party at dan and alicia's

Here's the cake, ready to go.   Julia and Kari asked me if they could decorate it.

I said sure.

They asked if they could put toys on it.

Again sure, just wash them first--soap and water and dry them off well.

First they placed that old 80's wrestler dude on there.  Whaaaat?

They had a plan.   Ei-yi-yi.

 Yeah.  Very nice.

I made the chicken divan and cake, and others brought food, and Dan and Alicia offered to host it at their house and so a very, very nice evening came together in all its loud, rowdy way.

 It's my mom with kids in the living room.

And opening gifts, an excited horde crowding around--

About now is when I offered to take that baby, "Give him here.  He looks heavy."

Dan handed him over, and then flexed and rubbed his arm.  Dang, he is awful heavy, and he also tends to lean out.  And he's crawling and his blonde hair looks like baldness, but it is all sprouts.

 This guy had so many funny stories and smiles for my mom.   He's the sweetest little string bean of a guy, bright and fuzzy, long skinny arms and legs.

Uh oh. Time for candles!   He loves this sooo much, the singing and all.  He looked out at the sea of all of us singing to him, serious expression on his face.

And then he blew and blew on those candles, back and forth.

 Here are the other birthday people:  We've got your Dan and your Heidi, with birthdays last week, and b.g. and also Dannell next week.  This is a first--we sang to all three adults at one time and they blew out the candles all together. 

 It worked.   And then ice cream was scooped and cake was eaten and kids went nuts and then the evening was over.

Thanks guys for hosting this wonderful celebration.

And thanks all of you for being mine.  We love you so,  Mom and Dad