Saturday, September 6, 2008

Luminati Double Birthday Extravaganza

At long last, I've finally gotten around to uploading a few photos from the Luminati birthday bash last weekend. Here we go ...

Jen and I decided we wanted to throw a BBQ at a local park with a bunch of friends from the area. Up until the night before the forecast was calling for rain, but thankfully the weather cleared up that morning and we ended up with a beautiful day.

In the days leading up to the party, Jen decided she wanted to make t-shirts for the two birthday girls. Here they are sporting their party duds ...
We had a great time at the park, with Jen and Kate opening their presents and me getting asphixiated from smoke inhalation at the grill. Off to the right you can see the two butterfly cakes that Lacey made.
Here's Jen examining a gift of two conjoined pumpkins from Gene & Nancy (see our posting from last fall about our trip to the Northern Neck). Nancy found them at the farmer's market and thought they were appropriate since Jen and Kate share the same birthday.Kate, however, provided the main entertainment as she tried her first piece of cake. Here she is at the beginning of the process. Don't you wish you could remember you first exposure to sugar?
A couple minutes later she began to pick up speed as the Minnery sweet tooth started to take hold. A few minutes later the cake was gone, and we had one happy kid.
Nothing like a little b-day gluttony.
When we got home, everyone took a much needed nap before getting on to round two of presents ... this time from the families.

There were lots of pretty clothes and fun toys. Kate really got a kick out of a baby doll she received. If only we could convince her that it's not good to chew on other children.All in all it was a great day for everyone. Jen promises me we won't have such a big to-do every year, but something tells me we're going to have to take that one year at a time.

Thanks for everyone who made the day special, whether you were at the party or just here in spirit!

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

What fun! What fun! How wonderful to see these photos! Kate really did enjoy that cake! You go, girl!!! Jen, the shirts are sooo pretty. Love thelook on Kate's face with the doll! Thank you soooo much for including us in this very special day. Thanks for making our evening so sweet! Love and hugs...Gram + Pops

Erin said...

What a great celebration you had! What beautiful smiles on the birthday girl's faces. Happy birthday, girls!

Christina said...

Love the shirts, so cute.

Isn't weird how closely you monitor their food intake and then on their birthday you let them eat cake?? I remember being worried Cole would get sick, but he loved it and was fine.

Glad you guys had a good day!

Blythe Owen Hunt said...

what beautiful, beautiful birthday girls!!! I LOVE the picture of the two of you in your shirts!! But I have to say, my favorite is of the birthday gluttony! :)

I wish I could have been there--it sounds like it was a perfect party!! I'm glad it was a success and that you both had such a wonderful celebration! I love you!

Blythe Owen Hunt said...

p.s. Jen, your hair looks GREAT!!!

Elizabeth said...

I love the first pic of the two of you birthday girls!! And amazing, but Kate really looks one, especially in that photo with the baby doll! (I guess not too amazing because she is one, but funny what a photo can do!) She's adorable and you all make the cutest family!

Brent, Lori and Elli said...

What a fun day. I am glad the weather cleared off for you. Those first birthdays are so exciting aren't they?!

Anonymous said...

Great Birthday pictures!!!!!!!!!
I see you had the proper dress code for Kate eating her cake. It would have been a shame if she had had on her cute shirt. Thanks so much for sharing your good times with me.
Aunt Cindy

Beth said...

what amazing pictures. i was really happy looking at these and then i got sad because i feel like i'm missing kate's growing up. oh, how i wish i could be closer. i love you all so much. thanks for the awesome pictures!

Anonymous said...

How wonderful. I love the baby can be swadled! It looks like everything was so wonderful. Hope Kate is doing better today after her 1 year shots! Wendy

Anonymous said...

Thanks so much for inviting Melinda and I to share the special day!

Anonymous said...

Wow, what a fun party. The shirts were adorable, Mommy! Wish we could have all been there in person to watch the cake process! Miss Kate - you are one adorable little girl and we love you!
Auntie Jo and Uncle Al