Kent's 9th And Samantha's 7th Birthday Party 2013!

Finally! I am able to blog, and that's a good thing. We had a great big birthday party for our kids, on Saturday. I sent out party invitations to their classmates, and we had a very good showing. There were fourteen kids, and eleven adults (that's including Jeff and I). My Nana, Pappy, Mom, Dad, Dad Stafford, Mom Stafford, Angela and Andrew Hamby, and a parent, Patricia, to Liam (Samantha's friend), were all the adults. BIG TURN OUT. Anyhow, we had a blast, and it was busy, with all of these bodies moving about the property. Jeff had his steamer steamed up, and that was his job, for the duration of the party, to give rides; and THAT was the highlight! As you can imagine, all the kids, and parents that stopped by to drop off/pick up, were simply amazed! Who has a train in their backyard?! Who has a big ol' pond in their backyard?! Kent and Samantha were a hit. I'm sure all the kids will be talking about their experience for a long time! So not only did we have train rides, but we played a couple of games (musical chairs was hilarious)! We had our homemade chili on BBQ hot dogs, veggies and dip, chips and salsa, warm cheese/salsa sausage dip, CAKE and ICE CREAM. So much delicious food! I had fantastic help from my parents, and my Stafford parents...but my girlfriend Angela, really super duper helped me out! She made both birthday cakes and made that really good cheese dip. Talk about a great friend! I was extremely blessed to be able to have my family, and Jeff's family come together, for our kids birthday party. I have prayed and prayed and prayed for that to happen again, and the Lord gave me that blessing, and I am so very thankful. So this is another "thank you," to my Mom, Dad, Nana, Pappy, Dad and Mom Stafford. You all really, really made this last weekend very special. I would also like to thank EVERYBODY that gave Kent and Samantha birthday gifts. I plan on getting those "Thank You" cards started soon. After the Saturday party, we had Sunday...and I was pooped, as with everyone else. But Mom and Dad Stafford were still here with us, so we all decided to go down to Sedona, and have our meal at one of our favorite restaurants, yes, Oaxaca. The drive and good food was so wonderful, and it was nice to have a slower paced day, after such a crazy fun day! We enjoyed having Dad and Mom Stafford here, until they left for home yesterday. Today the kids and I met up with Angela and her two kids, at the coffee shop, Cafe 326 in Williams. Remember, that is where I have my thirteen pumpkins for sale, on the tables. Well! I am happy to report, there are only FIVE left for sale! That makes me so happy! People have actually been buying my pumpkins! I still plan on making more, but I have been so busy with subbing at the kids' school, and planning a party...but now that we are on a two week break...I would like to make more pumpkins and paint some signs. Oh, I also have to start my studying for my paraprofessional exam. This weekend, Samantha turns seven years old, so we plan on taking our trailer out, and we all head to Dead Horse State Park (one of our favorite places to camp). Jeff and I are both looking forward to it, and the kids are as well. We all relax and enjoy our time away...and with this being fall, it won't be so hot down there in the Verde Valley. Samantha will get her birthday presents from us, and we'll make it special, like we did with Kent on his birthday last week. I think I have covered the latest...so until next time!