Grad Party

It seems too hard to believe....but our good friend Tessa just graduated from Mount Vernon High School. We went to her graduation party at Grandma Karen's house.

Tessa's basically like my niece and the girls adore her

She graduated w/a 4.0, set some cross country records for her high school, and now she's off to Boise State. We are so proud of her!

I held this little monkey when she was just a couple days old.

..and me and Shunk, o.k. her real name is Julie...Tessa's mom....we've been friends forever...

...making progress

swimming lessons continue and it's great to see their confidence in the water grow

love that tankini!

Avery needs a little "encouragement" to jump in the deep end

go Em!!

Red Robin Tradition

I don't know if it's the singing, the sundae, or the silly glasses...but our girls love to go to RR on their actual birthday...it's sort of become a tradition

photo by Emery :-)

favorite birthday meal.....CORNDOG

more presents....

that infamous birthday song...

and the birthday sundae

so now we have an Official 4 year old!!

We need a bigger house......

or maybe I just need to get rid of a few things..... Avery's birthday coincided w/the opening of Toy Story 3...and that was the theme for the majority of her gifts

and the Scooby Doo toys were a HUGE hit

Wiki Tiki Birthday Luau

Avery was turning *4* so we decided to have a Luau

The American Kitchen had a cancellation...so we nabbed it and the party planning began.

Decorations, games, party favors...even the weather cooperated. Jason and Tony grilled us shish-ka-bobs, sweet n' sour meatballs inside, along w/a great spread.

Good food + Great friends and family = one fun party!

cake by Lisa Hill, she never disappoints

as kids arrived, they were greeted w/leis, grass skirts, or hats

Hazel and Kathleen

Auntie Leigh and Auntie Lana

Parents of the party girl

Lilli and Nolan came all the way from Bellevue!

Ceci and Sophie

You can always count on Nan and Pop to fully embrace the birthday theme

we hula'd, go Chelsea

Ceci had it goin' on

Avery marched around like she owned the place

We limbo'd, go Soph

Thanks Ben and Max for being the limbo boys. Neely did a great job!

Aaah..presents. Oh NO YOU DIDN'T....not the Scooby Doo Haunted Mansion to go with the Scooby Doo Mystery Van!!! Thanks Granny, Danielson's, Auntie Lana

There was a pretty good Toy Story 3 theme going on for the gifts, as well as the Scooby Doo loot. Avery was in hog heaven!

Time for cake!! I can't believe my little peanut is already FOUR!

make a wish

Delicious....even Buzz Lightyear thought so !!

One of my true joys...throwing a birthday party for my kids. I love it!

Some turn out better than others...this was was great.

We love you Avery Quinn!