The Big 4-0

Yes, you would think that at such an important milestone such as a 40th birthday, I could be more on time with my wife's own posting.  So if any of you have felt bad that I have missed birthdays, you can see it is just me and nothing to take personally.

We had a great Christmas and I had a fun day planned for Annie's birthday, but a few things went awry such as weather that didn't cooperate with a bike ride with some friends and shrimp that was forgotten at the grocery store checkout that was meant to top a Swedish sandwich torte which was 

to serve as the birthday cake.  And then there was the cutting of the birthday night date short after being being informed by the babysitter that one of the kids had lice.  My favorite Annie quote of the nights was, "Lice!? we can't have lice!  I have pre-conceived notions of people whose kids have lice!"  It goes without saying that the humble pie for dessert was not so sweet.

However, I am grateful though that Annie is so sweet, tangy at times, but sweet nonetheless.  It is nice to have a best friend who I love at the same time.  Here is to at least 60 more birthdays without stress, palpitations, forgotten shrimp, lost bikerides and with lots of fun, excitement, joy and peace.

Cheers, Annie! Hurrah, Hurrah, hurrah, hon lever!

Congratulations, Gigi!

Thank Heaven for little girls . . . .

How exciting that amid all the festive Christmas preparations, we get to have yet one more reason to celebrate!  What a rock you have been to your immediate family and ours.  I hope that you will have an incredible day and that this coming year is one of hope and promise.

Happy Birthday, Gigi!!!

Feliz, Robin

If Ben Franklin was right stating that the only certain thing in this world is death and taxes, what do we bump into on the way? I gues it happens to even the best of us, eh? Not to ruin anyones dreams. . .

Another thing is certain, we are all glad to have you in the family and we wish you many more happy birthdays!

Anne

Anne, what a great name, but I am biased. Best wishes and welcome to the family. Happy Birthday. I hope it is a great one, especially for your mom and dad since you likely won't remember this one.

Wihoo, Brooke!

I usually try to find some good dirt and tie it into a birthday message or find something silly, but that will have to be next year for you, Brooke (Ben this is your cue to start posting some blackmail pictures on your website). I am very impressed with your blog in that you capture all the types of things about your family; the type of things that I have long wished I would have recorded so that I could have a "snapshot " of my kids before memories fade and the funny stories are lost. So in wishing you a happy birthday, I am going to share with the family your poem which is a snapshot of your family, but may also spark a responsive chord in your birthday wishers. Happy Birthday Brooke!

Wobbly Twirls By Brooke Kamalu

If adventure can be tied up with ribbons and tags-
With candy and green and yellow thoughts in bags-

If keys open hearts withgiggles and smiles-

And innocence lives in your house for a while-

If perfect wears shoes that are size two or size four-

And eyes reveal heaven, mischief, and more-

If Mother Goose comes to visit at noon every day-

And tea parties and silly are just your way-

If wheels on the bus go round and round-

And London bridges really do fall down-

If peek-a-boo will cure your cares-

And small folded hands say simple prayers-

If tiny pink skirts do wobbly twirls-

Then you must be blessed with little girls-

Ross, it's your Birthday

From one Ross to another, Happy Birthday. I hope it is a "Supreme"-ly happy one for you. You are such a "Wiz" that "There Ain't No Mountain High Enough" to compare how much we think of you. I understand that part of your pear tree blew down. I have a nice "Mahogany" sapling that you could replace it with. "Do you know Where you're Going To" go for dinner to celebrate? I hope you remember to bring your camera to capture that "One Shining Moment" where you blow out your candles and make a wish. Don't blow so hard that you fall back and "Upsidedown". Live it up and "Surrender" to frivilous abandon your Birthday!!!

"Missing You,"

Diana

A Deer-free year

Congrats on biking a full year sans deer. I am sure your Ironman Tri on November 1 will go much better this time without hoof prints and road rash in your leg. Can you hear Annie and I singing:

You've had a birthday, shout Hooray!

Your hair is looking a little gray,

One year older, but it looks like two,

Happy Birthday, to you.

Arizona Luvin'

I see that Arizona can really bring out the best in a man. I hope it is a "colorful" birthday for you. Nice to know we can count on Phil to make it extraordinary. Hau`oli la hanau, Elisha.

From one Crist to another

Rebecca, since we are both from the South, kin at some point in our family histories and becuase you're just generally really cool, I hereby declare today a Florida State holiday in honor of your Birthday. I hope your celebration is bigger than Texas!

Your friend, Charlie (you can call me Gov or just Chuck)

誕生日おめでとう!

Mmmm, nothing like Hello Panda Cookies and Pocky Sticks. I love World Market! I will have to buy some tomorrow and have a moment in honor of your birthday.

Glad that Grandma discovered my oversight. While this is now a belated birthday, I hope the genuineness of the wish is in no way diminshed.

