston. She's taken on motherhood with grace and ease. I'm so proud of her!

Here we are trying on really, really dark lipstick this past summer at the cabin. Actually reminds me of the lipstick I used to wear in high school. Can someone tell me what I was thinking?

We got a pretty good laugh out of it.

At our oldest brother's wedding - August 2008.

Becca - I love ya so much! I hope you have a fabulous day because you deserve it. Thanks for being the best sister and friend I could ever ask for. I think you are the best!

Happy Birthday, Brent

My oldest brother is almost 40! Well, 4 years from being 40 but still. Crazy! Brent has always been a role model for me. He has a quiet gentleness about him but can also be quite the goof. His boys adore him and he's a loving husband. When I lived in Ames, he and I rarely missed watching Survivor together on Thursday nights. I cherish the two separate occasions where I lived with him and his family and got to be around for when the boys were babies.
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See....a goof.

Would have been a great picture without my second head *smile.
Having big brothers is the best.
Happy birthday, Brent! You're gettin' up there but you're still young at heart.

We love you!

Happy Birthday, Sara

Happy birthday to my sis-in-law, Sara! She officially joined our family in August 2008 and walked into some dangerous territory (not really) as the "step-mom" to two very lovable boys, but she has impressed us all with her perseverance and tenacity. Sara loves Noah and Hayden tremendously and would do anything for them. She has worked very hard to be a good mom and her labor shows in the boys. Both Noah and Hayden have really grown and developed. She has been a blessing to many!

Happy Birthday, Sara! Hope you have a wonderful day! We love you!