We celebrated my Dad’s 60th Birthday this week with a party at Hershey park. Dad, Mom, their kids, and their 8 grandkids.
We had a blast riding the rides, but truly the best part was being together as a family and enjoying watching relationships grow.
When you’re the oldest cousin sometimes you have to do time in the kiddy rides. He was quite the sport… and was rewarded with roller coaster time in the evening.
My mom prepared tons of food for lunch and dinner. We tailgated in the parking lot for lunch before we went into the park and again in the evening with cupcakes and party horns.
My youngest niece is def a future thrill seeker. She had her hands in the air before the ride even took off. 
Thanks Dad for sharing your special day with all of us… it was a fun day filled with sweet, sweet memories.
May starts off with a bang with Star Wars Day (May the Fourth be with you) on Sat and Cinco de Mayo on Sunday. After a literal month of passing the stomach bug back and forth and back again around the circus house, a weekend with no agenda other than having fun was JUST what this Momma needed. 
Saturday my beloved sister in law and nephews were in town which was PERFECT for Star Wars day. We cranked up the Star Wars soundtrack on the speakers inside and out, donned our Star Wars tees, grabbed our light sabers and battled it out all day. My heart was so full. I loved, LOVED watching the kids interact with each other. It was such a low key, relaxed day. 
Sunday as full with church, a youth staff luncheon, and a flag football game. When we got home we cranked up the music on the “Cinco de Mayo Pandora station” and made enchiladas for dinner… 
followed by this little dessert I found on Pinterest. We ended the weekend snuggled on the couch watching “Herbie Goes Bananas.” 
Today the festivities were over and it was time to tame that LONG ignored laundry pile in my basement. I am thankful though for a weekend of just plain ol’ silly fun (with a side of chips and salsa).
The most favorite Christmas cookie for the circus fam to make is sugar cookies. Messiness + sugar = pure bliss for the circus crew!!
This year we enjoyed rolling and cutting the cookies with our cousin Eli.
It was also the first year that the youngest circus crew member got to participate in the cooking making fun. And by participate, I of course mean, eating.
Since it took most of the morning to roll out and cut our our cookies, we saved the decorating for later that day. Eli wasn’t with us for this part. But, we still managed to make quite a mess with just 5 of us…
want a little cookie with your sprinkles?
I think this last one sums up the resulting sugar coma quite well.
A few moments from this weekend which I wish to savor…
1. My son presenting his gift to his extended family. (One nap time he came up excited to share that he had drawn a picture from each scene in Luke 2. On Christmas he gave one picture to each person. He then laid them all out on the floor and recited the story from memory.)
2. Prepping the Christmas Lasagnas with my daughter… it marked a milestone, in which she was truly helpful in the kitchen. She made one lasagna and I made the other!
3. Uncle Jim patiently spending time reading and playing with my kids. ( sooo good to have him here rather than skyping from Iraq like last year)
4. Cousins playing together…
5. Watching my brother play with my kids.
6. Spending the day with my nephew.
7. My sons first Christmas
I am so thankful for the memories shared this past weekend. They are worth far more to me than anything that could have been wrapped and put under our tree.
This weekend we were able to coordinate our schedules and have the opportunity to get together with my brother and his family for some play time.
What gathering would be complete without a light saber battle?
I loved getting to watch my nephew and nieces play and to observe my brother playing with my children. There is something quite special, and indescribable about watching your children play with your sibling. It truly warmed my heart. It was a blessed evening indeed and one I am truly grateful for.
Thanks guys! I look forward to doing it again!
