her 31st birthday

 Here's Julia before the party, making cards.  I love this. See her face, spelling names, busy working?

And here he comes, dragging his suitcase.  I teased him, "Why you bringing a suitcase to my house?"

"Because I am sleeping OVER." 

Yes, indeed.   There's a lot of laughing down the hall right now, even.

She's sleeping over too, but she's as quiet as a cat.  She's observant, insightful, dramatic and funny.

No wonder she livens this house up.

 That guy opted not to sleep over. He wanted to go home and sleep with his DAD.

Here's Alicia, opening her birthday gifts:

 And Dan, offering wisecracks:

 This is John, talking to his baby.

 And my mother, hugging that same baby.

Time for cake!  Unfortunately, I did not bake the usual big, fat chocolate cake.  I was in a lazy mood. Plus, it's still very hot here, and the ice cream cakes seemed especially inviting.   Alica, of course, was gracious and never complained.

 I love how b.g.'s legs are flying out as he hangs on to her side for the candles.

And this is a great picture, not from tonight.  This is one Dan took of their boys, Alicia, and the cake he baked for her this past weekend.   I love this picture.  Alicia looks about twelve years old, not like the accomplished WOMAN she is, and b.g. is melting my heart in that old striped t shirt handed down from Little Jay and James, and his baby brother is just too juicy and cute for words.

I teased the baby brother tonight about being a little Norwegian.  He laughed. 

Oh, sweet beautiful Alicia, Happy, Happy Birthday.   This whole family is lucky for you and we know it.

Your gentleness, patience, sense of humor, and above all--kindness, is not lost on us.  You are good to us even when we're annoying, which is pretty much all the time.   The whole family is better with you in it.

Thanks for being our girl.  love forever, Val