PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 6/30/11

THIRTY TWO YEARS AGO... wow! It does not seem that long ago. I could replay this 11th birthday in my mind like it was "yesterday". Breakfast on the front deck, being in Ruidoso spending my special day, making Caesar salad on the lower patio and then having steak and green beans and of course, this cake that was decorated for me and the photo taken on the back deck prior to dinner. That was a good day...as so many of my birthdays have been. They have been filled with family, friends and celebrations that I hold deep within my heart and remember almost every single birthday in quite a lot of detail. So so thankful for the love of family and having the life I have had...for 43 YEARS! 43 YEARS OLD...I can hardly even believe that.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 6/30/11

32 YEARS AGO...since this photo was taken on the back deck in Ruidoso. I remember this day vividly

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 6/29/11

Celebrating moms and my birthdays this morning with Grammama and Harvey over at their new "home". So nice that Tami could join us also. For my entire life, Grammama has been there for every birthday and celebration so I'm glad we could continue that this year also. For years, we would go shopping at Loehmann's for my birthday present and then I would come back to their house to share it with Grandad Dell. For our birthdays, we would usually have dinner in their backyard to celebrate me and my mom...fun, special, treasured memories.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 6/28/11

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY MAMA! Loved getting to go through many many photos of her growing up. I put together a book for her to look through and then document her memories throughout. These two photos were favorites among many...because, she most definitely TAKES THE CAKE :) (pardon the pun). It was a fun day celebrating her as we went over for lunch and cupcakes along with Tami, Joel and the girls. I have always loved celebrating our birthdays together.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 6/27/11

It doesn't seem so long ago that both Nick and Chris were taking tennis lessons at Redstone Park in the spring and summer...for that matter, it doesn't seem so long ago that I was playing summer leagues every summer from the age of 8-17. I guess that when I think of summer, I naturally think of tennis. I also look very forward to Wimbledon being played every June near my birthday. I can't remember a year I haven't watched it. Chris and NIck both took some lessons when young and Chris continued through several years up until somewhat recently. I do wish he would start up again but time will tell. Nick started playing again the summer before his freshman year and has really worked himself up the ranks. He is a very good tennis player and is stronger this year than ever before...today, he won 6-0 6-1 and was frustrated because he didn't think he played well so he's got that competitive spirit. I'm thinking that Zach should play some just to see if he likes it but once again, time will tell. For now, I will have fun cheering Nick on (as quietly as I can) from the sidelines and enjoying the second week of Wimbledon.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 6/26/11

In honor of my Birthday Week, I chose this photo for the POTD. I can truly remember this day at WAshington Park celebrating my moms and my birthdays. I have other photos of this day also and I know that my grandparents, great grandparents, aunt, cousins, siblings and parents were all there. I'm quite sure we had a picnic under the tree and I think this might be the year I told my mom I wanted an applesauce cake. Somehow, she found a way to make one and I recall sitting at the cement picnic bench getting ready to blow out my candles. I loved this red gingham dress also and I just have to wonder what was in that present I am opening. I am quite sure I loved the wrapping paper with the bright, fun flowers.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 6/25/11

Zach's summer job...well you can't really call it a job when you are the one that has so much fun. Zach is petsitting the Jimenez's new puppy, Maggie, when they are out for a long period of time. He's getting paid $20 each time and goes over 2-3 times to let her out, play with her etc... To watch him play with her and laugh as he licks his face and jumps on him is something that brings such a smile to my face. She is such a sweet dog and Mocha and Cocoa run to the fence to greet her every time she comes out. They love having a new friend right behind the fence.