2-8

So we got home from Utah just a few days before my 28th birthday.  We spent the first week of August playing at the pool, taking the kids to the Butterfly Exhibit at the Natural Science Museum, and going to library story time.  My birthday itself fell on Wednesday, so we hit up the pool for playgroup in the morning and then met up with friends at a barbecue restaurant at noon.  It was so hot, but with our crew of kids we decided to sit outside anyway and let the kids melt on the playground at the restaurant. 

My life is blessed by good friends to share this crazy journey of motherhood with.  These ladies are the best!  It is especially fun to share my birthday with my good friend Nicole.  So this little shin-dig was for both of us!  We celebrated Ashley's birthday with some frozen custard the week before on Jul. 31.  Fun times taking over restaurants with hordes of children. 

Ariel and Lauren...

My girlies...

Jenebie, Nicole, Shelly, and Colette

This is Colette again, and of course, Ashley (not pictured, but her kids are!)

Candy enjoyed the stage...

Drew, Kate, Brooke, Maddie, Mason & Candace on my lap, Megan, Kate, Megan, Audrey, Cassidy, Damon, and Nicole (my birthday buddy) with Mia on her lap

 Megan and Kenzie--rosy, rosy cheeks in that August heat

A little show by the girls...

 My childhood best friend Jenn and her hubby Chris stopped by for a quick birthday visit.  We laughed and laughed and had a great time.

Me, 28 and Dan, 32 (for now)

We didn't have a party with my side of the family because Dad and Ty were in the last week of their around the world trip.  It was originally planned for the summer of 2011 and originally planned for 3 people.  But when Mom's prognosis worsened in May, the trip was cancelled.
So Dad and Ty got to go on it a year later.  They have been having quite the adventure.  It's hard to keep track of where exactly they are, but my Dad has been facebooking and blogging their progress almost every day.  It's been fun to follow their progress!