Happy Birthday Anna!

Anna woke up Saturday morning so excited for her birthday party. This was her first friend birthday party and she has been counting down the days for about a month now. We planned a cooking birthday party. I saw this idea online somewhere and fell in love with it. After I mentioned cupcake decorating Anna was on board. When her friends got here we went to work decorating their aprons with buttons and sequins. After everyone was done we went to work at the "Pizzeria" making their own mini pizzas. It was funny to watch them pile on the cheese and other toppings.

After the pizzas were in the oven we went to the "Ice Cream Shop" to play a game of pin the ice cream on the cone. They each took a turn adding a "flavor" of ice cream to the top of the same cone.

We then went to the "Bakery" to decorate some cupcakes. Their was more candy topped on the cupcakes than frosting!

After that the girls ate their pizzas and had cake and ice cream and opened up presents.


Anna had so much fun having her friends around and playing with them. She was beaming! Thank you to all who came and to Grandma's, Grandpa's, and Aunts who sent gifts. You all made her day a special one.

Patrick and Jenna's Wedding

 
My cousin, Patrick, got married this weekend here just outside of Baltimore so we got to go. It was a nice service. My Aunt is a retired Reverend and has been able to marry each of her children. She did a nice job. After the ceremony there was a reception with all the traditions. Jared spent most of the evening sitting at the table watching and eating and Anna spent most of the evening dancing. That little girl has some moves! It was really nice to be able to go. The wedding happened really fast due to some health issues in the brides family so we ended up being the only extended family there on the grooms side. We really enjoyed being a part of their special day.

Rubba Dub Dub...

They will probably kill me one day for posting these pictures, but I love them. We have this huge tub and Audrey can sit up now so after playing in the leaves this evening I put them all in the tub.

Yummmm...Peas!

I was feeding Audrey some peas for lunch the other day while Jared and Anna were at the pool with Kevin when the Missionaries knocked on the door. I left Audrey in the highchair and went to answer the door, but since I was home alone we chatted on the front porch. When I came back inside I found this:

Don't you love the "hand caught in the cookie jar" look. I guess she really loves her peas.

School!!!!

The first day of school for Jared finally arrived. He has been anxious to start the new year. We bought his supplies from the classroom list a few weeks ago and they have been sitting in the corner like a neon sign flashing "SCHOOL"

Don't get me started on the supply list. This year we had an activity fee on top of the supply list. I find it absolutely ridiculous (sorry to all those teachers out there) that we have to supply the schools with paper, glue sticks, crayons, markers, scissors, wipes, tissue, etc.... I mean we already pay money in taxes for the schools. I guess instead of taxes going to where it should go I can take comfort in the fact that it is actually going to good causes in the private sector (ie. bailouts) insert sarcasm. Anyway, back to the main event. Jared was excited to start school this year. He is going to a new school this year. It is a Magnet school for multi age learning. We have to drive him everyday (I miss the bus!), but so far we are enjoying the extra time in the car to visit and sing to the radio.

Before I dropped him off I told him I couldn't wait to hear all about his new school. He sighed and said, "Oh man! That means a lot of questions doesn't it?" I just laughed. After he jumped in the car I asked him how his day went and he exclaimed, "It was awesome!" And then didn't stop talking until we were home 20 minutes later. Can't wait to see what this new school year will bring.