Party All The Time

Because that’s what we do.
Party.
Party.
Party.

For instance:
My Parents

They went and got married something like
50 years ago.

You can see they were so very young.
But aren’t they cute?
And they’ve stuck it out.
50 years!!
So amazing to me.
Such great examples.
I love my parents and couldn’t have been raised by better people.
I truly believe that.

Their actual anniversary is in September, but since we had the whole most of the family
together last weekend, we needed to celebrate it then.
So, after inviting Aunts and Uncles,
cousins and close friends,
we met at the local park
(just up the street from the house they got married in)
and celebrated these amazing people.

We kept the decorations simple. But we were very pleased with how they turned out!

 

 

 

 

 

 

We needed no caterers.
We all pitched in and combined our cooking talents and created a sumptuous buffet.
Sweet and Savory.
And oh, so delicious!

The best part was the guests that came. Friends and family that have meant so much to my parents over the years.

This beautiful lady was my mom’s bride’s maid all those years ago. They’ve kept in touch. Mom was so surprised to see her.
She didn’t dream that she’d make it to the party.
What a wonderful treat/surprise for her!
Can you see the tears in her eyes?

 

 

 

My Dad’s best man was his brother.
It’s amazing when we look at them, we can see our grandparents.
And back in the day, when my dad had his mustache, they looked just like each other.

 

 

 

It was a super-dee-duper party!
And even though my parents are very humble people who don’t like to be fussed over,
I think they were very pleased and happy with the festivities!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
We couldn’t stop with just one party!
There is another person in the family that needed a party as well.

Scooter.

Turned 10.

I freaked out just a little bit.
My baby boy is numbered in the double digits now.
He will be a double digit-er for the rest of his life.

That’s something to celebrate, isn’t it?

Today we took him and some friends to play.
And they played hard.
We played miniature golf.
Go-carts.
And bumper boats.

And we ate cupcakes.
Some ate cupcakes until they wanted to vomit.
Some boys showed more restraint and only ate one.
Thank heavens since we were riding in my car.

(It was too windy for the candle to stay lit, so we did a fake blow! He played his part well, didn’t he?)

I feel very strongly about having a homemade/decorated cake for my children for their birthdays.
But I simply didn’t have time to decorate a fancy cake for Scooter this year.
He agreed that cupcakes would be okay
(it took some convincing).
So we started looking at cupcake ideas (THANK YOU PINTEREST!!).
First the thought of “Monster Cupcakes” was quite appealing.
Then he saw the baseball cupcakes.
He’s totally on a baseball kick again, because this week he got to throw out the opening
pitch for our local semi-pro team.
(More on that later.)
Then he saw these cupcakes.
And this is exactly what he wanted.
And since it’s his birthday and he’s in charge….
I agreed.
Besides, I was able to knock these out in an hour
and I only had to buy Skittles for decorating.
Ka-ching!
I saved a ton of money!

What the heck? The kids loved them!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
And that’s the end of our partying ways… for now.

And We’re Moving To….

We’ve received our answer.
The verdict is in.
One piece of the puzzle is finally in place.

We finally got word that…


for sure……

we’ll be living…..

 

EAST OF NOWHERE

 

Flynn really loves his job there, and that’s helpful.
When your husband loves his job, it’s a nice thing.
So we’re happy.
(It’s also a good thing that the local residents we have met are
SUPER NICE!)

Now we’re trying to fit the other puzzle pieces together.
Like….

WHERE DO WE LIVE?!?

We’re back to the challenge we found when we thought we were moving to Mordor.
There is an utter lack of acceptable housing available.
People in the ward have said,
“You just hold your breath and hope that something that’s just good enough comes available.”

I’m sorry.
Just good enough doesn’t cut it for us.
Not when you’re uprooting your family away from everything
we’ve known and loved for the past 14 years!
So we’ve decided
that we’re going to build us a house that we love.

We are looking for a lot to build on,
which isn’t as easy as it sounds.
Even though there is nothing but wide open space out there,
there aren’t any available lots to build a house on.
Basically, you have to wait for a house to be condemned or burn to the ground
to find a lot in town.
Also, the town has been declared a flood plain
… or whatever the USGeological People say it is.
So, if you’re lucky enough to find a vacant lot, you have to check it out to see if
you can actually build there.

Sheesh.

But, at least we’re working toward our common goal of reuniting as a family.
I believe that Scooter and I will be living there before too long.
We’re looking for a house to rent while we build
and then
WE’RE OUTTA HERE!

**********************

I’m looking for a new “code name” for our new town.
East of Nowhere sounds too negative.
Even though it really is out in the “boonies”.
Even though it literally is in the middle of nowhere.
Even though, if you drive 10 miles past the edge of town, you fall off the face of the earth.
I’ve never lived in such a remote place in my life.
I need to find a more fun name to call my new home town.

You readers who know where we’re going… any suggestions?
Remember, we have to be fairly vague.
I can’t have any creepers finding out the real name of our town.

**************************************
And since I can’t do a post without a picture,
here’s a bit of family news:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Holy cow!
I’m going to be a GRANDMA!?!?!

(I’m sure going to miss having these beautiful gardens to take photos in!)

S-s-s-cooter’s S-s-s-ummer Is For S-s-s-wimming

Olympic swimming fever has hit our home.
Scooter, and I (and Flynn when he can) have been glued to our NBC channel
watching Michael Phelps, Ryan Lochte and Missy Franklin
swim for the Gold… and winning it.

Scooter and I have made a plan that in 12-14 years,
he will be the newest swimming sensation at the
Olympics.
I will be the doting mother, crying happy tears of joy in the stands while my
handsome, red-headed son stands on the highest podium,
with The Star Spangled Banner playing majestically while the American flag is raised to
the highest point of prominence.
And, of course, a beautiful gold medal will be hanging around his neck.

Of course, we’ll repeat that same scene at least 25 times.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Many of the great athletes had humble beginnings,
and Scooter is no different.
He began his quest this summer, swimming in local lakes
wearing a too-small wet suit, camouflage life vest and neon blue goggles.

His form is FABULOUS!
His skill is SUPERB!
His abilities are AMAZING!
And his ability to have fun…. INFECTIOUS!

(Some of these pictures display the all-boy sport of minnow and crawdad fishing with his favorite cousin!
Not necessarily Olympic sports. BUT… if, by chance, it is added, these two will walk away with Gold!)