Happy Sweet 16, Kelly!!!

Today, as we wait to see whether Tropical Storm Fay will strengthen and do some damage here at the Sandbar, we're celebrating Kelly's 16th birthday.

Kelly, however, is not at home. About a month ago, she was hired to do clerk-receptionist type work for a dentist nearby. Here's the outside of the office.




And here's the front desk.

Here's my daughter, horrified that her mother was actually taking her picture at WORK. "Mom! You're taking my picture? Now?"


All the other moms of course understood the need for documentation. She has a little office in the back with a nice window where she performs her duties. She wasn't sure she wanted to try to balance a part-time job with school, but then zowza! She received her first paycheck. I wish I had a video camera to record that moment, but some of her expressions were and Are you serious? and Holy cow!

Because we knew everyone would be back to school this week, we had her birthday party on Saturday. Here Glenna has done her panoramic magic to show the guests arriving.
Himself was wonderfully patient and precise while following Kelly's light-stringing directions. The house looked festive and fun.

Most of the kids from youth group attended, along with our youth pastor and his wife. That's his wife in the red. She sat in my house and even next to me while the entire time she had a secret! And she said nothing! Congrats to Josh and Kimberly, expecting their first child in March! He announced it the next day in church. :-)


We played a sort of ice-breaker game. Here's Tyler and some of his friends, trying to come up with answers. I asked 16 questions about Kelly and people had to try to match her answers (she didn't know the questions ahead of time).


Here's our youth pastor and his wife. He wins the prize for the most clever answer to, If Kelly had all the free time in the world, what would she most like to do?
Josh's answer was Hang upside down in Africa while picking rare flowers that make ponies sneeze. Of course! Why didn't the rest of us think of that?


Time for cake! Everyone insisted on all 16 candles.




There were even some "older" guests enjoying the carnitas. Below is ML, BA's husband, and our friend John. His daughter is a friend of Kelly's.

When not behind the camera, Glenna did a great job as hostess to the siblings who came along. Come one, come all! We don't even care. Want to bring your Auntie's first cousin? Sure!


Me in my extremely narrow kitchen, and posing below with Ty. I love that I no longer have to chase him down for hugs. He now gives them freely and first.


Here's Kelly with Brittny and Jake. Jake is now an Uncle! His new nephew is so beautiful and amazing.


Who is this mysterious, well-dressed young lady? Love the short jacket!


Kelly began to open gifts, and her friends sort of paid attention to the goings-ons.



When she opened this gift, though, everyone was alert. At last, Kelly has an ipod nano. We bought it back in February when we still had tax return money, because I knew by August I couldn't buy it. She's waited so patiently all these years! It killed me to have it in my possession that long and not be able to give it to her. It was worth the wait.

Her brother, Tyler, sealed the deal when he bought her some speakers to go with it. Really nice ones!

Thank you, Tyler! Wow!

After that, it was food and fun and fellowship. Himself and I actually went to bed around 10:45, but we're not worried about the crowd. A few stayed over and went to church with us the next morning. So nice!



I keep wondering why I have to fuss with putting the couch cushions back. This photo explains it!

This guy in the yellow shirt is Josh B, also known as Jbass. For some reason, everyone loves to mess with him. Probably because he's so easy going. Here, Zach and Caitliln are posing as Jbass fans.


Our Facebook/Myspace photo. Everyone has one. Right?


This, of course, is Guns and Roses. thanks, Paul!