since I last posted. A lot of things have been going on around here.
First of all, as I'm sure you have all heard on the news, Stanford Group has gone down the tubes and taken many people with them---including John and I. Actually, we have been told our investments are safe, just frozen indefinitely by the SEC until they can work through every single account. Our accounts were not involved in any way with the fraud. Now, this could potentially be a huge problem. Right now we are ok. It just makes me so angry to think that we worked so hard to develop a retirement plan that would meet our needs and now we can't access any of it. We have had many sleepless nights, lengthy phone calls, and countless number of hours sitting in front of the computer and TV trying to find out what is going on. I won't depress you any longer.
Now to a happier subject. We have had two birthdays in the last couple of weeks. The first one was Nathan's. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, NATHAN!!!! He turned 3 years old on February 21st. He brought his mommy and daddy down to see us for his birthday weekend.
We started off the weekend by taking Nathan to the Hendersonville Children's Museum. I took many pictures with Angela's camera so I don't have any to show you. He had a ball, running from one activity to the other. When it was time to go home----well, you can just imagine the problem we had---even trying to bribe him with birthday cake and presents waiting for him at home didn't work.
I ordered a cake for him. I didn't know it was the same cake that he had last year, but he loved it anyway. Anything with "cars" is a plus with him.
He had so much fun opening his gifts:
and showing them off:
It was a quick and fun weekend. We were so glad Seth and Angela were able to work it out that they could share Nathan's birthday with us.
The second birthday was Maggie's. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MAGGIE!!! She turned two on March 1st. We went up to Washington for her party. All those hotel points that we've been collecting came in handy for this trip ;)
Take a look at this gorgeous cake that she had. Alicia had a "Poodles in Paris" theme for the party. The cake was made by a friend of hers who is very creative. It was good, too!
Maggie was even dressed in a little "Poodles in Paris" smocked bubble:
She enjoyed her cake as well, both blowing out the candles and eating:
Look she's going to be a little "lefty" like her grandma ;)
She also had fun diving into her gifts. She got some pots and pans and a tea set, so after everyone was gone, she and John fixed me a "bat" cookie (that's what John called it---he thought that was so funny---especially since I made such a "to do" over it) and some tea.
After a great birthday weekend, we started home and this is what we found when we got here:
It's still hanging around today, but we're suppose to have warmer weather beginning tomorrow. It was 5 degrees this morning when we woke up.
Maybe one of these days I'll have time for knitting. Actually, I did get one no purl monkey sock made while riding in the car up to Washington.
Gosh, you've been busy! Glad to hear your two little ones had such nice birthdays and that Grandma and Grandpa were able to join the fun.
Posted by: sprite | March 04, 2009 at 01:03 PM
I had been wondering about you. Sorry about your investments. My husband was a long time Enron employee so we know exactly how you feel. Hopefully you will get yours freed up soon. We only got a fraction of our retirement back but different situation. Anyway looks like you had nice birthday party's. They grow up so fast! We are about to go into the birthday season here (as I call it). 2 grandchildren, husband and daughter-in-law in March and 1 grandchild in early April. Lots of partying. They are all that really matters.
Cindy in balmy (today anyway) Iowa
Posted by: Cindy | March 04, 2009 at 03:28 PM
Ugh! My heart breaks with your sad news.
But you really brightened the post with not one, but two adorable birthday parties. Love the helmet. What a cutie. I can tell he's grinning from ear to ear even underneath that ginormous helmet/mask. : D
Posted by: Jennifer | March 05, 2009 at 03:36 AM
Sorry about your investments problems and I hope they are all worked out soon!
You've been busy! I am making a pair of no-purl monkeys right now too!
Posted by: Karen | March 05, 2009 at 12:59 PM
Elizabeth, I'm sorry to hear about the investments...this is a rough time, isn't it? So much to be disturbed by. But then, you have such a beautiful family! I love the birthday pics! I hope things straighten out soon over the financial situation.
Posted by: Katie | March 05, 2009 at 06:21 PM
It's good to see you again. Amazing how fast the kids are growing - I love your little Storm Trooper! Both kids are just darling, and what a great party Maggie had. Looks like you got a lot more snow than we did - so pretty. Sorry about the investments. Hope it all works out for you, and they release your funds soon.
Posted by: Jane | March 05, 2009 at 11:02 PM
I can't believe how fast all the kids are growing!!!
Posted by: Vicki | March 06, 2009 at 02:59 PM
I'm so sorry to read about your investments, and I hope things clear up very soon. How frustrating!
You have a beautiful family and as everyone has said, that is really the most important thing for all of us right now, and good health. We'll get through this.
Posted by: Debby | March 20, 2009 at 11:40 AM