Beginning the birthday celebration for the month of October.

Whenever we all get together the smiles and giggles begin. (story behind the laughter that is behind the smile) We started the evening off with great appetizers and salads that we all shared. Wine for the birthday girls! 

Ended the evening off (at the table) with the BJ's warm birthday chocolate chip cookie al a mode.

My precious daughters each got one of these scrumptious desserts but they shared one with grandma Dotty and me. (not sure I'd have been so generous). I'd like to hope I would be but don't think so, not when it comes to chocolate chip cookies. You see this is my weakness.

Seriously you are sharing this with me. Thank you!

See it brings the "all out, throw the head back" laugh. I'm in heaven and it's not even my day. Well, I did give birth to the two girls so that should count for something.

This evening actually had a few different levels to it. First of all it was the welcoming, hugs, kisses, how have you been, so glad we fit this into our crazy busy lives chit chat.

Then we began to talk about insala's (sp? I'll be back to change that) and how learning about them can and will affect our daily lives. We talked about Riverside's Soul2Sole 5K race coming up. (sign up). We heard and saw how Jessica has been a positive force in her daily work and some very hilarious Ryan stories. 

Learning and bonding more through stories of their passions and how they are living them out. Thank you Lord for these two beautiful blessings you brought to me in October (1973 and 1976) in my life. Actually birthing days are Oct. 13 and 14. :) 

THEN THE PHONE RANG: STAGE TWO OF OUR FUN FILLED EVENING. 

OUR ENTERTAINMENT BEGAN:

FYI: The fire station visited Ryan school today. Each kiddo got a fire hat.

TEXT MESSAGE FROM ROD, (home with boys). I'm not sure how the text message went but Jessica began to laugh so hard she had to just show us the picture then finally read the text. Something about choosing between : A. 

or B.

Well the sister - in - law had to upstage him. (Rod's the brother she never had) so she tried with this picture and said 

A

or

B

or 

C

or

D

He picked B. can you believe it? I was sure C had it in the bag!

Ryan got into the act. (All this is by way of pictures on the phone. How great and fun are the photo phones and text messaging??? Just love it.)

Sammy!!! Sorry Sammy you'll never make the funny face contest. To cute no matter what you do. Try again next year!!!

STAGE THREE! YOU'LL HAVE TO ASK ONE OF US. 

I heard Jessica say towards the end of the evening, "let's do this more often". (We used to do this once a month) Now how blessed is that for a mom to hear? We need Stacy here to complete the 5some.
 There is more to the evening, blessings were given and promises to keep this going, birthday or not.
We'll be meeting Nov. 5 at GUADALUPE STATE PARK from 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM.
Come to the 4th annual crazy fun event. I'll be there, three days out of surgery so you can too. I'll have to just cheer you on but I'll be there!!