Party!

This last weekend we celebrated my mom's 60th birthday.  When I asked her what she wanted to do for her party she suggested a party at our new house, which is what we did.  My sister, Abby, and I (mostly Abby since she's the chef) made a pretty awesome chicken dinner for my family.  It was a ton of fun getting to plan the meal with Abby and hang with her in her element, the kitchen.  She taught me the proper chef way to break down a chicken.  She was able to do three (uh, 4) to my one, but I think I got it.

After dinner we all headed outside to hang in the backyard.  I got several great pictures of Mom opening her gifts.  She usually doesn't like having her picture taken but she wasn't paying attention to the camera, so I took lots. 

So going clockwise from my sister, Abby(the one in the pink top leaning over), my mom Carroll, my dad Butch, that's Breanna walking away (Mike's fiance), my nephew Jeremy, Shad, my little bro Sam, my niece Olivia, my oldest brother Gabe and then his wife Dara.  I just realized that my next older brother Mike is not in the picture.

Oh, ya, there he is holding his little boy Jack.  That's Sam again looking over his shoulder at me.  (Thanks, Sam, for being the only paying attention to me.) 

I love all the expressions on Mom's face as she opens her gifts.  You can tell she genuinely liked all her gifts. 

Something I wanted to do was have each one of her kids tell Mom what we remember or appreciate about her.  I think the consensus was that she has done a great job raising her kids and is also a super special grandma.  None of us know where we would be if we didn't have her in our lives.  Mom is always there for us when we need her. 

Next, Mom basically told us her life story, beginning from birth.  She told us several things we already knew and some that we didn't.  But at the end she told us the most important thing she prays for is to have all her children and grandchildren by her side in Heaven some day.  It was a touching moment.

After that the kids found the frogs.

I love this one of Olivia.  Her hand looks huge.

My nephew Jeremy is so cool.  That's his  hand pulling Hannah, Lilian and Franky in the wagon.  I think they liked it.

Oh Hannah and Lilian in their matching jammies.  I love this picture.

Ya, I love this one too.

The party was so fun.  And the best part: it was an overnighter.  We stayed up late and enjoyed each other's company.  The next morning Shad got us all Krispy Kreme doughnuts, bagels and cream cheese and coffee.  We visited some more, played some baseball in the backyard, Abby whipped up some chicken salad for sandwiches from the left overs and we had an awesome lunch, visited some more, then everyone headed home.  It was a great weekend!

Happy 60th Mom!  I hope the party was just what you wanted it to be.  We love you and appreciate you!