J.Crew Pumps (Check back often. They restock! Also, some amazing plaid holiday shoe options: one / two / three / four / five — And more below! #OMG) / Sail to Sable Fringe Top and Coat (Sold out in red but black, white and blue) / Burberry Scarf (Also love the more affordable snood! If it’s sold out, you can find it at ZapposBloomingdales, Saks, Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman.) / Rag & Bone Jeans (Regular wash here.) / Kate Spade Pearl Bracelet / Similar Initial Necklace / Similar Quilted Bags here, herehere, here

Shop plaid pumps:

WOO! Just getting this post up now on account of our crazy-long drive out here as well as the two huge family parties we had this past weekend: one on Saturday night with the Gallagher side at my parents’ place and one on Sunday night with the Sheehan side on Long Island. (You can see some silly videos on Instagram Stories.) Both events were SO much fun, and things were extra special since Emma was there. It’s too funny: just as the last of the cousins are going off to college, the next generation arrives, and all of a sudden the whole gang is singing and dancing to “My Mommy Comes Back” by Hap Palmer to get a reaction out of the baby. It’s adorable and hilarious and pretty much the sweetest thing ever.

Also, a little spoiler alert: this post has nothing to do with the photos I’ve included, except for the fact that I wore this outfit to Gallagher party on Saturday night. Until Emma puked on me and I had to change my sweater. ;)

Isn’t it fun to see families grow and change over time? Honestly, our families change so quickly that it’s hard to keep up with all the exciting news. There are new jobs, big cross-country moves, new significant others, and, of course, new members. And with everyone spread around the country, I’m so grateful that everyone places such an importance on getting themselves to these two parties. Yes, the drive out here was horrible, haha, but Emma met Uncle Dave, Chase and Dylan for the first time. And that alone was worth it. :)

Today, we’re recovering on the couch. (I’m working on this cool new feature on Kelly in the City, so check back later! It should be going live today.) And tonight, we’re celebrating Danny’s birthday! You know that “Time Hop” app on Facebook? Not sure why it sometimes pops up and sometimes doesn’t, but I love that thing. I’ll admit that I sometimes get a little nostalgic and sad looking at the posts, and wish I could go back. But when it appears, it serves as reminder that I’m incredibly blessed, and that there’s even more to look forward to. Like tonight’s celebration!

I’ve included today’s Time Hop below. Happy Birthday, Danny! We love you!

Happy birthday to my little brother, Danny! I still remember visiting you in the hospital for the first time. I was six years old, and instantly loved you. You were so tiny and perfect. And you only got cuter as you grew. I remember you as a baby, wearing Dad’s Ray-Bans, laughing hysterically. I remember you toting around your giant Barney stuffed animal, singing “I love you, you love me.” I remember you falling asleep in your spaghetti. I remember your obsession with 101 Dalmatians, and your stuffed animal puppy “Patch.” I remember you falling into the mini golf pond. (Three times in three years.) I remember the Playmobile warriors from your castle visiting the Playmobile family in my dollhouse. I remember playing Sharks and Minnows with you in the deep end of the pool. (You were only four.) I remember picking out our black lab puppy, Patch, together. (Inspired by the 101 Dalmatians, of course.) I remember licking the brownie bowl clean with you. (You were a mess.) I remember you crying with happiness when the Yankees won the World Series. I remember you dressed in the red Power Ranger outfit. I remember snow-tubing with you. I remember you riding Patch like he was a horse. I remember you spending hours with the pitch-back in our backyard in Princeton Junction. I remember you wearing the swimming bubble. I remember burying you in the sand in Ocean City and then making drip castles on your head. I remember buying hermit crabs with you. (Patch ate yours.) I remember your obsession with bandaids. I remember you in your little league uniform. I remember you falling asleep on Patch in the living room. I remember you tickling yourself in the back of the Suburban. I remember you eating too many Starbursts. I remember you in the Halloween Parade at Dutch Neck Elementary School. I remember you playing at the Tot-Lot with your neighborhood friends. I remember you sliding down the big yellow slide for your kindergarten graduation. I remember you playing with your “dino damage” toys. I remember when you lost your front tooth. I remember you on your confirmation day. I remember your dork impressions. I remember you smelling your food. I remember you hunting lizards in Florida. I remember you with Pizza Hut pizza. I remember you going to your first boy/girl dances. I remember when you really wanted a Sugar Glider. I remember cutting your hair for you, trying to keep the “surfer look” intact. I remember you dancing in the rain during a tropical storm. I remember you graduating from high school. I remember when you were accepted to Sacred Heart University. I remember you telling mom that you loved her as you left for a party. I remember you driving me all the way to Ocean City, just so I could be there for the weekend. I remember visiting you at your dorm. I remember you in your priest costume, running into nuns in the East Village. I remember you getting so, so excited on Christmas morning. I remember you snowboarding. I remember you surfing in the freezing cold. I remember you getting an “A” in a college course. I remember you shaking Mitch’s hand and welcoming him to the family. I remember you walking across the stage at your college graduation. I remember you coming home. Danny, I’m so proud of the person you have become. You are an invaluable part of our family, and I can’t imagine life without you! Happy birthday, little brother! I love you to pieces!

<3

J.Crew Pumps (Check back often. They restock! Also, some amazing plaid holiday shoe options: one / two / three / four / five — And more below! #OMG) / Sail to Sable Fringe Top and Coat (Sold out in red but black, white and blue) / Burberry Scarf (Also love the more affordable snood! If it’s sold out, you can find it at ZapposBloomingdales, Saks, Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman.) / Rag & Bone Jeans (Regular wash here.) / Kate Spade Pearl Bracelet / Similar Initial Necklace / Similar Quilted Bags here, herehere, here

Shop plaid pumps:

Photos by Julie Kennedy