Taa-Daah!

Finally, I whip up a cake that is photo worthy!
It just took me 8 birthday's...

We are eternally grateful for dear friends
that come over at the last minute
to share with us some cake and ice cream...
come to think of it.
They'd be nuts if they didn't!
I mean...who turns DOWN cake and ice cream?
(side note: I wish we could have invited the whole neighborhood of friends,
but as you can tell, the cake ain't THAT big)

Thus with a table full of friends and ugly coned hats...

Let there be cake!
And candle blowing!

And shoveling of food in one's mouth!

I'm especially proud of Larry and Dave for plastering on these fake smiles.
When you share the same mission and occupation...
these two NEVER lack for conversation!

Work hard...relax hard!
That's our motto!

These girls are ALWAYS ready for a party.

After patiently watching everyone else in the family have birthdays for the past 4 months,
Ben was MORE than ready to open his own gifts.

Thanks to little Emma (and her ebay searching Mom) for finding this classic toy!!
Love it!!

Why zoo animals?
Sydney and Emma knew that Ben's other surprise was a trip to the zoo with the family.
(more pics to come of that excursion)

Grandma Ria was more the willing to send 3 light sabers.
She was shocked at how much Ben loved playing with these in the toy aisles.

And we were shocked at how animated and choreographed his moves were.

Grandma Nancy was also happy to indulge Ben in a few Thomas the Train movies.
Finally some movies that cast boys as something other then a prince!
This is Ben trying to gather as many of movies as possible,
just to make sure no one else touches them!!