50 and Fabulous

One of the most beautiful women I know, my lovely mother Sally, turns 50 today!

50! She's a gorgeous 50, let me tell you, inside and out!

my grandpa thinks she's pretty great

My mom has always gone above and beyond for my dad, my siblings and me. She has always provided everything we have needed and more. She's a phenomenal cook, has the softest, sweetest heart, and is so extremely creative and fashionable. I swear, without her, I would be a big style faux paw! She also has such a cute Pinterest page and has always regretted that she hasn't started a blog. She'd inspire, let me tell you!

my dad is partial to her as well!

My mom has had some amazing years behind her, but as always, the best is yet to come. I don't know what I would do without that smiling face in the morning, always has a fresh pot of coffee ready, gives the best advice and makes me laugh every day. I'm so blessed that she has had so many happy, healthy years.

To the next 50! Happy Birthday Mom! We all love you so much!

 ~Susan

Sweet Sixteen on the 17th

Happy Birthday to my hilarious other half, my littlest sister Mary. It's her SWEET SIXTEEN!

That's her, the big smile in the middle. And isn't she just the biggest fashionista? She has me beat just about every single day of the week. She spent her day actually over the weekend with her two best friends pictured above watching a marathon of Downton Abbey. Classiest 16 year old ever.

I'm so blessed to have had Mar for sixteen years of my life. She has filled our family with so many laughs, smiles and have I mentioned laughs? I'm so proud of everything she is; gorgeous, compassionate, hysterical, unbelievably smart, (a little too)witty, my running partner in crime and she deserves nothing but the best for the next 16. I love you Mary! Happy Birthday!

and just for laughs I'll show you how she adds to our family dynamic...

*keeps smiling while the rest of us are in shambles...
(also I want my CO tan back. That was marvelous!)

Only better with Age

Happy Birthday to my Grandpa, Phil, who turns 85 today!

Wow, 85, I've finally discovered today that that's a big number.

My grandpa is so incredibly special to me. He always gives me the best advice. He taught me how to play tennis, how to take a spelling test, map our way around our first trip to Marshal Field's, find the perfect milkshake, have too much fun, spend lots of time outside, be a little reserved, appreciate different genres of classical music, watch sports all day long on TV, and to use correct grammar. He's always been my motivator, one of my biggest fans. He has faith in me when I don't have faith in myself. I love him so much and I wish that he has another great year and gains strength back to be able to move around better.

He's had 85 incredible years and I know that he's bound to have some great years ahead too!

Isn't it funny sometimes how you never think of someone as that old and then it just hits you! Have you ever experienced that? I do think though that, in ways, he's gotten better with age (actually I believe several family members of mine have!). He's wiser, hilarious, humble, and so incredibly sweet!  Although the past year has been a difficult one, I know that he can push hard to make this next one even better!

Though I can't be there to celebrate with him, I wish him the best year yet!

Happy Tuesday everyone!

 ~Susan

Thursday Thoughts: a birthday wish

Happy 21st birthday to my best friend, my sister Ellen!

I always love celebrating Ellen's birthday. She always wants a big cake that usually ends up looking like this:

Source: nancycreative.com via Denise on Pinterest

Happy Birthday to my style icon, my laughter machine, my best listener, the one who always tells me to be a bit more impulsive, the girl who never gives up, the girl who will watch the Holiday with me for the 31st time..

I wish I could be there to celebrate your 21st with you Bella! We'll have to take a trip to Howl at the Moon on me! I'm so blessed, thankful and elated to have yet another wonderful year with my best friend. You're the best sister a girl could ask for! I love you!

Happy Thursday friends!

~Susan