Celebrating

It's been a busy two days of unpacking after our first road trip of four this past weekend.



Who knew baby socks could take up so much room? Of course, there are also diapers, burp cloths, toys, books, pacies, and snacks to pack as well...But more on baby supplies later. Probably in the next few days when I announce the next giveaway...Yes, that is officially a teaser.

But, anyway, it was a weekend of celebration.



For a much awaited graduation.
And this family loves to celebrate.





Even if my cake pops didn't turn out the way I had so loftily envisioned. I had such high hopes. They were going to be so beautiful, posted on sticks, arranged into a festive bouquet. Nope. Even after hours of preparation, two trips to Michaels, a single trip to HyVee and a desperate phone-a-friend call to Jolene for help.

But, this family celebrates anyway.
We're totally serious about it.
We decorate.



With just a few breaks for fun.









And maybe one or two breaks to chill.





And then a few for snuggling.



But when it really comes down to it, we really are there to celebrate.
'Cuz that's what family does.
We take pictures.





We unfurl the flag.



Speaking of unfurling things...
Funny story. Growing up, we reached a certain age at which my dad suddenly, and quite grievously, realized he was no longer walking in the door from overnight business trips to screaming tiny girls bounding towards him with open arms, but distracted little ones who were more consumed with their dollies. So, my mother took it upon herself to make it different for him one evening. She dressed us up in our nicest Sunday clothes and wrangled us for long enough to create a massive "welcome home" banner that we hung proudly, unfurled it even, across the entire front of the house. He loved it. However, the punchline of this memory is that the next morning, she received a phone call from the grumpy neighbor across the street. With a full heart, he humbly gushed to her about how much this banner had meant to him when he returned from his travels. He didn't even think we knew he was gone, let alone missed him, but how wonderful and lovely it was to return to see his neighbors truly cared enough to acknowledge his homecoming with a beautiful banner announcing to the neighborhood their fondness of him. Hmmm. "Well, we really love being your neighbors and I'm glad it meant so much..." My mother ever so sincerely stammered.
Great memory.



Yes, this family functions well as a fan club.
We love to celebrate.


'Cuz really, that's just how we share the love.