Happy Birthday, McKenzie

Mick turned 15 today. Ashley, Tyson and Aundria spent the day with her. They hung out at a local coffee shop and terrorized the customers.

Mick's birthday presents included Harry Potter movies. . .

And tickets to see Lady Gaga!

Some of the things I love about Mick:

1. Her sense of humor.

2. Her gorgeous smile.

3. Watching her with her nieces and nephews.

4. Her homemade pizza.

5. The way she makes me laugh.

6. The fact I can get her a deer hunting cake for her b-day and she finds it hilarious.

7. Her kind heart.

8. She never takes my earrings without asking. Ever. Never.

9. The way she loves Ringo.

10. She's decided she doesn't want a driver's license until she turns 25.

Love you, Mick.

Older and older

Because I just won't die, I celebrated another birthday. It's another even number--42. The girls and the grandkids came out to celebrate the fact that I haven't died yet. We had pizza and apple pie ala mode.

Assuming I survive the next year, I'll be back on July 5.

Ringo, You're a Star!

Happy First Birthday, Ringo!

Look how tiny Ringo used to be!! But now he's a year old and has eaten his weight in stuffed animal innards.

We had a party for him including presents, a hamburger dinner and a special birthday cake which he really enjoyed. Octavio even had a piece after Mick tricked him into it.

Hundreds of dollars in vet bills, doggie day camp fees and stuffed animals.

He's eaten dozens of pairs of shoes--his favorites are flip-flops or any pair of shoe that is expensive and well-loved.

He loves long walks, chasing birds, burying remote controls, digging holes in the backyard, sitting on our laps (even though he weighs 100 pounds) and playing with Mick.

Never thought I'd say it: I love this dog. There's just something about being loved unconditionally that gets addictive. Happy Birthday, Crazy Ringo!

Warm and Sunny

I took Tom on a surprise trip to Phoenix for his birthday. We stayed in an incredibly beautiful resort with a gigantic pool. It was beautiful and sunny, unlike Utah where it's cold and rainy.

During the trip, we met up with Tom's kids; Chalese, Jeff and David, and his new grandson Byron. It was Byron's first major league ballgame and luckily the D-Backs won in extra innings. Tons of fun!

After the game, we went to Aunt Chilada's for some of the best Mexican food I've ever had in my life. Happy Birthday, Tom! Love you!

Laura's B-day

Laura turned 32-years-young, so of course we celebrated with high-fat cupcakes and tasty flavors of ice-cream (raspberry sherbet and summer peach pie---yummy!) She received enough Barnes and Noble gift cards to get pretty much anything she'd like. Lucky.

Happy birthday, Laura!!

Laya Adriana Palma-Kinder turns 1 year old

Happy Birthday, Laya!

It's been one year since you came into our lives and we are so very lucky.

You're mischievous, funny, adventurous, delightful and beautiful.

With chocolate-colored eyes and hair, chubby cheeks and fat thighs, you charm your way out of any situation, and tease Diego mercilessly. He loves you dearly and watches out for you at all times. You're his Little Nina and he couldn't be more proud.

We celebrated your birthday with so many of the people who love you: me, Tom, Kelsee, McKenzie, Jenny, Bob, Austin, Jason, Laura, Gregor, Shelley, Scott, Heather, Ashley, Kindra, Payson, Dylon and Ryon.

But most of all, your mom, dad and brother think the world of you and are so glad you're in their lives.

Jason is 32!!

The gang drove up to Storm Mountain to celebrate Jason's birthday. Roasted hot dogs and s'mores were the menu items.



Isn't Gregor a Jason clone? Kinda scary. . .


The Nazi Forest Ranger rode his golf cart around the picnic areas making sure no one was walking in the rivers. So instead of wading in the cool mountain stream, we sat on logs and ate more s'mores.

Mick Turns 13!

Nothing says "Happy Birthday" like a giant shrimp. McKenzie turned 13 on July 22 and we celebrated at Bubba Gump Shrimp. We were in Southern California on her birthday and spent the day riding Tower of Terror, Grizzly Rapids and California Screamin'. It was tons of fun. Mick is so much fun to be around. Here are just some of the reasons I love McKenzie:

1. She's fun to be around.
2. She keeps me up-to-date on the latest music.
3. She makes a mean chocolate cake.
4. She's a great friend.
5. She has an amazing sense of humor.
6. She has some great pasta recipes.
7. She is so patient with her nieces and nephews.
8. She has a great laugh.
9. Her acting skills are the best.
10. She's a Guitar Hero rock star.

Love you, Mick!! Happy Birthday.

The Big 4-0

Holy Cow, I'm 40. How time flies when you're aging. But setting aside the anxiety, stress, depression, oldness and extreme discomfort, my birthday wasn't so bad. Okay, I lied. I HATED turning 40, but it's better than being dead, which is the only other alternative. Here's me with a fake I-love-being-old smile.

Jenny, looking beautiful, also celebrated her birthday on July 5th (along with Jessica, Toni, Kathryn, Huey Lewis and circus pioneer P.T. Barnum--which somehow seems appropriate.) In 2 years, Jenny, you'll be 40. Live it up!

Tom organized a party at Buca di Beppo with the entire family for a combined celebration for our birthdays. The food was great, the presentation made me cry and, best of all, my mom was around to celebrate with us. Thanks for all you did for me, Tom. You made turning 40 almost bearable. Almost.

Donations to my body contouring/Botox fund are now being accepted.

Happy Birthday, Dad!!

For dad's birthday, we all converged on Jenny's house for pizza, cake and ice cream. Dad and Virginia (shown here with Laya) took a break from their home renovation in Gunnison (that included a massive, raging bonfire) to celebrate his birthday with us.

Happy 61, Dad! We love you.

Senior Citizen Discount

Tom turned 55 (yes, 55 or fifty-five or LV in Roman numerals) on May 29. We celebrated by going to the Salt Lake Bees game where the team came from behind to win 7-4. Fun game. Fun times. Greasy food. They had Tom's name on the Jumbo-tron and announced his birthday to everyone in the general vicinity.
This is a picture of Tom and Rick Devenney. They've been friends since the second grade during the Civil War. LY

Happy Birthday, Dylon!

We celebrated Dylon's second birthday with gifts, cake and chaos. Due to a rainstorm, the party was moved from the park to my home and the kids were darting around like spider monkeys on meth. But it was fun and Ashley made a great chocolate cake.

Doesn't Dylon look happy with his new toys?

In a rare moment of calmness, Kindra, Dylon and Diego surrounded me for a picture. I'm glad none of us actually looked at the camera.