BIRTHDAY!!!!!

Well, we had a joint party again this year, which, for the first time, did not involve a pool (or our friends and family from home :( ). It has gotten a little too chilly for swimming, so we rented a jumping castle for the day. We had a fruit, popcorn and carrot sticks with ranch (all the way from Sam's--thanks mom and dad G) buffet set up on the front porch (or veranda as it is called here) along with drinks which included sweet tea that our new friends from South Carolina helped us drink. The kids played on the the jumping castle, participated in games run by Brad and enjoyed the buffet

for 3 hours. I had a great time visiting with everyone and Olivia was in heaven with so many kids to watch and play with and so many adults she knows and loves. It was a fun day for us all.

Samantha chillin with her friends (and the ever present blankie) in the shade. (L to R) Joanna, Samantha and blankie, Flo

"The Moms"
Here are the moms catching up with each other with a good view of the action out on the lawn.
(L to R) Kerri and Elise (brand new friends met through Steph and Steve), Steph, Roxanne (friend from both Sunday night bible study and ladies Tues bible study), and Michelle (recently in from Birminham) :)



"Our little Kangaroo Climber"
Here's Olivia climbing up backward on her Kangaroo Climiber. This was the safer place for her to be. She'd rather be jumping with the big kids, but she needed a chaperone. This is our friend Jonathan in the background (and Olivia's buddy).

"Game Time"
Kaitlyn wanted to play games so Brad was the official game organizer. Here we have tug of war without a rope--boys vs. girls; I don't think there was ever a victory. Both sides just ended up in heaps of giggling kids (and the boys declaring "we won! we won!)
I'm going to try this, but I can't see them very well: (L to R) Julia A, Joanna, Zora, Emma W, Grayson R, Mazi W, Flo, Samantha?, Bradyn A, Ayra, Kaitlyn, Kamryn A....vs.....Langston, Sebastian H, Peyton W, Nicholas H. Wandering in front we have Madi R.

"Let's see who's stonger.....How old are you? 4 or 5?"
This is the exact quote I heard out of Samantha's mouth as I am snapping this picture. Samantha and Peyton proceeded to throw each other to the ground in a match to "see who's stronger" Does this surprise anyone? :) Not me! (In case you can't tell, she has him by each shoulder and did succeed the first time)

Samantha enjoying the jumping castle the morning after the party before pick up...yes she's in a leotard again. (Only because all the bathing suits have been put away)