For the second time this week, our twin grandsons celebrated their first birthday by tearing into a cake, this time in front of several dozen family and friends. And they did not disappoint. By the time it was over, both Samuel and Elliott were up to their elbows in butter cream icing and had bits of cake hanging off their faces and sticking to just about every square inch of their bodies. The cow-print drop cloth was just big enough to contain the chaos.

The party was cowboy-themed: “This IS our first rodeo!” So I borrowed a pair of boots from Jim Tuttle, purchased a straw hat from Hobby Lobby for $11.99, and did my best to blend in. Here are the super proud grandparents. And Valerie and David with their precious boys.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We held the party in the gathering space of the Jenks Church, where Valerie and David live and worship and serve with some of the best people I’ve ever met. Carrie-Anne and I continue to thank God for this congregation of his people and for the ways they have welcomed and embraced our daughter and her family. They are part of a real Christian community here where they really love each other, take care of each other, and truly enjoy being together. It’s a tight group, man. It’s a young and vibrant church, growing and serving, learning and proclaiming together–we love hanging out with them!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It looked like almost everybody at the party got to hold and connect with at least one of the boys–part of the beauty of having two of these little guys. We ate barbecue sliders and nachos, enjoyed ice cold root beer and Rice Krispie treats, and visited with a few far flung friends we don’t get to see that often. And we loved watching Elliott and Sam rip into those cakes. After about ten minutes, Elliott looked like he was slipping into a sugar coma and Sammy was deliriously singing to his cake. So, we called it. Hosed ’em off. Told everybody “bye” and put them down for their naps.

Early next week, they’ll probably be wondering why they haven’t been given a cake. What did they do wrong? Why did the cakes stop?

Peace,
Allan