BARLEY'S ANGELS OREGON SURPRISE

There was no plan for this month's meeting, so there were a few bottles from folks' recent travels, and though no ladies had been to Oregon, a couple of Oregon brews were donated by Evil Greg. Oh so tasty!

FATHER'S DAY IS FOR THE KIDS

Good morning daddy! Happy Father's Day! Open your present! Mama is making PANCAKES!

 And if you think THAT was enthusiastic, you should have seen their excitement when Jay opened his new Kindle Fire. Now they can all play MineCraft and Terraria together via WiFi...

...and mama somehow scores quiet, alone time even with everyone home...

DELTA BREWS PIG ROAST 2016

I have to admit that ending our day with homebrew kegs and a pork shoulder slow roast competition by the Delta Brewers was about as nice as it could be. The porch at Martin's was shaded and breezy, the beer garden was filled with friends (and potluck items), and the kids were as well behaved as I've ever seen them (which is impressive considering the insanely busy day they had).

HAZEL'S 6TH BIRTHDAY PARTY

Hazel turned 6 this week and we were invited to celebrate with a donut party at GymSouth (one of the kids' favorite places to party, and one we hadn't been to in a long while). Cora was determined to do everything that Hazel and Adler did, but it all turned out fine - I'm just thankful she's so strong!

All that running and jumping really works up a thirst!

After donuts and the birthday song, the kids set up an American Ninja Warrior-esque obstacle course and it was so fun to watch their creativity (not to mention how serious they were taking it!)

 And one last photos of these handsome boys :-)

Happy Birthday Dear Hazel - you are such a sweet, fun little girl and we are so lucky to know you!

And then we were off to our third and final event of the day - whew!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CORA AND LAUREN

Cora and Lauren shared their birthday party this year (the Kennedys are moving right before Lauren turns 4 and we knew a shared party would be easier on them, as well as easier on Jay and I since we were traveling right up until the party weekend, and when we asked Cora if she wanted to share with Lauren she said "Of COURSE! We can just sing 'Happy Birthday, dear Cora and Lauuu-ren'"), so we rented the outdoor pool for a private party and let the girls dictate the guest list. We had lots of "friends to both girls", but some friends from school and dance too. It worked out perfectly and was a very easy, smooth morning (though I'll admit that my biggest pre-party stress was getting half the cupcakes made and transporting ice cream without it melting, so I owe Christina BIG TIME for getting all the decor and goody bags together).

Party planners, extraordinaire. We should do this morning often.

(Hey, the guys are turning 40 this year.....)

Birthday girls posing with their cupcakes:

(Christina made the pretty ones shaped like Elsa's dress. I made blue ones that she topped with Olaf and snowflake sugar candies that Cora went crazy over!)

Birthday Baby Doll, ready to SWIM!

That's Will with one of the water cannons on his head ;-)

 Let me see if I can remember Cora's birthday attendees... Cora and James, Lauren and Will, Hazel and Adler, Emma and Coltin, Cara Beth, Elle, and Trey. Pictured above are Hazel and Elle. I didn't get photos of everyone (always hard to do at the pool). 

 Coltin and Trey

 Cora and Hazel

Time to sing to the birthday girls and eat some cake and ice cream!

Big brothers love birthday parties too. They don't care about girly themes, just as long as there are treats!

I'm sorry, but how is she FOUR? She's the baby of our group... not such a baby anymore. I'm sure I said that last year too, but gosh. We love you Lauren!

 Back in the pool to swim until closing time!

 Daddy used the water cannon against them... Coltin was an accomplice.

 Al, Lauren, and Will

 Just in case they didn't have enough sugar during treat time...

 Happy Birthday you gorgeous little girlies!

ELSA UPGRADE

Cora is as into dressing up as ever, and since her Halloween costume Elsa dress has been outgrown and semi-destroyed, and we found a great deal on the Disney version (6 months ago after Christmas), she received an upgrade for her birthday. She's still got the ice flair!

NOT AS FUN AS THE TOOTH FAIRY

One more dentist visit to go on Monday and all those pesky cavities will be filled!

THE BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION CONTINUES!

Cora came home from Daycamp to Amazon boxes today. You know what that means!

Calico Critters, Barbies, books, a swimsuit, and a Goldie Blox kit from her Gramma and Uncle Davey & Auntie Taryn. She had so much fun opening all the boxes herself and removing the ties, and she and James spent a good hour putting things together (he was working on the Lego set he bought himself in Texas). And the birthday celebration isn't over yet... Cora is truly getting a full week of birthday fun this year!!