Ahoy all ye land lubbers!

That's right.  We were taken over by pirates for Benjamin's 1st Birthday!  And we had a super time!

I had a great time getting all the decorations and games ready.

Here's an after shot of the food table...

We also had a shark photo booth.

Everyone walked the plank and swam with the sharks!

We found pirate booty and searched for "buried" treasure.

(This was the scavenger treasure map that I made and then ripped up 

and hid the pieces around the yard for the kids to find).

We were ambushed by enemy pirates!

We found the treasure!!!

We also played "Pin the Patch on the Pirate"!

We pillaged enemy pirate boats!

(These cardboard pirate "boats" were incredibly easy to make ... thanks to my local appliance store).

And of course there was cake and presents!

No one saw where the cupcake wrapper went.  

Benjamin wanted to give mommy a surprise a few days after the party.

And after all that we just wanted to relax.  

Kevin brought out the washoes and the kids just played.

And it's not a party at the Underwood's until someone does the diving board pull up.

Way to go Kenny!!!!

(Sorry Kevin you didn't get into any photos.  But I couldn't have posted

 this great party if you hadn't been behind the camera all day.  Kisses.)

Happy Birthday my sweet Benjamin Button!  We love you!

Natalie's 1st Gymnastic Recital by Natalie Sandra

Hi!  It's Natalie ... I wanted to tell you all about my gymnastic recital I had on May 19th.

I have been taking gymnastics with my mom for about a year.  I love it and I am really good at jumping on the trampoline, summersaults, swinging on the rings, climbing the ladder and playing in the foam pit. 

I have so much fun and really like my coach Andrew.  He is teaching me cartwheels now.  

Anyway, we had our first recital where I got to show off everything I have learned.  

I got to wear this awesome leotard too!  Daddy said I looked so pretty.

When we got there, Grandma Red and Papa surprised me by coming to watch me.

Before anything started they had all the kids get together and warm-up.

I love being up front!

This is my coach Andrew!  He's great but he broke his leg playing basketball two weeks before the performance.  But I am so glad he was there to watch me!

Me and my friend Ava getting ready for opening ceremonies.

Opening ceremonies!  There were even torches like at the Olympics!

Waiting for my turn.

Here we go!

Summersault

The balance beam

First place!!

I had so much fun!  Can't wait for my next recital!