Celebrating 40 Years of Chris

We called in our Naples team of friends to help us celebrate Chris' 40th birthday. Everyone came decked out in their favorite team wear and we enjoyed a fun night at Carney Park.

Ron, Sherri, Melissa, Chris, and I kicking the party off with some Fireball

 Cornhole partners and their mascot, Zip

 Jenna, Chris, and Steven

 Melissa and Chris

 Kelly and me

 We had the lights on the football field turned on for Cornhole games between the rain showers

 My book club gals, Kelly, Heidi, and Cathy

 A fun game of Drinko

 Harrison won the award for cutest party guest!

 Chris sandwiched between Tennessee and Baylor fans

Carrie, Dave, Chris, Kenny, and Julia

 Ruben, Bobby, and Chris

 Jenna and Kelly

Don and Chris giving Ron a little farewell roast

Me, Zane, and Mel 

 A delicious birthday present: Apple Pie

 Chris, Don, Ruben, and Ron

 Wobble time!

These gals get to put up with Chris all day at work. :)

 4 sparklers for each decade

 Surrounded by friends is the best way to celebrate a birthday!

 Kelly and Harrison

 The NES crew

Madds, Angelia, Carrie, Mel, Sherri, Maria, me, Kelli, and Jenna

 Heidi, Kelly, Lindsay, Chris, and Cathy

 I think Zip's had enough...

Lumpia Making Party

We wanted to have one more game night with the Neals before they move later on this month (boo hoo!!!). Amanda suggested we add in a little cooking lesson beforehand: Katie's Famous Lumpia.  

Emma & I had to get in a little Harrison time before we started cooking.  We can't get enough of his cuteness!

 Amanda and Jenna (hiding in the background) chopped away as Katie prepped the wok

 YUMMY!!!

 I wanted to get a picture of Arianna giving Chris a big squeeze, instead she decided to lick his head and I captured his reaction of, "What are you doing?!"

 Stealing a little smooch on those sweet baby cheeks while Kelly and Harrison watch us cook

 Let's get rollin' some lumpia

 Camden was a pro!

 Arianna, Kelly, and Harrison

 There is a lot of craziness going on in this kitchen!

 Fry time

 Mr. Big Eyes watching all the kitchen action

 We had one minor set back when the power went out for a few minutes. Thank goodness for our gas stove! Amanda held the flashlight for Katie and Jenna as they fried away.

 With FULL bellies, we had lots of laughs playing games.

Yes there are cookies, brownies, and more lumpia for dessert. :)

Basketball Opening Day

Today was opening day of Camden's rookie year in basketball.  Emma decided not to play this season, so she helped me cheer on Camden from the stands.  Chris is coaching the Hawkeyes and they had a fantastic first game.  Here are a few highlights...

Girls' MLK Weekend in Paris: Part Deux

Sunday morning started with a trip to Notre Dame Cathedral

The things we do to get a great picture of our friends

The Catholic Coalition: Angelia, me, Madds

One of the landmarks on Tiffiney's blue notecards was Paris Point Zero (the geographic center of the city). After searching for a long (cold) time, we found it. 

Someone had the idea to take our group photo up a notch...

 You know it's a great day when you laugh so hard you can't breathe :)

On our trek to find the next thing on Tiffiney's blue notecards, we walked by the beautiful Sac de Coeur basilica 

Much to my dismay, the trek took us up (and up and up)

Madds got her crepe!
Sherri and Mel have too much energy after hiking up all those steps

Here it is: The man coming out of the wall
Tiffiney can check this off her blue notecards now :)

The man coming out of the wall was on the way to our big Sunday afternoon highlight: a show at the Moulin Rouge

Sherri & Madds

Kelli & me

Michelle & Tiffiney

Angelia, Kelli, and Madds joined the pre-show line dancing

What a gorgeous theater!

Me & Angelia

The champagne has arrived and we are ready for the show

Melissa, Michelle, and Tiffiney after the AMAZING show

Camden told me I had to eat snails while I was in Paris. This escargot was delicious!

Fondue for our final dinner in Paris