Take five – Birthday party!

Joe turned two on the 16th and we had a little party for him. He can now answer the question, “How old are you?” with a hearty, “Two…ah, ah, ah!” (like the Count from Sesame Street)

Joe had a baseball cake – my first real attempt at a shaped cake. He decided to lick is gingerly when we set it in front of him. I thought that was only a tradition for a kid’s first birthday, but it was darn cute. My mom is the cake expert in the family. She used to make Mickey Mouse and Barbie cakes, but lately has made bugs, lawnmowers and cell phones. I can only hope to be that versatile some day!

Luke and Catherine (Anna and Doug’s two oldest) are enjoying lunch and Play-Doh.

There were lots of kids and friends of ours that we don’t get to see that often being so far away from home. Here’s Carrie, me, Emily, Anna and baby John Paul.

The boys goofing off - Scott, Bob, Greg, Chris, and Doug (holding Luke)

Joe opening gifts with Grammie

Patrick is enjoying a beer with his godmother, Aunt Katie. Katie’s boyfriend Michael (in the background) is a firefighter and gave Joe the cutest little ride-on fire truck. Joe liked is so much he couldn’t even wait to get it out of the box.