Amillia always loves her sibling visits with Kami and Hailen.
Miriam celebrated her 16th birthday! My dad kept sending her the Neil Sedaka birthday song all day asking if I had shown it to her yet. She finally watched it. By the look on her face... I don't think that era spoke to her very much. 😂
Chandler helped Miriam light her cake with the trick candles. These last few years, Miriam has requested no-bake cheesecake for her birthday (something I always requested from my mom for my birthday).
Grandma and Grandpa Rawlins came to visit for Miriam's birthday.
(Second photo here got bombed.)
Grandpa Manwill visited for Miriam's birthday too.
I think the most memorable part about Miriam's 16th was reserving a hotel room for her and her friends: Emma Spencer, Rebkah Orme, Elise Phair, and Lucy Drennen.
Now you see her...
...Now you don't.
After swimming, I served up some homemade ice cream and popcorn treats for the girls while Miriam opened presents.
The next morning, I practiced my henna skills on the girls...
...When we returned from the hotel, Millie saw Miriam's painted hand and wanted henna for herself.
Micah, Kaylee, and Amillia's Easter baskets.. . (Micah painted his to look like Bubba Fett.. And I love that Kaylee painted hers this year all by herself. I think she did a great job!)
My former foster-son, Brendon, came up to spend the day with us on Easter weekend. We love him so much! We invited Emily to come too but she had plans with her mom and dad.
These last few Easter's, we have visited my sister at her work in the retirement home. Amy is the best activity director! She invited lots of children who live near the retirement center to the Easter Egg Hunt in order to provide the residents with a feeling of being the hub of excitement and entertainment. She had live chicks for people to pet, games and crafts, music, prizes, and horderves.
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| Kaylee, Easter Bunny, Millie |
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| Me, Easter Bunny, Amy, Alexa |
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| Brendon (guy in the hood), Micah, Kaylee |
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| Brendon and Micah (Brendon is purposefully keeping his hood over his head and trying to avoid the camera.😊) |
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| Amillia is so excited to hold a baby chick. |
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| Amillia with the traditional milk-jug Easter basket. |
This sweet lady's name is Rosemary. The kids LOVE her!
I have never met a woman her age with so much spunk. She's a real cutie, a favorite of us all!
Just took a little Sunday hike up the hill east of Vivian Park. Chandler and Micah stayed down and walked along the river.
Miriam and her good friend, Emma, joking around, playing with "lotions and potions" (pronounced: loshins and poshins).
Amillia visiting her bio parents
Chandler and his friend, Jackson Tanner, getting ready to see the latest Marvel movie, End Game.
My dad turned 70 this month...
.... and he started dating someone pretty seriously. Before the end of this summer, I will have a stepmom, 5 step brothers, and 2 step sisters.
Millie was invited to a tea party at my friend Kim's house with her soon-to-be granddaughter. Grace and Amillia had never met but they hit it off really well. We'll have to have a tea party again.
Just a couple random pics of the kids playing at the park.
