Happy Birthday, Joel!

I know I said this blog was for my mom but tonight it's for Joel and Erin on the occasion of Joel's 30th birthday while we get to spend an evening with Lily. There are so many highlights from the evening that I just had to record them in this oh-so-appropriate place. The night started off with Noella hugging Lily in a kind of attack mode manner. It's tough to tell if Lily is enjoying herself during this process but I'd venture to say she's slightly on the hesitant side. Ryan and I had fun snapping pictures of it though. The girls next proceeded to alternating chewing on keys and running in opposite directions with musical toys so that we enjoyed a wonderful surround sound serenade of Old MacDonald and the ABC's.

Dinner was almost as fun as the previously mentioned. Both girls took turns in the highchair with a circus routine of meatballs, corn, peas, carrots, and chicken nuggets. That's right, I was the clown attempting anything and everything for the satisfaction of seeing two bellies get full. My anticipation had only a few moments to wait until both girls were OUT of the high chair and running around the kitchen while Ry, myself, and Ryan's cousin Jeff had our dinner. This turned into an all-out hillbilly free-for-all complete with Lily eating more hot dog than I can count and Ryan for some unknown reason having his meal at the dinner table with his shirt off.

Not that I mind the sexy chest hair at all but, come on, there's children around for heaven's sake. That grassy knoll is enough to frighten the toughest youngster. No fear from the little ones though. They ate the dredges off the table like none other. As an after dinner treat, Lily divebombed Noella's head and ended the night with a slight bruise on her cheek. I was sitting 6 inches from both of them but it was quick! If only Noella could have gotten her big head out of the way. Poor Lil cried for Daddy but it only lasted about a minute before they were back rolling around on the big armchair again.

All's well that ends well!

The night ended with the girls taking a soothing bubble bath. They played perfectly together in the tub and got dried off all cute and cuddly in their coordinating robes.

SOME OTHER HIGHLIGHTS:

*Lily jumping up and down and yelling HOT DOG! while holding our hands during prayer.
*Both girls fighting over getting closest to Jeff. Lily ended up getting some good quality time as evidenced below.
*Lily picking up the dog bowl and emptying all its contents on the kitchen floor.

*Noella choking on a green bean (typical)