Busy, busy!!

We are usually a boring, do-the-same-thing-everyday type of family.  But it always happens that every now and then, the stars collide and we get these crazy busy weekends that even a pretty organized, on-time person can't seem to handle! Now, don't get me wrong!  I looove these weekends!  Family parties and gatherings are my most favorite things to do, especially when they are these types of parties.  We had my cousin Danielle's high school graduation, my cousin Rachel's college graduation, my nephew Ryan's 3rd birthday party and my SIL Katie's baby shower.  Not only that, but my cousin Nicki was over (up?) from Colorado for all of the graduation parties.  Craziness, right?  

We started the weekend up and early to make my famous (yeah, Pinterest famous, but they were requested!) Oreo balls for the grad parties. These are easy to make, but they take a little bit of time, freezing and dipping the balls one at a time and stuff.  That would have been fine, but I'm stupid and ruined three different bags of chocolate because at some point I forgot how to melt it. But whatever, they turned out delish and were eaten up by all of the high school grads pretty fast.  

It was a fun party!  I am so proud of Rachel and Danielle!  I can't believe they are GRADUATES now!  One from high school and one from college!  Where does time go, seriously?  The kids had fun.  Cam and Ryan ran around half naked, playing badminton and volleyball and Avery was her shy, flirty little self that everyone seems to love (well, I do at least!).  I got to hang out with my cousins and spend some much needed time with Nicki.  After my sister Tina, she was my first best friend ever.  She was born about a month after me and we've grown up together ever since.  Hopefully one of the times I say, "We need to come out and visit real soon!" will actually end up being a real plan!  

 Danielle (high school grad), Nicki, Tina, Michelle, Rachel (college grad) and me

 Everyone from above, plus Cheryl and Auntie Carol

We got home late and tired from this party, so everything that I planed on doing for Sunday, got pushed back to actually do on Sunday.  What a great idea. But Sunday morning, we started out making another batch of Oreo balls, which went much more smoothly, wrapping the gifts, and making a DIY gift/decoration for the shower.  Ryan's party was at 1, so we headed over, spent about 30 minutes there then left!  I was soo sad to leave!  Of course we left Cameron.  It's Ryan, his best friend and there was a bouncy house..with Batman on it!  How could I drag him away from that?  I didn't even get a picture!  I'm such an awful auntie.  But I stole this picture from someone on FB of the big birthday boy.  Isn't he the cutest?  

We headed over to the shower at my in-laws, Avery and Mark in tow.  Mark came to hang out with his brother, Matt, who wanted to be there for Katie, but with all the women there?  He may have passed out!  They kept to themselves, mainly, and once again, I didn't take my Camera out once!  I pretty much followed Avery around most of the time.

So, Matt and Katie are having a girl, Josie.  She's due at the end of August.  They are a super fun couple so we thought something a little different then the plain old diaper cake would fit them better.  So I found this on Pinterest.  I made two (that Sunday morning!), to top off the decorations of the party.  I think they came out great, but I forgot to take pictures!  But this is pretty much exactly what they looked like, but with a monkey and teddy bear.  A hit for sure!

I stole another picture, of Avery this time, to show that we were actually there.  I can't believe I don't have a picture of Katie and her pregnant belly!!  We had fun, it was beautiful weather, and we stayed far after the party was over!  We ate with Googa, Papa and the soon to be parents. Cameron was like the classic little boy, running after and catching fire flies.  It makes me smile when I see the other things that make him happy.  Things that don't need batteries and don't begin with an "i" :)

Busy weekend, but a very good busy!  None of these things will ever happen again.  You only graduate once, you only turn three once and you only have your first baby once.  And I am so happy I got to share these special times with these four people.  I'm so proud and happy for all of you!!  Love you all :)