Otanjou-bi Omedetou Gozaimasu, Raleigh!

ia ora te mahana fanaura'a

That's Tahitian for Happy Birthday.

This is Tahitian Ben ready for his likeness on the Tahitian Noni bottle.

I love what one can find on the internet. We are all more connected than we realize.

hau'oli la hanau Kamalu!!!!!!!!

Liberate yourself on your Special Day, Diana!

A statue of Diana, goddess of the hunt and the moon. Have a frolicking good time on your birthday, though with the autumn chill in MA you may want to put on some clothes. Happy Birthday!

from http://colorsweettooth.blogspot.com/2007_02_01_archive.html

The piece is Hunt by Harriet Whitney Frishmuth. The photo here does not do it justice, as Diana is a magnificent warm bronze, with a finish like glass. Meanwhile, the hounds are left rough, with the light areas just turning copper oxide green, the high points bronze as if hand rubbed. The coldness of the hounds (in face, demeanor, and color) contrasted with the goddess' rich glowing heat was striking. And the sculpture, about 18 inches high, is full of echoes. Diana's form (extended arm and leg) repeats the curves of the bow, as do the dogs' Russian wolf-hound backs. In person you can feel the massive furnace of the big rib cages and hearts of these tireless animal companions, as wild and alien as the goddess.

Don't get all tied up, its your Birthday, Chris

Chris, since we're twins, I will keep the "Fly" theme to your birthday greeting too (see below).

But since we live so far apart, I hope you will have double the fun on my account.

Happy Birthday!!!

Its Carl's Birthday!

I sat in Midtown, and looked at the sky, and as I lay there a Carl flew by. . .

Sorry, I just read A Fly Went By to Nicholas. A WONDERFUL 1950s classic for the kiddos.

I am almost ready to fly through the Streets of Atlanta on Thanksgiving Day.

Happy Birthday to me!

Carl

Zippedy-ay and "Heidi-ho" . . .

Heidi, we were wishing for you long before your birthday, thanks to Hurricane Ike. That way the candles didn't melt all over the cake while we went around one by one to make a wish for you. Best wishes for the beginning of a great year!

Yee-ha! it's Morgan's Birthday!

Morgan, have a high-flyin' good time on your birthday (but don't give your Mom a coronary!). Best wishes, little Brother Wagner!

Our hats ar off to you on your birthday, Andrea!! I hope you were able to live it up with your Swing Fever band tonight.

It's Tyler's Special Day!

Hey, Tyler! Tell everyone to lighten up . . . . . .its YOUR birthday. Congratulations and best wishes!

Hau'oli La Hanau, Aaron

Welcome back to the Mainland! Next family reunion, let's do the beach at Westport. Sounds like fun. You can teach us all your moves and how to talk:

"I took off on this bomb of a lefthander, it jacked as it hit the inside bank and the lip chucked right out. It went square dude! Full suck dredging turbo barrel!Any way I get totally shacked spat out of this of this keg when I see some shoulder-hopping kook on a 60s rhino chaser drop in on me. Fortunately the guys a total ho-dad and wipes out.The wave's now bowling hard and I've got plenty of speed so I wack the lip a couple of times, bury the rail for a roundhouse cutty and boom! The whole thing closes out behind me. It was sick - You should have been there - you missed it!"

Happy Birthday . . . .Dude!

Happy Birthday, Phil!!!

So how many rounds of Rock, Paper, Scissors (click here for article) did it take before Elisha said she would marry you? I think she's much more of a prize than $2500. We are glad that you are a part of the family. Sorry for the belated birthday wish. We were in South Carolina this weekend and didn't have internet access where we were staying.

--Carl

Happy late birthday!!!

No need to debate, Jerry is great, even though this message is late. Happy (belated) birthday. Glad you are in the family, Jerry.

Birthday Greetings from one Maddie to the next! Have fun day :)

You did it again, Emily

Don't feel blue (or violet), be happy . . . Its your Birthday! You made it to another year. Now roll along and have a fun day!!!!

Yeah for Amanda!!

Sorry I was a little late with the Birthday posting. You will just have to celebrate longer. Best wishes for a Super Birthday!
Keep those cowboys in Monroe in line, you hear? :)

It's Blake's Birthday

Well Blake, I couldn't find an appropriate girl to pop out of a birthday cake for you, so you will have to settle with a greeting from the Power Puff Girls who miss hanging out with you. Remember the good old days? We hope you have an awesome b'day, Blake!!!! And the monkeys in the zoo send their best regards to you...

Happy Belated Birthday Dad!!

Sorry for the late greeting and gift. It will come in the mail. While late, it was long in the making. It has a lot to do with this (see photos). We love you. I let everyone else know about this birthday page, so comments and wishes should come in to you below.