Two Birthdays, One Party

Samwise was NOT a fan of being around a bunch of strange people.

What's up, gang.

Remember last year, when Kris and I decided to take a page from the ol' White Family Playbook, and hosted a combination birthday party for our kids, with just family in attendance?  Well, things worked out so well last year that we decided to do it again this year (and will probably continue to do so into the foreseeable future.)

Moms, discussing mom stuff.

This time around, however, there weren't nearly as many people in attendance.  Our good friends, Smitty and Rita, are in the process of moving into a new house, my brother Chris and his wife, Nicole, are in the process of closing on one down in Indiana, and Cindy and my step-sister Jill, and her family, are all down in Myrtle Beach.  Marcy's husband, Scott, and my grandpa were both too sick or tired to come out as well, and so it really just boiled down to me and Kris' folks, Chris' twin boys (that Mom was watching while they were down in Indiana) and my brother Jeff and his family.  A small showing, to be sure, but we made it work.

Here's how we spent Sunday afternoon:

Happy camper.

Papa John and the twins, bustin' out some of the girls' old Duplos.

Jeff and his boys wrap up a not-at-all-healthy afternoon lunch.

Pretty tame spread compared with last year's, but we weren't really feeding all that many people, so we didn't worry about making a whole hell of a lot.  Kris had some pork loins she threw together in her beloved InstantPot, a salad, macaroni salad, and chips and salsa.  That's it.

Levi spent the majority of the time he was at our house just aimlessly wandering around trying to open doors.  It's no wonder my brother's going bald.

Starting to chill out a bit.  After an hour.

These balloons (leftover from Abby's sleepover birthday party) were a big hit - helped get the twins eased into being around all the other family members.

Dad goofin' around with Louis.

Marcy and Alayna (who's almost as tall as her now.)

Playing catch.  Or not.

Watson was in and out of everyone's business throughout the afternoon.  Stupid dog couldn't just sit down and nap on the couch like he usually does. . .

Grandmas.

Hanging out with Grandma Jordan on the garden bench. . .

Meanwhile, Jeff's kids are unsupervised on the trampoline.  That's some good parenting, right there.

Time for mandatory cake-and-singing time.

Abby is not amused.

Jeff's kids insisted on flanking ours for this.

Digging into sugar. . .

Owen.

Abby.

Alayna.

SCARLETT.

Taking care of Levi's nutritional needs.

If it's one thing Louis appreciates, it's ice cream.

Sam never let go of this balloon.  Not even for ice cream.

- Brian

Eight Point Lake '17, Pt. III

(contd.)

Saturday

July 22nd

"Rallying of the Clans"

A little morning rain.  This fortunately cleared up after a bit.

Starting off Day Four at Eight Point Lake with some hardcore nudity. . .

Abby brought a bunch of her Gift 'Ems up to the Cottage this year. It's this year's Shopkins fad - hopefully it'll be over by Christmas (cross your fingers.)

Jeff, Annie and their three kids - Scarlet, Owen and Levi - showed up later in the morning, followed shortly thereafter by Chris (Nicole, super-pregnant with twins, wasn't feeling up to a day at the lake.)

The Cannonball.  Bein' weird.

Nana and Levi

Owen attempts to open up one of my coolers, which was mysteriously commandeered at some point during the last few days in order to house Jax's car collection.

While people got around for the day, Dad, Jeff and Annie took the kids down to the nearby 'beach' - about 50 feet from our Cottage - to let the kids splash around and dig in sand.

Back at the Cottage, hanging out with Baby Levi.

Cousins

We brought up a few of these foam squirters with us this year, but they didn't get much use with our kids (aside from squirting water at the dog in order to get him barking like an asshole.)  Jeff's kids definitely appreciated them, though.

Bradley, once again on the hunt for creatures. . .

The Houghs, version 2.1

Siblings

(Jax struggled with nap time today.)

Playing catch out back with Brian White.

Annie and a very elaborate baby sling.

Bloody Marys (Maries?) and discussion

Owen's 'Cheese Face.'

Kris gets her baby fix.

The Borthers

Youngest to Oldest, once again.

Papa, Nana, and a slew of grandkids (and Duke.)

Another shot, this time featuring Watson.

Cannonball photobombs once again. . .

Scarlet finds a weapon

In the afternoon, Chris and I went over to Lucy and Larry's cabin to smoke some cigars Larry brought up, and while we were gone Dad took all the grandkids out for a cruise around the lake.

Lucy and Larry's cabin (this is the one they usually end up renting up at Eight Point.)

I jokingly asked Larry to bring up cigars with him from Grand Rapids.  This man does not mess around.

Stogie time.

Setting off for a cruise.

Cigar City

Houghs on the Lake.  They actually passed right in front of Lucy and Larry's cabin on their putting-cruise around the lake, so we were able to wave at them from the dock.

Lucy and Larry's dock.  That rundown, piece of junk pontoon boat you see there never gets used, as the landlord charges a ridiculous amount - per day - to use it.  If it was in awesome shape, that'd be one thing, but this boat looks like it hasn't been cleaned since the '80s.

Screw you and your Red Sox, Troll.

Back at the Cottage

Kris and Scarlet (and a pouting Abby.)

Snack time (believe it or not, this was the first time my kids have had Push Pops. . . I guess I'm a shitty parent.)

Mandatory 'Scarlet and Jax hand-holding on the steps' picture.

Cousins and sugar.

Give this kid a broom or a rake and he's set for hours. . .

Checking out some antique teacher books Aunt Lucy gave me (I'm going to put them on my desk when I go back to work.)

Al and Shirley bring their dog - which is more or less a Black Bear - over for a visit.

This dog was friendly enough with people, but was overly-aggressive with dogs.  It bit both Bailey and Watson, but Duke was smart enough to keep his distance.

Nerding it out with Alexa.

A couple dead animals.

Jeff and his family ended up heading out around dinner time, but the Houghs and Whites were still playing in/on the lake well into the evening.

Creepy Uncle Chris

Mommin' it up on the Swing.

Grub time.

This thing was delicious as hell. . .

Bradley couldn't look more bored while his Uncle does a set of curls.

Fact or Crap

The Grants rolled into town after dinner, and immediately hit the lake for some swimming - and wrestling - with their cousins.  The Grants rented out a cabin on a nearby lake, so they'd be in town for the weekend's big Cornhole Tournament.

A cloudy, overcast evening on Eight Point Lake. . .

Kyle and his girlfriend, doing some fishing with Bryan

Another mosquito-ridden campfire.  As could be expected, it wasn't as popular with folks as it usually is.

- Brian