Happy 90th Birthday Grandpa!

Last week we returned from a week in California with my family. This year we were also celebrating my Grandpa's 90th birthday (okay, so the actual birthday isn't for a few more weeks, but we thought we better have a party before school started). It was a great party with lots of old friends, family and of course great food (oooh, I am craving that homemade ice cream as I write this!). Several of my Grandpa's nieces and nephews flew in from other states, his fours kids were there and lots of other relatives made sacrifices to celebrate with us. What fun. I loved hearing the experiences that people had had with my grandpa and looking at old photos (my Bro, Matt put together a video). A photographer friend of my parents took photos, which I will have to post once we get them.

The party wasn't the only fun part about our trip to Cali. We also spent a day at Pinecrest lake, visited a friend's ranch, spent some time at my Grandpa's home, had an adults night out, etc...
love this photo of Gracie cracking up at my brother
my beautiful niece, Emma, can't believe she is going to be in Middle School--Emma, STOP GROWING UP! :)My handsome dad...when I think of Pinecrest Lake I always think of the time that I dropped his BRAND NEW camera into the lake from the dock...ugh. Thank goodness we have new memories there now, right Dad????
To all of you this picture of the boys may seem like an odd choice, but in looking closer I can almost hear Owen, Davis and Hunter giggling.
Kate totally zonked out while riding in my lap in a Kayak. Luckily Jed and Davis were in the back. If I had been rowing by myself with her sleeping on me, I still might be in the middle of that lake! Poor girl I kept bonking her on the head with my oar. Apparently, it didn't bother her.
Doesn't this paddle boat full of girls look like fun? Seriously fun cousin time. Kate is still missing them.
I had to take a pic of this moment. I walked through the family room and noticed my bro-in-law having a chat with Davis about all of his favorite things. I was so grateful that he would take the time to hear all of Davis' ideas and ask him questions about things that are really only important to a 5 year old. Seriously, the cutest guys ever...David and Jed.
Davis with Donald Davis...I am so glad that Davis is able to have so many interactions with his great-grandpa.
I wonder if Grandpa has any idea what Gracie is saying to him.
All cowboys have water guns, right?
I was laughing while taking this picture. When my sister was 14 the saddle that she was sitting on broke and she fell off a horse, she was terrified of riding after that (nobody blamed her). So proud that you have come so far Amy!
Kate kept oscillating between being terrified of the animals and loving them.
My sweet Mama...she's always so happy when everyone comes home. Wish we could do it more often.