Pope Pages

This past Saturday we celebrated Addie's first birthday by hosting a BBQ out at our place. We lucked out and had perfect weather, which was a good thing since there were about 35 of us, and there would have been no way we could have all fit in our house!

It was high time we had people over. I think the last party Dennis and I had was for my 30th birthday, so it's been awhile! There is NO WAY we would have ever been ready if it hadn't been for Wes, Carol, and their friend Margaret's help with mowing. Even with their help Dennis and I still ran around like crazy people trying to make the place presentable. Having company is sure motivating!

We invited immediately family over before the "party" was set to begin. This gave Addie a chance to open her presents. Grandpa Wes wrapped Addie's gift from them in a sack filled with the Menard's add (it's a Wes thing). Addie had lots of fun pulling each crumpled piece of newspaper out, taking a look at it, then diving back into the sack for the next one. Even though the paper is still as much fun as the actual present, Addie did seem to pay more attention to her presents than she did at Christmas, and she's had a lot of fun playing with them since.

Guests began arriving at 5, and we eventually ended up outside under the shade trees. Wes and Margaret manned the grill, while Grandma Carol started seeking out the babies of our friends to hold - and there were quite a few! There's definitely been a population boom among our circle of friends over the past few years. It was fun to see all the kids together.

After everyone had polished off the hotdogs it was time to sing happy birthday to Addie. She didn't know what to think of the frosting at first, but she soon realized how much she likes cake! She ate her cupcake and then started in on daddy's piece. I think she's inherited her Aunt Ellen's sweet tooth!

The party started to wind down as the sun was setting, and after a really entertaining game of kick ball. Addie partied hard, and way past her bedtime. She slept like a rock, despite her sugar high.

It was a great evening, and it sure made us realize (once again) how tremendously blessed we are to have so many wonderful friends and family with which to share times like these.

Tomorrow will mill mark what would have been Ellen's 37th birthday. It makes me think about my parents. They probably remember celebrating Ellen's first birthday. I want to try and be thankful for every moment we have with Addie, our family and our friends. Life is short, no matter how many birthdays you celebrate. It all goes by so fast.