October Birthday Extravaganza

On October 10th, my Dad, stepmother, siblings, and brothers inlaw... along with John and I all gathered up to celebrate the birthdays for the month. My brother starts us off on the 4th with his birthday, then my little sister's is the 9th, one neice is on the 10th, another on the 11th, my stepmother's is on the 17th, and one brother in law's is on the 31st. My father in law's is also on the 19th - so as you can imagine - October almost breaks the bank for us every year... it's like having Christmas and then having it again 2 months later!

Each year - we have one big party for all the birthdays, and it becomes a big huge event. Typically my Dad is able to slip away and go to an Aggie football game while my older sisters and I take care of all the kids. This year - the events were nothing sort of a carnival!

To start the day off - we made caramel apples. It was the first time I'd ever done this - but Cindy and I handled the actual caramel coating, and the kids decorated them.

Next up was lunch...

After lunch, we set up a painting studio for the kids... and they did a GREAT job. The paints weren't washable - but they didn't get it on anything, and the paintings were actually really cute. Here they all are with their creations...

Taylor, age 7... this is a birthday party with balloons...

Gabby, age 6... another birthday party with balloons

Josh, age 7... a haunted house with lots of blood splatters...

Megan, age 13... a happy birthday sign for the table...

Brittany, age 12... a flower - which was totally amazing! She's very talented!

After the painting, while we cleaned up - we sent the kids outside to burn off some energy... there was running, playing, cheering while my brother in law returned a cow to it's pasture...and some 4 wheeler riding... which of course means there were photo opportunities...

       

       

       

Next up was some reading... followed by the eating of their caramel apples...

Once everyone had returned from the football game... we opened presents...

This is the aftermath of the gift unwrapping... and only a small portion of the aftermath...

Next we had dinner, which my sister made the most amazing chicken and vegetable lasagna! Followed by some time for the adults to talk... and play some games... while the kids played with their new toys.

We finished up the night with some birthday cookie, cupcakes, ice cream... and some prayers from John and I that we don't add another child to this birthday experience - maybe a nice spring birthday for our child?

I only included this last photo because I didn't think anyone would believe me when I said that I ate a cupcake with gray icing...

A good time was had by all - and we all were exhausted... WHEW! Until next year!