Abby’s Birthday

Abby turned one on the fifteenth. Both Tara and I are in shock! We just brought her home from the hospital and now are little baby is one.

Ever since Emma’s 2nd birthday, we’ve used a polka-dot themed door display for birthdays. She loved it and Tara and I enjoyed watching her play with them. The little dots just proved too much for her to resist.

That night, we had a small family dinner at Acapulco Restaurant in Stillwater with family. Her big party is this weekend. She got a few presents and got to spend a little time with her great grandma. It’s a great family place and now that Adam works there, it works well with the family.

Jake is helping Abby with her new toy.

Jacob had a little homework to do and Uncle Adam got him some bottle caps for his collection if he finished it. He’s been doing great in school and we’re happy with the progress. He’s reading at a 2nd or 3rd grade level.

After, we went to Nelson’s (home of the ridiculously large ice cream cones) and Abby got her first taste of Ice Cream. Jake’s friend Hunter was there and they got to hang out.

Jacob and his friend Hunter.

All told it was a nice family time with everyone: Grandma & pappa, Grandma McCloud, Adam, Shelly, Emily & Kelly, and our family. Very nice to have a relaxing day ahead of big party on Saturday.

Odepalooza 2009!!!

We held to a tradition that started with my 30th birthday party 3 years ago – Odepalooza.

(note the Skittles vodka on the bar)

This is our annual summer Tiki party. It’s just a great time for us to get together with friends and family to enjoy a summer night in Minnesota.

This year we featured some fun new infused vodkas: watermelon (mixed with lemonade – yummy) and Skittles (all 5 flavors).

Additionally, the yard was enhanced just for the party to include a fabulous patio and some new landscaping – it was lots of work, but so worth it. I so enjoyed the party this year.

It seemed easy to talk to everyone and we had a really great crowd. All of the kids ran around the yard and had so much fun.

Hugo Consumption Days

Every year, Hugo Minnesota has it’s annual “Consumption Days”. Yes, it is exactly what it sounds like. A big, silly stimulus package. It’s also a hell of a lot of fun.

This year (while we were building the patio) Grandma was being honored as the grand marshal for the second time.

The whole family (sans Karen, Tara, and myself – who were working on the patio) came out to celebrate.

Dorothy on the Grand Marshall Escort Vehicle (an el Camino)

Paula was dressed as a flapper