A Brand New Suit and Mickey Mouse

A little man's request on his birthday......A black suit like his Daddy's and to see Mickey Mouse....and these are the events of his birthday.

(I wonder what could be in this box? Hhhhhmmmm, a suit maybe? :) )

(Our little birthday celebration before church)

(Tison's doughnut cake)

(A little sugar rush before church)

(Opening his 1st gift)

(Excited!)

(Where has my little boy gone?)

(What a "STUD"!)

(When we arrived home after church he opened his 2 other gifts....Excitement!)

(A new outfit and a Thomas the train Lego set)

(Apple Cranberry Nut Salad with Feta Cheese and Balsamic Vinegar and Fettucini Alfredo....Tison's birthday dinner request)

(One happy boy!)

(Dark Chocolate covered strawberries...another request)

(Michelle, Goofy, and the Birthday Boy)

(Do you see the chunk of food my almost 2 year old is about to put in his mouth.....and he did. That boy LOVES food!)

(Chef Mickey Mouse, Michelle, and Tison)

(Nicole and Minnie Mouse)

(Picture with Pluto)

(Love this one!)

(Picture with Donald Duck)

(Blaine was dancing to the music with his hands/fingers...he was too cute!)

(Blowing out the candle on his cupcake they gave him)

(We all watched him eat it with envy....well maybe the kids did :))

(Believe it or not we had "goofy" sitting with us at breakfast....j/k Uncle Chris)

(Tison, Nicole, Mima, Michelle, and Blaine)

(Papa and Blaine at breakfast)

(oooooooooooohhhhhh) :)

(Opening gifts)

(Tison and Mima)

(The infamous Smiley Face balloon)

(Tison's Dragon Cake)

Just as I mentioned in my earlier post, Tison opened up his brand new suit Sunday morning and wore it to church. He looked like a little "STUD", so handsome. That morning was also filled with balloons, a doughnut cake, and a couple of more gifts after church (Thomas the train Lego set and a striped polo shirt and jeans). He is so cute. He told me that the gifts were exactly what he wanted. After lunch Paul and I took a long nap trying to recover from the loss of sleep during my friends wedding preparations (which turned out beautiful thanks to her family and friend Veronica). Then as Tison had requested we had Fettuccine Alfredo with Chicken and Apples and Cranberry (except there were cherries because I ran out of cranberries) nut salad with Feta Cheese Crumble and Newman's Balsamic Vinagarette Dressing. And for dessert....Dark Chocolate covered Strawberries - a FAVORITE in our home.

Monday morning came with more excitement! Mima, Papa, and Uncle Chris were coming to CELEBRATE and we loaded up in the car and met them at Disney's Contemporary Hotel where we ate at CHEF MICKEY'S (thank you Mima and Papa). The kids had so much FUN seeing Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Goofy, and Donald Duck and the breakfast was DELICIOUS. They brought Tison out a little cupcake to celebrate his birthday. It could not have been a better morning. Then we headed back home to greet the mother of all balloons (a 36" smiley face balloon-per Tison's request...when I was ordering balloons for the wedding he saw the smiley face balloon and said I would love that for my birthday.......and I couldn't resist....the people at Publix got a kick out of it when I had it inflated that morning) and Tison opened up more gifts. Tison and Blaine had a ball playing with his new talking, interactive Woody and Buzz Light Year Dolls. Later that afternoon we had Chicken Salad and a Dragon Cake and ice cream.

I still can't believe that my little guy is 4. He has a heart of GOLD and just to illustrate how sweet and selfless he is here is a little birthday story. For Tison's birthday Uncle Chris got him the 3 green aliens from Toy Story. The girls thought they were cute and wanted to play with them too. So Tison gave them each one to keep. Now how many kids would give their siblings or anyone for that matter part of their birthday gifts?
I am so happy he had a WONDERFUL birthday.

Tison turns 4......Happy Birthday Son!!!

(I took this picture last year and it is one of my favorites of his sweet face)

("BUDDIES")

(His 2nd Birthday)

Tison's 1st bed

(Finishing his Birthday Cake on his 1st birthday)

(Daddy and Tison)

(Nicole and Tison)

(Michelle and Tison)

(SLEEPING at the hospital)

(The day after he was born)

I can't believe that another year has gone by! Today this little man turns 4.

