success

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(July 17, 2011)

We need to take a moment to recognize how hard my husband has been working and how stinking smart he is. He just passed another (really difficult) actuarial exam. If you don't know what that means, you should either google it or ask Curtis directly. Please don't ask me if you want any kind of clear and accurate response because, to be completely honest, what he does is way above my liberal arts brain.
 
Thankfully, he has some great friends who decided to surprise him to celebrate!

 These are the guys in our couples small group. Most of them haven't known Curtis for very long, but apparently just long enough to know that there isn't anything he'd enjoy much more than some good Frisbee golf.

Drew Hill, who seems to live by the motto "go big or go home", came complete with a personalized t-shirt. In case you can't zoom in there close enough, it reads: "Congrats Curtis Chesney on PASSING! (not gas, or a kidney stone, but that test thing)"

Yes, congrats babe.

gleefully six

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(July 11, 2011. Yes, I am 6 months behind. Don't judge.)

Seriously, when you're turning six, does it get much better than an outdoor birthday party complete with sprinklers, water tables, a giant beach ball, bubbles, and water balloons? Doubt it. My sister proved how a such a simple concept can be quite possibly the best idea out there.

Check out my niece Bess' fabulously fun day:

 Bess, the birthday girl, in all her joy!

 Rosey, her little sister, joining in on the fun.

 The little ones, including my sweet Annabelle, loved the water table...
 
 and the big kids couldn't get enough of that humongous beach ball!

  Sometimes, when words won't do, you just have to do a jig.

 Cooper = gleeful. 

 Oh, Myer, my uber-cute nephew... I could eat him up faster than he inhaled that watermelon.



  For the artistic types, Ashley had sidewalk paint. My son clearly didn't even touch it.
 
 He was too busy hurling water balloons at my car.

 Annabelle found a comfy seat to rest off all that partying.

 And then it was time for yumminess.
 
  These two are quite a pair, especially when they're awaiting dessert.

 A party complete with a decorate-your-own ice cream sundae table. Can we replicate this for my 31st birthday? Seriously.

 Proud mommy (and Mammy in the background) serenading the birthday girl.

 Nope. No personality at all.

Happy Birthday, sweet Bess! If every one of your birthdays is this fun, we want to be there for them all!