Days with the Dorans

Melanie, Me and Angie (Friends since kindergarten!!)  I was very bummed that our friends the Stewarts were unable to join us to ring in the year (especially seeing that the whole Doran clan was well), but glad that we still had some great company.  My folks came over early and we all played Left, Right, Center which is a super fun game.  Even Goose got in on the fun!  Sean had fun collecting the 'center' chips and I was surprised that he was able to sit at the table with all of us without ruining the game.  It gave me some hope for the new year! The Gearys (a couple I set up and are now happily married...) came over and then we got out the real cash to play the game. They forgot to bring their singles so we floated them a loan and would you believe they won ALL of the games we played!?! Hmmm...  The younger boys all started playing Skylander Giants (which is a new video game they got) and I think they were in heaven (mainly because we just l...

Sometimes it's not the big happenings, but the little ones. The snuggling on the couch with the kids. The random hugs that happen throughout the days. The laughing. Sean wanted to take some pictures of me and him... so we did! When I was a teenager I wrote a quote on my wall that the best things in life are not things. Today I know that more than ever.

Be a Rainbow in someone else's cloud- Maya Angelou  It's hard to believe that it's been 8 years since we first laid eyes on our princess!  She had a great birthday.  Her dad made her chocolate chip (well... chocolate from Hershey bars) pancakes and after, she got to open gifts from us and Grandma.  Grandma got her a barbie with a camera which was very cool and she kept it with her (snapping pictures) all day.  We got some less exciting things for her including two NON-green leotards... just as cute so hopefully she'll change up her dancing gear.  She even has some new big flowers for her hair so it should work...  Al wanted to go to CJs Brewery for her birthday (one of the many reasons her dad loves her).  Nana, Papa, the Drapal Fam and Auntie Jodi and Uncle Randy came too.  The next day (Saturday) was her birthday party.  She loaded up the goodie bags for her friends early (which consisted of all things girly and pretty...

Dear Ali Jane, I know you know the story of your birth, but I figured I would write it here because sometimes it's nice to have those things in writing.  For years (decades really) on my birthday Nana and Papa would give me the play-by-play of the events of the day I was born and tonight (since I can't sleep~ much like that night 8 years ago), I thought I would share with you the events of your birth as I remember them. I feel like I should start with the day that I found out I was pregnant with you.  I took a test and it told me I was pregnant.  I didn't say anything right away to daddy.  I sat with this secret that only you, God and I knew of your existence.  I remember I was ironing some clothes because we were going to your Great-Great-Auntie Irene's funeral.  I was so close to her.  I visited her regularly and took her shopping and out to eat every week after she moved from Hamtramck to where we live.  I remember, while I ironed ...

 Christmas continues on December 26th for us when we head up to Saginaw for a nice visit with Grandma and all the Doran cousins (and of course the Gillespies... I just say Dorans because they are on the Doran side). The kids were excited to celebrate and of course to give Grandma her gifts. She was very excited too which I know made them so happy!  When we got there we started with some amazing food (all the ladies there can cook... minus me of course). We didn't realize this, but Jeff's sister (and family) were leaving shortly after our arrival.  They have a long ride home now that they've moved and on top of things, their dogs were sick.  Before leaving though, of course we had to do presents! It's so nice because with so many cousins, instead of buying for everyone, we exchange names.  I need to have my brother and sister-in-law have more babies so we can do that on the Drapal side too!  Zach got some cool Hulk gloves from one of the Doran cou...