the big loud 52

That was tonight. It was good.

This guy was as amused by the cart as the others.

Awww, here we go, John and Julia.

Dannell, growin' that baby, and Lydia

m.c. and Maria, cute as ever.

Here we are down in the second basement, living it up with the Legos.
 

While others amuse themselves with the cart.

Okay, see that weird box hanging from the trusses by Christmas curly ribbon?

This is the game:  fling it back and forth and the box is loaded with Matchbox car tracks to give it some weight.   These are the boxes from the party sub sandwiches John and Dannell brought for supper tonight.

Yeah, it was real fun until t.c. got hit in the face.  John said, "Yah, his only permanent teeth, smacked in the face."

Here's our new guy, growing round and juicy, bright eyes, and with the tiniest skinny hands I've seen in a while.

Oh, gifts.   My parents gave him money, which is always a treat.

Little Jay gave him M&Ms and a Cheech and Chong t-shirt (we were kids in the 70s.)  John and Dan went together on a Wii.

Tim was delighted beyond belief.  He has to beg and bargain to get time on the Wii up in Jay and James' room.   Now he figures Dad is an easier target maybe?  He's probably right.

It's Auntie Dannell and the new brother.

b.g. was way into the whole present thing. Alicia says Christmas and then the new brother has created a monster.  Well, that's understandable.  That old Grandpa guy has opened enough presents to not mind if a young whippersnapper helps out.

Oh, now we're down to business, got that Wii going.

Charming me for a Moo Jr.

Of course. He can have the whole box.  I want his babysitter to get sick again so he can come stay with me some more.   (Not fatally ill, just a rash or a headache.)

Here he's revving up his lungs to blow out those candles.

And that is the last picture we have. We have no pictures of little kids trying to scoop ice cream and arguing about how yes they can so do it.  (No, they cannot. Their arms are too short. Grow taller, then get back to us.)

We also have no photos of the dramatic departure where people demand specific beverages in specific cups and ask to be carried.

That's okay.    It was a great party, a lot of fun.  The man is officially launched forward into life as a 52 year old, and life is nothing but good.

Happy Birthday, Sweetheart.   love you forever, Val