Announcing the Arrival of...

Ryan Jeffrey Thacker 

Born at 3:10 a.m. August 9th

7 pounds and 14 ounces

19 in. long

My adorable nephew! ;)

Dear Mom, 

With your Birthday just around the corner, I have been thinking of you a lot these last few days.

As your daughter I have seen some of the struggles you have been through... but I am sure I haven't seen all of them.

You have put up with me for 16 years, and that right there is no small accomplishment! ;)

Seriously though, you have been so much to me (and all the other kids), I wish there was someway to pay it all back...

I wonder how many things you have given up for us, how many times you have prayed for us, loved us even though we have so many faults (goodness knows how many!).

Sometimes I try to imagine having thirteen kids, I can't even begin to comprehend I am sure, but just thinking of it makes me smile and say "How did she do it?!", I am very glad you did though!

Thank you for all you have sacrificed and given up for us.

I couldn't have asked God for a better mother.

I Love you, and Happy Birthday!

Forever,

                     ~Anna Patrice

Happy Birthday, Kaity!

Happy birthday to our very dear sister/daughter, mother of Emmy, Abbie, and David, and wife to Brent.

Hope your day is as sweet and amazing as you are!

 We love you lots! ;)

Happy Birthday, Luke!

Luke definitely adds quite a bit of humor to our lives! :)

Besides that though, he is hardworking, smart, (my personal chauffeur to work and everywhere else) musical, handsome, and a wonderful brother.

Could anyone ask for more?

We love you, Luke!

Happy 17th Birthday!

Happy Birthday to....

...my wonderful sister~in~law Bethany!

We love you very much and wish we could be with you on this very special day.

Since I met you, I have seen so many reasons why Rick must love you! ;)

Whenever you're here, you brighten things with your smile.

We love you, and hope your day is amazing.

Happy Birthday!

Happy 22nd Birthday, Lizzie!

~Sister pics~

~Random pictures snapped throughout the evening~

Emily made sure to get a picture with Aunt Lizzie before the day was over! ;)

Happy Birthday, to not just a sister, but a wonderful friend!

~Love you, Lizzie~

Happy Birthday, Nathan! :)

 This little guy turned 6 on July 1st.

-

The cake Mom made, Nathan loved it!

 And Connor, being himself. :) 

"Anyone can be a father, but it takes someone special to be a Dad."

Thank you, Dad, for the love you show me each day, the countless things you have taught me including, 

kindness, honesty, and love

Thank you for the things you have taught me to value, family, friends, hard work, and most of all, Jesus Christ.

Thank you for working through challenges that every good Dad faces.

Thank you for teaching me that Sundays are a day set apart for worshipping and serving God.

Thank you for the time you set apart for a family Bible time every night.

I never tell you often enough, but I love you!

Happy Birthday, Dad!

~Anna P. McDonnell

Rick and Bethany were able to come up last week as a surprise!

(A few of us knew about it)

Here are a few pics and a link to a video Jack put together of the few days they were here!

Click here to see video.

~ Rick and Bethany~

My oldest brothers! 

We celebrated Rick's Birthday a few days early. 

(Rick can almost achieve cartoon proportions when he wants to! :)

The oldest and youngest in the McDonnell family.

 The couples.

We loved having you here,

And we hope to see you again in the near future!

Happy 11th Birthday sweet Mindy!

We love our sweet sister Arminda!  :)

She is encouraging, friendly, musical, creative, exuberant, and lovely!

We pray God will bless you in the coming year.

Talkative, funny, sweet, helpful, out-going, beautiful, energetic, honest, caring. 

All these words and many more describe Molly.

 Happy 14th Birthday, Molly!

Happy Birthday Abbie!

We love our cute niece very much!

Lovable, cuddly, big eyed, quiet, active, cute! 

Love you Abbie!

Happy 13th Birthday Aiden!

So privileged to be able to call him my brother!

Always thoughtful of little kids, enjoys working in afternoon Sunday school, 

loves that he shares his Birthday month with Molly and Mindy, and now his niece Abbie too! We love you and pray that God would use you in a wonderful way! Happy Birthday to my handsome brother!

Mom's 50th Birthday Party!

Here are a few pics that  Jack and Nicole took when we had Mom's birthday a few weeks ago.

Happy 50th Birthday Mom, You are the best Mom anyone could ask for!

 Random pic that everyone didn't make it into. :)

 A little more organized.

Aunt Emmy and Kenny...

The happy engaged couple!

 Abbie, David, and Emily Gellos, with cousin Kenny Thacker. :)

 Ice cream cake! Yummy!!

Here is a picture we recently got at Mom's birthday party,

(pictures from that hopefully coming soon)

Everyone was able to make it except Rick and Bethany,

so Jack and Nicole grabbed some family pics!

Happy Birthday Emily!

She’s the one 

you’ve known forever.

   The one you go to 

for honest advice

      and genuine support.

   

The one who accepts

your quirky little habits

     and understands you

in a way few other can.

She’s the one

you can call at any hour— 

   To laugh or cry or complain...

The one whose voice has been there all along,

   sharing secrets and dreams 

        and singing your song when 

you needed to hear it the most.

She’s the one

who can read your mind, 

    hear your heart,

and love you just the way you are.

She’s your lifelong friend...

    but so much more.

She’s your sister. 

I love you Emmy!

Happy Birthday Nicole!

 Happy Birthday to the wonderful, sister-in-law/daughter-in-law and wife of Jack!

We love having you as a part of our family!

Happy 7th Birthday, Connor! 

He loves to sing, and enjoys doing his school work.

He is constantly making us laugh with his silly expressions,

He is constantly offering to help around the house, 

and loves to play Nerf guns with Nathan.

We love this little guy and can't believe how fast he is growing up! 

Happy Birthday!

The 3 McDonnell's with May birthdays decided to celebrate together! :) Happy Birthday to Molly, Aiden and Mindy!

Kaity, Anna and I 

 We also celebrated Baby Abbie's 1st birthday. She loved the iPad and kept kissing it. :)

Happy 15th Birthday To Luke!