Friend Party

Evangeline hadn't had a party with friends for her birthday since she was 7, so this year we had one again.  She wanted to try a sleepover, her first one hosted at our house (non-cousin, that is).  She made the cupcakes. 

She invited her two best friends, Alex Wernz and Hannah Simpson.  The girls swam for hours and we had a cookout for dinner. 

Singing the birthday song....

Opening presents....she recieved a tea pot, and tea from Alex and a sweatshirt and pillow from Hannah.  

The girls stayed up watching movies and chatting.  I came down to find them all sacked out in the morning. 

I fixed them pancakes before taking them home.  I think her first sleepover was a sucess. :)

Evangeline’s Birthday

Evangeline likes to pick a special activity to do on her birthday.  We've always done it, and now it's kind of a tradition.  It just so happened that they were showing a special showing of I Love Lucy: A Colorized Celebration just once, and it happened to be the night before her birthday!  This could not have been better since Evangeline LOVES I Love Lucy.  We laughed out loud so many times.  It was very special.  They even handed out posters, which she has displayed in her bedroom. 

We gave her one of her birthday gifts in the morning, which was a gift card to Books-a-Million, one of her favorite places to go.  Of course that was a special birthday stop.  We got hot chocolate and she spent her gift card. 

She opened her gifts when Kyle got home from work and then we went out to dinner.  She picked Red Lobster and got clam chowder and crab legs.

When we came home we had the birthday cake I made for her.  I can't believe my baby girl is 10 years old!

Jamaica: Day 6

The last day at the beach...we soaked it all up.

 

Jed was so exahusted.  He fell asleep during the Sesame Street show with his hand in his popcorn...

 

 

We went to dinner at a hibachi grill.  Jed was sacked out for most of the meal.  All the Jamacian women I met were so so so kind to children and women with babies.  This particular server we had went out of her way to make things comfortable for Jed.  

 

To top off the whole perfection of the day, there was a chocolate buffet that evening.  Evangeline was in sheer sweets heaven.  

The next morning we had our last coffees and pastries from Cafe du Paris, and our last breakfast in Jamacia before the long shuttle back to the airport, and a very long trip back to Indy. 

 

We had the best time in Jamacia.  We are so thankful for the quality time we got to spend with Karen and Papa.  We are truly greatful for oportunity to take this trip and visit this beautiful corner of God's amazing creation. 

Jamaica: Day 5

Somehow Evangeline got Papa to take her parasailing.  I was a nervous, anxious wreck the whole time, but she said it was the highlight of her trip.  

  

 

We were so lucky, weather-wise.  It only rained hard one day and the rain only lasted a few hours. 

 

Jed spent so much time at this splash park on this red slide.  Papa watched him for hours while Kyle, Karen and I got messages, and Evangeline got a pedicure.  



 

There was a big carvival and parade this particular evening.  The kids had so much fun wathcing all the excitment and eating spun sugar.  

The beach at sunset was absolutly incredible....

 

 

After dinner I stayed up late with Evangeline to watch Cool Runnings in the movie room.  :)