Birthday Party Weekend

Late on the night of June 24, The Bongiorno's arrived to help us celebrate Lauren's birthday at Crystal Lake!  What a present in itself to have them here with us.  We truly felt loved and were honored that they would come and have fun with us!  

JB (almost 5 years) and Noah (3 years) loved Crystal Lake and played in the water, on the boat, in the sand and on Nan and Dick's dock for the MAJORITY of the weekend.  It was so funny to watch them have so much fun at my favorite place in the world.  

Like Father...Like Sons...

Lauren liked watching them play

Getting ready for lunch on the porch

Whoo-hoo!!

JB and Noah with their beautiful mom

These boys are so lucky to have Whitney as their mom.

Morning fun with Dada in the front yard

Aunt Kay was in charge of Lauren's well-being and happiness the day of her birthday party.  :-)  Plan: Lauren needs two good naps and one good poo-poo diaper before 4pm.  

The Bongiorno Boys watching Pops get the jet ski ready

Menu: 

Ham, Roast Beef, Turkey and Chicken Salad Sandwiches (Fatty Patty's)

Mandarin Orange Salad

Watermelon

Blueberries

Strawberries

Cake and Cupcakes (Fatty Patty's)

Homemade Ice cream (Gigi and Grandma)

The cake was delicious and it was exactly what I hoped it would be.  Fatty Patty's did a wonderful job...and I didn't have to worry about driving down the dirt road with it.  The delivery of the food and cake was well worth it.  

The theme of Lauren's party was Bunnies By The Bay.  As most of you know, Lauren's lovey is her bunny.  She still sucks on its ears to fall asleep for all naps and every night.  Bunny gets quite disgusting and now requires 2 baths per week.  So, naturally I choose Bunnies as her theme and found the most perfect floppy bunny invitations at No Regrets Stationary Shop.  Thanks, Barbara and Sheila, for helping me find them!  

Aunt Kay getting things ready. 

Granddaddy overseeing everything.  :-)

Here are a few of the centerpieces...

Lauren has two "back-up bunnies" that Eric bought to be used in place of "real bunny" when it is gross, but since Lauren knows the difference and WON'T take either of the back-up bunnies, they became part of the decorations. 

The boys and Marlin the dog taking a ride down to the water. 

The Birthday Girl getting hydrated for her party!  

Thanks to Mrs. Kelli for Lauren's Lucky Rose and to A&J Embroidery for the tutu swim suit. 

How old is Lauren?  ONE!

Lauren, Mommy, and Mrs. Laura

Gigi, Lauren, and Pops

With Aunt Kay

I love our baby...

Fun times on the slide

Uncle Lance and Aunt Sarah

Bailey and her Mommy

Vivian and her mommy

Anna and her Mum

Taking it easy on the jet ski

Jerrett and Keagan

The best idea we've every had...putting the tent in the water and lowering it to block the sun.  aaaahhhhh....major relaxation!

Wardrobe Change!  Getting ready to blow out the candle...

"Happy Birthday to you..." (this is where I had to stop singing because, you guessed it...I started shedding tears) "...Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear Lauren...Happy Birthday to you!"  She just looked around at everyone singing in awe.  

Tasting a little bit of icing on the candle

Aunt Stacie, Uncle Gabe and Lucas

"This is fantastic cake!"

Our Baby is One

"Here Dada, you have some too!"

Our little baby with a big appetite ate 1/2 of her smash cake!

Time to open presents

I couldn't believe how many gifts Lauren received!  It was huge!  Everyone was so sweet and generous. 

Bailey and Vivian helping

"Hi!  I love watermelon!"

Jackson

Lauren with her friends Anna and Vivian

Our party favors

This is funny...Noah asked Jerrett (a complete stranger) for some soda.  So, Jerrett gave him a can...

Keagan quickly realizes that Noah is a young boy and this may not be permissible.  And the truth is that Noah has never really had soda out of a can before!

"Ah...the taste of victory!"

"Hum...I think I outsmarted those grown-ups, mommy."

Taking it all in at the end of a long day at a fun lake party wit his Sprite now in a cup.  Paradise for Noah.

Max and Eric with their girls. 

A lot of our friends stayed until dusk enjoying the water.  It was a great day and I think Lauren enjoyed having her friends at Crystal Lake. 

Am I the luckiest girl in the world or what?  My dear friend travelled 5-1/2 hours in the car with her 5 and 3 year old boys to come help set-up and clean-up the party.  I am so grateful for our friendship.  I love you, Whit!