Birthday Weekend

Jenna and I both have October birthdays, mine the 24th hers the 26th, so this year we had an extended birthday weekend. We began with mine on Friday, celebrated hers some on Sunday, and then had a party for her on Monday.

First, a few snaps from my celebration.

Before this first one, you should know that last year soon after High School Musical 2 premiered on the Disney Channel, I talked about it in a sermon -- specifically how I'm a dork because I liked both of the movies, and have watched them multiple times with my girls.

And HSM3 premiered in theaters on my birthday this year. So, one of the wives of a fellow staff member at church got me this for my birthday.

Very exciting!

Jenna made me several things, but this artistic rendering of her and me was a fave (one set for her, one for me):

Emily's home made certificate/objet d'art:

And new duds for Dad from Aunt LeAnne in Oklahoma:

The girls and Karen always approve of Aunt LeAnne's choices.

After a day of recuperation, we began Jenna's festivities, first with a present from the parents:

One from Pastor Dan and Miss Candi (it's kind of a kid version of a scrapbooking decorative cutting tool):

And Jenna's sisters made her a scrapbook of pictures of her and them through the years, along with commentary, encouragement, and silly captions on each page.

Jenna loves to go to the park just a few steps from our front door, but we don't let her go alone. Anya will occasionally go with her, but begrudgingly. So Anya gave Jen this highly valuable certificate:

And Jenna unwrapped her stylish outfit from Aunt LeAnne:

She had to wear it to church on her birthday, of course!

Monday brought her birthday party, with friends Hannah, Hannah, and Madelyn. We began by decorating our goody bags.

We made a quick trip to the Dollar store. Instead of gifts, each friend brought $3 and we went to the Dollar Store where they each picked out three things for Jenna, and had to tell her why they picked them for her when she received them later on at the party. Jenna also picked one thing for each of them that reminded her of them, and we added that to their goody bag.

Hannah picked this hat for Jenna, and Jenna had picked out the same hat for Madelyn!

After a few rounds of Hide the Beanie Babies, the girls ate homemade pizzas they put together themselves. Then it was time for candles on the cake. Uh, I think I caught Jenna off guard...And, the lovely birthday serenade:

After the cake, we played a couple of rounds of Mario Kart Wii, a kind of kart-racing video game. Hannah F was a Nascar Champion! She rocked the Kart!

Jenna and her friends...

Good times...good times...

And the parents weren't even that worn out!