Lily's Birthday, 5 Months Later

This post has pictures from way back in September. I've always meant to put them up sometime, but it acquired a sense of urgency the other day. Bethaney called me up to tell me she had just received the beautiful Shutterfly photo book she had put together of 2010. It was utterly beautiful-- except Bethaney realized there wasn't a single picture of Lily's birthday. Which is kind of funny, because Lily had the biggest birthday party of any of the kids this year! I have lived with a middle child (Evan Joe) long enough to envision Lily, twenty years down the road, telling everyone, "Oh, yeah, there were pictures of the baby's birthday, and picture's of my big sister's birthday... but NOOOO pictures of my birthday." So, Lillian Nora, you get your own blog post. I hope that helps avert the therapy bills.

It's a good thing she's so stinkin' cute, so it won't be hard to put up lots of pictures.

The OLDEST kid's pretty cute, too.

This picture of Elliott with a crew cut looks funny, now that we're deep into his long-haired winter look.

Olivia wandered around with my camera, taking pictures of pastoral scenes.

Grass growing through the bridge.

The bridge over the fence, with background cows.


Isn't that elm tree beautiful? It's one of the few elms around that wasn't devastated by Dutch Elm disease. The ice storm in 1998 gave it a hard time for a while, but it's still alive.

The geese winging south. How I wish they would wing north again, and bring some spring!

And... a fall leaf.

Old school chair.

Cool picture, and it's interesting how this was constructed.

Pretty flower-whose-name-completely-escapes-me.

Starting the Epic Cake production for Lily's birthday.

It's a fairly faithful replica of the Candyland board. Or maybe completely faithful replica. I avoid Candyland like the plague, so I really couldn't tell you.

This is pretty impressive looking, I admit!


These are the cutest little castles (I think?). Frosting in mini ice cream cones.


Sparkles on the frosting.

Lily is duly impressed. And very conscious of the dignity necessary for a girl in her position.


Tori and Cheyenne are finding something funny.


Blowing out the candle in a jar. I'm not sure if it was because A.) No one remembered to buy candles B.) Candles would have melted the beautiful cake or C.) All of the above.

Singing with vigor! Since this was after Lily blew out the candles, maybe we were serenading Dad?

More celebrants. (Is that the correct use of the word?)

Owen belting it out.

Rilla's trademark pout.

I'm probably about to bite and/or kiss that amazingly soft neck/cheek.

The addition of a vintage Polly Pocket Cinderella really kicked the cake up a notch.

Gilbert explored frosting-in-a-cone.

THREE cakes! Because one was mostly for looks, one was because it's not a birthday without vinegar cake, and the other one was for chocolate haters or something. Not that there are many chocolate haters, but Bethaney hates getting chocolate stains out of kids' clothes.

Me with my sparkly girl.

Evan and Elliott. Observe Elliott's very buttoned-up look.

So, yeah, we're not torturing him here. Just trying to unbutton the top button on the shirt of a very ticklish little boy.

Lily enjoying the fuzzy feel of the dry-erase board eraser.

With her new art easel.

Aunt Ashley.

Cheyenne, joining in the artiness.

Apparently, the chocolate carnage evident on her face wasn't enough, since she is now trying to eat the bus.

Pretty candle picture.

Evan with his buddy, Lincoln.

Witnessing Lincoln's first big raspberry!

The kid is Ta-Lent-Ed!

It's a shame we don't like this baby.

As befitting a princess, there were shiny tiaras. Which was co-opted by Elliott.

Yup, Lily carries the look off well.

But it's really Mrs. Potato Head that was properly accessorized for the tiara. Look at how the My Little Ponies stand in awe.

Lily, looking proud of her block tower.

Rilla made sure the very old Little People garage didn't feel left out.

This was probably one of the times we told Cheyenne to stop being bossy. Not that that has to happen with any regularity, or anything.

Orianna, showing off her mother's mad braiding skillz.

I stole these pictures off Bethaney's camera the other day-- still September! The girls helping Justin paint some furniture.

Careful painter.

She is SOO cute!

Ditto!

Little paint-stained toes. Swoon.

Olivia, and her summer-freckled nose, holding Gilbert. Speaking of cuteness-- GILBERT!

I realized I never put up more than a few cursory pictures from Christmas, and I have some recent pictures to put up. My goal this week, though, is to make it to bed by 10:00, at least once. And since I never remembered Cheyenne's class valentines until 6:00 p.m., and then the blasted printer was out of ink (I download valentines from Secret Agent Josephine), Evan had to run to Wal-Mart for ink (and roses and PB M&Ms, isn't he the greatest!) and now I have to get Cheyenne up in time to address all the valentines. Which causes enough drama on the best of days, let alone when we're under deadline. I don't think I'm going to win the coveted Mom of the Year award from the PTA. But I have PB M&Ms, and several unread novels, so I'm not sure I care...