come on down

We may have gone The Price is Right in Las Vegas last weekend. We may have worn matching shirts (more on that later). My sister may have been called down to Contestants Row. We may have totally freaked out! A lifelong dream may have come true.


{top row: jason, jon, josh
bottom row: tara, the contestant (a.k.a. dawn), bree}

thoughts on life

A couple thought provoking articles that I came across this weekend...

When life comes at you fast, duck! Read here.

At the end of the day, what really matters? Read here.

a simple gift

This past weekend, my little neice celebrate her first birthday. Josh and I struggled to know what to get her. We wanted it to be something meaningful, but something she would use. We decided to buy her the Caldecott and Newbery award winning books for the year she was born, and commit to buying them for her for every birthday after. The idea is that as she grows older she will have a collection of childrens books that celebrate both literature and art, a personal library of books.

I have been so thankful throughout of my life that I was taught to love and respect books and know their value on many levels. They can teach, comfort,entertain and encourage you to dream...and that is a true gift.


{happy birthday little miss}


{the house in the night, first caldecott award winner since 2008}


{the graveyard book, first newbery award winner since 2008}

chester

Two weeks ago we made our way to Canada to see my sister, Dawn, to marry her love, Jon.

Josh and I had the special privelege of caring for our dogphew, Chester. Our job was to pick up Chester from his babysitters (already dressed in his tux) for the ceremony, then supervise him while he greeted people, sit with him during the ceremony, deliver him to his photo shoot, and return him to the sitters for his sleepover party.

He was such a good boy, only a little bit of whimpering and some unexpected gas... but nothing a little Timmy Holedigger dog cologne couldn't fix.


{chester and uncle josh}


{so excited for mom and dad!}


{chester and auntie bree}

little lady

We are a family of girls, four to be exact. When we were growing up, I often heard people exclaim to my parents "no boys!?!". That's right, no boys.

Yesterday one of my 3 sisters, Paige, had her first baby. It is not only Paige's first baby, but the first grandbaby as well. This little bundle has given us all the new title of 'aunt' and created one first time 'papa' and one first time 'grandma'. Paige and her husband Brendan did not find out what they were having, so we all found out the day she came into the world.

This little miracle is Tessa Lilly. We are so thrilled to add another little lady to the family. She is beautiful, looks just like her mom and I love her already.


{tessa on the her birth day 11.28.08}

worse than that

It's worse that the stinky diapers she changed, the boo boos she kissed better and the tears she wiped away.

It's worse than when I told her she didn't understand, told her she was always wrong and didn't listen to her.

It's worse than living 1784 miles apart, than missing her everyday, and not telling her I love her often enough.

Eight days ago, I forgot to tell the world how much I love my mom on her special day.

I love you, Mom. Happy (belated) Birthday!


{me and mom, 1978}

and then there were four

Twenty four years ago today, my youngest sister Tara came to us and completed our family, she was the missing piece to our puzzle.

Can you imagine having 9 toes, 364 days in a year, 49 states in the USA, or 11 eggs in your carton? That's what it would be like without her...it just wouldn't be right.

Tara has taught me a lot in life, I know I have more to learn from her. Our age difference has given our relationship unique dimension. She has made me laugh and cry, and she has always been there. She is a special soul, and I am so blessed to have her in my life.

Happy Birthday! I love you T-Rex.

Bree
XO


{first photo ever of the fab four}

Papa Bear Party

Today is my dad's birthday. It never seems like a big deal to him, but it always is to me.

My father is so much to so many people. He has a generous heart, he is a patient teacher, and a friend to many.

What those people may not know is that my dad is a big ol' teddy bear too. He has taught his cubs to work hard, do their best, and enjoy life. He has done all of this with love.

Happy Birthday Papa Bear!

in knots

Dawn and Jon...c'est bon!

We were thrilled to hear that my sister Dawn, and her darling boyfriend Jon are going to tie the knot sometime next year. We couldn't be happier for them.

let me eat cake

Today I know that not everyone's parents stayed up the night before their party decorating their birthday cake. My mom and Dad worked so hard at creating special memories for me and my sisters. Birthday cakes are very special to me, which is why Josh is sweating it out in the kitchen right now.

I am such a lucky girl.


{some of my homemade birthday cakes}

chester the westie

Henri is thrilled about the arrival of his new cousin, Chester. Welcome to the family little man!

Congratulations Dawn amd Jonny on your new fur baby!

pb & j

As I mentioned a few weeks ago, I am about to be an aunt for the first time. My younger sister Paige (P) and her husband Brendan (B) will be the proud parents of this new little being. I use the term "little being" because we don't know if it is a boy or a girl, and they won't find out, much to our disappointment. Boo! Whatever that little one is, I have been pulling for a name that starts with a J...then they can be PB &J. So clever. Baby is affectionately known as Jamal over here for the time being.

