Birthday Girl

After a super long and exhausting day of traveling from coast to coast and all the excitement of finally seeing Moe-Joe & Dad-Oh... Allen Jess was more than happy to lie down in his (our) big bed for the night and get some much needed rest! 

But with Allen still on west coast time, Moe-Joe & Dad-Oh were left twiddling their thumbs and anxiously waiting for Mr. Sleepy-Head to finally wake up the next morning! But it was definitely a good thing that he got lots of rest... for he woke up to a room completely filled with toys and two very happy grandparents eager to play!

Needless to say, Allen was super happy... he had a room filled with new toys he had never seen before, and his Moe-Joe & Dad-Oh to play with! I'm sure he must have thought it was the best morning ever and that it was his birthday! 

"I don't know Dad-Oh... it's certainly not a Ducati or a Harley Davidson, but I guess it'll do for now."

I guess we could've celebrated Allen's soon to be 10-month-old birthday... but instead, we ended up celebrating Moe-Joe's Birthday which just so happened to be that very day! Chocolate cake, presents & cards, and a sweet little baby boy in your arms... not a bad way to start your birthday!

After a little morning playtime in the 'playroom' and then a hearty breakfast... Moe-Joe and Allen spent some time together outside by the pool.

Although it was hot and humid, it was a beautiful day...

perfect for a stroll to the park.

"Thank God you got that knee fixed Dad-Oh...

or else it would've been you in this thing getting pushed around!"

"You can go play in a minute Allen...

but first let me tell you who I think should be President!"

Allen just loved being pushed on the swing by his Moe-Joe!

The Etheridge Men... enjoying a little swing time!

We didn't last very long at the park before we decided it was just too hot and time to go back home and get in the cool and refreshing pool.

For Moe-Joe's birthday dinner, the decision was made to go out and enjoy a nice meal together at a local Japanese steak house. We of course told Allen that there would be a really cool show involved and that he could watch all the food be prepared right in front of him... so although we got his approval, I think he was more concerned with having his toys there with him to play with!

Needless to say, the show (cooking) was fun...

and the food was absolutely delicious!

And there was lots of singing, clapping...

and much rejoicing for the Birthday Girl!

Good cook, good food, and good company...

equals Good times!

With all the excitement of Moe-Joe's big birthday dinner...

some of us just couldn't handle it all and had to sleep it off!

But the little guy came back to life on the way home...

just in time for cake and presents.

Speaking of cake... Allen just couldn't resist!

He saw that big beautiful chocolate cake sitting there with big red strawberries on top, threw caution to the wind and dove face first! 

Who needs plates, silverware or hands...

when you've got six perfectly good teeth!?

As if he didn't get enough on the countertop, Moe-Joe felt it necessary to feed Allen even more delicious cake! (So spoiled!)

Chocolate cake and playing with Dad-Oh in his chair!?!?

The night just kept getting better and better.

Finally, it was time to honor and appreciate the one we call Moe-Joe... with lots of cards, presents, hugs and kisses!

"Here Moe-Joe... don't forget my card!"

"Happy Birthday Moe-Joe!

Now can I go check my email?!"

Moe-Joe's a sucker for that little boy...

so off to the computer they went to check Allen's email!

Later that night Moe-Joe got a happy birthday Skype call from the High-Ridges in Colorado! (Yes, that is Mandi wearing a helmet. She's a little slow!)

Wow! What a jam-packed day we had. We played, walked, swung, swam, ate, laughed, sang, clapped, drank, talked, and then played some more! But by the end of the night, all that fun eventually caught up with us and ended up wearing a few of us out!

I know she's had some pretty good ones to speak of... but this year's birthday might just rank with some of the best! It certianly wasn't fancy or anything special, but Moe-Joe got to see, hold, and play with her newest Grandson for the entire day, and I'm pretty sure that's all she really wanted anyway!