Party Party

Sunday I drove over to Luck to join Kyle and his family for a celebration of 3 birthdays.

Stella had turned 7, Ruby was about to turn 5, and Jens had celebrated 2 years.

It was a nice family gathering, with lots of kids, delicious food and fun birthday cakes.

Grandma Lois is the Cake Boss!

The kids get to make their request and she produces a creative & delicious birthday cake.

Ruby's doll cake

Stella wanted giraffes.

Jens is a little young to make a request, but he liked this road construction cake.

Little Ivan and Dad

Aaron

Anders got a little bored while watching the girls open gifts, decided to do some somersaults.

Anders got to come to the party with his Dad, who went out wild ricing for the day.
Anders has lots of fun playing with his cousins.

Grandma Janice kept track of all the gifts and gift givers.

Grandma Lois enjoyed watching the girls open their loot.

Little Ivan seems to love playing with a ball.

Ivan and Jens - Cousins

Ivan was in the action most of the day.

Maybe Ivan is a future Badger?

Ivan is sure a cute little fart!

I enjoyed watching Aaron playing some football with his nephews.

By his smile, I think Jack was enjoying the football fun too.

Jens got into the action but he is more into baseball I guess.

It was great to see Shelly at the party, she's had so many major medical issues in the past year, she held Jens as he slept for a very long time.  When asked if she wanted someone else to take him,
she said No.
I was told that holding the sleeping baby is very calming for her and helps lower her blood pressure.
A match made in heaven.

This cracked me up when Jens jammed his hands into his pockets and was walking around.

Jens woke up from his nap and then really enjoyed the rest of the day.

Jens runs around in those bare feet and loves it.

I caught him kicking the ball, looks like a natural.

He is a little blonde cutie!

Jens seems very serious sometimes.

But at other times, he knows he's pulling a fast one by snagging some candy off his cake,
while his lunch plate is sitting there being ignored.

Jens keeps a nice assortment of balls in this bag.

I couldn't focus in time, but still love this photo of Jens juggling his stash of baseballs.

Cousins have to rough house sometimes.

Getting a little too rough by the looks of Anders' expression.

Uncle Larry (and Aunt Lois's hands and camera)

Megan and her little brother Ivan

The next series of pictures is me trying to catch Megan doing a cartwheel.

Straight up, looked good to me.

and the landing.

The girls love to have these colored stripes in their hair.

Ruby got a fun fleece blanket and she loved it, pulled it out and wrapped up in it.

Ruby was so excited and that's Anders watching her open gifts.

I like the more serious looks on Ruby's face.

Shelly and Jens just relaxed during all the craziness of gifts being ripped open.

Stella loved getting all the Barbie accessories.

Stella's cousin, Reagan (I think) was eager to see what was in each gift bag.

It's fun when the kids are opening and the cousins get right in on the action.

Stella really shows a lot of expression.

She was delighted with this gift.

Stella opened each card and read it.

Such a sweet face.

And this crazy, excited look when she saw a $10 bill tucked into the pocket of a new shirt.

Uncle Harry helped free the toys from their packaging constraints.
He also assembled a little barn and roof.

Great Grandma Virginia (Heather's Grandma), who is 100 years old, seemed to enjoy the party.

Watching the kids open gifts

Ivan had a little chat with Virginia

Bob, Kenny, Kyle, Gary, Noah
Jens, Virginia

Bob, Kenny, Jack, Kyle, Gary, Gage, Noah
Great Grand son who's name I do not remember, Virginia

Stella, Ruby, Kenny & Virginia

Ruby with her doll cake

Stella with her giraffe cake

It was a fun day.

Kyle and Heather are such gracious hosts and always make me feel so welcome there.

It's an honor to be included in these family gatherings.

Heather always looks fabulous and throws a lovely party as well.

Kyle, the perfect host

Old Glory just of Kyle's deck.
He and I have high standards for our flag condition, so since we were discussing it,
I snagged a photo.