Luke's 3rd Birthday Extravaganza

On Saturday morning, we had Luke's 3rd birthday party at my parents' house.  Even though I had heard from people all week expressing regrets that they couldn't make it, we had over 60 revelers come out to share Luke's big day!  Luke loved the excitement, the food, the cake and ice cream, the presents, the swimming, the Thomas pinata, and the boat ride.  He also loved not having to take a nap!  The party was supposed to be from 11:30 to 3:00, but people were here all day long.  It was also wonderful that my mom's sister, Linda, her daughters, Lori and Lyndi, and Lori's son, Austin, and Lyndi's daughter KatieBelle, came in town from Kentucky to help celebrate and spend a few days with us. 

One interesting thing about gatherings in Macon is to see all the different people who have been a part of our life and how they have changed and grown.  It's especially weird to see how many roads lead back to Mike.  Our good friends, the Noe's, were there.  We met the Noe's because Mike dated their daughter, Amanda, in high school.  Our families became good friends, despite the fact that the relationship didn't last.  In fact, my mom threw Amanda a bridal shower, when she was engaged to her husband, Stephen (whom we all also love--along with his extended family!), and they now have a son, little Stevie, who is about Anna's age.  They were all in attendance.  Also here were Eric Quay and his new wife, Darlene.  Eric was Mike's landscaping friend from UGA.  They bonded, and, long story short, Eric is now in the landscaping business with my dad, and he and his wife live in the trailer at the church property where we used to live.  It was great to finally meet Darlene and to get to talk with them for awhile.  Another person who came to celebrate was Kate, who lived in the other half of Mike's duplex.  She answered my mom's ad in the paper, and became good friends with Mike and his roommate, Tim.  I first met her at Mike's funeral.  It was so neat to see her in the pool pulling around the children of my fellow youth groupers growing up.  And to see my own kids playing with children like Nyna Grace, the daughter of my preacher's son, Zack, who is about my age. 

Mr. Cake Face!

Time to open presents!

Erik Spell, Kate, and her mom, Peggy.  We also had a cookie cake for Kate, since she recently celebrated a birthday, as well.

Amanda's husband, Stephen, and baby Stevie. 

 

Catie, the adorable daughter of another girl I grew up with, Mary Judd Saltz.  I was so glad they could come.

As you can probably tell, we ended up having a great time.