He has brought so much JOY to all of our lives. The day he was born the girls were so excited to have a new little baby brother. They both "mama'd him. As these past 4 years have gone by he has truly shown us what a "little man" he is. He is the biggest helper in the world. Always wanting to help me with chores around the house and wanting to do everything Daddy does. He told us a few weeks ago that he wanted a black suit just like Daddy's for church. So this morning before church he will be opening his very first black suit (He has always had a little coat to wear, but never a suit) :). Tison is such a wonderful and caring "big brother" to his "little brother" Blaine. He shares everything with him and makes sure he is okay. Over the past year they have really become "BUDS". I hope they always will be. Tison has the "BIGGEST" and "SWEETEST" heart. He loves to tell me that I am pretty or beautiful every once in a while. What mother wouldn't love that coming from her little man? I just LOVE everything about him. He has such a fun loving personality and a GREAT sense of humor. He loves to play and laugh. Not a day goes by that he doesn't bring a smile to all of our faces.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TISON

We ALL love you!

So Much to Tell...

It has been well over a year now since my last blog post, but I am going to start back again within the next week. It took me a while after having Blaine (our 4th child) to get back into a nice organized routine. I feel like I am finally getting there, 2 years later....is that sad? :) There is so much to tell about from our first garden, to our new patio, our summer vacation, our return to school, and some home renovations. I will be back after labor day with a new post. I am helping a friend with her wedding on Saturday and my thoughts and time are focused on that right now. Then Tison will be turning 4 on Sunday....I can't believe it........so I'm having to get things ready for his little birthday celebration. I hope everyone has a WONDERFUL and SAFE Labor Day weekend!
Love,
Gladys :)

Pablo, Tiana and Family

We were also lucky to have Tiana and Pablo Driaza with there 2 beautiful children come and visit. We had a delicious barbeque meal that Paul prepared and a wonderful dessert that my dear friend Anne-Marie made for all of us. We had such a fun time reconnecting. It had been quite a few years since we have seen each other. Thank you Tiana and Pablo for taking the time out of your vacation to come and see us. We had so much fun!

Coey and Mia-their adorable children!
Nicole, Michelle, Coey, Tison, and Mia
Anne-Marie (my very best friend of 16 years) and my son Blaine. Her husband Chris was sick and could not be with us that night. We missed you Chris!
GOOD FRIENDS-nothings better!!

My good lookin' chef! Thank you for the meal Paul....it was DELICIOUS!!!

My beautiful friend with her dessert masterpiece which we finished off at breakfast the next morning.......mmmmm good! Thank you Anne-Marie!

Pablo and Tiana, we can't wait to hang out again soon. Hurry and come back to Florida!

Heidi, Lincoln, Paige, and Kloe Russell

(Heidi and Me at Mimi's Cafe enjoying a very YUMMY breakfast. We were lucky enough to have some girl time while Paul watched the kids. I have to be married to one of the greatest men on this earth. He can really do anything, anything he wants and is always so willing to watch the kids so I can have some time for myself ....every once in a while. I love him with all my heart-Thank you-Paul!!)

We were so lucky this month to have a visit from a dear friend who I miss living by so very much. Heidi came with her 3 beautiful children to spend a day and night with us. It was a real treat. We had lots of FUN! The last time Heidi and Matt were able to come and visit us was almost 4 years ago. We missed visiting with Matt this time around, but hope to make a trip up to see them in the near future. All of the children had such a fun time together. Licoln kept on asking Heidi if they could stay another day and Paige was HILARIOUS.....just so full of life and so outgoing. She kept on making these little excited squealing sounds. We had a little picnic planned for them and went to a park nearby our home to eat. We enjoyed visiting while the kids played!

Lincoln, Nicole, Michelle, and Paige

Little Kloe....so photogenic!
Lincoln...being his fun and silly little self. He is such a sweet boy!

Tison pushing Michelle on the swing!

Paige pushing Tison on the swing.

Poor Blaine rubbing those eyes. There were so many nats around that evening. You can see one sitting on his right cheek. Poor boy!

So sweet! Paige and Michelle holding hands.

Paige showing us her chocolate brownie filled hands and mouth. Her expressions cracked me up while they were here. What a beauty!

Paul told them bedtime stories that night. Tison is laying down right behind Paige.

Thank you my beautiful friend for such a great time. You always bring such happiness with you. Miss you and love you!