Aunt Katie is 15!

After a big morning of surgeries at the clinic, I raced home to set up for Katie's (and Sarah Meyer's) Birthday Party. The theme was masquerade and I was in charge of decorations, a murder mystery, cake and everything else involved in a slumber party for 6 girls! A lot to do, with not much time... somehow it all came together! The girls made wonderful masks, ate cake, enjoyed pedicures and mini-facials and watched the Phantom of the Opera.

The Birthday Girls!

The highlight of the night was the murder mystery when the basement lights went out, scary music blared and David ran down the stairs in cape and mask, threw Katie over his shoulder, gave a crazy laugh and took her away! Lots of screams! It was great!

Andrew loved having all the girls over and made sure he was the center of attention... he was wiped out a 9:00 and ready for bed! Andrew woke up at 6:30 with a cough and fever, which was unfortunate. We had a big breakfast and Aunt Holly came to pick up all the girls.

Reunion

Well the time has come... my 10 year high school reunion. I am feeling OLD! I was never a big fan of highschool, but I thought it would be fun to go to the family day picnic, see some old friends and show off my adorable family! We packed up the car, got some lunch for the picnic and arrived to find three other Southport grads looking for the reunion - apparently when an invitation says from 11 - 3, it means from 11 -12... Fortunately, we were planning on going with Mike, Betsy and baby Ella, so we packed up and went to a Pie house for dessert and coffee. We had a great time... maybe we will have another class reunion in 10 years, if not I am sure we will still be up for dessert and coffee!

The next day we had a Stewart Pledge Class 1999 reunion planned. It was much better attended - almost half of our pledge class came! It was great to see everyone and all the new babies. What special memories we had in that house! What a wonderful group of ladies!

Clean up!

One year old = old enough for CHORES!

Andrew loves to swiffer... we set it to his size and he does a pretty good job!

Big Birthday Day!

Today was Andrew's actual first birthday and we had big plans... We woke up early and headed to Bloomington with Aunt Holly, Katie & Eliza to meet Mema, Nikki, Christa & Zach for lunch. Our cousin Mandy drove down with us to take some pictures of Mema with her grand kids. It was a very pretty morning and we found a beautiful park to take pictures and let the kids play (hopefully we will have some pictures soon!). Then we went to Cracker barrel for lunch (Andrew ate a TON - chicken and dumplings, carrots, green beans, mashed potatoes, applesauce, graham crackers...). Christa and Zach surprised Andrew with a birthday cake and presents, this was the first time they met Andrew. We headed back toward home around 1:00 and were back by 3:00. Andrew missed his morning nap and only got a few minutes of shut eye on the way home (too much fun to sleep when cousin Eliza is in the car) and I was sure he would fall right to sleep when we got home and be up for his friend birthday party around 6:00.

Well, I was wrong... Andrew was wired and no way was he going to sleep - so I got ready for the party with Andrew on my back and by 5:00 he was sleeping. We decided to have a pool party with Andrew's closest friends, baby Joshua and Noah. Andrew woke up around 6:30 and we had burgers, hot dogs, scalloped potatoes and peas. Then we put the kidos in his new monkey pool (Andrew LOVES this pool!) for a quick swim. We sang our final happy birthday song and had strawberry shortcake. We had a great time and it finally hit me that Andrew is ONE, a whole year has gone by... I can't imagine life without him and we are so blessed to have him.

The boys loved splashing in the pool together

Happy Birthday to YOU!

Playing with his new fire engine (thanks Grandma and Grandpa Miller) with daddy.

Lindsy and Drew with their boys Andrew (3) and Noah (1)

Amanda and JP with their son Joshua (will be one next week!)

Fourth of July Celebration

We took a trip to the Byrum Farm to celebrate the Fourth of July. Uncle David is always super excited to put on a firework show for the Byrum kids and now his own son! We had a terrific meal, played some games and watched the kidos chase parachutes (lots of them!). Andrew was not too concerned with the loud noise, as long as he was close to mommy that is. Aunt Katie was a big hit with all the Byrum kids, especially after she rescued Eliza from a field of thorn plants (every parachute had to be found...). It was a beautiful, cool evening and we were glad to get together the day prior to the fourth because it got rained out this year!

Ethan couldn't wait to get started!

Ella showing off her parachute!