Backstage Pass

Yesterday we got to see Music & More's production of Thumbelina in Auburn!  We all loved the show, and the kids were thrilled to go backstage and on stage afterward to check out the beautiful sets, props and costumes!

Here are some cell phone pics...

The kids among the flowers in the Fairy Kingdom!

Deacon was SO happy to pop up from behind the foliage!

Maren gets comfy in Thumbelina's walnut shell bed, which Uncle Mike brilliantly crafted using a damaged boat, canvas, insulating foam and paint.

Uncle Mike helps the kids hold up a giant leaf.

Deacon practices his bow.

Kind of hard to see in this dark picture, but Uncle Mike took the kids back to the projection room and let Deacon flip the switches to turn off the lights!

Uncle Mike, Michelle, Grammie and Auntie Kay at dinner afterward.  

Art Showcase: "I Accidentally Went In The Water And Got Bit By A Shark" by Maren

I Accidentally Went In The Water And Got Bit By A Shark, by Maren

Maren says this is not a sea creature, but a funny monster with 3 tails and 9 legs who accidentally wandered into the water and got bit by a shark, and that's the end.

Maren's Garden Party

Six months ago, as she was awaiting appendix surgery on the night of Deacon's birthday party, the only thing we could get Maren to talk about was her idea for her own birthday party: a "flower birthday"! She wanted lots of friends there, flowers, a flower cake, a flower pinata, and flower lollipops.

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Considering her predicament in the hospital, we promised her anything and everything! So on Saturday July 5th, Maren hosted her 4th birthday party at Grammie & Gramps' house in Fair Oaks: a garden party, with friends, flowers, a flower cake, a flower pinata, and flower lollipops!

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Uncle Phillip played jazz guitar as guests arrived...

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Chase inspected the new flower garden, planted by Gramps for the occasion

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Then Chase was ready for a swim!

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Maren's guests enjoyed food and fellowship among the flowers...

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And the youngest guest, Lydia Grace, got lots of attention!

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After eating and swimming, it was time to make garden hats and plant flowers!

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Auntie Jana and Terri worked on hats with the kids.

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The Master Gardeners, Grandpa and Gramps, model their special hats before literally digging in to plant flowers with the kids.

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Each guest got to take home their newly potted flowers and garden tools!

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After all that gardening, the boys needed a play break in the house.

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Then it was time for the pinata! Maren got the first swing...

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And the boys finished it off.

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Gathering the candy...

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Rewarded for their efforts!

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Even with a pink flower on his head, Uncle Phillip is an intimidating presence.

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Time for cake and presents!

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A movie: Happy Birthday To You!

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Another movie: Maren wishes she could "put a flower on Baby Fifi's head" before blowing out her candles.

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Susan helped serve cake and ice cream.

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Back inside the house, Papa waited for Maren to come in and open presents!

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Presents!

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When Maren and Deacon saw Ugly Dolls for the first time a couple of months ago at Ken and Laura's house, they each wanted one of their own.  After Maren got one for her birthday, Deacon got one, too!

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Maren also received an apron to match the ones the other girls in the family got for Mother's Day!

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After all the excitement, the party was over, and Uncle Chris got to sit in his special spot by the sliding door again.

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And Maren fell asleep.

4th of July 2008

Hope everyone had a great 4th of July! We spent the day at the fabulous Oyog Barbecue House and had a great time. Here are some pictures!
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What would the 4th be without a picture of Phillip sweating over the Weber...

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Or a nice picture of Jana in her kitchen?

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Maren and her new best friend in the world, Addie.

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Grandpa displays his patriotic dessert!

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Addie's mom, DeAnn, teaches baton. Here she fills up a jar with lighter fluid to soak the ends of her baton for something special later in the evening!

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Braving the unseasonal wind, DeAnn entertains an enthusiastic crowd!

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A long-exposure shot of DeAnn's baton artistry!
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Inspired, Maren tries a sparkler amid ever-cautious Deacon's cries of Maren, don't die!

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Our expert pyrotechnic engineers prepare for a spectacular fireworks display.

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Safe and Sane! Sort of!

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Maren and Addie share a chair.

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Elias does a dance!

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The crowd loves it.

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Two hours later... the finale!

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Turns out the BIG one was like all the other ones... except six times as long. A fantastic conclusion to a great show!

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Stay tuned for full coverage of Maren's garden birthday party!