Happy Birthday, Kate - Party Time!

Happy 5th birthday, Kate!

Julie and Richard invited us to their house to celebrate Kate today.   Kate was beyond excited to see us all arrive.

Opening gifts is serious work!

Kate loves bracelets (and I love making them for her).  The problem with bracelets is that they tend to accumulate and fill up a jewelry box. SO!  I had this great idea to buy a mug tree (you know... one of those wooden things that you can hang mugs or coffee cups on) - paint it white - make it girly and pretty and call it a "bracelet tree" - and give it to Kate for her birthday.  The look on her face below says a lot.  But the best was what she said....

As Kate opened the bracelet tree, she said quietly... 

"It has my name on it...

and it's all decorated...

but I don't know what it is."

She's pretty cute!!

 

With a little explanation, Kate thought it was a great idea!!!

Aunt Crystal, Uncle Scott and Bryce provided a new PINK softball bat!

(we all felt a li'l safer with Richard's hand on the bat)

A cute, cute T-shirt (among other things) from Aunt Amy, Uncle Greg,

Gregory, Alex and Matthew

 

Brynn enjoyed being the first to share Kate's new umbrella.

 Brynn made the rounds today, beginning with Uncle Scott

(It almost looks like a game of "Pass the baby")

A look at Uncle Greg's camera

A visit with Alex

A determined walk.

(We did let her walk a little.  Not much, but a little.)

Kate generously shared ALL of her presents with Brynn.

Scott and Bryce sharing a moment.

Amy and Matthew doing the same.

 Matthew and Julie

(Julie just has a few weeks left before the new baby comes)

I told Greg that I don't have any pictures of Matthew that aren't blurry.  He is ALWAYS on the move.  FINALLY!   Two pictures of Matthew that aren't blurry!  I think we discovered the secret to non-blurry pictures of Matthew - someone has to hold him!!  :-)

Grandkids!  All 6 of them:

Gregory-13, Kate-5!, Bryce-6, Matthew (in the back)-7,
Alex-11, Brynn 19+ months

(And that's Crystal in the way back)

Gregory, the teenager!  How can it be???

It seems like just yesterday that he was Kate's age.

(Yes... I am getting old)

Bryce, having a thoughtful moment.

Ok... so it was a quiet celebration... not a loud "party-on" kind of atmosphere

(two new babies on the way this year)

In the end... it was a great party for a great girl!

and a special day for a special family

Happy 5th birthday, Kate!!!

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