Wouldn't it figure that the one extended time period that I'm without my camera (the charger is still in Pittsburgh) is the same two weeks that a) some of Mike's former players come to visit, b) our 8th wedding anniversary occurs and c) two of my very best friends in the world, who live on opposite coasts, come to Wilmington to visit at the same time?
I hate cell phone pictures, but that's what I had to resort to. Couldn't let all of these friends pass through town without some pictures!
First, two of Mike's players from Wabash came to visit. Tyler actually spent most of the week with us as he was caddying in the Nationwide (step below PGA) event at a golf course near us. We loved having him! Chris came down on Friday and joined us for a night. We went out to Generation's for pizza, stopped off for ice cream at Peppermint Patti's, then hung out at home. The kids loved them both!
Chris, the Pear, Tyler and "Coach."On Sunday, San Francisco's finest, Ms. Popo Mahoney - aka Joanna - visited our humble abode. Lots of laughs, lots of happy kids and lots of reminiscing. I miss her so much! Luckily, she was able to stay until Monday when...
Lauri arrived!!!! Oh, how I miss my darling friend! Lauri and her cuties Scott and Tony were in Cincinnati from Virginia, visiting Scott's family. As I've mentioned before, Tony is only six months younger than the Pear, so we've already arranged for them to be roomies at Ohio State. Gah, I wanted to keep them all in Wilmington forever. It was almost sensory overload, ha! I took several pictures of the kids playing, but of course, pictures and craptastic cell phone camera do not mix. Here are a few shots I got that weren't completely blurry.
Lauri, yours truly, Joanna. The last time the three of us were together was at my wedding eight years ago. We plan on having a big bash in Vegas for our 40th birthdays (Lauri and I are three weeks apart; Joanna is the baby of us, but she'll just celebrate a few years early.)
Tony and the Pear. Will we see these positions in the dorms in about 17 years?
Cute picture of the Pear and the Worm.
Gotta get back to work. I should get my charger back tomorrow. Yay!
Until next time,
Mommy Kel
The Worm and The Pear.
Michael's turn. He just throws the rock, runs across the board, turns around and runs back. 
Still the cell phone, but these came out cute! No pictures from practice.
Pretty much every girl had a pink ball. :)
Hanging out at the Progressive Field pavilion.
Daddy and his little girl.
Before the game with Daddy.
He had some much fun!
My Pear and I!
My Worm and I!
Look, an actual picture of Mike and I. 
The boys studying the game.
Her birthday was on Sunday, but we had the party on Saturday (the 4th is a family day to me). She was so excited that we let her open one present in the morning before the party. She was thrilled with this $3 dog bracelet that she spied at Big Lots months ago. She's so easy to buy for.
I now unveil the cake! No I didn't invite a second-grader over to do the writing. :) I also couldn't get the cake out of the pan, so I iced it right in it. Pink border, flowers, sprinkles. Oh, there's more. Just read further down.
Some of the decorations.
The bounce house was a hit with all of the kids!
The cake with dog decorations that Taylor requested. Taylor thought the cake was "beautiful."
Make a wish...
We gave each kid an ice cream cup and then had adults walk around the table with chocolate syrup, sprinkles and whipped cream. The kids loved it, especially Michael!
Taylor and her friend Hailey. They were in the same preschool class 2008/2009 and still just adore each other.
Getting so big!
Taylor and her buddy Bryson. They go to the same sitter and have known each other since Taylor was 1 and Bryson was just a couple of months old.
Spoiled by Gma, as usual. :)
Taylor and neighbor bud, McKenna.
I love this picture of our neighborhood buddies Michelle and Ben with Tay-Tay. 
Happy girls.
My sweet little girl and I.
Taylor got to open the rest of her presents from us Sunday morning (first thing - excuse the bed head!). A new Pet Pals game and a Pucci pup and she was thrilled. We also plan to take her to Kings Island. Here, she's getting a big birthday hug from Michael. 
Posing with some of her loot.
