The Big 4-0!

My sister just turned 40!! I didn't get her permission to write the blog so hopefully she's ok with it. :) I went back in forth for several months about how I wanted to put Tracy's party together. For a long time I wanted to have a surprise party the weekend of my cousin's wedding, but there were some logistical issues and some uncertainties so I had to find another way.

My aunt, Patti, offered her house for the celebration so we had a little party for her on Friday, October 9th. My mom, aunt Patti and I got together and came up with a menu- they did the meal, I handled dessert and decorations. Several years ago we all decided to forego sibling gifts on our birthdays, but my brothers still wanted to do something so they pitched in on snacks and drinks. We all put the party together for Tracy, that was our gift. :)

We had chicken-n-dumplings, green beans, homemade applesauce, chips & dips, gooey butter cake, pumpkin cake and ice cream. Jeremy brought a carrot cake and two homemade corn bread skillets- one with jalepenos, one without. My cousin Rachel was visiting as well and planned to make corn bread, so we had plenty of that. All the food was delicious.

My pretty sis

Allie eating half of Grandma's food

There is still construction in my aunt & uncle's neighborhood, so the kids had fun getting dirty in the mud and rocks. I even came up with an obstacle course that all the kids and my brother, Rob, ran through or over as the case may be. They ran up, over and down the several piles of rocks, it was a lot of fun. I mean, I didn't try, but it was fun watching them. :) Everyone did good, but Caleb had the best time. Sadly I couldn't get pics of them running the course since I was keeping time.

 My cutie good-lookin' boys

Everyone seemed to have a great night, I hated to leave. I certainly hope Tracy enjoyed it! Happy 40th birthday sis!!