Paige and Brendan are extreme outdoor enthusiasts. I saw this darling nursery idea and had to show it to all of you. It could be great for a little boy or girl, don't you think? I know Jamal would love it!

I AM GOING TO BE AN AUNT FOR THR FIRST TIME (officially), and I can't wait. I am prepared to buy that childs love.

happy fathers day

I know my dad was handpicked from millions of others to be my dad. I know it in my soul.

My dad is a special man. Being a father to four daughters is not for the faint of heart. He is kind, patient, and trusting. He is a teacher, a confidante, and a friend. Laughter comes easily, anger is slow, and he is always quick to forgiveness.

I believe with my whole heart that if every girl was lucky enough to have my dad as her own, the world would be be a better place.

I love you, Dad.

Love Bree
XO


{me and my dad}

happy mothers day

Even though we are far away from one another, I believe that you show me every day in some way that you love me.

Some days we visit in my imagination or in my memories, but I know parts of us are always together.

I love you, Mom.

Love Bree
XO


{me and my mom}

think 'grobal'ly

I am not a mother in the traditional sense. I have a fur child (Henri) who I love more than I ever could have imagined. It makes it hard to believe that I could ever love another child more than him.

To celebrate Mothers Day at our house, Henri, with Josh's help presented me with a set of four gorgeous Grobals. They are self watering pots that come in lively colors. The ones I received are intended for my new home office. I absolutely adore them.

We also had a delicious brunch and a nice evening stroll. I am so blessed to have my own little family at 123 house.

A big thank you to my two favorite guys.


{grobals}

a page from paige's life

{bree, dawn and paige}

On April 23, 1981, I received news from my dad that there was a new little girl born into our family, her name was Paige. Now there were three. We couldn't wait to meet her.

Dawn and I looked upon the real life doll when she arrived home, intrigued by the golden fuzz upon her head. This little doll endured a lot at our playful hands. Crazy hairstyles, photo shoots, and rides down stairs in cardboard boxes were just the begining.

It was not only the yellow locks upon her head that made her different from me. She has beautiful blue eyes (as do my other sisters), athletic abilities, and an abundance of other talents, and qualities that I adore.

Paige was always a willing participant in my home productions. One in particular was the interpetive dance performance of The Lion Sleeps Tonight where I back-combed her hair to look like a lion's mane, and made her a costume from construction paper. I think I am indebted to her for life for that alone.

Today she is adventurous, generous, grateful, enthusiastic, and playful. She is incredibly resilient (we may have had something to do with this, Paige). She loves her family, her husband and animals, and she truly enjoys life.

Happy Birthday Paige! I hope you celebrate, the way we did the day you came to us.

Love Bree
XO

special day

{bree (left) and dawn (right)}

Twenty-nine years ago today I met my first forever friend, my sister Dawn.

Here are 29 things I love about her in no particular order.

1. She is beautiful.
2. She is a thinker.
3. She is kind.
4. She makes me laugh.
5. She is always there for me.
6. She is very stylish.
7. She is a good friend.
8. She is honest.
9. She speaks her mind.
10. She is incredibly smart.
11. She can give me free legal advice.
12. She is passionate.
13. She is a good cake decorator.
14. She has good hair.
15. She is proud to be Canadian.
16. She is forgiving.
17. She is always growing.
18. She is strong.
19. She is sensitive.
20. She is a great conversationalist.
21. She loves game shows.
22. She always tolerates me cheating on board games, but beats me anyway.
23. She is creative.
24. She is a good cook.
25. She does workout tapes.
26. She loves Costco.
27. She has a pretty smile.
28. She is determined.
29. She is the kind of sister that everyone deserves to have.

Happy Birthday Dawn! I hope your day is as special as you are.

Love Bree
XO

the long road home

{photo of my grandfather, my father and his brother in new york,
taken by my great grandfather}

Today we said good-bye to my grandfather (Opa for the Dutch minded). He spent 87 years in this world and made it a much better place for many, but especially for me. I will miss him and will always hold his memory close to me.

leavin' on a jet plane

This morning, all of our holiday guests caught their planes to go home. We miss everyone already.

This year was very special for us, it was our first Christmas at 123 House, and it was wonderful to have our family there to celebrate with us.

We worked on puzzles, ate lots of food, took naps, watched movies, and spent time enjoying eachothers comany. It was really a dream come true.

Image from Rubberball.