Happy Birthday to Everone - Almost!

As I said before, birthdays in our family all come within one month, except Bella's. (Thank Heavens!) So, every year to simplify things I have a joint birthday party with our extended families for Katie, Maddy and Pat. This year we had the party on Katie's actual birthday. Before the party, Pat and I gave her a very special present. A locket in which she can keep pieces of her blankie. She loved it. I mean, loved it. (See how she is trying to smell her blankie in the locket?)
To make Katie feel extra special that day, just me and the big girls went to lunch at Panda Express.

Then it was home to start the party. A pinata has always been a big "hit", so that was first on the list. Had I known the trouble it would cause I never would bought that dumb thing...

Anna busted that baby open after one hit and the kids went nuts scrambling for candy. Before I knew it, Maddy and Katie were going all out dukes over A PIECE OF CANDY. I couldn't stop them. They were behaving so badly they are lucky I didn't have the bat in my hand...

Maddy is so entirely ticked off in this picture it isn't even funny. I know my girls and I know Maddy is FUMING at the moment because Katie ended up with the candy.

That is why at cake time Katie looks so happy.

That is why at cake time Maddy is being a brat.

At least everyone else is having fun, except me, because I still want to beat my girls with the bat.

The really funny thing is while Maddy and Katie were wrestling, all the other kids made off with a haul.

There's my girl, Mariah. She always has fun.

I finally got Brian and Tami to pose for a picture to post on my blog. I should write all kinds of gossip about them, but I won't because they cooperated. Love you!

Maddy and our college student. Doesn't Alex look like an Academic?

I love this picture of Pat's parents because those are the looks they mostly wear on their faces. I have rarely seen a couple that meshes as well as they do. I am very lucky to be their daughter-in-law. They are a great example of how to love and LIVE.

Jessy and baby King. I am so proud of Jessy for supporting her babies on her own and working very hard to do it. XOXO from me to you, babe.

Ah... now we get to the goods. Notice all the presents, but one, are in the form of cards. My girls know what that means: Can you say money, money, money?

Oh Yeah.

Katie opened her second favorite gift of the day, a darling monkey blanket hand made by Grandma Diane. Katie loves this so much that it has been added to the shreds of her blankie and gets carried around while she sniffs her original and wears her locket.

Thanks, Grandma. We love you for all you do and for loving our monkeys as much as your dogs. (Ha. Ha.)

Maddy and Papa Bill.

Maddy and Granny Hanne.

Katie and Granny Hanne. Notice how Hanne always seems to avert her gaze from the camera.

Thanks everyone for coming and for the great birthday gifts. We love you. We feel so blessed to have such great families and are grateful for each and everyone of you.

XOXO

I just realized I didn't get one picture of Pat - it was his party also. Ooops. Sorry honey. I love you too.