Natalie's Birthday, Emily style.. and Her Menagerie

I had some training up in Utah this last week so I thought as long as the company was paying for me to travel I might as well take Friday off and spend the whole weekend with my family. Bethanie and Angela had planned on coming down so we all celebrated Natalie's birthday together and played with Emily's new menagerie. I was going to break this up into a couple of posts (Natalie's birthday, Emily's Menagerie, and fun at the Riverwoods) but seeing's how I'm slacking in the blogging department, I thought I better just get it out there.  So be prepared for lots of pictures and some video.

Natalie wanted a hotdog cookout so that's what we did.  Emily's backyard is awesome for it.  Emily's roommate Mamariene joined us.

Angela borrowed a t-shirt from Emily to get all smoky.

Hannah sitting in Angela's chair

This is the picture I sent Mom to make her jealous of the fun we were having.

I thought it was funny that we had the party by the chicken coop. We all wanted to be under the shade.

The chickens loved it though... apparently they are big fans of squash mac and cheese.

I had Angela take a picture of me by the coop as well.

All the kids were eating an awful lot of watermelon... and then giving the "rinds" to the chickens/ducks. There was usually quite a bit of meat left on those rinds :)

Natalie's birthday cake! She wanted an ice cream cake and Bethanie let me buy it as my present to her.

The wind kept blowing out the candles but we sang... (remember the video I took sideways a couple years ago of the train which I then couldn't turn when I got back? This time I was determined to do it right so I carefully held my phone upwards all the time.  Well, this phone takes video SIDEWAYS!   Sigh.  I guess now I know.  Just tilt your head a little to the side and if it really bothers you, I'll show it to you on my phone)

Yummy cake!

Even Bethanie had some, though she's been watching her girlish figure. Doesn't she look great?

The ducks (who were jealous of all the attention the chickens were getting so Emily let them out after we were done eating... they are big beggars) also got a part of the cake, but they were more impressed with the watermelon than the flowers.  I got pretty good over the weekend at smashing the too big snails so they could eat them.

Natalie got a beautiful new purple dress, shoes, and some bracelets to go with it.

I didn't get a picture of the smore cooking afterword but I think we all had a way fun time... and I will probably post some pictures of the fun we had at the Riverwoods later cuz I've run out of time posting this.

Thanks so much Emily!  Isn't this such a cute picture of her and Sparkle?

PS. I'm kinda sad I won't be going up there this weekend to put flowers on our ancestors graves (last year it was SO much fun) but since I was just up there... Emily might get too much of a good thing :).  Besides, I'll be seeing everyone in a few weeks for the Family Reunion. So excited!