Stuart 16 and Audrey 11 November 2008

Dinner was set for 5:00. Teresa and the kids showed up just a little early so we had time to get caught up on their lives a little. They were soon followed by Don and family. We just reheated a few things and within minutes we were all seated and ready to eat.

Just before the blessing on the food was said by Dad I snapped a couple of photos. What a happy day.

I didn't have any candles for the cake but after we sang Happy Birthday to Stuart and Audrey he pretended to blow out the non-existent candles. That was pretty funny.

Makes my mouth water just looking at this cake. Thanks Gaylynne. Though I didn't have any when everyone else was eating I got to taste it later.

Gaylynne brought a yummy chocolate cake. It seemed a bit odd that this big group of people couldn't finish it off. But really everyone was so full from dinner. We pretty much demolished a huge ham, potatoes and gravy, rolls with honey butter, veggies, and not-burned-sweet potatoes. I wrapped up the cake for Gaylynne to take home but we got to talking politics and in order to get her to the car before Don left ;) without her we forgot to take it to the car.

This boy is Ryan. He lives upstairs with his mother in the same house as Teresa's home. He happily chatted away with Dad. Emma whispered in my ear, "Don't tell anyone, but he's a vegetarian". I thought to myself as I looked at his plate, "Yes, I wonder what kind of vegetable pig is". He's really a sweet kid.

Dayton painted his chin with chocolate frosting. He was checking himself out in the mirror and was very pleased. Upon seeing the mess Gaylynne got a cloth or napkin and cleaned him up. I didn't get a picture of his crooked finger pointing at her accusing, "You shouldn't have wiped off my beard". He is so funny

Great Grandma sent Stuart a card in the mail and because she could not come to dinner she gave Audrey's card to Neal to deliver. I saw a couple of bills in that card which put a smile on Audrey's face too.

I couldn't have been more proud of Audrey the way she graciously thanked each one of her cousins for their very thoughtful gifts.

Between dinner and dessert Dad took the kids upstairs to the attic where they played. Dayton came downstairs as a pirate.

Courtney giving one of her gifts to Stuart.

Dayton's gift.

This was one of Mel's gifts to Audrey. I believe that it was a spider made of tissue paper and pipe cleaners.

Audrey seemed to like our $20.00 gift card to Deseret Book but I don't know about Stuart.

This is Emma's gift to Audrey. Note the "A" for Audrey, the crown, and the great smile!

Stuart opening his present from Don and Gaylynne.

Stuart was happy with the shirts that Don and Gaylynne gave him and commented on how they always get him nice things. It is always nice to hear that you've pleased someone with your gift. Sometimes I just don't get the shutter pushed in time and I get pictures that aren't very good. But the shirts that Don and Gaylynne bought Audrey were so cute.

This is the other shirt that Don and Gaylynne gave to Audrey. So cute.

As we did a sort of preliminary "Pick Up" of the house after everyone left I found this scene. It made me laugh.

It was so good to have Teresa and the kids back. Naturally, it couldn't be perfect without Lori, Matthew, Andrew, Grandma Coates, and Brian. Someday... Anyway, HAPPY BIRTHDAY STUART, HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUDREY