Pie Night and Birthday celebrations.

We decided to combine a family birthday celebration for my dad and my niece Larkin with PIE NIGHT. 

(I love the next series of pictures)

(Some of the littles must have been frolicking elsewhere)

16 and 83!

We're ready for some serious eating ;-)

Matt had planned a fun birthday surprise for my dad...

...his own phone {at last}!

It was so fun to see Nora dressed up in the same Barbie dress my girls used to dress up in.

Marty and Katie came to celebrate too... (this was the only pic I have of them).

It was a fun way to celebrate... and my dad LOVES his phone.

Thanks to everyone who came, brought pie, and enjoyed pie!

Celebrating Grandma Great G.

 Another day, another birthday celebration ♥ This time honoring mi mamita.

Sunday, Sept 11

Do you think these boys will be gamers someday?

I love them.

We invited extended family to join us for Sunday dinner to celebrate my mom's 79th birthday. I made a Goldsberry favorite... Chicken Oriental (aka Chicken Haystacks).

Everyone gathered around to sing and watch GGG blow out her candles. It was lucky for her I had some number candles, or she may have had to blow out 79 candles haha.

It was so fun to have everyone together to celebrate my beautiful mama.

Then my mom and dad gave birthday gifts to Reese and Cal.

Celebrating 3 birthdays in one week was AWESOME.

It's a good year for a good year! ♥

And we always love when Mar and Jonah are able to make it down from Logan.

Such a sweet day.

Grandma Great turns 72.

 We celebrated my MIL's birthday on Sunday, February 6. I knew she likes Mexican food, so I had made carnitas and tacos with all the yummy sides.

Afterwards we sang and had cake.

I got a kick out of Brielle... she remembered what you do with candles on a cake haha.

The candles were re-lit and we started again.

Grandma Great had lots of help blowing those two little candles out.

Happy Birthday, Wanda! ♥

Mar and Scarlett spent much of the evening crafting paper hearts in preparation for Valentine's Day. So sweet.

Celebrating mi padre.

One of the reasons Bill and I wanted to move back to UT was to be closer to our own family and our extended family, especially our "aging parents." (I consider myself an "aging parent," so do not want that phrase to imply I think my parents are really old haha.)

Well, my dad went and aged some more, and we were so glad to be able to celebrate with him.

Taylor and Lynnea came into town that day (they drove straight to Bountiful), and we were so happy that they could join us. Grandma and Grandpa G hadn't been able to see them the last time they had come to town, so it worked out perfectly.

Mi mamita made a yummy dinner, then mi padre blew out candles on his cake.

We thought it was hilarious when Grandma pulled out some matches to light the candles... it was a match box from Austin and Britt's wedding. 

That was nearly 10 years ago.

(could not get mi padre to crack a smile, though)

(For whatever reason, when I put my iphone camera on a timer, it takes a burst shot, which gives me a boatload of pics... all of which are a bit blurry. Boo. Gotta figure that out.)

Mar's friend Jonah stopped by to meet Grandma and Grandpa, and he and Mar sang for us.

V took 500 pictures on my phone ;-)

Tay and Evie shared their musical talents with us, too.

These pics of NJ are so funny. I don't know why she was so unhappy...

(could it be that she had had a very long day of travel followed by lots of over-stimulating togetherness with somewhat unfamiliar people? possibly)

but her momma got a smile out of her.

It was so amazing to be able to spend time with family as we celebrated... aging.

Happy Birthday, Dad!

 

Just a little parting shot before hitting the hay... 

we were so excited to have Tay, Nae, V, and NJ staying with us for a while.