Mutti Turns 60

Mutti joined Vati and turned the big 6-0!!!  We went to a yummy lunch and then had cake at their house.  The whole gang was there to celebrate.

Lots of little voices for singing!

Vati got her a very nice cake!

Doesn't look a day past 50 ;-)

Noah's Birthday

On August 27 we celebrated the birthday of Noah Dredla.  Most probably know, but Noah had a very short life on earth and his life had a huge impact on us and many others!  We were not sure what to do or say on this day but knew we wanted to do something.  We ended up making a video for Russ and Hilary and emailed it to them.  We were not even sure if they would like it but they said it was a wonderful gift.

We never met Noah when he was alive but we love him dearly!!!  We look forward to the day when we meet him in God's kingdom!!

4th Birthday Party - The pinata

One of the most fun parts of the party was the pinata!  Eli remembered the pinatas from Emmett's 1st party and requested one for his.  It is actually pretty fun making them too.  We just need to perfect the material so it breaks better and so it hangs better... they will get better and better as we go!

4th Birthday Party - The People

We had a bunch of friends and family come for the party and it was a blast.  Here are some of the folks who came.... we didn't get everyone in a picture, not even me or Mama... Thanks to all who came!!

It was a little crazy at first because everyone was inside.....

..... but we got them out on the playground!

We put all the kids outside for lunch :-)

Birthday Boy Eli!

Claire

Wyatt

Abby

Emmett

Skyler

Emma

Karen and Simon... Karen, Wayne and Skyler came all the way from Morrow Mountain!!!

Paige

Everett

4th Birthday Party - The Cake

One of Andrea's specialties is baking!!!  Cookies, cakes, sweets.... she knows what she is doing!!!!  This cake was no less awesome and with some construction paper and creative icing and you have a spider!!

Happy Birthday to you....

Happy Birthday to you....

YUM!  See Emmett licking his lips?

Gotta love cake!

Paige must have been thirsty because her cup is huge!!!

Gwinn boys love cake!

That's a happy boy!!

4th Birthday Party - Decorations

The weekend after Eli turned 4 we had a party.  He was very specific and original in his theme.  He had said for weeks that he wanted a Spider Party.  We tried to glam it up and make it a Spider Man party but "No, just spiders."  We tried to divert him into some kind of character like Mickey Mouse, or Dinosaur Train, or Super Wyatt, but he knew he just wanted spiders!  Mama got very creative and pulled off a beautiful party!!!

Spider cake and cupcakes.

He was also very adamant about wanting a pinata, so we got crafty again and made a spider pinata.... His comment, "There is only one big one?"  For Emmett's first birthday we made 4 little ones......

The spread...... yum!

Spiders took over the living room.

Including the mantle.

And the kitchen lamp.

The spider in the door even freaked a few people out!!!

Dinner with Friends

In addition to having both Grandma's help out we had some friends from church bring some meals too!!  It is amazing how helpful it is to have someone bring you a meal when you have two little ones and a newborn!!  Thanks to all that helped!!  

These are some pics from when Carla, Austin and their girls brought us dinner and hung out a little too.  It was a great time for both grownups and kiddo's.

AMAZING Cake Pops.... homemade by Carla!!!  She is an artist!

Aby holding Simon.

Sadie playing with toys.

Carla and Austin, thanks for the yummy food!!