Happy Birthday, Andi!!

Happy Birthday to the beauty who gave me a sister for the first time!

1. I appreciate that you get on China time with me, and jam out to the Jo Bros when none of the boys will, and I even appreciate the occasional take down in the kitchen.

2. You've pretty much been there for all my big events in life... High School dances, graduation, and even when I CHOPPED my hair off and didn't tell my family!  You always go the extra mile to make sure I have the best experience I can.

3. I appreciate that you are always interested in my life and things that I'm doing, and you always give the best advice!  Truly been a sister to me over the years and I love you!!

I can hardly even imagine our family before you were a part of it!  I love you and I hope you had an EXCELLENT day!

Yom Huledet Sameach!

 Happy Birthday to the BEST mom in the WORLD!!! I love you!

These are just 3 of the THOUSANDS of things that I LOVE about you!

1. You always make things super fun and festive for us.  Here in Jerusalem I always tell people how cool my mom is with Holidays cause she decks out the house and wears halloween aprons and makes pumpkin bread bowl soup on halloween, and santa hats at the dinner table on Christmas!  And sometimes you even dance to Halloween music in the kitchen! Ha! It makes things so much more fun for all of us!

2. I love that I'm your only daughter and that I was the youngest because I got to spend so much time at home with just you and dad, and that made me feel really close to you!  You've always been there for me when I'm sad and need someone to listen to me for hours and make me feel better!  You always know the best things to say.

3. I love that you've been there with me for EVERY SINGLE big event in my life!  I never had to wonder if my mom was going to show up to my Prom or Graduation, or even a soccer game or piano recital.  And you always let me do the things I was interested in, and supported whatever I wanted to do, and got invested in it with me.  I always appreciated your interest in my Orchestra and choir concerts and everything else I did!

I hope you have a most EXCELLENT DAY!  I love you!

Happy Birthday, Kimmy!

Happy Birthday to my sister-in-law KIM!!  I hope you had a most excellent day.

My three favorite things about one of my very favorite ladies in the whole world:

1. She laughs about everything, which makes me laugh also.  Like the time we were in Germany and this lady started singing to us in another language and gave us healing rocks and we couldn't stop laughing in the corner...

2. She's the most thoughtful person in the world.  She always gives the best gifts and she always thinks ahead and makes people feel better.

3. She is so helpful and fun.  Always one to help me get ready for my dances in High School and make me excited for stuff.  She also was the one to make me feel comfortable wearing high heels for the first time--no matter how short your date is!

I love you, Kimmy! I hope you had a great day!

(I was in Jordan with no internet on your actual birthday, so it's a little late!)

Happy Birthday, Robert!

Happy Birthday to my brother and best friend ROBERT!  Turning half a century this fine day.

My 3 favorite things about this fine brother of mine:

1. I love that since we were little he always has let me play with him and his friends--whether it was watching them play Fifa, or going to Seven Peaks late, he's always been the nicest to me.  Even my friends are blown away at how nice he is to his little sis and her friends.  Even going out to catch dragon flies with us for our bug collections in High School Biology and never acting like he didn't want to!

2. We have never fought.  We spent about 4 years as the only kids in my parents house together, and the only time I can remember genuinely getting mad at him was when he took a round bite out of my perfectly prepared bagel ;)  I used to love staying up past my bed time in his room and getting struck with terror when we heard the stair creak in the hallway which meant we were about to get busted.  We were usually doing super cool stuff like lighting my finger on fire, or seeing if he can jump over my head still even if I was facing forward... (Remember that??)

3. He's the best example to me.  We've always been close, and I know I can always talk to him about stuff I'm worried about, or just want to laugh about.  and I love that he still lets me sleep over at his house sometimes even though I'm 21!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ROBERT!  I love you.

Happy Birthday, Scott!

 Happy Birthday to my brother, Scott!  I always say if I could go back in time and play with one little kid it would be Scott.  All our home videos of him are the best.

Here are my 3 favorite things about Scott:

1. He's always been so nice and protective of his little sis.  Especially while I'm in the Holy Land. 

2. He's hilarious.  No matter what it is he's talking about, he can get a room laughing.  But if anyone else were to tell the same jokes, it wouldn't even be half as funny.  And I love when he tries to be a good swimmer in our parents backyard...

3. He's the best dad in the world to his 2 babies and they love him to DEATH!

 I love you, Scott!  Thanks for being such a great brother!

Tyler Baxter Brinton

September 21, 2012 I became Auntie Ann once again!  So sad I can't hold this little sweet pea now, but SO look forward to meeting him in 3 months when I get home!  Congratulations Bryan and Andi!  I love him already!

BABYY!!!

Okay, I'm SO PROUD TO FINALLY BE ABLE TO SHOUT THIS!!!!!!!!  I am having another baby niece/nephew in APRIL!!!  Could hardly keep the news in, I'm so glad it's out!  I LOVE YOU BOTH!!  And baby too :)  Congratulations

Happy Birthday, Noah!

Well, let the Brinton birthday season begin!!  Sad I won't be home to celebrate everyone's birthday this year.  Happy Birthday to one of my favorite little guys yesterday!

Since he's 3, here are my 3 favorite things about Noah:

1. He likes jumping in the pool and swimming with me in his froggy life jacket.

2. I like how he pronounces his S's so distinctly.

3. I like what a SWEET boy he is.  He loves his sister and parents, and he doesn't like to be a pest.  He's just genuinely a sweetheart!

I love you, Noah!