Happy Birthday To Me!

What a busy day! Phone calls from friends. Lots of birthay wishes via Facebook. Lunch with my girl friends. Nifty pressies. Friends over for dinner. My favorite holiday on the horizon. And an upcoming visit from my long time friend, Shan. Does it get any better?

Orion's 12th Birthday

Well folks, we're back! And the 101+ degree heat (with indices in the 115 - 125 degree range) didn't kill me. But not for trying! Thursday was Orion's Birthday and we zipped down Highway 13 to Springfield, MO and picked up Highway 65 and rode it all the way down to Conway. We were tired to begin with; cramming five days' work into three so we could run away took it's toll. So we took our time stopping in Gilbert for a hamburger and look at the river and again in Leslie to visit an antique shop. We arrive around dinner time and it was SO good to see Orion! He had been with Meme and MyBob for 14 days at that point and he must have grown another six inches! We had a quiet evening hanging out, watching TV, and snacking.

Friday was the day of the Party! Orion and Meme planned a Hawaiian luau complete with leis. What fun! The afternoon was filled with preparing for the party. The guests arrived around 3:00 to begin swimming. We had chicken, hot dogs, and burgers (thank you John for cooking!) with tater salad, chips, and a delicious chocolate cake (Wow, Meme! Very tasty!). I must admit, I stayed in much of the afternoon- only venturing out to view the cake cutting and present opening. I stayed inside, out of the sun, and worked on K.P. duty. It was just too hot!
Despite the raging heat and blasting sun, I do believe that fun was had by all! Orion's cousins and friends of the family all arrived to share Orion's special day!

(Orion poses with his brand new arc welder!)

Happy Birthday Orion

Happy 12th Birthday to Orion Teague Leslie, founder of Kilted Griffin Ironworks.

My Niece is Better Looking than Your Niece...

Okay, okay... I don't want to start a fight! I'm just stating the facts! Ellie Jelly celebrated her third birthday this past weekend! I wish I had been there to wish her a happy day! (Photos "borrowed" from Tree's blog.)

Ellie makes school look like so much fun!

What a grown-up girl! Love the uni.

Juicy Goose loves fresh juice.

October Catch Up!

October has been a busy month! I've had more meetings than I can count. I've even forgotten several meetings. I'm analyzing my data. And analyzing the data of others (various papers I'm working on). But more importantly, I've not taken the time to blog and wish my friends and family happy days!

Birthdays to Note:
Dominic is 17 as of October 9!
John is way over 40 as of October 12.
My most best special brother-in-law, PD had a birthday on the 18th!
My sister had hers on the 19th!
My other brother-in-law will be 60 something on the 31st.
My friends Jim, Danny, Eric, Darryl, and Nancy all celebrated their birthdays this month too!

Our 15 th wedding anniversary was on the 2nd. I think I actually blogged about that.
Tree and PD celebrated their 10th anniversary on Friday, October 17th.
Michael and Robin celebrate their 14th or 13th anniversary today, October 22!
My Aunt Fran (Dad's little sister) and Uncle Joe (Mom's little brother) celebrate their anniversary tomorrow on October 23rd.
Mom and Dad shared that anniversary as well.

It's been a busy month! Happy days friends and family! Happy days!

Birthday Pics

Orion's 11th Birthday was held at our favorite restaurant in town, Monetti's Pizzeria. Yum! We invited several of his good friends and ordered the Gigunda Pizza! The boys only thought they were hungry!

Orion wanted a John Deere cake! And so we made that happen! It came from the local grocery store, Parker's, and was very tasty.

Orion watches me intently as I place the candles on his cake! One for each year and another to grow on!

Mr. Monetti guides his staff as they sing Happy Birthday to Orion in Italian! What fun!

Happy Birthday to Orion!

Happy 11th Birthday Orion Teague Leslie! I can't wait for you to come home from camp so we can celebrate your day! These pictures were taken in June of 2002 for Orion's 5th Birthday. We had his party at Uncle Michael and Aunt Robin's House in Fayetteville. This year we have a super-secret-surprise party for Little Bear planned on the 30th!

April 27, Nineteen Hundred and Something

Happy Belated Birthday to Grandpa Doug, aka Grandpa in the Palm Trees! Doug celebrated his "umteenth" birthday this past weekend! We wish we could have celebrated with you!

Robin Brings the Sun

Ra is the Egyptian sun god; it is also the nickname that I have for my sister-in-law, Robin. And like Ra, Robin brings the sun to any occasion. Few are lucky enough to have a sister-in-law as wonderful as mine. But the truly lucky one is my big brother, Michael. Lucky and smart. Lucky for finding her and smart for snagging her.

For me, Robin is more than a sister-in-law. She's a role model for kindness, professionalism, and sanity. She is someone I truly look up to and think, "I want to be like her."

The world is a much better place for many of us (family, friends, and patients) because of Robin. And today we celebrate her birthday!

Happy Birthday Robin!

Happy Birthday Ma!

Mom celebrated her ?8th birthday on Saturday! How old is she? I'm not tellin'! But she's just about 30 years older than I am.

I hope you had a fabulous day, Ma!

Happy Birthday Mocha Mike

Mocha Mike is my big brother Michael. When Orion was little he couldn't quite say Uncle. Or was it the ubiquitous cup of joe Michael always has with him? This is a picture of Michael on one of his most favorite places to be- the sailboat! May this next year have many opportunities for you to sail! We love you and can't wait to see you for Christmas!

Happy Birthday Dr. Goodspeed

Happy Birthday Dear Friend & Welcome Home!

Dr. Eric (von) Goodspeed is celebrating his birthday today! Eric returned home from Iraq about three weeks ago! Hooray, welcome home, and Happy Birthday friend! The Leslie Family misses you!

On This Day

(Kathy & Dad, circa 1975)

Michael Angelo Mangione, born December 5, 1931

Happy Birthday

Have a wonderful day Jenny Penny Shiny Shoes Strawberry Heart! I miss you!

Tree-Saw Has a Birthday

Happy, Happy Birthday Little Sister!

I love you!

October 18, 1971

Happy Birthday PilDong!

Today is my brother-in-law's birthday! PD is a very special guy and I am so glad he's part of our family. These pictures were taken this summer during my visit. PD was helping me fry a million (delicious) egg rolls! I miss you lil' brother! I can't wait to see you during Christmas!

Happy Sixteenth Birthday

Dominic Francesco Mangione celebrates his sixteenth birthday on October 9, 2007! Happy Birthday dear nephew! I love you and I am proud of you!