Cheers to Skippy!

 
This past weekend was absolutely amazing, as we planned a surprise party for my Dad's birthday.  All of my siblings and I flew in and he was completely surprised.  

Considering none of us are really that great at keeping secrets from one another, I don't know how we kept it from him - but somehow, it happened.

The weekend was full of great company and great food, and my only complaint is that it ended too soon.

Somehow I failed to take even a single picture, so you'll just have to imagine how amazing it was.

So here's to my fabulous Dad - and the many, many more birthdays to come!


via apartment 34

you're the apple of my eye

I'm notoriously sensitive and attached to my family.

When I was younger, I could never sleep over at my friends' houses, because I would always get homesick.  My parents would inevitably get a call sometime around 11 pm, requesting that I be picked up - even when I was at my cousins' houses.

When my mom used to pack our lunches, she'd always put a note on the napkin.  Something like: "Have a great day! I love you!"

While I guarantee my brothers pulled them out and stuffed them right back in, I would hold it tightly in my lap (good manners?).  When lunch was over and I threw away my trash, I'd keep the napkin. I'd put it right back in my lunch box - just in case.

These fruit stickers would have been perfect for my mom. They wouldn't have embarrassed my brothers, and the adhesive back would have ensured I never lost track of them.
via twig & thistle