You're never fully dressed without a smile

Mike just got back from his dental trip to Haiti.

There were so many great experiences that I would love to share, but for the blog these pictures will have to tell the stories.

Mike did an excellent job at taking such moving pictures.

My favorites were of the orphan children.

some made me smile

and some made me want to cry.

At the market.


Playing soccer with the children

In the villages.

I'm glad to have my husband back, but what a great experience he had. It was worth the time away from each other!

You probably don't remember

Once upon a time long, long, long, long ago I set out to refinish 2 chairs Mike had bought for me.

Remember these "undercover" gems?

I almost didn't either, it's been awhile!

Well they are finally done - FA ewf! It only took me a year and some months (my crafty friends, please don't judge, I can be easily distracted)!

End results - I LOVE them!

Speaking of things homemade.

A little over two years ago, on our 4th anniversary, we were really poor.

Oh wait, we still are...

anyways

we decided not to do much to celebrate due to the lack of $$$. I gave Mike a homemade card that I thought to be pretty sweet, but he trumped me by making me what is my favorite gift of all.

This necklace.

He shaped, molded and cast it out of dental material. I shed a tear or two and gave him a hug. It is by far the greatest gift to me.

The V-Day Sizzle

Mike spent the weekend before Valentines Day studying really hard (as you can see) for his board exam.

Which he happened to take on the big V-Day.
We still managed to steal some time away from his napping studying to
Smile

Laugh

cuddle

and snuggle together


What a romancer he is! Love him!

It's a great day in the life of Mike Blandon

He may not be over the hill yet, but he has recently located it.

Mike turned the big 3-0 today!

Lucky for him 30 doesn't mean wrinkles and sagging body parts...

Lucky for him 30 doesn't mean going bald (because he already has).

Lucky for him all he has to do is blow out the birthday candles and he will be one thirtylicious husband!

Now that I am 30 and a half (and so wise) I can tell you, turning 30 ROCKS! So enjoy the new decade in life.

You are my hero, my love, my best friend and everything in between! Happy Birthday to you from me.

This morning it snowed and it snowed the perfect kind of snow! Perfect for making snowballs, snow angels, snowmen and whatever else you can come up with.

Blake went with the snowman

or should I say snow woman...

We built the snowman and Blake says to me:

"Mom, I want to make it a snow-girl"

"OK"

Then proceeds to add some snow and after says

"See, I put on some of those ball things girls have"


And now we have our very own snow woman!

Singing voices ready ✔

Cake and ice cream ✔

Candles ✔

Balloons ✔

Presents ✔

Piñata ✔

Games ✔

Sounds like we are ready to celebrate someones birthday!

Today Blake turned 5

We drove out to Ohio to my brothers so Blake could

celebrate with his cousins. My parents also came which

was an added treat for us.

Happy Birthday Blake!

Another highlight of the day was when this little bitter faced boy

couldn't resist the tasty looking candle

and took a big bite right out of the corner.

We had so much fun! It's been nice to have family near

for occasions like this!

It's her BeeDay!!!

She's our little Pee Wee. The baby of the family and she turned 27 today!

Which means we are all getting old, especially you mom & dad! ;)

She was so special to us that Scott and I even baked her a cake.

We have always been such great friends. We were meant to be sisters.

I am afraid this picture may humiliate me more than it will her! Yikes!

but I'll get her back with this one.

I'll also show how she's has grown into one beautiful babe, which may embarrass her just as much.

OwOw, Foxy lady! Also a Mom of 4.

Happy Birthday Shmina!

Celebrating a Philly's Navidad

Apparently we spent a lot of time this holiday smooching...

GROSS!

We stayed here in Philly this year to celebrate Christmas and the New Year.

We missed our families, but still managed to have a whole lot of fun with out them all.

Mike whipped up yet another airplane to CRASH oops I mean fly.

We took a few nights out in the city

and spent a few nights right here at home.

Feliz navidad y próspero año nuevo.