Happy Happy Birthday!!!

Saturday morning I woke up 30. Mom had me at 7:00 in the a.m. on July 11th, 1979. Funny how 30 feels the exact same at 29. Ryan and I had pretty much all the cleaning done except a few small things. We finished up and people started arriving. First my mom and nephews, then Aunt Sheila, Uncle James and Granddad. Then Trisha and Larry and Rita…then…you get the picture. We had such a fun day! Ryan grilled out hamburgers, chicken, sausage and even gluten free sausage! We made queso, potato salad, ranch and such. Mom made spinach dip, lemon cake, these wonderful bar things...and tons more. Rita brought cinnamon squares and beautiful flowers. And as the day went on, the more people brought in! It felt like we had about a hundred hamburger buns :o) And while the food was quite good and everyone ate and was merry…the real hit of the day were the water balloons. John was so kind as to team up with my mom and fill a ton of water balloons! Quinton and Mathis were beside themselves they were so excited. My friend Melissa could only stop by for a second and they kept running in interrupting us wanting me to see how many balloons there were. Once filled, out we went. We started with a water balloon toss. Everyone did really well, but John and Adam just barely beat Trisha and I for first prize. After the toss was over, that’s when the true water balloon fight began. Harold and I ended up getting hit the hardest I think. Both of us very wet by the end! Wesley being so young didn’t get to participate, so mom had filled him a little bitty balloon that only had about a half a cup of water in it…just so he could hold something. After the water balloon fight we all settled into the living room and visited with one another. I was lucky enough to be holding Wesley when he fell asleep. Trisha said he’s only done that ever just a few times. He’s always been a baby that wants to be laid down and left alone. So I got good snuggles in. As he slept I held his little balloon…that is until it busted and went all over me! Wesley didn’t budge! After we finished laughing, Trisha came over and cleaned me up a bit. He slept for almost an hour and he about put me to sleep with him!
As the family began to trickle out, our friends trickled in. While Adam and Ryan went on a run to the store for Catch Phrase and dominoes, the rest of us looked at Hawaii pictures…and others napped :o) When the boys got back, Ryan started up the grill again. After we all ate, we started playing Catch Phrase…and continued playing all night. Well, with one intermission. We had a second water balloon fight…only this time the balloons were filled much more and sometimes broke in your hand! I stayed up as long as I could and made it until 1:00. A few others stayed up and visited longer. I had such a fantastic birthday! Thank you to all who helped me celebrate either with me or in spirit :o)