Happy 50th Anniversary, Mom & Dad!

Not many people can say this, but I have great in-laws.  The Lord has truly blessed me with a great second family.

This past weekend we had the privilege to celebrate their 50 years of marriage.  Lots of friends and family joined us for a beautiful reception and a delicious meal.  It was a great honor to be a part of it.

Welcome table

Some of the kitchen help

Sparkle helped fill the layers of the cake and add the first coat of icing on the cake.

Mom shared how they met and their testimony

Congratulations to a super, wonderful, loving, 

unique couple that I'm happy to be related to -- Happy 50th, Mom & Dad!

1963

2013

Happy Birthday Baby Girl (and Baby Brother)!

I didn't forget Butterfly's birthday.  It's just been too crazy to post on time because of another upcoming event.  She was definitely celebrated on time!

Cupcakes for her Sunday School class

Chocolate Ombre Rose cake

Daddy teased her friends they had to eat worms for lunch.  He went so far as to dig up worms in the rain. Glad they thought it was funny.  We had her favorites -- pizza, chips/cheese balls, and fresh veggies and grapes.

The girls had a fun time goofing around . . .

 . . . and playing with dolls in the toy room.

She opened gifts quickly before heading back to church.

Thrilled with her new 3DS from mom & dad, Nana & Pappy, Grandma & Papaw and Uncle Josh & Aunt Mel.

 On her birthday, we went to Chuck E. Cheese after piano lessons.  (Trust me.  This is a HUGE deal as it takes a big reason for mommy to willingly go there.  It's nice to go just as school is letting out locally.  Hardly anyone else there!)

Sparkle got the bonus -- over 130 tickets!

Bud sat at this game for a long time.  He'd come get more tokens and play it again. (It was driving a ski mobile type game.)  He just kept saying, "This is awesome!  This is awesome!

We sang Happy Birthday again to her on her birthday.

Since it's a monumental birthday, I can't forget to mention my baby brother's birthday as well.  I love that Butterfly and Uncle Jon share a birthday.

I guess there's always a special place in your heart for your youngest sibling -- especially since I used to be a little momma to him when he was a baby.  I'm very proud of what he has grown up to be and all that he has worked hard to accomplish.  Actually, I'm a tad jealous of all the extra-curricular things he's been able to do.  (See a few of them below.) Ah, the single life!  Love you, Jon!  Glad your 30th was a special one for you.  Happy Birthday!

The Beginning of the End

Well, it's happened.  Our baby has lost his first tooth. 

 

Somehow this seems a little more final than the last bottle, diaper, or sippy cup.  He, however, was excited beyond words.  I'm glad it was a happy experience for him.  Child #2's experience wasn't quite so enjoyable, and it's made every loose tooth since an emotional experience.  He's had a loose tooth for months, but he couldn't quite get the concept of wiggling it.  One bite of a sub sandwich, a little help from Dad, and Tada!

 

 

Oh, and Bud really likes the Tooth Fairy!