Homecoming and Birthday Parties...

I know we say it a lot, but what a busy week. Earlier in the week we had our typical babysitting arrangements. This week Reece was great for Brooke and Dan and was also good for Jenessa. Sam was also great for us on Tuesday. Tuesday night we drove to Dan and Brooke's studio for Reece's Halloween photos. We wanted to capture his first costume experience with some great pictures and since Brooke and Dan are having a Halloween special in their studio we just couldn't pass it up (let me know if you want their info too). What a handsome monkey!!

On Wednesday night we had the other Davis clan stay with us. It was so much fun to have Joe's brother Ben, Marlo and Jillian with us Wednesday night and Thursday. Jillian was practicing her big sister skills (Marlo is due in January) and I must say she will be an excellent helper. Dan, Joe's brother-in-law, came to stay Thursday night and we all were able to enjoy dinner together.

On Friday, Joe went to Terre Haute for his weekend of classes and as soon as he was out the door Reece and I were busy with party preparations. Joe's birthday is on October 19th and he is turning 30. Since he was going to miss Anderson's homecoming I wanted to make sure he came home to a great celebration. Friday was spent buying food, icing cookies and finalizing details. Kristen Townsend flew into town for the party and homecoming festivities, but the poor thing didn't get to the house until 2:30am and then had to drive back in the morning for her luggage. Sorry Kristen! I hope you enjoyed your tour of Indiana (she gets lost everywhere) if I ever hit the lottery (of course I need to start playing) then I am going to get you a navigation system - I didn't realize anyone could get so lost much! :) We loved having you. Thanks for coming!

Saturday morning I did my last minute pickups and then we (Reece, Mom Davis, Kristen and I) got ready and went to the University for the street fair. Of course we were behind schedule all day, but it was great to see so many friends! While we were there I got a great picture with my nieces. Unfortunately Reece wasn't in his social mood.

After the street fair we were trying to hurry because we got word Joe was already on his way home. Luckily a crew met at my house just after 1pm and we piled everything into vehicles and headed for the neighborhood clubhouse. Before everything was finished at the clubhouse I had to hurry back to our house and beat Joe there. The hard part of the day was finding a reason to get Joe down to the clubhouse. I knew he would have suspicions no matter what I said, but I tried the "we are having an emergency neighborhood meeting". The definite sign of a party for Joe was seeing his brother's car in front of the clubhouse. I do think he was surprised (a little).

I will now pass the computer over and let Joe finish this blog. Before I do though I cannot thank my parents, Mom Davis, Jamie and Melissa, Kendra and David, Andi, Marlo and Kristen enough --- thank you all for your hard work setting up, during and after the party!

(Joe is now typing...)

What a great party! Although I can't say I was totally surprised that something was going on, I was completely surprised at the number and variety of people...and at the food/decorations/fun. As soon as Lisa said there was an "emergency meeting" that we had to get to, I kinda thought something might be going on. But as I walked in and saw the crowd, I was really overwhelmed. Great friends. Thanks to all of you who were here to celebrate with me. I've decided that the whole "30" thing is a good career move, so it really doesn't bother me too much.

The sad part of the party day was the fact that Reece was feeling really lousy. Just as we were getting ready to walk out the door to the "emergency meeting" we got the feeling he wasn't doing so hot. As the party was winding down, Lisa and her mom had to take him to the Immediate Care center in Anderson to get checked out.

After a few hours of mingling and eating (way too much) we wrapped up the afternoon with some clean-up. A major highlight would have to be the 15 minutes Jason Wiard (one of my good college friends) spent standing on the top wrung of a 10-foot ladder to get the balloons un-wrapped from the ceiling fan.

Soon after that, Lisa returned from the Immediate Care with a happier baby Reece and she encouraged me to go out with my buddies Nate, Tim and Brent. What a great wife! We went to Ale Emporium to share some pizza and old stories. It was a great early birthday celebration all the way around. And thanks to everyone for their prayers - Reece is feeling much better today. He is happy and enjoyed playing with his walker and other toys. Have a great week.