Silly 'Mingo Party

Rain?!?! We dreamt of a Silly 'Mingo Birthday Party and BBQ in our backyard, but the weather helped us create a more lasting memory: an INDOOR Silly 'Mingo Party! At the end of this post I wrote down the guest list so you can see just how tightly the sardines were packed! :) My G'ma Trudy says that things like this (the rain, in this case) happen so that you can remember things more clearly: "Remember the birthday party you had when it rained and we were packed elbow-to-elbow and hip-to-hip in the living room and kitchen? That was so fun!"


Daddy Jeff outdid himself again--we've started the tradition of him making the birthday cakes for the kids' birthdays (a tradition we picked up from the Van Sickles) and Jeff had a great time making this enormously fowl cake. Ha. Crazy what three cherry-chip cake mixes, an entire bag of dyed-pink coconut, and a LOT of frosting can make! Gracie loved it!

Having a house-full of people sing "Happy Birthday" to you can be a bit overwelming...

...so Mom and Dad helped blow out the candles. :)

Even Joshy got in on the theme. "Happy birthday, Sis. I have a flamingo antenna for each year of your life."

Delicious cake! Cute little hams!

There was a lot of help with presents. :) These girls had experienced birthdays before and were helping Gracie get it down right. Grace wanted to go play with each present as soon as she opened it. Several times she walked away with her present, only to be coaxed back to continue unwrapping. The girls were a big help!

Pappy and Granny gave her a wagon! She loves it! We caught a few minutes of chilly sunshine.

Papa LeRoy is such a teaser! It was so nice to have them come up with G'ma Joan and Papa Greg. This was the first time they'd seen our new house.

Gracie loves to name people--it's a favorite game of hers--so I thought it only fitting to record her list of guests...

G'ma Trudy and Papa LeRoy
G'ma Bonnie and John
Granny Dorothy and Pappy Harvey
G'ma Joan and Papa Greg
G'ma Colleen and Papa Scott
(NINE grandparents in the house! How cool is that?!?)
Katie, Brady, Brooke, Abby, and Megs
Angela, Ryan, and Anthony
Uncle Bill, Aunt Marilyn, and Allie
Matt, Heidi, Kalei, Alea, and Kai
Johnny, Rachel, and Lydia
Joel and Sarabeth
Jeff, Ellie, Gracie and Josh

And so far 35 is the record for our little house on Cooper! We are so blessed to have so many people who love our little girl. Thanks for joining in with the 'Mingo fun and celebrating her with us!