Summer Birthday Fun!

I used to think fall was *the* birthday time. We typically have SO many parties during that season. But, summer is starting to gain speed in advancing toward being the new "birthday season." We had even more parties than I have shown here. Some I didn't have my camera..and some I just forgot to upload pictures for. But, here is a glance at all the fun we had with family and friends celebrating. You guys know me! I LOVE BIRTHDAYS!!!

My nephew Aiden turned six! We had a great time skating at his party. I truly cannot believe he turned six though. Time is flying!

We celebrated SpongeBob style! And, I was very proud of my sister for making his cake. She really wanted to but was concerned about pulling it off. She and her husband (who secretly I think wants to start a cake business:)) did awesome! And, Aiden loved it! It was yummy, too!


Paul's Aunt Teri turned 50!!! We got to celebrate at Eagle's Landing Country Club at a surprise party! (I LOVE SURPRISES!) The most fun part though was dressing the kids up. They were quite excited. There was a dance floor and a DJ. This was my children's first experience at something like this..they haven't ever been to a wedding even. And, all I can say is wow. They danced their tails off!! We had trouble keeping Jackson's sugar up! He was square dancing, slow dancing with his older cousins, and break dancing! (I have no idea where he has seen break dancing before??) Preston took some time warming up to the idea, but as you can see once he took to the dance floor, it was on! He kept asking really pretty older women (like other moms who were seriously very pretty!) to dance. They, of course, said yes. And, I, of course, started having chest pains seeing my future with him. He is going to cause me many a night's lost sleep being a flirt I am sure.

Truly the funniest part was when we left, and Jackson asked if he could have his 7th birthday party there. At the country club??!!! Yikes. I explained it is VERY expensive, and well, he'd just have to talk to his Uncle Junior about that. :)

I love this mother/son picture. It is by far my favorite.

Our cousin, Aimee, (check out Aly Bakeshoppe in Griffin!) did a great job on the cake.

She really doesn't look 50. I hope I look that good in 20 years.

See how cute they were dressed up?

Our sweet Ella turned 3 this summer, too! She was a simple birthday girl..her only request was a "pink party" which of course her moma made happen. The kids had a lot of fun at her house. They always secretly love playing with girl toys because they never get to play with stuff like that. Seriously Preston was in her playroom for like 2 hours, and noone even knew he was alive.

Our other sweet girl, Kate, was there, too. And, all the kids had such a neat time making playdoh with super Aunt Kora! :)

My other nephew, Nicholas, turned 12 this summer...making this officially his last year as a pre-teen. And, officially making me feel VERY old. :)

In true Echols style, we of course celebrated by a roller skating party...

My sister and I worked together on the cake. It was fun to do that together. It turned out very good! Especially considering I totally gave her the wrong instructions on how to make the icing by accident! :) I think that is when she learned quick..that while you are making the actual cake it looks horrible up until the last few minutes. In her words, "Man, you can really doctor one up, huh?" (We made this before the Spongebob cake for Aiden..sigh..stupid blogger never adds my pictures in order.)

It was at this party that Preston turned a complete corner in skating and started being able to go around solo!!! I was so proud! Seriously. I almost cried. I am crazy.

What a blessing!! To have so many friends and family who were able to start a new year of life this summer. God is good..all the time.