Happy Birthday Daddy!

| May 6, 2018

Yesterday we had Mark’s birthday celebration! Outside! Shocking! I can’t believe the weather cooperated because it never ever does. It turned out to be such a nice day. We brought a bunch of lawn games for everyone to play, had hoagies and Chick-fil-a nuggets, and a cake, of course! Everyone had a great time just hanging out, talking, playing games and enjoying the nice day.

Not surprisingly, Sam loved the playground. She and Ryder had a good time goofing around. She likes to jump on the ramp and Mark joined right in.

Ryder always likes when Sam is around because she plays all his games. Sam likes being in charge of her little cousin too, which always makes me laugh. She is so great with little kids. She’ll be a good babysitter one day.

Uh oh! Ryder is stuck!

After playing for a while, Sam wanted to show everyone the tree with the big hole. I love these pictures of the cousins walking in the woods.

Not bears, but just as cute!

Let’s see how many people can fit in this tree….

Room for one more?

Mark lifted Maddox up to look out the “window”. He had to pretty much get on Mark’s shoulders but it was worth it.

Look at the smile! What kid would like to do that?

Sam’s turn!

There were a million dandelions around and most had gone to seed. The kids were blowing them all over the place. Nope. No allergies for me today. Ugh.

Mark, Krista, and Rich took the kids for a short nature walk. I think all kids need more time in nature. They are always so cooped up. Sam loves being outside and we really need to get her out more. She seems quite at home wandering the woods.

Back to the playground!

Sam and Maddox were trying to outdo each other on who could do the craziest thing on the equipment. We are lucky neither of them broke their necks. Crazy kids!

Maddox found a good climbing tree and Sam went right up after him. Of course, Maddox got down no problem and Sam got kind of stuck. Maddox and I were trying to tell her how to step and she was totally freaked out. We thought about leaving her there to live with the birds and squirrels, but eventually helped her figure it out.

Take Your Kid to Work Day had just happened, and at Krista’s job, they had made homemade bubble solution. She brought a bunch to the park for the kids. They loved it! Sam loves bubbles and homemade ones with huge wands? What’s not to like?

Poor Grandmom got covered in bubble mix quite a few times.

Somehow Maddox tripped and wound up falling into the storage bin! It was so funny. I am glad he thought so too!

Here is Mark’s cake, which Sam decorated. She did a great job!

Happy Birthday! Sam is the luckiest girl to have her dad, and she knows it.