A Bouncin’ Good Time

Well, she’ll tell you herself, Claire is now a very big girl and will tell you stories starting with “Back when I was a little girl and was only 3 years old…” 

 {Oh, you mean like yesterday?  Yeah, I remember…}

Mom and I woke up with the sun on Saturday morning and made a quick trip down to San Antonio for Claire’s birthday party. When we arrived, Ms. Sassy Skirt herself was ecstatic that we were there for her party.  She may have been slightly happy that a special guest came, too!

Since Mark and Maegan started their nomadic lifestyle before Claire’s second birthday, this is the first real party she’s gotten to have, with real friends, too!  This girly is so funny to watch.  She had an absolute blast at her birthday party!

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SUGAR! SUGAR! SUGAR!

 

Our little dancing queen! 

Modesty much?  Maybe not – we’ll work on it!

{I apologize, I don’t know why YouTube won’t let me enable this video for phone/tablet preview}

 

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Mom got Claire a little vanity for her birthday present.  I’m fairly certain that getting that child out of the door each morning will take at least five minutes longer from now own, because she insists on ‘getting ready’ like her mommy does.

 

Sunday morning, I woke up early and snuggled with my silly, bed-headed girl.  With such sweet innocence, she looked up at me – toast crumbs covering her face – and asks “Laney, am I still four?” 

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Funny story – after we giggled and played early on Sunday morning, I went back into her room to take a quick cat nap before hitting the road.  I heard her come in, so I peeked and watched her pick out her skirt and shoes.  After getting dressed, she whispers to herself:

“Oh, I need to get ready real quick.”

She proceeds to sit at her vanity, brush her hair, moisturize and put on her lipstick.

“There!  I think I look pretty good now.  Ready to go!”

She stands up, turns of the light, shuts the door and she’s off….

God Love Her!

{tap, tap, tap}

IS THIS THING ON?!?!

{cue, Britney Spears’ I Love RockNRoll}

Well, what can I say other than I’m officially the world’s worst blogger?  I had decided to temporarily put down the pen  unplug the keyboard, which then turned into just deciding to leave the page up but abandon it to a authorless blog shelter.  For life.

Things change.

As usual, any friend on Facebook has been kept up to date with the daily, weekly or monthly happenings in my life (if they even pay attention to me,) but just in case there are still any phantom readers out there, here goes!

Over night last summer, I went from this dateless gal …

…to this girl who suddenly had someone constantly antagonizing her!

Meet Taylor.  The rain man of almost all sports knowledge.  Rarely quiet, often funny, always opinionated.  One who believes that Jacksboro, Texas might quite possibly be Heaven on Earth.  His slow Texas draaawwwlll becomes quite exaggerated after cocktails, but he is always game to pass a good time!

 

He also is a real good dancer.

He thinks I’m pretty decent.  I think he’s pretty awesome.   He’ll do. 

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In other news, Molly and Larry went from this excited bride- and groom-to be …

to the happy newlyweds.  I am just so pleased that our family continues to grow.  {because there aren’t quite enough effed up people in this world.}

Speaking of growing, we were gifted with a new little turkey the week before Thanksgiving.  Meet Ryan Andrew, son of Scott and Kim, born November 16th!

 

I am one happy Aunt Laney! 

For quite sometime, Clairey referred to Baby Ryan as her baby brother rather than her cousin.  Which she isn’t totally incorrect, because genetically, they are half siblings since the Mark & Scott share DNA. 

Weird, huh?!?

That turkey has rapidly grown into a monstrous manchild over the last 6 months.  This butt-chin… oh.my.gah!  {Smooooches!}

…and our sweet little baby…. the princess that stole her aunties’ and uncle’s heart {don’t even get me started on how she stole Nonnie & Tini’s hearts..} back in 2008 … celebrates her fourth birthday tomorrow. 

FOURTH! 

{are ya’ kidding me?}

Oh, Claire Elizabeth – your innocence and and sparkling spirit refreshes my soul. 

HAPPIEST of BIRTHDAYS, to you, my Love!

 

…and for Mike & Leslie.  Mom & Dad.  Nonnie & Tini…

…they’re doin’ just fine and are precious as ever!

 

That’s the latest from The Stanga Train.   I am forever indebted to my gracious Creator for the blessings he grants our family each and every day.  I think we’re pretty swell!