I have never really liked kids birthday parties, when I get an invitation I do not imagine distant children's laughter over "pin-the-tail".  In my mind I see children running and shrieking with madness, parents backed against the wall hoping against fate that their child is not at the bottom of the pile up in the living room... for some it may seem like a lot of fun but honestly I'm not that interested.  This is why I have always tried to keep our birthday celebrations very private... just the family.  After all, the date my child was born is a date that I want to make special for that child to remember how much I love him/her and how grateful I am that God blessed my life with them! 

Yet, this year I gave in to the pleading of my oldest, Chas, and allowed a "small" gathering of 3 friends to celebrate his 11th birthday the way every kid dreams... pizza, video games, and staying up late.  It's almost more than I can handle... the kids are crazy, WILD with excitement and just plain noisy!  I've never seen kids devour so much food in such a short time (I think they literally inhaled the pizza!)  We have had more accidental (albeit minor) injuries in a 3 hour time frame than I've witnessed all year long.  The younger two kids are upset because they don't get to sleep in the basement with the big boys and I just might be on the brink of insanity!!! 

Ironically, I have already planned to do this all again next week when Abby turns 9... can you just hear the high pitch screaming?  Slumber parties are not for the faint of heart!  If you don't hear from me by mid-day tomorrow PLEASE SEND HELP!!!

I have not updated in a long time... sorry... it's been so busy this fall.  I will try to blog soon but for now enjoy the new pictures!