Paula’s (Matt’s mother) birthday is July 25.  Isabelle’s is July 26. Amanda’s is July 28.  Mine is August 9th.  So we always do a birthday celebration here around the end of July or first of August.  Some traditions stay the same… like:

School shoe shopping!  Emelia called Kohls to see what time they would be closing Friday evening.  When she heard 11 p.m. she was determined we go late.  I suggested we take Jane Ellen’s cool convertible for fun.  Here are the three girls in the back getting really wind blown!  (I was driving … and taking pics ).

Here we are very wind blown when we arrived at Kohls (after 10 p.m.)!

Emelia was unusually picky about shoes.  She had piles around her that were just not what she liked…

We drove away at 11:05 with four pairs of shoes (Melanie: Izzy’s little nikes have orange and she loved them …)

John’s artichoke heart/sun dried tomato/greek olive pasta.  My favorite!  He makes it every year for my birthday and I love it.  Happily there are leftovers hidden tucked away in the fridge for later.  If I am ever  hungry again!  I’ll have to start a diet (JUST KIDDING) after this weekend with so much good food.  Maybe I can find the best weight loss pills. Doubt it …

Funny card exchange.

Sitting at the dining table reminiscing about marmar.

Mom’s cinnamon rolls for breakfast, nicknamed nini crack.  Yummo.

Matt and John napping while the golf channel plays on the television.

Trying to remember just how many pots of coffee Matt and Paula drank.

Trips to the dollar store for silly stuff like matching sunglasses for the girls and Jane Ellen.

On another note.  Look what mom brought me.

I had a collection of crosses on this wall for forever!  I thought it would be a nice change and I love it.

I’m off to snuggle iz and nap off the pasta!

What are your favorite shoes right now?  I think my favorites are just plain old flip flops. I found a pair of cute plaid flip flop type sandals with heels that I like too… and some really uncomfortable hot pink shoes that are really really cute.  Will you sacrifice cute shoes for hurty feet?  I have to admit I do but I always throw a pair of old navy flip flops in my car in case I have to run in the grocery store and don’t want to be in pain.  I’ll be glad when it’s cool outside and can pull out the Ugg womens shoes. They are ugly but comfortable!

What do you think about metal tiles? I have seen them in magazines, and think they can be pretty when used in the right way. I personally have never had any metal tiles in my home/kitchen.   Speaking of homes and kitchens… I would love to have a makeover in my kitchen.  I am tired of the white cabinets and hardwood floors.  I’d like to paint the cabinets a french vanilla color and get new flooring!  Wouldn’t that be pretty?