Party on 68th Street!

Poor Graham. He will always have to share his birthday with Memorial Day weekend...and living in Indianapolis, that also means the "big" Indianapolis 500 as well. Since his actual first birthday fell on race day, we held his party on Memorial Day. We decided to stay true to the holiday and hold a big cook out for friends and family.

Classic "party shot" of the backyard

Some of the kids enjoying lunch at Graham's new picnic table

I'm not sure how I'm going to manage two birthday parties in May. For Graham's birthday I didn't stress out about anything...but I felt like I didn't do anything for his party either. I forgot to get him a birthday cake on his birthday and didn't order one for his party, I didn't have any decorations or a theme...oh the poor "second kid". Never fear though...Angie came through for us. We decided to make Graham a "big top" cupcake and serve regular cupcakes to all the other guests. Auntie Jen actually made all the cupcakes for the party and did a wonderful job on Graham's big one.

Getting mad about not actually holding the cup cake

Hmm...can I eat this?

Oh! I CAN eat this!

Oh dear Lord Baby Jesus...

Needless to say, Graham LOVED the birthday cake! So much so...that I just left him in all his cake glory while we opened the presents. (Actually it was just so stinking hot, I was trying to race through presents so people could either leave or go inside to cool off!)

Everyone was sweating their butts off! Look at the sweat coming off Charlotte and Emma! This was the first birthday party we've thrown where it was hot and not cold and windy! We just can't win! But we gave the kids some popsicles and broke out one of Jack's new toys he got for his birthday...THE SLIP AND SLIDE!!!!

Charlotte and Emma

Lilly eating her popsicle

Strole Cousins: Hunter, Graham, Carter and Jack

Everyone was pretty excited to see the slip and slide come out! All the kids lined up and were ready to start sliding before they even got out of their clothes!

Lined up and ready to go!

Graham running across trying not to slip and fall!

Bennett chilling out at the finish line

It was so hot that even the adults got in on the fun. Clark (Charlotte, Lincoln and Bennett's dad), my mom and Angie lined up to race one another.

As you can clearly see...Clark has these ladies beat. He had splashed down before Mom or Angie even got to the slide!

And just as Clark was finishing, Angie is just starting! Everyone got a big kick out of seeing these "kids" take their turn.

The Slip and Slide was definitely the hit of the party as kids young and old got in on the action. I think that's what I love most about our friends and family...none of them ever really grow up.

Charis getting a turn

Bowen, Lincoln and Jack lining up to race

Clark and Mom tossed the kids down most of the day as they didn't quite

get the hang of how to slip and slide at the same time!

And even if one of us tries to grow up...someone is always there to remind you how to be a kid again...

Clark making me take a turn on the Slip and Slide

Happy Birthday Graham!

My baby turned one today! So happy and so sad at the same time. The last year has flown by and I only see time speeding up as the boys get bigger and we have more and more things we can do with them.

Jason's brother Todd and his family flew in last night. Jason and Todd decided to go to the Race today, so Jen, Karen and I took the kids to the Children's Museum to burn off some energy today. All the kids had a lot of fun, but since this is Graham's birthday, the pictures will focus mainly on him and all the fun he had!

I think this was one of the first times he's gotten out and been able to run around. That's the perks of having an auntie and Grandma with Mommy! I can chase him around and let Grandma focus on Jack! Anyway, I think he had a fun day...and that's all that matters!

Graham in the Dora and Diego exhibit

Climbing in Isla's garden

How is he an expert at steps already?!

Going down the slide...with cousin Anna right behind

Peek a boo!

Doing a little cooking in Playscape

He LOVED this rocking horse!

What the heck is this stuff?!

After Jason and Todd got home from the race everyone cooked out and let the kids play in the backyard. Jason and his dad put together Graham's big present from us, a Cozy Coupe car. Jack got a Power Wheels dune buggy from my parents and sister, so it was only fitting Graham got a car too!

Daddy putting together his car

Climbing the slide after Anna

Yeah, it's my birthday, I can go up the slide if I want...

I was pretty sad about the car actually. I did not want one with the big silly looking eyes on the front. I just wanted a normal looking car...but this is all I could find, so this is it.

Riding in his new car...

Although this is a much better way to get around...

With all the excitement of going to the parade, Jason's brother's family coming into town and the race, this awesome mom forgot to get a cake for her baby's first birthday. Never fear though...Jason's dad went to the local Dairy Queen and came back with an awesome ice cream cake. He really came through for us!

Grandpa did a great job picking out Graham's ice cream cake!

All in all I think Graham really enjoyed his special day filled with cousins, cake and cars. I mean, really. What more could a boy ask for?!

Mom! Everyone is singing to me!

Trying to touch the candle instead of blowing it out

"Man that shit was good...but I've got a massive brain freeze now!"

2. Take the boys to the 500 Festival Parade

Last year my sister bought Jason, Jack and I tickets to go see the 500 Festival Parade. My grandma said she took us when we were younger, but I have no memory of ever being at this parade despite living in or near Indianapolis all my 30+ years. So...we made plans last year to take Jack...but someone else had other plans in mind. Graham decided that he was going to make his own parade of sorts that day and Jack ended up going with Mamaw, Papaw and Ashley.

This year I made sure to add the parade to my bucket list and so here we are...number two on the list...The 500 Festival Parade.

I'm going to spare you commentary on all the pictures I've posted and just let you know that we met Stacy, Brandon, Bowen and sweet Arden in our seats and enjoyed the show. Hope you enjoy it too!

Racing through the years at Indy

Blue II...the Butler Bulldog

The sweetest thing I saw all day!

Had to get a picture of Graham Rahal...since my Graham was

born so close to race day, Ash thinks he's destined to become a racer

Anderson...just as good in person as on TV...

Graham pointing out all the exciting balloons and floats

Little Al's float...

What's the race in Indy without Gomer?!

And we have a man down...

This one's for my sister...

Another man down!

But Jack saw the whole thing!

After the parade we ended up going to Pot Bellies on the circle with the Conway's to enjoy a delicious milk shake. All in all..not bad for a Saturday in May.