Birthdays, Weddings and Fireworks

You're embarrassing me! Don't make me go out there!

Seriously...you don't need to make a big deal out of my birthday....

Hurry up and take the picture before anyone sees me....




Muncie isn't impressed with her gift bag...

Victoria's interests definitely lie elsewhere...

But, since Muncie first became a part of our family, Miss Sophia has ALWAYS insisted on making a formal occasion out of her birthday. This year's birthday wasn't as elaborate as last years which was complete with dog-bone shaped meat loafs, a dog cake, and dog decorations everywhere.

There were other big events taking place in the family that detracted somewhat from Muncie's birthday bash.

Someone is getting married! And it isn't Seth! (Much as he wishes this were his bride, I think he's a little young for her, not to mention she is his cousin!)

BUT, he is the perfect age to be the ring bearer!

Such a BIG responsibility!

Cousin, teacher extraordinaire, bestest babysitter in the whole world

Recent college graduate (with honors!)

Today is HER day!

Here Comes the Bride! Here Comes the Bride!

And ok. I guess it's HIS day as well. Her Knight in Shining Armour,

A WONDERFUL young man and he adores her.

They look so young, but I guess they really are old enough to get married. They both graduated from college this spring, both gainfully employed, ready to embark on the rest of their lives.

But something is wrong here!

She was MY flower girl. How could MY flower girl be old enough to marry and have my son as her ring-bearer? How could this have happened? How could time have flown by so quickly?

She was just a little girl yesterday. Just a sweet, little, girl playing with my babies. Now she's all grown-up, graduated with honors from college, and her choice of teaching positions (she was blessed to get more than one job offer). NOW SHE'S GETTING MARRIED!

Can we just turn the clock back a little bit? Just to when you were a little baby carrying your baby dolls around, dragging a blanket? Next thing you know, you'll be carrying REAL babies around and dragging REAL baby blankets.....

But not your cousin!

Bachelor till the rapture is his mantra.

I can't believe you got him to wear a pink tie! A picture that I copied and presented to his mother by the way. I don't think he's worn a suit since he graduated from high school.

His mom, the sister-who-doesn't-garden, was the wedding wonder lady. Every wedding needs one. The go-to person who has all the answers, tells everyone where to be when, and intercepts emergencies before they reach the mother-of-the-bride or the bride herself. She played her part magnificently, and I know was very appreciated by all.

I always think of weddings as a kind of a happy/sad event. It's always kind of a let-down and an emotional choke watching the bride and groom drive away, so I'll save you from those pictures. It's just so symbolic of the start of their new lives together. They leave and set off on this romantic journey called life, and leave the rest of us waving good-bye. It's just such a reminder of how life is a rapidly moving journey and it's over in a blink of an eye.

But, this year, I was distracted from dwelling on the sentimental aspect of it all, because we had an important event to attend after the wedding....

The Annual Community Fireworks.

We got there a mere 3 hours early to stake out the prime spots. While we were waiting, the wedding wonder lady's (that's a term of endearment, remember) oldest son entertained the kids.

Entertainment meaning wrestling, throwing, tackling, and just good-ole rowdiness.

I don't believe Sophie wants to get in the middle of that dog-fight.

That's OK. Before long the firework display was in full bloom.

Uh....sister-who-doesn't-garden/wedding-wonder-lady.....wake-up!

I think she's had along day.

Night-night. Sleep tight!