Andrea's 6th and Kevin's 4th Birthday

July 23, 2011: Happy 6th Birthday, Andrea!  We started off the day by having her open her presents from Mommy, Daddy, and the boys.

Her new electric Barbie guitar with microphone was perfect for the girl who loves to play "band."  Look at this Rock Star attitude! She's jamming.

Later, we set up her new Barbie Teaches the Puppies to Swim set and Polly Pocket Party Boat.  It was all good until the pool collapsed and water spilled all over the floor. Now, it's an outside toy!

For dessert, we made homemade ice cream using the new Blizzard maker she got as a birthday gift.  She had wanted one SO much.  It took some work, but the ice cream turned out surprisingly well. Yummy!

Kevin didn't want to finish his.  Andrea had no problem with that!

July 24, 2011: We had some family and friends over to celebrate Andrea and Kevin's birthdays.  We went with a water-fun theme this year.  Ryan loved the baby pool we put out for the toddlers.


Izzy and Andrea were mermaids, cooling off in our new kiddie pool.

Ryan was using the edge of his pool to try and stand up. He didn't quite make it, but it's a good start.

Grama Marty tried to introduce her little dog, Teela, to Ryan, but Ryan thought Teela was too tickly.

Kade and Kevin, who are close in age, put the water guns to good use.



Then, Kevin decided to take a break and visit with Ryan in the baby pool.

Kevin and Hannah like to play together sometimes.  She's the cousin that is closest to him in age (about a year younger).

Brothers Aiden and Kade were having fun bouncing with some balloons on the trampoline.  Aiden is the ultimate jumper/bouncer: even on solid ground, he always seems to be bouncing!

When Griffin came over, he joined Ryan in the baby pool. The boys are only about a month apart in age.


The slip 'n slide was also a big hit with the kids who could walk.  Brothers Parker and Griffin are checking how cold the water is!

Kade goes sliding on his knees while the other boys watch.


Andrea shows the boys how it is done: run, dive, slide!

Ryan had a tiny grasshopper on his arm while he was in the pool. He didn't even notice.

The rest of us got to have a nice visit while the kids played.

Brigitte and Grama Marty

Mark, Sara, Mike, Michelle, and Chuck

Griffin was addicted to our cheesies. He kept asking for them. It was so cute the way his face would light up when his mom brought one to him!


Parker was figuring out how to get a drink from the slip n' slide "fountain," Ryan was trying to climb out of the baby pool, and Griffin was gobbling the cheesies.

I think Parker perfected his technique.  Meanwhile, Ryan was admiring Griffin's hat.


Next, it was time to open presents. Andrea was excited to be the centre of attention, but Kevin was a bit overwhelmed by it all.  Daddy helped them open their gifts.

Andrea got a new bathing suit. She really needed one: the one she was wearing was just a bit too small.


The kids got so many great presents!  It took us a few days to open, set up, and find places for them all!

Meanwhile, Papa was playing "Minouche" with Ryan to try and cheer him up. Ryan has had a bad outbreak of hives this week. We're still not sure what is causing them, poor little guy.


Kevin and Parker had fun racing cars down the new tracks Kevin got.

After dinner, it was cake time.

Both my munchkins have a sweet tooth, so they were really happy at cake time!

Happy Birthday to You Both!



Grampa Rick and Teela are watching the cake being served.

Yummy-messy cupcake faces!


The weather for the party was mostly miserably hot and humid.  It finally started to cool off around dinner time, because just after dessert, a wicked storm blew in! Thankfully, all our guests had packed up and headed safely home before the storm began in earnest.

July 25, 2011: Happy 4th Birthday, Kevin! We started his birthday by letting him pick what he wanted to have for breakfast. His choice?: leftover ice cream!


Come on, seriously?  Andrea saw the mess Kevin made playing with his ice cream, and decided she wanted a silly ice cream face, too. They only got away with it because it was Kevin's birthday!

It was another hot day, so we went outside to play with some of their new birthday toys.  Kevin had fun playing with his new Lightning McQueen water racer.


We went in to cool off, and checked out some of the indoor toys.  Gram had set up his new stunt track and rocket launcher for his cars.

After supper, when Daddy got home, Kevin opened his presents from us.  He is saying, "I'm FOUR!"


Judging by his expression, he's happy with the gifts we picked out for him this year!

He's figuring out how to use his new kiddie digital camera. I hope this means he will stop stealing my real one!

"You take pictures of me, I take pictures of you."