Friday, December 26, 2025

Pops' 80th Birthday!

We celebrated my dad's 80th birthday in style this year.  My mom put together an amazing party at a local restaurant that has a backroom speakeasy.  Most people came in their roaring '20s outfits, and it was truly so much fun!

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Bobby was the bouncer - no one got into
the party without the password

Making sure everyone had a headband or armband

Original six

Espresso martinis were a hit!

Backroom deals

Still know how to party

Got a cute date

Points to Dave and Wendy for color-coordinating


Discretely checking the football score

This is Ed's sexy pout

Dustin and Meghan!

Ready for some fun

This style definitely suits Chris!
Keepin it classy

Adorable niece Gilly

John and his kiddos (minus Sophie)

Younts!

"Look cute and sexy" - our interpretation

Blondes have more fun
John gave a great toast to Dad

Boys night!

Sometimes you really need a cigar

Born to party

Bribing the bouncer

Coolin off

Looking lovely!

Keep the martinis coming!

Perfect

Probably talking about wastewater treatment
plants or something

Just a couple cousins out for some trouble

Looking good!

Yummy snacks and drinks all night!

Dad paying off the police during the "raid" - he's
a born actor (snickers)

The most adorable vocalist put up with our song requests

Not a Wilt party if there isn't a lot of obnoxious singing!

Too many drinks

Cheers to an amazing party and a wonderful dad!

Late Summer 2025

I'm about half a year behind on updating this - oops.  Life continues to be great but extremely busy (hence the late post).  I'm trying to make up for lost time, but considering my really bad memory, I'll probably forget some stuff.  Here's August/September in photos!

We went to Cedar Pointe with the kids, which is something they look forward to each year.  Maggie and Jamie hit up all the big coasters, Evie is kind of in the middle and loves the simpler rides, and I usually hang with Ben in the little kids' area.  A long, but fun day!

Cedar Pointe!

Ugh, how can anyone handle spinning in
circles for fun?!

Pure joy

Probably my last year with a kid under 48"

Lots of lines to wait in

We went to the Renaissance Festival and learned that it is definitely Maggie's happy place - and the other two tolerated it.

Fun times for all!

Maggie got elf ears glued on and blended
with makeup - very happy girl

Henna tat for our tough girl

Throwing tomatoes at the insult guy... who was
very nice to Ben, and I felt kind of bad

Lots of sports games over the summer between the Tigers and Lions!

One of Maggie'e fave authors did a meet and greet
before a Tigers game, and Jamie got her tickets - she
was all about it!

Pre-season game - and we lost, but still fun!

Ready to for a foul ball

Had a fun Tigers outing with fireworks, and
Justin and Grandma were there too!

Still a cuddle-bug

Talkin stats with Grandpa

Time for another school year!  We now have a 7th grader, 5th grader and 1st grader, and everyone settled in well this year.  

Ready to take on 7th grade

Fifth grader - top of the food chain at school!

So ready to conquer first grade!

The girls and I are very into Gilmore Girls, it's our special show to watch together and has somewhat of a cult following.  The City of Brighton transformed their downtown into the show's town (Stars Hollow), so of course we had to go!  We had such a fun time, it was awesome!

The World's Almost Largest Pizza

Had to get coffee from Luke's

Photo op with Taylor at his soda shoppe

My favorite activity - decorating pink hammers

Testing out her handiwork

Each person got to hammer a nail to help create a thread art piece

Construction photo

In Omnia Paratus

Don't flinch!

Maggie and her bestie

Hangin in Lane's closet

Future reporter?

Making a print

Hangin at Luke's apartment

Some others:

Swimming with cousin Sue

Evie got to go to a Cat Cafe for a birthday party
(sounds like my worst nightmare)

Maggie is continuing with archery, loves it!

Bowlero bowling

Apparently Evie likes snakes now (shudder)

Earning our parenting stripes at a 7:30am soccer games, yawn.

Action shot

Had a great weekend trip with some of Jamie's current/former
co-workers - so awesome!

Sunset beers for the win