Whew!

So here's the long and dirty.

Valerie and her family moved out here just in time to celebrate Owen's birthday on the 23rd.

Gabe "conducted" a reading of his first published book (the $18 first grade compilation that I almost, whew, wipe backhand across forehead, didn't want to waste the money on), while Owen waited patiently to open his presents.

Apparently Nate doesn't approve of the chocolate cake. Whose kid is he?

Kristin et. al., arrived the 26th, and since Nate's birthday is only 11 days after Owen's, we had a combined party for the two on the 28th. Combined as in also combined themes. It was a Buzz Lightyear, Wall-e, ATV and lunch birthday party. With 16 adults, 19 kids under 8, and 5 babies under 1. Whew!

The Minnesotans thoroughly enjoyed the sunny 70s with no wind.
Perfect day left only a few pink cheeks.
More pictures and party details to follow.

To occupy the kids during the week, we took 10 little boys and 1 baby girl bowling on dollar Monday.

We had more bowling balls than everyone else (hee hee).
All fingers were accounted for. Whew!

The first-graders, Caleb and Gabe.

We jumped and bounced with 13 cousins (only two girls!).

No elbows were dislocated. Whew!

Most of the cousins.

I'm thinking Anne will have a lot of girls wanting to be her friend at BYU when they see all her boy cousins!

Jake and Caleb going down; Owen going up.

Gabe

Jake

Nate

Dan and Sam are happy to see me.

Watch out Walmart restroom lady! I'll mess you up!

Good thing I didn't run into her. Whew!

Thursday was our last day altogether.

We turned the boys loose on the dome climber.

No skulls were fractured. Whew!

We played legos. None were swallowed. Whew!

We visited old friends and found a girlfriend for Pete,
although no rings were exchanged. Whew!

We celebrated a daughter. Whew!!!

We got all the kids to bed and snuck out to Dairy Queen.
No calories were counted. Whew!

*And that other thing? April Fool's! WHEE-EW!