In Which I Turn 20 -posted by katie

Yep, I am now at the ripe old age of 20! Some friends politely and respectfully now refer to me as the "old geezer." Yes, I am blessed in my friends *wink*

While my real BD is March 27th, we actually celebrated on April 4th. First I record the breakfast (which was soo good!).

Mom got me roses for the day (my favorite flower!) and they were very attractive indeed... Here Patricia peers through the roses...

Elizabeth and Mother.

Mary, although I must say the picture is rather ruined by Dad's funny face in the background.

Trish again!

Then we did a favorite: played monopoly! I did not win, and I actually went out first (rotten luck) but then M and P were done, so I took their place, took out Dad, and then Robert beat me :) Fun fun...

The sissies. Yes, I am now wearing glasses (this is the first post where I have them on) and have to wear them for the rest of my life! :(

Play

Everyone is smiling so beautifully in this one!

Dad, multi-tasking for once.

How cute! Nice, Trishie!

Mary, no doubt laughing at one of Robert's corny jokes *wink*

That night was my BD party! Had about 30 people over...

The BD girl :)

Art.

Dear Val and her papa.

The twins and Uncle Mike.

Come on, Nat, you're not at the Marine Base! Robert thinks he's at a party. What a nerve!

Ellie and Felecia having a laughing moment.

How many girls can fit in one picture? L-R: Ellie, Fia, Amy, Mary.

Holly and Ellie.

Nice bunny ears, UM.

Fia and I. Love you girl!

The guys hanging out.

Amy and her parents :)

An artsy food picture probably taken by Mary.

This is when I'm opening presents and everyone is staring at me. My very favorite part of the whole night *not!*

A lovely card by the Einarsons.

A "Friends forever" picture. How very sweet... Much thanks to the Wondolowski sisters.

Felecia, Katie, Valerie. Friends forever...

Yay for money! Thanks UM.

This card played a song. Yeah, I know! *wink*

After a prayer time for me, Dad hugged me :)

Last we all played Mao. Since the first rule about Mao is that it can't be talked about, I will say no more. Only this: IT ROCKS. It's like my favorite game (but Monopoly and Cashflow are also my favorites so...). Here Amy and Melissa apparently have their thinking caps on (good idea!). This was Dad's group (him and I were "Mao Masters" and had our own tables in which to teach the unfortunate newbies).

My table! The victims are getting crazy...

Nat (middle) actually got it fairly quickly... Eric, (laughing in the yellow shirt), um, yeah. That's all I'll say.

The Mao Master in her element: complete control! *evil laughter* :)

Back to Dad's table. A rather full hand...

Well, it was an awesome party. Thanks to my family for putting it together, and thank for coming everyone else!

I'm excited to see what this year has in store for me... :) God bless.

Sledding in March -posted by katie

Well, I had prayed for snow on Christmas, but God saw fit to wait until my birthday to give it to me! Yep, it snowed on my BD, March 27th, and we all got to go sledding! What a good God we have :)

The crew. You can click on the pic to make it bigger. We had over a foot of snow--it was so much fun!
The crew 2.
Elizabeth takes a spin down the hill. The hill really wasn't that tall, but hey, it was awesome!
Trish and I swoosh down. Love this pic.
Hello Ellie!
Our friends' little girl, Ali, came with us. She and Ellie went down a lot together.
The twins returning with the best sled: the inflatable tube. Man those things just skim over the ground.
All smiles! It was so bright out... (notice how we all have sunglasses on).
Sweet.
Robert with the gals.
The guys.
Had a tumble?
Mom and Elizabeth.
That is how blue the sky was. Gorgeous...
Wave!
Robert decided to do some sunbathing.
Mom actually went down in the tube! Go Mom!
Upward shot.
Mary Wisdom.
Me!
Tumble at the end of the line :)
Mary's method was to go down on top of people. Hey, whatever works, right?
This is after that last shot. Good photography, Mom (she was our photographer).



For the record, never buy that kind of sled. They are so SLOW. But Mary was a good sport.
Elizabeth Joy.
Ellie and Ali climbing back up for another ride.
Robert prepares for the downhill.
A far shot of Dad, Trish, and I.
Action.
Ali got thirsty and so ate some snow (we had no water).
Flying !
Joy.

I don't know, but I feel so happy being out in the snow and sunshine. I am just sad my body gets so tired so soon from climbing up that hill again and again, or I'd stay out all day... One day in heaven, I will be able to enjoy snow all day without getting tired! Can't wait!

God bless.