Party Time

What a weekend! Despite the newly fallen foot of snow Anchorage got, we took the family up this weekend because Aaron played in a men's league hockey tournament, even though he had a messed up knee from the last tournament. We also planned to celebrate Brady and Jolee's birthdays with the rest of the family. Brady's was first with a big party at the magical world of Chuck E. Cheeses. Even though Brady might be a hair too old for this place now, we all had a great time despite the chaos of a hundred or so sugar-spiked kids running around. Even the grandpas were troopers, helping with baby duty and present hauling.

Brady got some great gifts from our wonderful family and friends. He especially loved all the new cooking supplies he got along with a new pocket knife he can use when we go camping this summer.

Jolee's party was on Saturday at our hotel pool. We ended up having to move the party to the Hawthorne after deciding to leave our first hotel on Friday. This is a story I will have to share another time. Let's just say that I have never seen Aaron lit up as I did on Friday. Anyway, the party was great with all the cousins and friends swimming together (along with about 10 girl scouts that showed up five minutes into the party). After wearing the kids out swimming, we had leftover cake from Brady's party (sorry Jolee, that's what happens when you're the fifth kid) and opened presents in the hotel's dinning area. It was really nice to have a big room all to our own. Jolee was just as I thought she would be with her cake as she didn't really want anything to do with it. We managed to get a little frosting on her lips, but that was about it. Jolee too got lots of great toys and outfits from our awesome family and friends and her first birthday was truly a memorable one.

We wish all of you could have been there to celebrate with us, but you are always with us in our hearts.