....the party continues!

Saturday was officially the "party" day.

We hit the beach in the morning, took the clan to Los Arcos for an early lunch and then they were all invited to our house for an afternoon of basketball, a "washers" tournament, cake and ice cream, and a cookout.  The bugs invaded the washers tournament and the rain came just as we were starting the grill - leading to a smoke filled garage (which stills smells like burgers and dogs!) and a quick incident with the smoke detector in the house!

Cousins!

Owen - 9 months, Payton - 3 years, Addie - 18 months

The 3rd Annual Washers Tournament

Teams were picked and the game was under way!

Michael is still looking for a new partner if any one is up for the challenge next year!

A little soccer for the kids!

For the 3rd year in a row.....

 Michael and George finished last in the washers tournament - and now they have medals to prove it!

Break time for Owen - Thanks for the bottle Grandma!

My first attempt at a homemade birthday cake for Payton.

I think it was a success!

We had to buy cupcakes for school and a cake for Sunday....and I just didn't want to buy another cake!  So, after a few long hours (and about 10 burnt cupcakes...opps!) I finally had a baseball jersey and baseballs for the party.  The cake tasted great too!

 

Wishing for a wonderful year!

Owen can't wait for his turn!

Addie helps sing Happy Birthday!

He takes after his mommy...he's learned to dig the candles across the top of the cake to get even more icing.

For Payton's birthday, we requested no gifts.  From the looks of our living room, the gifts still appeared!  I must say that we were VERY happy with all of the presents.  Payton got some wonderful, very practical gifts and is enjoying playing with all of them!  

(Funny:  Payton got this UNC chair for his birthday last year, when we announced it was time to open gifts, he moved his chair all the way across the room so that it would be front and center - exactly where it was last year - for present time!)

He got a REALLY fast remote controlled truck from Dalton and Lynn!  We are learning to drive it outside....it goes so fast!

 Harold and Cherie sent a really cool pirate ship kite - we'll have a lot of fun at the beach flying this kite!

 He got a lot of new clothes, new puzzles, a lot of books, underwear, a suitcase, his keepsake Precious Moments train piece.

A great Tarheel basketball from Carlton and Darlene - and a new UNC t-shirt too!

Owen watched from a box!  He sat in the box, playing with tissue paper for about 30 minutes!

 

A "Nurse" Kit from Meme and Pawpaw.

Payton loves playing with my stethescope and loved checking everyone's health with his new doctor kit!

A fireman raincoat from Mommy and Daddy (yard sale find - in perfect condition!!)

 Underwear for the BIG boy!

Puzzles!!

His very own grill!

 Next year he's in charge of the burgers!

Group Shot!

Payton, Chad, Jess, Michael, Lynn, Dalton, Bradley, Lisa, Addie, Christie (front), Carlton, Darlene, Aunt Gail (front), Meme, Pawpaw, Grandma, Grandpa and Owen

We missed all of our other family members who were not able to make the trip....one day, we're going to get you all here somehow!  It has become a wonderful annual tradition to celebrate Payton's birthday with so many family members in town.  We hope each of you enjoy it as much as we do.  We know its a long drive from Sherrills Ford, Kernersville, and Yadkin County but we really appreciate you making the trip - and it makes for one very excited little boy - Payton LOVES for all of you to come visit.  Come back soon....the washer tournament isn't finished!