joshua's 8th birthday party!!

MOST of our kids birthday parties are just extended family. we have done a few friend birthday parties, but it's not the "norm." we don't really have a system. we just do what seems right at the time.

for joshua, this year, we went big (for us). he got to have a friend birthday party at a sports complex and they played soccer and ate pizza. he was in heaven.

PLUS, the fogarty's came from out of town to join us! (owen and joshua are 6 weeks apart and are truly super close. it's like the best thing ever. because pat and ej truly enjoy each other, ali and i truly enjoy each other - i actually don't think i would be the person i am if it wasn't for her friendship, and ALL our kids have fun together! EVERYONE wins!)

and while all this was going on, my parents kept lincoln, sawyer and levi (and andrea and ayden - my brother's 2 kids that they were watching!) at our house so that we could REALLY enjoy joshua at his party.

it was like the never-ending party...

then we came home and had cake and opened gifts with the fogarty's and the grandparents and dylan (his good friend from school)

the fogarty's stayed overnight (yay!) 

6 of the kids slept in 1 room all on the floor. it was impressive! (although from their meltdowns mid-morning today, i'm not sure how much they actually slept ;-)) but they had fun!

i only grabbed this moment today before they left. we just enjoyed soaking them in before they had to head home.

joshua is 1 loved kid! from my parents helping watch the kids to make his party more enjoyable, to the fogarty's giving up their weekend to come celebrate with us, to everyone that CAME to his party...many people made it a VERY special weekend for him.

it was such a joy to celebrate him...a very special boy that asks for so little. it was fun to give him so much! and to watch him receive it with such joy! we love you, joshua!

(his actual birthday is in a week...)