Happy Birthday, Daddy-O!

To the best Dad in the world. Happy Birthday! Thanks for playing grappling grizzlies. Thanks for making the best lasagna. Thanks for sending us all to college. Thanks for taking us all on bike rides, canoe rides, and walks. Thanks for loving your grandchildren. We all love you!

Thanks for installing a pool in the house. Even though it was after we all left. Thanks for reading us stories when we were little. Thanks for giving us all your great work ethic.

Hope you have a perfect day! I hope it includes a quiet day at work. A simple evening with mom, maybe some Papa Murphey's pizza, an episode of Seinfeld and Two and a Half Men, some time on the eliptical and then onto bed at 8:30 p.m. Maybe if your lucky, Claudia will make you a carrot cake!

WE sure love you and can't wait for your visit in a few weeks!

Happy Birthday, Brandon

Here's to Brandon! My favorite Brother-in-law! He's smart, kind, patient and funny. Happy Birthday, Brandon! I hope Margie spoils you today with lots of delicious food and thoughtful presents!

Happy Birthday, Brandon

Here's to Brandon! My favorite Brother-in-law! He's smart, kind, patient and funny. Happy Birthday, Brandon! I hope Margie spoils you today with lots of delicious food and thoughtful presents!

Three Things We Love about Calvin!

Happy Birthday Calvin! Yes- a little late but we hope you had a fantastic donut filled FIRST birthday!

You are sweet and wonderful to hold and snuggle!


You are helpful and hard working. Thanks for helping us move! We promise better accommodations on your next visit.

You have a pretty FUN sister!

Silly girls!

THANKS FOR ALL THE BIRTHDAY WISHES!

I hope your Valentines Day was filled with things like:

These! and...

These! Yum.

And...

And...

And...

And especially ones you LOVE! We love and miss you all and can't wait to see you this summer!

Queen for a Day (and not just Queen of Hearts!)

So today is Casey's birthday, and we are all hoping it has been a wonderful, happy time. Casey, did the Birthday Bird come to your house and leave donuts? Did he put a poster up celebrating the day? Maybe since it's Valentine's Day he left a heart shaped poster with heart cupcakes.

Whatever he did to help you enjoy your day, we all wish the same thing--Happy Happy Birthday!

SuperBowl Alternatives

I wish that every extended Gimbel Family member would post a blog today as an alternative/or in addition to whatever Superbowl activities they may be doing. Whether or not anyone will even check the blog today remains to be seen, but I will start out with a little walk down memory lane. I was cleaning up my school email, which was set up at least five years before we got the internet at home in January 2003. I found this cute little picture of Margie and Brandon when they first started dating. The picture is from early 2002, can't remember the date, but maybe Margie or Brandon will. I sure love you and miss you all.

The Newest Little Gimbel

Edward and Meridth are the proud parents of Edward Felix Gimbel, who was born last night, January 12, 2011 at around 10:30 at night. He weighed 8 pounds and 5 ounces. He was 20 inches long. Meridth had been in pain for a good part of the afternoon and evening, and delivered about a half hour after arriving at the hospital (same story as Betsey; no time for medication!)

Mother and son are resting comfortable in the hospital while wonderful Aunt Adrienne is having a party with Uschi! I hope these details are all correct, but will defer to new posts from the proud parents!

"The happiest days are when babies come." Melanie Wilkes from Gone With the Wind

Remembering 26 Years Ago

As I was getting ready for church this morning, I couldn't stop thinking about Karl, and his impending birthday. I was remembering what a good baby he was, and how I knew he would be the last new little gimbel to be born, so I especially wanted to treasure the experience!

I am so grateful that he got to come to our family, and what joy he has added to our lives.

Karl, we hope you have a wonderful day. You will be in our thoughts all day long!

Love you! Mom and Dad

Shoes!

My friend Steve sent me this picture from a few years back. Good for a chuckle... why do I have so many shoes?

Karl's 26th birthday party

You're all invited to my birthday party here at the House of Air... wouldn't that be fun!

Back to Work...

Today officially marks the end of the holidays here at the Kooman house. Here's one of our holiday accomplishments.

Can't wait until Christmas 2011 when I'll be able to show-off my mad puzzling skills. Much love to you all and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

New Calendar?

As we all know, the calendar company that mom and dad used for many years, went out of a business a few years back. I saw this calendar and thought it might be a good replacement for the old system. At 3 feet by 4 feet, it is definitely big enough.

What a Christmas!

We had a great time this Christmas with Ryan, Casey and the girls, and wish we had taken more photographs. Here is Chloe descending the staircase with her new Christmas dress. Do you get a sense of the 20-foot ceiling? This angle really dwarfs the Christmas tree in the background.

This shot shows Chloe lounging in a pool of bubbles in the master bath. I can't imagine anyone not wanting to lounge in the luxurious tub at the end of a long workday!

We had a wonderful time, and wish we could have spent time with all of you. Is it too early to start planning a big reunion Christmas for next year?

Love you all! Mom and Dad

Happy Birthday Nora!!

We hope the Birthday Bird brought you plenty of books and donuts to enjoy on your birthday! We love and miss you so much!