The big 3-0! The Party

Back to catching up...

My b-day started a little early. As my birthday is on Valentines' Day and since most everyone we know is married and would like to do something romantic with their spouse, my sis and bro-in-law and bro and sis-in-law came up on Saturday Feb 7th and threw me a big party. At first Chris wanted it to be smaller, so he didn't invite many people other than our Bible Study until the week before the party when I kept asking him if so and so was coming. I think he realized that just counting our family (his and mine), our Bible Study, and our neighbors, we were already having a big shindig, so might as well invite everybody (that was on Facebook who could possibly make it, that is!). Unfortunately, due to the late notice some people couldn't come who would have otherwise been there.
We were originally going to have it at our church, since it was going to be our Bible Study and a few extra people, but decided to switch it to a park. We cooked everything (Fajitas, rice, peppers & onions, cake, chex mix) for everyone, well rather Chris & my sister cooked everything, and I kind of wandered back and forth between them attempting to help, but not getting a lot accomplished with the boys constantly needing my attention.


Sarah before she started cooking took some time out to spend with her nephew. He was pointing out the lions in his book.

Well, although the temperature was great Feb 7th, we were under a wind advisory, gusts up to 30 mph, so the park ended up not being a great idea. We all met there, and the kids played a while, and then we decided it would be pretty much impossible to eat with the wind that crazy so we ended up going back to our original plan, the church.
I got to spend the evening hanging out and catching up with dear friends, new and old, and have my kids be under someone else's watchful eye. It was perfect. Chris even made it more special by having people share things that they appreciated about me. I couldn't stop crying. It was truly the best way to spend my 30th birthday. I couldn't have asked for anything different.
Ben, before Chris took him and he fell asleep. And the only pic of me that day!! And I even gave the camera to someone else to take pics. Go figure!

Lisa serving the ice cream

Brice being silly for the camera

Ron & Leslie, Chris's old commander and his wife and their baby Trey, born 9 days after John. She actually found out she was pregnant, a month before we did, and we ended up being due before they were. Craziness!!

Lisa's son, Miller cheesing for the camera

Danny & Andrea, a dear like-minded couple who graced our group for only a few months before the army shipped them to Colorado.

Chris, Lisa's hubby, with their daughter Virginia. "Ginny" is 2 weeks younger than John.

My Chris, doing his favorite cheese pose for the camera.

Eric & Stephanie, my fellow Montanans!

Mikaela enjoying some ice cream

Lisa's oldest daughter, Taylor

Amanda Wiley & Zavier made it up from San Antonio. They happened to be in the area that weekend, and stopped by. It was fun to see them and catch up.

Our neighbors Guy & Kirsten, and their two newly adopted girls

Laura with Kiera. Kevin had to work that evening.

People missing from the pics: Dave & Ashley Pflug. Dave was the cameraman, and unfortunately the only pic he took of Ashley wasn't very flattering. Greg & Jennifer Poppy & their boys. Unfortunately, I forgot to take the camera out of my bag until after they left. It was really fun to catch up with them and meet baby Gabriel. Also missing were my family. Dave & Sarah left early cuz Dave got sick. T & Sarah arrived late from their 10 hour drive from Galveston. Really the drive isn't that long normally, but for some reason everything went wrong on the trip, so it took them forever to get in.
So, these next pics are of my family, mainly for you mom:

I kept all three in, b/c I couldn't figure out which was the best, and that way mom, you can figure it out!!

Sarah & Dave poses:




Tim & Sarah "poses." Unfortunately they woke up late and were in a hurry to get out the door Monday morning, as T had an "interview" with Houston PD at noon, so we didn't get any cute couple shots
Tim getting ready for the interview
John was "helping" Sarah roll up her bed. Sorry Sarah for the bad shot.